Traveling with a toddler requires careful planning, and choosing the right car seat for your flight is a crucial part of the process. You need a seat that is not only safe and comfortable for your two-year-old but also manageable for you to transport through busy airports and install on the plane. The ideal airplane car seat is typically lightweight, compact, and certified for aircraft use.
This detailed review simplifies your search by comparing ten of the best options on the market. We have evaluated seats based on key factors for travel, including weight, dimensions, ease of installation, and overall value, to help you find the perfect fit for your family’s next adventure.
Our Top Picks for Toddler Airplane Car Seats
- Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat – Saturn Gray
- Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat, Carbon Rose
- Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat – Jupiter Red
- Graco Contender Slim Convertible Car Seat, West Point
- RideSafer – Extra Small (XS) Black Travel Vest
- Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Slim Car Seat, Kunningham
- Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat
- Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat, Rocco Red
- Diono Radian 3R, 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
- Diono Radian 3RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat – Saturn Gray
The Evenflo Tribute LX is a fan-favorite for families seeking a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on essential safety and comfort. Its major advantage for travel is its lightweight and compact design, which makes it easier to carry through an airport and fit into smaller vehicle seats, including those on an airplane.
This seat grows with your child, offering both rear-facing (5-40 lbs) and forward-facing (22-40 lbs) modes. It is equipped with a secure 5-point harness and a 4-position shoulder harness adjuster to ensure a proper fit as your toddler grows. For a straightforward, value-packed travel car seat, the Evenflo Tribute LX is a reliable choice.
Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
The Safety 1st Jive stands out with its versatile 2-in-1 design, accommodating your child from 5 to 65 pounds. Its most notable feature for traveling families is the slim design engineered to fit three car seats across the back seat, which is perfect for fitting into a crowded airplane row or a compact rental car.
Practicality is a key benefit, as the seat pad is machine washable and dryer-safe, making cleanup from travel spills and messes simple. With three buckle locations for comfort and a straightforward transition from rear-facing to forward-facing, the Jive offers a practical and space-efficient solution for your journeys.
Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat – Jupiter Red
This model of the Evenflo Tribute LX offers all the same great features as the Saturn Gray version, providing an unbeatable value in a vibrant Jupiter Red color. It remains a highly reviewed choice for parents who need a dependable seat without a high price tag.
The compact and lightweight frame is ideal for on-the-go families, making airport navigation and in-flight installation less of a hassle. It supports your child from 5 to 40 pounds with a secure 5-point harness system, ensuring safety from infancy through the toddler years during your travels.
Graco Contender Slim Convertible Car Seat
The Graco Contender Slim is designed with travel in mind, as it is explicitly FAA approved for aircraft use. Its space-saving design is perfect for creating more room in the back seat of a car or on an airplane, without sacrificing safety for your child.
This convertible seat grows with your child from rear-facing (5-40 lbs) to forward-facing (22-65 lbs). Its compact and lightweight build makes it easy to transfer between vehicles, which is a significant advantage when using taxis, rideshares, or rental cars at your destination.
RideSafer Extra Small (XS) Travel Vest
The RideSafer travel vest is an unconventional and innovative solution for child safety on the go. Instead of a bulky seat, it is a vest-style restraint system that optimizes the vehicle’s adult seat belt to fit a child 26.5 to 40 pounds, typically ages 2 and up.
Its greatest benefit is portability; it is ultra-lightweight and folds compactly to fit in a backpack. This makes it perfect for air travel, rideshares, and taxis. It is certified for use in motor vehicles and meets all federal safety standards, providing a legal and safe, yet incredibly portable, alternative to traditional car seats.
Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Slim Car Seat
The Graco SlimFit3 LX is designed for families who need to maximize space. Measuring just 16.7 inches wide, it is engineered to fit three car seats across most vehicle back seats, a feature that translates well to the confined space on an airplane.
This 3-in-1 seat offers long-term value, transitioning from a rear-facing harness (5-40 lb) to a forward-facing harness (26.5-65 lb) and finally to a highback booster (40-100 lb). It provides a spacious seat for your child’s comfort while maintaining a slim profile, giving you more room in your row.
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-in-One Car Seat
The Britax One4Life is a premium, long-term investment designed to be the only car seat you’ll need for ten years, from 5 to 120 pounds. It covers four configurations, including rear-facing and forward-facing modes with a 5-point harness.
A standout feature for travel is the ClickTight installation system, which makes securing the seat in a vehicle or on a plane remarkably easy and reliable. You simply open the seat, thread the seatbelt, and click it closed. This ensures a secure installation every time, which is reassuring when using unfamiliar rental cars or airplane seats.
Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat
The Evenflo Sonus 65 is built for extended use with a 65-pound weight rating for forward-facing harness mode, allowing your child to remain in a safer 5-point harness longer. This is a great feature for growing toddlers.
It includes user-friendly features like an up-front harness adjuster, which provides easy access to tighten or loosen the harness for a perfect fit. With six shoulder harness positions, it can be finely adjusted to fit your child comfortably and securely throughout your journey.
Diono Radian 3R 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
The Diono Radian 3R is famous for its slim, steel-frame construction that allows it to fit three across in most vehicles, a major benefit for airplane travel and families with multiple children. It is a 3-in-1 seat that provides 10 years of use from 5 to 120 pounds.
A key safety feature is its extended rear-facing capability up to 50 pounds, which is longer than many competitors. Despite its slim profile, it does not compromise on comfort or safety, offering robust side-impact protection and plush padding for a comfortable flight.
Diono Radian 3RXT All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
The Diono Radian 3RXT builds upon the popular Radian series as an all-in-one convertible seat. It is engineered to accommodate your child from infancy through the booster stage, offering a long-term solution that is both cost-effective and convenient.
Like its sibling, the 3RXT features a space-saving design that fits three across and is constructed with a durable, reinforced steel frame for enhanced safety. Its compact foldability makes it somewhat easier to manage during travel compared to bulkier seats, while still providing the full protection of a traditional car seat.
How to Choose the Best Airplane Car Seat for Your 2 Year Old
As a parent who has navigated airports with a toddler, I know that picking the right airplane car seat for a 2 year old is a game-changer. It’s not just about safety on the road; it’s about ensuring a secure and comfortable flight. The best choice is a seat that is certified for aircraft use, which is clearly marked with a label stating it is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. This FAA certification is non-negotiable for me.
Size and weight are my next big considerations. Airplane seats are narrow, and the last thing I want is a car seat that doesn’t fit. I always look for a compact design. Lightweight seats are a huge bonus for carrying through a terminal. Some models are specifically designed for travel and are significantly lighter than their standard counterparts, which makes a massive difference when I’m also juggling a carry-on and a toddler.
Ease of installation is another critical factor. On a plane, you need to get the seat secured quickly and correctly. I prefer seats with a simple latch system or clear belt path indicators. If it’s a struggle to install in my car, it will be a nightmare on a plane. I also think about the seat’s comfort for my child. A comfortable 2 year old is a happier traveler, so features like adequate padding and a good recline can help them sleep, making the journey better for everyone.
Finally, I consider the seat’s harness system. A five-point harness is the safest option, and I look for one that is easy to adjust, especially when my child is bundled up in a jacket. While it might be tempting to use the CARES harness for its lightness, it’s only approved for children who are at least one year old and weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. For my 2 year old, I feel much more secure with a dedicated car seat that provides side-impact protection and a familiar, cozy space. Finding the best airplane car seat for a 2 year old is about balancing these factors of certification, size, weight, and ease of use to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience.
FAQ
Is it mandatory to use a car seat on an airplane for my 2 year old?
While U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations strongly recommend the use of an approved child restraint system for children under 40 pounds, it is not mandatory. You are allowed to hold your child on your lap. However, from a safety standpoint, I always use a car seat. Turbulence can be unpredictable, and having my child securely fastened in their own seat is the safest option, just like in the car. It also gives them a familiar and comfortable spot of their own.
How can I be sure my car seat is approved for airplane use?
This is a crucial step. You need to check for a specific label on the car seat itself. Look for text that says, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” or something very similar. It will often be red and white. If your seat doesn’t have this label, the airline will not allow you to use it during takeoff, landing, or taxiing. I always double-check this label well before my travel date.
What are the width requirements for a car seat on a plane?
Most airline seats are about 16 to 20 inches wide. To be safe, I aim for a car seat that is no wider than 17 inches. Many car seat manufacturers now list the seat’s dimensions online. If you’re unsure, you can call the airline to confirm the width of the seats in the specific class you’re flying. A compact seat is one of the most important features of the best airplane car seat for a 2 year old, as it ensures a hassle-free fit.
Can I use the CARES harness instead of a car seat?
The CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) harness is an FAA-approved alternative for children who are at least 1 year old and weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. While it’s incredibly portable, it’s important to know that it only provides restraint on the airplane; it does not offer the same level of side-impact protection or the familiar, comfortable shell that a car seat does. For a 2 year old, I personally prefer the security and multi-use functionality of a car seat.
Will I have to pay for a seat for my 2 year old to use their car seat?
Yes, if you want to use a car seat on the plane, you must purchase a separate airline ticket for your child. You cannot install the car seat in an empty seat next to you without a ticket for your child. The car seat must be installed in a window seat to not block the emergency exit path for other passengers. It’s an extra cost, but for me, the safety and comfort it provides are well worth it.