Britax Car Seats
 

If anyone can help me with this, I'll send you as much Karma as I can. (Generous, I know.)

I live in England, and I'm interested in this American car seat product. I called Britax to see if there were any UK equivalent models to the American ones so the stroller would fit, and they said no.

Once a year the kid and I are going to be schlepping to and fro across the pond and owning this contraption would be worth it's weight in valium.

My questions:

Has anyone had any problems using an American made car seat in England?
Does anyone here own this stroller thingy, especially with a UK model seat?

Chin chin!

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Try asking in the forums here:

http://www.ukyankee.com

Someone is bound to know

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

This looks like a neat attachment.

Have bought over a Britax Marathon to the UK and found no problem putting it in different cars belonging to different relations in the UK - used seat belt attachment, as LATCH afaik is a US-only standard.

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

We had a Britax when we moved over here a few years ago - would have loved the little wheel jobby when we had to lug it through airports.

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

We've always used US car seats in the UK and had no problem at all.

Also, if you're doing the "hoping across the pond" thing often, then you might look at which carseats are FAA approved so your little one can sit in the carseat during the flight. Sounds silly I know, but having a 2 year old in their comfort zone in the carseat they know, versus sitting in an aircarft seat on their own...there's no competition!!

Also, there's the whole safety thing ..(this from the FAA website)

Child Restraint System (CRS)


http://www.faa.gov/passengers/images/LABEL.jpg
Did you know the safest place for your little one during turbulence or an emergency is in an approved child restraint system (CRS), not on your lap?

The FAA strongly urges parents and guardians to secure children in an appropriate restraint based on weight and size. Keeping a child in a CRS during the flight is the smart and right thing to do.


Check out this link...
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Make sure that you can read the label on the seat, we had a problem once with the airline the label was worn and there was a big debate as to was it ok or not.

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Most airlines (decent one's at least) would have a list of approved seats so get them to check that list if the label is worn.

Also, some airlines publish the list on their websites...or at least their customer services department should be able to advise you.

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Do check your insurance policy, it might be invalidated by using a "foreign" or "non-compliant" seat. I had a long email correspondence with Britax when I was thinking about using a UK seat here in Canada, and they pointed that out to me.

That contraption looks great though, doesn't it!

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

We had a similar problem, although the label was very clear, the aircrew refused to let us use it, which is (apparently) their prerogative, regardless of what the FAA/CAA say!! See reply #18 on http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=european

Never seen that gadget, but it looks good!! Will have to check it out.

We've been through the UK/US model discussion with Britax as well. We have used UK models in the US, and US models in the UK without problems, although as someone else mentioned, the US models have LATCH attachments and UK cars have a different system - can't remember the name. One thing that Britax did mention was that because UK models aren't rates in the US and vice versa, if we were unlucky enough to have a crash using the "wrong" model, we may find our insurance would be invalidated and we may actually be prosecuted for failure to adequately restrain an infant!!

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

You were unlucky :( . European Aviation are a leasing company / charter outfit and although they were flying under the guise of BA, they are not bound by any of the BA policies and will use their own.

Didn't read the whole thread so that might have been said already.

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Just looked at the link.... that would be a good idea! I have travelled to and fro using both a rear facing car seat (the kind with the handle over top - for babies) and the up right forward facing seat. They are a bit of a pain when your hauling kid/seat and hand luggage across an airport esp when there is only myself and daughter travelling.
Both of the car seats I used in the UK were bought in the US (graco) and both worked fine. With the car seat I used for Emily when she was a baby we bought an extra base and left it in England... made life a lot easier.

Ash :)

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Thanks to all for the fantastic ideas. Many of you have brought up possible problems I haven't even considered.

Up until our daughter is about 4-years-old, she's going to have her own seat on the plane. I'll email Delta and ask about their acceptable car seat list.

I have been wanting one of those strollers for months, but trying to make sure I'll be able to use it on a UK car seat has been challenging. The people at Britax UK weren't able to confirm if the bases of the car seats for the UK and US models were similar.

My grandfather is willing to buy the stroller for us, and he constantly reminds me he's not cheap. Asking him to buy the new car seat as well just may be taking the piss. :o

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

LATCH is not standard in the US only... it is also becoming standard in newer cars in the UK... only over there it is called ISOFIX. My dads 2004 Picasso has it and Emily's US car seat worked exactly the same way with it. Only difference I saw was that my dads rear middle seat did not have it only the 2 outer seats where as my 2004 car in the US has it available on all 3 rear seats.

I love the LATCH system makes life a lot easier.

Ash :)

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

I'll second that! last time I flew over the UK (with North West) they checked the car seat and said it could only be used it it had written on there that it was suitable for aircraft use (which it was) it has something to do with when they are made the check in guy said.

Ash :)

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

I think they're totally different, my mum had a Britax seat for the grandkids in her car and its totally different to the Britax I have here, I have the Marathon here and I don't recall them having one so big back in the UK..
I know with BA, Britax is the only make they allow you to take on board..

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Heres the link for their UK range, lokks totally different to their US range..

http://www.britax.co.uk/Catalogue_2004/index.html

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

I had a similar problem when I flew with my daughter (she was about 6 months old) anyhow we bought her, her own ticket and do every time she flies because it is the safest way. Anyhow when I flew over to the UK that time I flew from GRR-ORD-LHR on United then took a connecting flight with BMI to teesside. What a pain in the arse BMI where! I was told that I could not use a rear facing car seat on the plane as it was not safe only forward facing could be used. They said that was from the CAA even though road safety groups in the UK and US agree that a child under 1 or/and under 20lbs is safest in rear facing apparently that is not so one UK planes. I had to sit with her on my lap with a belly belt on, she had great fun leaning forward hitting into the seat in front... how the %$@* can that be safer than having her fastened into a car seat? ignorance if you ask me.

Last time I flew the same route with her this time in a forward facing car seat they made this big show when I was standing at the gate of how she may not be able to travel in that one either. They ended up taking the seat to 'measure and test it in the plane before they would agree to let her travel in it :confused: they told me if it over lapped the plane seat at all then she could not travel in it. Lucky it fit fine...when we bought that seat we bought it as a spare to use on planes and my in laws car so it is basic no cup holders arm rests etc. Makes ya wonder if they actually want a baby/toddler to be in the safest place on a plane. I have never had any problems like that on US flights.

On the flip side we have had US cabin crew actually thank us for paying the extra for a seat one said she could not believe how many parents don't!

Ash :)

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

yes, thats right - and BA were totally disinterested - in fact they admitted that the ONLY consideration when leasing was price - safety policies weren't even considered.....which I personally think is pretty crap

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

I know what you mean. When I went searching for a new Britax for our daughter, couldn't believe the size difference from the one we had from the UK. I wonder if its because they have to stay in them longer here?

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

No. it's probably because American kids are fatter.

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Yeah Rushman, yep that's the reason......any other intelligent offerings from you? :rolleyes:

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

You could try the 'Sit N Stroll' which I have seen many of over here. Same kind of thing and its FAA approved. You can get it at Amazon.com and I'm sure for a small fortune, they will ship it to you. :)

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Don't think so - the UK range covers up to 11 years and 80lbs...I think its just a difference in specs. But we found the opposite anyway...we have a Renaissance (UK)version that only goes up to (I think) 40lbs, and its a LOT bigger and heavier than the Wizard we have here that goes up to 65lbs....and you really feel the difference lugging them round airports! I think one of the reasons some of the UK versions are heavier is that some of them (like the renaissance) can recline in place without adjusting any of the mountings...whereas the US versions can't because its apparently agains the regs (according to a Britax rep). Shame, cos its really useful on a long trip.... .

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

Everything is bigger and 'better' here! :confused: ;)

Re: Britax Car Seats
 

That product really doesn't appeal. From what I have read, it won't be something we can use next year. I'd like to get something to last until the kid is atleast 4.