Cosco Scenera Next

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

I have taken a car seat on the plane. I paid for the seat anyways plus I needed one at the destination. BUT I don’t use the car seat from my car - I got the Cosco Scenera which is lightweight, cheaper, and easy to lug around the airport.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

Same. That Cosco seat was great. I had two of them specifically for air travel.

Thread: "Suggestions for taking car seat on airplane? "

We ended getting a 60$ cosco seat for travel. It’s light and don’t care if it disappears in travel.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

Aside from safety, it makes flying with a small kid SO much easier bc you can lock them in

Thread: "Should we use a car seat on an airplane for 16 month old?"

Yes 100% I just took my 16 month old on an eighth hour flight and he thrived in a car seat. It's easier for napping, plus they are so small they slip right through the lap seat belts. We use the Costco Serena for his flying car seat. It's lightweight and easy. I bought a backpack car seat carrier to make it easier to get around in the airport then I gate check the stroller. We've been traveling almost monthly since he was five months old. Car seat is recommended every time. Also bottle or sippy cup on take off too, pacifier if they take it.

Thread: "Car seat on plane?"

CPST here! The Cosco Scenera Next is a great travel seat for littles because it’s so lightweight, AND because you can install it on an airplane FF at nearly a newborn recline level. FF a normally RF child on an airplane is not an issue (as long as it’s not a rear-facing only seat) because of the difference in the dynamics we’re protecting them from. [CPST video showing FF install of this seat on an airplane](https://youtube.com/shorts/JKmkaUinlBg?feature=share) Edit: Just ensure you move the harness straps so they are above the shoulders when FF on the plane, and then back down to below the shoulders when RF in the vehicle.

Thread: "toddler carseat recommendations for a family without a car (so cabs and rental car use only)"

The Cosco is the canonical answer. Car seats are heavily regulated, so anything you find will be safe. The difference in price have to do with comfort, ease of use, etc., which isn’t as much of a consideration when you’re only using it sporadically and for short distances.

Thread: "Why are some not rear-facing the car seat until 40 lbs?"

Look, nobody loves car seat safety more than I do; I have often discussed toddler spinal ossification at cocktail parties. But I would also like to point out that this “just a rant” is SUPER DUPER classist. The most recommended “safe and affordable” car seat is the Cosco Scenera Next. It’s what’s always pointed to when people are trying to use expired or used car seats or in a financial bind. “Go to Walmart and get a Scenera for $40!!” It has a 40-inch rear-facing height limit. Many kids outgrow that before weight. My kid was 40 inches before she was 3. She’s 4 now and still not 40 lbs. So… maybe parents turn their kids forward bc they are just dutifully following the specific safety restrictions of the car seat they could afford?

Thread: "Putting toddler in car seat on the plane"

We bought the cheaper cosco car seat from Walmart to fly internationally recently and it worked great. The flight attendants checked it was approved at the check in desk plus when we got on the plane again, and other than being a bit of a pain to take around the airport it was all good!

Thread: "Very stressed about travel carseats"

i used to cosco scenera that is often recommended in subs. i don't love it because it's not as easy to install as my fancy carseat (evenflo revolve 360 which doesn't work well with travel) but it got the job done and it made a huge difference flying. it looks like they have a bigger one for bigger kids.

Thread: "Travel car seat for nearly 4 yr old!"

The Cosco finale is our travel seat for our preschooler / kindergartner. https://amzn.to/4bi5oH5 You can sometimes get it on sale at Walmart. It’s super lightweight and easy to travel with. We keep our massive car seats in my car and these in my husbands. We use them for air travel. It’s a 65 lb weight limit for the 5 pt harness. Edit: it’s only $49 at Walmart. Cosco Kids Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat, Fiberwave https://www.walmart.com/ip/260704037

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

Does yours not give hassle for tightening? I can't ever get them to tighten properly without grabbing from the straps the back and working it through that way too, it's annoying as hell

Thread: "Car Seat for Multiple Cars"

I'd just buy two seats. We got a cheap Cosco for our second car that isn't used often and a nicer one for our primary car. Convertible seats are a pain to install properly and are bulky to move around like that. I'd only pull it out if it was an occasional thing, but daily is going to get very annoying very quickly.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

So I feel like a bad mom for this, but when she was under two, I didn’t use a car seat because she could get on for free in my lap, and $500+ for her seat was rough. However, now that I have to pay for her anyway, I’ve brought a car seat on the plane with us. We bought the Cosco Serena I think, it’s like 6lbs and way easier to travel with than our real car seat. Way less comfortable though. We didn’t have any real issues getting it on the plane, and brought it in a car seat bag so I was even able to put blankets and stuff in there. (Idk if you’re supposed to do that but I def do.) I feel safer in case of turbulence, and she also has a more comfortable place to sleep if I get lucky enough for her to sleep on the plane lol. It is a massive pain in the ass to bring on the plane and to use especially because she’s still rear facing so people ahead can’t lean back, but safety first… I don’t trust rentable car seats at destination (first few flights we bought a car seat at the destination since we were visiting my mom, then she was 3 and I brought ours.) I also don’t trust that our car seat would be handled properly by airline employees when being checked, and can’t be sure that it’s still in good condition. I mean have you seen how beat up hard shell suitcases are after a flight? I don’t want that happening to her car seat especially since it’s not visible so I have no idea if her seat is still safe or not.

Thread: "Travel car seat for nearly 4 yr old!"

Get a cosco finale. My daughter just outgrew her cosco scenera and our plan is to get a finale next time we travel. They’re like $80– probably couldn’t even rent for cheaper than that, and last until 65 pounds!

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

Yup, so worth it! Especially since we once had luggage get lost, I feel peace of mind knowing that we have a car seat no matter what.

Thread: "Suggestions for taking car seat on airplane? "

Get [this bad boy](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Kids-Scenera-Next-DLX-Convertible-Car-Seat-Moon-Mist/41126745) bring it on the plane with you and put your son in it, don't check it. It's light and easy to carry around and only costs $60 so if you're doing lap infant (don't) and you are checking it (don't) it's not a huge deal if the airline or TSA mangle it.

Thread: "What to do if airport loses car seat?"

Travel car seat. The Cosco Scenera Next is $60.

Thread: "Car seat - how do you travel???"

The cosco scerenca (spelling might be off) is usually the go-to convertible travel seat. It's light weight, easy to install, easy seatbelt install. Otherwise... You just memorize the installation instructions and practice doing it quickly.

Thread: "Car seat on plane?"

[here](https://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/) is a good article about car seats on planes. I personally always fly with my 15 month olds car seat. I keep him strapped in rear facing for takeoff, landing, and any turbulence. Otherwise I will hold him if he prefers that. Sometimes he likes to nap in his car seat. We have a Graco contender for travel and I am able to get it pretty secure rear facing on the plane. The FB group Car Seats for the Littles is run by CPSTs and they will help you get your install right if you reach out to them. Iirc the scenara is a highly recommended travel seat so I would think it’s possible to get a good install. I’ve flown on United, delta, jet blue, and spirit and been able to fit the car seat.

Thread: "Traveling with car seat. How?!"

We use the cosco scenera for travel. It’s light and easy to install. Check the weight and height limits for both rear facing and forward facing. At 3.5, we still used a car seat on the air plane because it kept our kid contained and they’re used to sleeping in car seats.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

The Cosco Scenera is super cheap. We bought one specifically for travel when my oldest was a toddler and got one of the little things you can use to basically turn it into a stroller in the airport. I cannot imagine not having one, not just for safety, but because a bored toddler in a tiny, moving space that isn’t securely strapped in sounds like a nightmare 😅

Thread: "Using car seats in the plane?"

I’ve never taken a flight that long with my kid but I’ve done 4+ hours. We always bring our travel car seat (was Cosco Scenera, now Cosco finale) and use it on the plane. We do take him out sometimes for breaks but ultimately it’s the safest option and he is always content.

Thread: "Toddler Car Seat Air Travel"

Haven’t seen this reply yet so hope you read this: check with your airline about their rear facing policy; they may not let you rear face your child. I tried that when my son was that age and they had me turn him around. He was in the middle seat, and they told me it is not safe for the window person, if there was an emergency. The Cosco seat is amazing. It’s so light weight I felt like I wasn’t carrying anything at all on my back.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

I have traveled several times domestically and abroad with my child (2.5yo). I've tried at all: * Infant on lap - worst decision * No car seat * Car seat For my toddler, having him in the car seat normally has the best outcome. Although safety is the #1 reason, the car seat also restrains him from standing on the seats and jumping between mommy and me. He just sits and plays with his stickers, colors (or at least attempts), we do some screen time (we try to avid it), eats, and is normally better behaved than no car seat. We bought a used Britax Car Seat Travel Cart ($10) along with the Cosco Scenara that fits perfectly in the aisle (yes, including Spirit and Frontier) to ease maneuver while boarding and also at the airport.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

Exactly what I’ve always done. My kid would be a terror if he was in a regular seat and able to get up. He knows that when he’s in a carseat in a moving vehicle he has to stay put. Less stress on him, me and everyone else

Thread: "toddler carseat recommendations for a family without a car (so cabs and rental car use only)"

Agree. Everyone I know has a Cosco Scenera.

Thread: "Time for a toddler car seat--I'm so lost"

The Cosco scenera or the evenflo titan would be the two seats I'd look at. Both super reasonably priced, super lightweight and install well in almost every car. The Cosco Is pretty compact which makes it easier to fit in more cars but it's outgrown usually by age 2 or 3. The titan is much larger when rear facing but it is one of the most long lasting seats forward facing due to the high harness height. They're both great seats and we always recommend them for travel as well as people like you who don't need a seat 100% of the time.

Thread: "Putting toddler in car seat on the plane"

If you don’t have a car seat, you have no way of strapping your kid down. That lap belt isn’t keeping a mildly curious toddler contained in any way. We’ve had flights where the car seat is a source of misery and flights where not having a car seat was torture. There’s just no good option, but I can say that a screaming kid strapped into their car seat is preferable to a kid screaming in my ear while I try to keep them in their seat. Also- the cosco scenera sucks. It’s weirdly wide and it’s not comfortable to sit next to. Our best flights have been with a chicco nextfit (30 pounds) and a car seat dolly. A bit more cumbersome to lift in and out of the airline seats, but every other part of traveling is easier. Hope your future flights are comfy and stress free for everyone!

Thread: "Car seats for travel, needing a solution when I take an Uber [AB]"

I just travelled with my two year old and we brought the cosco scenera next car seat and then had the mountain buggy nano stroller. The stroller fits in the overhead compartment so you don’t have to gate check. We rented a car where we went though because we didn’t want to deal with lugging the car seat around in Ubers

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

Another vote for if I’m buying the seat, I’m doing it anyway! I did it for my son when flying solo when he was… 15ish months? Made it so much easier, he was even able to nap. I think it also helped me keep my cool. Traveling is already stressful, being able to have my own space, as limited as it was on a plane, was nice.

Thread: "What to do if airport loses car seat?"

gate check - or buy cosco scenera next from walmart (its regarded as THE travel carseat due to how light it is) - i have two

Thread: "Time for a toddler car seat--I'm so lost"

My response will be simple - you will need a convertible car seat. These do not have bases and they stay put in your car because they are heavy. If you have a second car, you will want to purchase 2 car seats instead of switching back and forth. Your daughter should probably be in the toddler seat of the stroller also. We don’t not live in extreme cold weather, so we just hug/carry my son with a jacket draped over him and then put him in the car seat. If you will be traveling or have grandparents who might have your daughter every once in awhile, you can consider getting a travel car seat (like the Cosco car seat) that is cheap and light weight. For reference - I chose the Nuna Rava for my son. I got it on sale and the price difference between that and the Nuna Exec (which is also a booster) is the same as buying the booster later on and I’d rather have a brand new one lol. I have the Wayb Pico for travel, which is not yet suitable for your daughter since she is still too young.

Thread: "Traveling with car seat. How?!"

Our kids are much more comfortable on flights when they have their car seat, so I definitely recommend bringing it on if you can. We use this one - it weighs almost nothing and installs very quickly. There are YouTube videos of how to install on a plane, and you can practice installing in your car before you leave!! https://www.amazon.com/Cosco-Mighty-Convertible-Seat-Heather/dp/B01ETUBQZ4/ We use something like this to get it through the airport if you aren't bringing a stroller. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9GTNWDG/

Thread: "Benefits of rear facing past 3?"

Have you considered looking at convertible seats with a smaller footprints? I remember reading one of the major car seat sites (I think Car Seat Lady? Can’t find the link this second) didn’t recommend the Graco Extend2Fit because the base takes up so much room. (The seat is perfectly safe; just wasn’t her pick because of the size issue.) My husband is 5’10” and is still a bit scrunched in the passenger seat with our kid RF in the Graco. I think the Cosco Scenera NEXT is one with a slimmer base.

Thread: "How do I travel on an airplane with a car seat? "

We’ve only flown with my son once so not an expert but this is what we did… I bought an inexpensive, light car seat (Cosco Scerena- about $60, weighs 10 lbs). I also bought a car seat bag that you can wear like a backpack (cheap from Amazon, I should’ve paid a few extra $$). The bag was very big and flimsy so I had to get creative in how I closed it to make it comfortable to wear. But because it was so big I could put another bag inside of it while we walked through the airport. My son sleeps well in a car seat so we brought it on the plane with us and had piece of mind that we had a good car seat that we knew how to install once we got to our destination.

Thread: "Suggestions for taking car seat on airplane? "

And it's faa approved for airline use, for next year when you have to start buying the kid their own ticket. Your child will still sit in your lap anyway, but you can also strap the car seat into the seat that the airline forced you to buy for them, as a way of illustrating the airlines' depravity.

Thread: "Putting toddler in car seat on the plane"

Counterpoint to what many here are saying: we flew to Japan a few weeks ago with an 18 month old and 4 year old. The toddler got a car seat, thinking he'd like being strapped in, and it was horrible the entire time. He wanted to be held constantly, the car seat (our spare, lightweight Cosco seat) barely fit so any small movement jostled the seat in front, and overall we have decided no more carseats on planes. For the future we'll just check them with our luggage.

Thread: "Vehicles that fit 3 car seats?"

No idea about cars, but Cosco makes a car seat that can fit 3 across in the back of a regular sedan.

Thread: "Travel car seat for 1 year old that’s better quality than the Cosco Scenera?"

The Cosco seat didn’t fit my tall kid after 2 years…

Thread: "confused buying a carseat for my preschooler"

If you liked the Scenera then I’d just go for the Cosco Finale. We’ve used the Finale for travel with both kids when they outgrew the Scenera and it’s great. And once your 3 year old gets old enough for a backless booster (probably 3 years down the road), then you can get an inflatable backless booster which is such a game changer for easy travel.

Thread: "Best travel car seat?"

Our son was too tall for the cosco scenera by 18 months, so agree that the height limits are quite low for that seat. We ended up getting the WayB Pico car seat. It’s super light and easy to travel with. Also easy to install in cars and planes! https://wayb.com/products/pico-car-seat?variant=18875882242105&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwpJWoBhA8EiwAHZFzfquFryDMUCkb5PLqcbPtI1aeJ82RyKygPYbDfTXjgmlpAmHoGFe96RoCS40QAvD_BwE Eta: the issue with the Cosco scenera was that the crotch strap is super short and doesn’t extend. We tried everything to make it work (including reaching out to the manufacturer) but it was just too short!

Thread: "Traveling with car seat. How?!"

Are you staying on Disney property by chance? If so, they have the Minnie Vans which do airport transport and transport all throughout Disney property and they have two car seats in every vehicle. The driver installs it for you. If not doing Disney... my recommendation is to bring a car seat and use it on the plane. Get one of the travel ones linked by folks below. We also have the Scenera and it worked awesome for our trip to Orlando. We pair that with the Pockit stroller. It folds up so small it fits under the airplane seat. Dad strapped the Scenera to our roller bag. I pushed kiddo in the Pockit. Super easy. And then we had a car seat to use whenever we went somewhere. The Scenera is easy to install. Or, it can go in the trunk if you want to just get an Uber that comes with one. If you want to do private transport, highly recommend Happy Limo. They also have vehicles with carseats. Have fun!

Thread: "Suggestions for taking car seat on airplane? "

In case no one has said yet, that Cosco one for under $100.

Thread: "Car seats for travel, needing a solution when I take an Uber [AB]"

Uber drivers have to follow local laws when it comes to car seats. It’s different with taxis but that doesn’t make it safe! The cosco scenera next is super light, but yes it’s awkward if you’re thinking of walking around with it. Public transit may be a better option when travelling, depending on where you are.

Thread: "Traveling with car seat. How?!"

The Cosco Scenera Next was our choice. Very very light, it fit on every plane we flew on, and was easy to install (maybe take a towel with you to roll up for install). It also very neatly nestled over our carry-on bags turned upside down using the strap to loop around the handle. The cover can also easily be removed and washed in a hotel bathroom when your baby has a blowout right before you get in the security line.

Thread: "Do most parents not bring car seats on planes?"

We do this, too. Our toddler was much more secure and comfortable in the seat. She napped almost the whole 2 hours.

Thread: "Traveling with car seat. How?!"

Yes! We just traveled wit hours. The Cosco line is designed for traveling specifically. What's more, if you're traveling from cold climate to Florida, you can stuff your jackets into the car seat bag... Protects your car seat and you don't have to check an extra bag. We were able to stick a whole duffle bag into the carseat bag with the car seat and check it as one at the gate.

Thread: "Very stressed about travel carseats"

Lots of recs below for the Cosco Scenera. If you care about this sort of thing, the Maxi Cosi Romi is the exact same carseat but with "clean" fabric (no fire retardants, PFAS, etc.) and more padding. If your 4 year old is 40lbs and 38" tall, you could do a booster seat instead. You can also rent from BabyQuip at your destination if in the US - the person will bring the seats to you at the airport.

Thread: "toddler carseat recommendations for a family without a car (so cabs and rental car use only)"

We are in the exact same boat - loved the Pipa and wound up getting the Scenera Next. We’ve had it for a few months now and it’s def not as easy as the Pipa but still pretty fast to hook up in a cab. I would say it feels cheap and the lack of padding is still somewhat concerning to me bc the kid kind of rattles around in there still, but it also seems… fine? The harness system is sturdy?