SlimFit3™ LX 3-in-1 Car Seat (Model# 2215325)

We are using two Graco SlimFit3 LX3 and one UppABaby Aria.

Slim fit 3 LX are your friend.

We used this seat: https://www.gracobaby.com/shop/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/all-in-one-car-seats/slimfit3-lx-3-in-1-car-seat/SP_446289.html The manual explicitly states it is certified for aircraft use but has a couple of caveats. I recall checking for the FAA sticker before we traveled and it was there, but no one asked to see it. It’s fairly light (as far as convertible seats go) and was very easy to install. It fit very nicely in our economy seats, perhaps because it’s a slim seat.

We had them for our twins, then we had a surprise baby and had to get Graco True3Fits. The 4Ever DLX is nice, but TBH so are the 3-across ones and there's not much difference. You might be better off with the 3-across anyway, then you could have more flexible space in the backseat.

[Graco SlimFit3 XL](https://www.gracobaby.com/shop/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/all-in-one-car-seats/slimfit3-lx-3-in-1-car-seat/SAP_2215326.html) has been our go to ‘extra’ car seat buy that we’ve bought for grandparent’s cars and travel. On the slimmer side so fits in basically any car, fits on the airplane, etc. On sale is routinely under $200.

Okay so here are the seats I have for reference: - Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 (RF to 50lbs) - Graco Contender Go (RF to 40lbs) - Graco SlimFit 3LX (RF to 40lbs) - Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim (RF to 50lbs) The Civic + 6’ husband is easy because I have the same lol. The Extend2Fit fits beautifully behind my husband’s driver seat—I don’t think any other seat we have would do the same. With your husband’s height, that depth measurement (not sure of the exact number off the top of my head) would be a good starting point. However, while it’s super compact from front to back, it makes up for space width wise so it’s probably not going to play nicely if you ever need to put another car seat directly next to it, even in a 3 row SUV (it would not work with the slimmest seat on the market next to it in my Pilot, for example). I’ll come back to this once my kids are in bed lol Edit—I’m back. Anywho, if you’re pretty set on capping at two kids, slim vs not slim doesn’t *really* matter (although it is nice to be able to put the two seats together and sit in an outboard seat instead of the middle when I need to be in the back for whatever reason on a road trip). If there’s any part of you that might want a third child in the future, I’d more strongly consider a seat that can go three across (16.7” is the width you’d be looking for). Even if you don’t end up installing that way, it’ll be nice to have the option to. As for rotating seats—I could take them or leave them for an suv, but every time I buckle my kids into my husband’s car I cringe because those seats don’t rotate (the Evenflo is in my vehicle—I have one seat that RF to 50lbs in each car and my kids will switch once the older one reaches the limit). My only complaint with the Revolve is that the straps tend to get twisted more easily and get uneven more often than any of my Graco seats, and the headrest could be taller since it’s an extended RF seat. Hopefully this helps give you some things to think about, but feel free to ask any other questions! ETA just for info, I replied to someone else with this so thought I’d share—the Evenflo Revolve360Slim I have is roughly 30” from the back surface of the seat it’s installed on to the back of the seat in front of it. I have it rear facing and at the appropriate recline for a child over 11lbs.

Here’s my two cents on traveling light and easy with a kid. Always buy your child their own plane seat. I do this every time and skip the lap infant option. It is absolutely worth it and saves your sanity. I check in our full-size, comfortable stroller and make sure it’s protected in a high-quality travel bag. I do not gate check anything. Instead, I use a car seat setup that works as a mobile stroller through the airport. I bought a car seat specifically for air travel, the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1, and attach it to a Britax car seat travel cart. This becomes your faux stroller while navigating the airport. The car seat is FAA-certified and gets installed directly into the airplane seat once onboard. The Britax cart folds up and fits in the overhead bin. Just note that car seats must be installed in a window seat so they don’t obstruct others. The biggest benefits are huge. Your child has their own seat, can relax or sleep comfortably, and is much safer. You also get to relax. Gate-checking a car seat risks damage and it gets dirty fast, so avoiding that is a win. Once you land, you already have your car seat with you and can easily install it in the rental car. It’s simple, efficient, and honestly a game changer for traveling with kids. I literally just did this today with my 3 year old and 10 month old.