Carseat on Plane Question

We used one of our Cosco seats (not sure of the exact model) and it sat our daughter too high for the tray table to lay flat. We used a portable tray that we bought at Walmart for like $15. It is soft and light and can be used in the car as well. It has a lip around the edges to keep crayons etc. from rolling off. We don't use the portable tray often, but take it with us on trips in the car and airplane.

Good luck!

Updated
I remember the airplane buckle being an issue, too. We put a blanket between the airplane bucke and the seat cover. Something to consider. We also needed the carseat when we got there and didn't want the seat to be thrown around in the cargo hold and we didn't want to rent a seat from the rental car agency.

We have never taken a carseat on the plain simply because it's a pain hauling around the airport with carry ons, snacks etc. My children have never had an issue sitting in their seats or using the trays. Just a though...

Besides the tray table, the other problem that I have had with this seat on the plane is where the buckle sits when it is fully tightened. It ended up right in the middle of my daughter's back and was too painful when she was buckled in.

Now I just have her sit in the seat. It saves on space and sanity.

I haven't used that particular seat. In general though, most car seats are too big to use the tray table and they give you a lot less room to move around in general. We stopped taking a car seat for my son before his second birthday. He really liked having more space to move around - he could stand up, he could lie down to sleep, etc. Not having the car seat also allows him to use the tray table and to avoid kicking the seat in front of him.

If you take a car seat, it has to go in the window seat, so whoever is in the middle seat ends up a bit smushed since the car seat is so big next to you. Also, it means only one parent can easily reach the child.

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao - awesome toys for kids of all ages (many are GREAT for airplane travel!)

According to the Carseatblog a sunshine kids radian is one of the few seats that is low enough to allow a child to use the tray table http://carseatblog.com/6635/airplanes-carseats-and-kids—w...

and here's a certified child passenger safety tech's perspective on the safety benefits of using car seats on a plane: http://carseatblog.com/6599/airplanes-carseats-and-kids—w...