For dual-use seats, look for narrow options that can squeeze through an airplane aisle, typically 17 inches, Dr. Baer said. Chicco’s Fit3x and Clek’s Foonf, for example, are just slim enough. However, they’re heavy: 21 and 33 pounds.
If you decide to go with a separate travel seat, one popular option is Cosco’s Scenera Extend, which weighs about seven pounds, said Dr. Thomas of Consumer Reports. (It’s 19 inches wide, however, so careful on the plane.)
Put It on Wheels
Now, you have to figure out to to easily transport the car seat. A miniature wheeled dolly, like the Britax travel cart, can help. Another option: Put the seat inside a travel bag with shoulder straps, like one from Gorilla Grip, and wear it on your back.
During a recent family trip to Hong Kong, I tried the rolling strategy, loading my Chicco Fit3x into a bag with wheels. On the plane, the weight of the car seat made removing it from the bag and installing it in the window seat a challenge — but mission accomplished.
After arrival, I encountered another stressful situation: Taxis in Hong Kong do not have the lower anchors for installing car seats that U.S. cars typically provide. That meant I had to consult a YouTube video to learn how to install the seat using a seatbelt and a tether. (The cabdriver was not very patient.)