How To Transport Car Seat On Plane? 2024

Car Seat Bag – The most popular option to carry a car seat is a simple car seat bag. You can get one that is on wheels or one that fits like a backpack. If you’re taking the seat on the plane with you, a thin bag can easily be rolled up and stored in the overhead bin for when it’s not in use.

Can you take the car seat on a plane?

Can you bring your child’s car seat on an airplane? – Not only can you bring your child’s car seat on the plane, it’s strongly encouraged that you do so. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommend that all babies and young children travel in an FAA-approved car seat or airplane harness device.

Both should be installed using the airplane’s seatbelt, and car seats should be used without the base.
If you’re unsure about successfully installing the seat without the base on the plane, read the manufacturer instructions and practice at home in the car until you feel more confident.
Once on the plane, you can also flag down a flight attendant for help if you run into trouble.

A car seat or harness gives your baby or toddler the best protection against turbulence, the AAP and FAA say.

Where do you put a carseat on a plane?

You can only be seated in specific places on the plane – Nearly all airlines have rules on where on the plane you can install your child’s car seat. Generally speaking, it needs to be in a window seat if it’s a single aisle plane, and it can also be in a middle seat in the middle section on a plane with two aisles.

We’ve gotten away with putting a rear-facing car set in the window and a forward-facing car seat in the adjacent middle seat.

A car seat (or a child without a car seat, for that matter) can’t be in an exit row.
In the US, you usually can’t install a car seat in the row in front of or behind the exit row either.

Many airlines don’t allow car seats in the bulkhead row. Errrrrr. So where can you install the car seat? Rest easy. You can install your child’s car seat in the vast majority of seats on any given flight (assuming the airline permits them). We’ve only run into an issue once in all the flights we’ve taken, and that was because we were assigned seats immediately behind the exit row.

If you’re having trouble figuring out the right seats to request or if you’ve booked a Basic Economy fare, I suggest reaching out to the airline in a private message on Twitter and let them know you’ll be taking a car seat on the plane.
It’s by far the fastest way to reach a real customer service representative, you’ll have everything documented and they can make changes for you immediately if you provide a confirmation number.

Some well-meaning parents worry about inconveniencing other passengers by limiting their recline on long flights. That’s awfully nice of you! Remember that your child’s safety trumps another passenger’s comfort and convenience. That said, you can try to mitigate the issue by putting someone else from your family in front of the car seat – especially if it’s rear-facing.

When we traveled with two kids in car seats, we’d book our family of four in the “AB-AB” configuration rather than “ABC-D”.
The forward-facing car seat went in front of the rear-facing car seat since there was no real need for recline.
We missed having the aisle seat but survived lots of flights this way.

If you’re lucky enough to be flying in First Class or Business Class, you’ll definitely want to do your research in advance. There are many limitations on car seats in First Class and Business Class and they vary not just by airline, but even by aircraft type and configuration.

Do car seats count as a checked bag?

Important stuff to know before you pack your car seat – If you are flying with a baby or a toddler, and plan on using your car seat abroad, first please do check if it meets that countries rules and regulations.e.g UK and EU car seats are approved for use in the UK and Europe only.

Read more about car seat laws around the world here. Most UK car seats are NOT legally approved for use in the USA, Canada and Australia AND vice versa. More details about this are in the link above. Hiring or buying at your destination might be the best option. (If you are intending on using your FAA or aviation approved car seat on the flight, then you will need to purchase a seat for your infant.) However, if you are all set to go, and you have decided to take your own car seat with you and either check it in immediately or gate check, my best advice is DO invest in a car seat travel bag and a stroller travel bag.

Does a car seat count as a checked bag? No, a car seat does not normally count as checked bag when you are flying with an infant. A car seat can usually be brought on board in addition to your normal baggage along with a stroller or pushchair on the majority of airlines at no extra charge.

Most airlines allow both of these items, whereas some budget airlines will only allow one, although this is rare. For more details on what airlines allow infants for cabin and hold baggage see this useful infographic in this post on cabin sized strollers. Can you gate check a car seat? Absolutely, but if you are not using your car seat, you may as well check it in with the rest of your luggage to save lugging it around.

Alternatively, a car seat gate check bag can be used to help protect it. What does gate check mean? Gate check means when an item is taken from you at the gate, rather the check-in counter and then put into the hold of the aircraft. Gate checking is particularly useful for strollers being used at the airport, but if you are using a car seat as part of your travel system at the airport, you may want to gate check your car seat.

In terms of the meaning in relation to a bag, a gate check car seat bag is just another name for a car seat travel bag, and likely got the name due to people gate checking strollers in a bag.
Where do I collect my gate check items from? This can vary, some airports will have all gate checked items on the same baggage belt as the rest of your suitcases.

Can you gate check a car seat?

Children’s strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter or at the gate. Child safety seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances.

If you booked a seat for your child or if there is an open passenger seat in your row, you may place your child in an FAA-approved child safety seat during take-off and landing.
If you have not purchased a seat for your child or an extra passenger seat is not available, the item must be checked at the gate by a Delta representative.

In addition to one bag carry-on allowance, you may bring a booster seat, other infant seat or bassinet on the plane as an additional free item, which is still subject to carry-on size restrictions. If you carry on an infant seat or bassinet, it must be secured tightly by a seatbelt to be stored on an aircraft seat.

Does a 3 year old need a carseat on a plane?

Child safety seats are not required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).1 However, both the FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly encourage the use of a car seat or other child restraint system when flying with babies or young children.

Does a diaper bag count as a carry-on?

Does a diaper bag count as a carry-on? – When you are traveling with a baby, a diaper bag does not count as a carry-on, In fact, a stroller and car seat do not count as extras when you are traveling with an infant, either. You always want to check with the airline you are traveling with before packing just to be sure what the current regulations are.

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Do airlines check strollers for free?

October 11, 2019 – When you’re a new parent flying with your baby for the first time, you’re probably also navigating the new world of baby gear as well. Domestic airlines are generally helpful and allow parents to bring along most necessary items for free. Here’s the breakdown, by item and airline. Strollers The domestic airlines all permit strollers on board. Some of the airlines require you to check “large” strollers – make sure you check your airline for the specific details. Each airline has a different definition of “large.” Alaska You can travel with your stroller free of charge as checked baggage.

Strollers can be checked at the gate or with your regular checked baggage at the ticket counter.

American On American, each ticketed adult is permitted one stroller to be checked free of charge.
Large strollers (20 pounds or more) must be checked at the ticket counter.
All other, smaller strollers can be checked at the gate.

Do airlines charge for strollers?

Generally, most airlines allow you to bring a stroller AND a car seat (to be placed in the aircraft hold, with the rest of your luggage) free of charge in addition to your normal baggage allowance, when flying with a baby under two.

Is it free to take a carseat on a plane?

1. Is there a charge for checking a car seat on an airplane? – No. Every U.S. airline allows you to check a car seat free of charge when traveling with a child. You can check your car seat at the airport baggage counter or wait and check it at your gate.

If you plan to gate check a car seat, remember to check with the gate agent when you arrive at the gate.
The agent will give you a checked bag tag to put on the car seat (or any bag you plan to put it in).

Drop your car seat at the boarding ramp exit door right at the entrance to the plane.
Gate checked seats will usually be returned at the jetbridge when you deplane.

If you check a car seat at the ticket counter, it will usually be returned at baggage claim. Often car seats are not loaded onto the usual conveyer belt with suitcases to protect them from damage. Look for the oversized luggage area at baggage claim to retrieve a car seat.

Can you take carseat and stroller on plane?

3. Get Your Luggage Tag as Soon as You Get to the Gate – Car seats and strollers can be checked just like any other item (at no charge at most airlines). If you do check items either at the ticket counter or gate, get your luggage tag for them straight away. Bonus Tip: If you do check these items, consider putting them in a car seat travel bag or another durable, waterproof option so they’re not soiled or scratched in transit. Car seat travel bags are especially useful because they can be wheeled or carried through an airport.