seat recommendation for 7 year old on a plane?

M

MyLittleTyke

Senior Community Member
What would be a good seat for a 7 year old who weighs 50 lbs for an airplane trip (and will be used in a car at our destination)? Currently he rides in a regent. Obviously cannot use that on a plane, and there is no way I would ever gate check a seat, and would never lug that beast thru an airport. Traveling in a seat on the plane is a must. I was thinking of the graco nautilus. Would that be a good choice? It's inexpensive and not as heavy as some of the other HWH seats. Any other suggestions?
 
ADS
Ahzryn

Ahzryn

Active member
At 7 and 50 pounds, I would be fine using the lap belt on the plane with no hesitation whatsoever. For the destination, I'd probably either pack the back of a Turbo and carry on the base in the overhead, or carry on a Compass B510 in the overhead.

If a harness is an absolute must at the destination for behavioral issues, that's a little bit more tricky. Any of the HWH harnesses that a seven year old is likely to fit in would be a bear to use on the plane, if it's even possible. Maybe an 86-Y with one of the above boosters?
 
M

MyLittleTyke

Senior Community Member
No behavorial issues - just momma's peace of mind. ;) I'll try him in a nautilus and see if he still fits. I'd like to avoid a booster if possible. I really prefer him to be harnessed. He is an average size 7 year old, not big, not small.
 
T

tanyaandallie

Senior Community Member
I agree that at 7 and 50 lbs with no outstanding issues, I would feel 100% comfortable with him in the airplane seat on the plane and in a booster for the trip. The compass booster is a great travel option.

If you want him harnessed, the Nautilus is a good option, just need to make sure he fits. It is not really any lighter than any of the other hwh seats. It is smaller than the Regent, though.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
My daughter will be 7 in a few days.. 48inches, 17inches torso, 53lbs. Short little girl and barely barely barely fits in a Graco Nautilus. I would be surprised if buying a Nautilus would work or even be worth the money in your situation.

She is in a Regent as well but if I was in your situation..

We'd use a lap belt on plane and a booster at destination!
 
M

MyLittleTyke

Senior Community Member
Blah. Okay, how about the CARES system for him in the airplane and a booster at our destination? I understand the concerns regarding the CARES system, however, at 7, it should fit him well.
 
Jeanum

Jeanum

Admin - CPS Technician Emeritus
Staff member
The CARES harness won't be workable for your 7 year old because it has a weight limit of 44 lbs. I would opt to carry on a booster or a Ride Safer Travel Vest to be used at your destination. That's what I did recently for my 6.5 year old DD1 on our vacation. Her current stats are in my signature. We brought a Ride Safer Travel Vest for her to use in car service vehicles to and from the airport, and she normally rides in a Regent back home. :)
 
M

magoose

New member
I have a 6 1/2 yr old in a Nautilus and he likes his seat a lot. Maybe try your DS in one. Looking at his weight he should get some more use out of it. I do not know how they fit in a plane as we have not flown with DS since he got the Nautilus. Anna
 
Kat_Momof3

Kat_Momof3

New member
at that age and weight, unless he has special needs, I would be fine packing a booster and taking it along... I'd see if he still fits in the Compass B510, since it folds, or take a turbobooster.

but, if he fits in the Nautilus and you really want him harnessed, then go for it... just saying I'd try before you buy it
 
Defrost

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
I bought a Radian for a plane trip for my 7yo DD last winter, but she's small for her age. She was just under 40lbs at the time, and I wasn't comfortable with her in a booster at that point due to her size and complete unfamiliarity with a booster. Also, I knew I'd be using it dh's car since she was about to outgrow the Marathon he had in there.

However, I think the Ride Safer Travel Vest would be a good solution for your child. It can't be used on the plane, but at his age/weight, the lap belt should be fine.
 

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