Air Travel

jenofeve · Apr 4, 2008

I'm traveling to Vegas in May and will have a seat for my son (who will be 11 months) Should I bring the Marathon or Radian? (we have one of each) I know the Marathon is lighter- but seems wide for the aircraft seat?.... which is a better fit all around? Has anyone traveled with either? Thx!

CDNTech · Apr 4, 2008

I would take the Marathon. It installs really easily RFing in the plane. The Radian does not install well (if at all) on most planes when rear facing.

Now, if we were talking an older FFing child, the Radian would win hands down, but for rear facing... take the Marathon.

ETA: I've also travelled with both (both rear facing and forward facing).

hipmaman · Apr 4, 2008

I vote for the Marathon. Just put it on a foldable luggage cart to transport through the airport. I've travelled with 2 MAs on one cart before and it's doable.

Or alternatively, put it on a stroller (and tie it somehow for secure but not so complicated that it would be a big effort to undo to go through security) and carry baby in a carrier of some sort. I have also put a MA on a Maclaren Volo and Peg Pliko to travel too.

Installing a Marathon is a breeze - rf or ff. And it fits on aircraft seat w/o issue (that I've heard of).

jenofeve · Apr 5, 2008

Thanks! Sounds like the Marathon is the winner. He is still RF. We're going to check the stroller as checked baggage (in a very padded case

) and carry him in the Ergo carrier. Dh should be able to carry the seat no problem.

I should look in my manual but how do you install it on the plane? Just feed the seatbelt through the seat? Is that secure enough?

I can't wait to get my hands on a CARES. He is almost 1 and already 22lbs.

unityco · Apr 5, 2008

jenofeve said:
...how do you install it on the plane? Just feed the seatbelt through the seat? Is that secure enough?

Yup, it's just the same as in a car - put the belt through the belt path and tighten it up. One important tip to remember for down the line if you use it on a plane FF is to ask for and use a BELT EXTENDER. The airplane's belt closure ends up in the middle of the belt path when FF, and is virtually impossible to undo. (The Radian is much nicer for FF plane installs.)

jenofeve said:
I can't wait to get my hands on a CARES. He is almost 1 and already 22lbs.

Would you be checking his carseat then? Carseats can easily be damaged in cargo, you're better to use it on board if you're bringing one.

HTH!

jenofeve · Apr 5, 2008

Thanks for the install tips.

No I would never dream of checking my car seat! I've spent too much time reading this forum to know better

99% of our travel is out west to visit the folks- and we bought another seat to have for their vehicle

(A $99 Radian to boot!)

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