How do you bring a car seat on an airplane?
I am wanting to take my 6 month old son on a plane trip, seated on my lap, but do not know how to bring a car seat. I would prefer to bring my own car seat than to rent one at our destination. Are car seats allowed as carry on baggage or are they only allowed as checked baggage?
Thank you so much for your help.
I’m a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three kids and we always bring a car seat (when allowed).
First of all, check the rules of your company. They vary but if it’s a U.S. company, and you bought your car seat in the U.S., it is probably fine to use on board. Most car seats sold there are approved to use in the cabin.
NEVER CHECK A CAR SEAT UNDER THE PLANE AS LUGGAGE. Airlines are infamous for abusing bags and it’s unlikely that they’ll make an exception for your seat. It risks being not only damaged but lost. What will happen if you arrive at your destination and your seat has gone somewhere else?
Gate-checking is better than checking it as luggage but it’s no guarantee. You want to bring your car seat to the gate for two reasons. First, to use on board. This is not only the only way to fly safely with a baby but way more comfortable for both of you. Ask nicely at check-in if it’s possible to have an empty seat next to you if the flight is not full. Make sure to have your car seat with you in case of a last minute empty seat, even if they weren’t sure you’d get one.
The big difference is that gate-checked items, like strollers and wheelchairs, are loaded directly into the belly of the plane, rather than sent down the various belts under the airport. At your destination, they should be returned on the jetway, but be sure to ask. Some airlines send them to the baggage carousel.
To get your car seat through the airport, there are many ways. If you have an infant-bucket style seat that is part of a travel system, just use all that. Get gate-check tags for both the stroller and car seat. If you have a convertible (up to or past 40lbs) than you can try to attach it to your stroller. Use a couple of bungee cords and either attach it to the back or wedge it in the seat.
I used to simply check my stroller, put the baby in a Baby Carrier and pulled the car seat with a metal luggage cart. They actually sell expensive gadgets to do this (look up GogoKidz) but I found a simple metal cart works *just as well* if not better. Again, an extra bungee cord helps. My toddlers could ride in it.
Bravo for not using a car rental seat. They are dire. Relatives just visited and when I saw what their daughters were riding in… scary! A car seat is an important piece of safety equipment that could save your child’s life so it deserves to be treated right!
Here are my totally non-commercial flying tips;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
Good luck getting it on board. The slight inconvenience of carting through the airport is more than made up for in comfort on the flight and peace of mind of having your seat reach your destination safely.
A Car Seat Timeline: Which One When?
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