Airlines try to make traveling with infants as easy and comfortable as possible.
But, before you head to the airport with your little one, find out what to expect with your car seat and if you can bring your car seat as carry-on and how much of your infant luggage you can bring on the plane.
If you don’t want to take your car seat as carry-on baggage, find out how to pack your car seat for checked baggage in this detailed post.
Let’s dive right in.
TL;DR
Most airlines allow you to bring a car seat for free when traveling with a child.
You can use it on board if you buy your child a seat and it’s FAA-approved.
If you are not using it, you can check it at the ticket counter or gate.
Strollers aren’t allowed in the cabin but can be checked for free.
Infants without a seat don’t get a separate carry-on allowance, but baby food is allowed.
The safest place for a car seat on the plane is by the window.
Using a car seat makes flights safer and more comfortable for your child.
Yes, airlines always tend to make safety of children their priority, and usually, they allow parents with infants to have a car seat or stroller free of charge.
If you purchase a seat for your child, the car seat will not be considered as a carry-on, unless you won’t use it as a child restraint.
Most airlines require an FAA-approved car or booster seat. However, you are not allowed to carry the stroller on board the airplane.
It is better to always check in the car seat if you are not going to use it.
You can check them with any airline, and they don’t count towards your (or your ticketed child’s) baggage allowance.
You can easily check these items before you go through security, or if you prefer, you can check them at the gate.
Car seat
If you’re flying with an infant under 2 years, traveling with a car seat is a game-changer.
For the safety of your infant, it is preferable for children to travel in a car safety seat when on board the airplane.
Airplane seat belts are designed for adults and are not well working for little guests.
Stroller
Strollers are not permitted on board the airplanes, however, there are some convertible car seats that you can use as a car seat.
As a general rule, you are permitted to take a foldable baby stroller with you at no charge.
Airlines usually allow guests to check in their stroller, but you can benefit from the security to the aircraft steps where it will be taken by the flight attendant and transported as check-in.
Then you will need to carry your infant on board the airplane; the strollers will be handed to you at the arrivals.
How much Carry-on Luggage Can a Child Take?
Usually, infants not having a seat do not have free carry-on baggage allowance.
However, on top of your own hand baggage allowance, you may bring your infant’s food for consumption on board.
And children (2–11 years) have the same free hand baggage allowance as adults, depending on the travel class and destination.
What is The Best Place to Put Your Car seat On Board?
The window seat is the best location for a child restraint system, although it may be placed in the middle seat if the window seat is vacant, or if the restraint system does not block access to the aisle.
If you are uncertain, please ask your airline flight attendant so they can assist and determine if the middle seat is acceptable.
Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels.com
Choosing The Right Car seat
There are a plethora of car seats that will keep your child safe and comfy. However, choosing the right car seat depends on your infant’s age, car seat price, and convenience.
When choosing the right car seat for air travel, the first factor you need to take into consideration is to make sure it is an FAA-approved car seat, and overall a convenient solution that will make traveling with a baby easy and enjoyable.
How it will be placed: Car seats have various sizes and dimensions.
Some are bigger and some are small; you will need to pick an FAA approved car seat that will fit all airplanes, but you need to choose your size considering your infant’s age.
The style: When choosing the style of car seat, consider also the durability, and if it will last when damage happens.
Safety: Some car seats are made with shock absorption and high-quality fabrics that will take the hit when any damage occurs.
Old car seat: Old car seats may encounter a lot of handling, thus a new one will last for many years, and sure, it can be a bit higher in price.
Checking The Car seat
You can always check your car seat if you are not planning to bring on board the airplane.
But if you’re traveling with a lap infant and want the use of your car seat after security but before the flight, you can also gate check it.
Your car seat will travel as check-in baggage, and you can use it again just after you exit the airplane.
Do You Have to Put The Car seat In a Bag When Flying?
So do you need a car seat bag when flying?
Not mandatory, but if you want to check in your car seat, covering your car seat with a dedicated car seat bag to protect it from any damage, soil, or scratches will be a good idea.
If you are at the airport and find that you won’t need the car seat on board and you do not have a car seat bag, you can ask at the airport for any available bag; most of the time, they will be happy to help.
Just make sure you put a tag on the car seat, make it clear and recognizable as much as you can to avoid missing it or mishandling.
If you don’t have a travel bag, bring a small blanket or towel to wrap around your car seat. This will help protect it from dirt or damage when it’s checked in.
Airlines Rules On Traveling With Car Seats
Can you bring a car seat as a carry-on Delta Airlines?
According to Delta, you can bring your child on board Delta Airline but with certain restrictions, like if there is an open seat in your row or if you purchased a seat for your child, you may place your child in an FAA-approved child restraint in that seat during take-off and landing.
If an empty passenger seat is not available for your child restraint, the item must be checked at the gate by a Delta representative.
Can you bring a car seat as a carry-on American Airlines?
According to American airlines, each guest is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge.
Strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter. All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding.
If you have a stroller and a car seat, only 1 can be checked at the gate.
Can you bring a car seat as a carry-on Alaska Airlines?
Alaska Airlines allows and recommends parents flying with infants, as well as infants traveling on a regular fare, to be secured in an appropriate child-restraint system, such as a car seat.
Little infants sharing a seat with a parent may still sit next to their parent in a car seat if there’s an empty seat available.
Can you bring a car seat as a carry-on Jetstar?
At Jetstar, children under 2 are considered ‘infants’.
Infants less than 48 hours old are not able to travel on Jetstar flights, and a Jetstar medical clearance form must be completed for infants aged between 3 and 7 days old.
No infant less than 7 days old may travel with Jetstar Pacific (BL).
Can you bring a car seat as a carry-on Air Canada?
According to Air Canada, only approved child restraint devices can be used on board our aircraft.
Most child restraint devices that are used in cars can be used on an aircraft.
Mandatory for an infant under 2 occupying a seat. Infants occupying a seat must be properly secured in their safety seat or restraint device whenever the seat belt sign is on.
For the welfare and safety of your child, I recommend using a child restraint device for your child, especially during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
Please consult your airline prior to your flight to get more information about acceptable Child Restraint Devices and car seats, prohibited Child Restraint Devices, and exceptions.
Final Thoughts
Bringing a car seat when you fly can help keep your child safe and comfortable. Most airlines let you bring one for free.
You can use it on the plane if you bought your child a seat, or you can check it in with your luggage.
If you use it on the plane, make sure it’s FAA-approved and the right size for your child.
If you check it, put it in a bag to protect it from dirt and damage.
No matter how you travel with it, a car seat can make flying with your child safer and less stressful.
I hope this helps
Happy travels
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a car seat and stroller on the plane?
Yes. When traveling with your infants, airlines allow you to travel with a car seat or any restraint system free of charge.
Do you need to bring a car seat when traveling?
Airlines usually prefer you to bring a car seat when traveling with your infant; it will make your infant travel comfortable, as the airplane’s regular seat belt will not work for infants properly.
What do you do with a car seat when flying?
When flying with an infant, you can install it in the airplane and make your infant travel on it, while if you do not want to take it on board the airplane, you can check it as hold luggage.
Is my car seat FAA-approved?
If your car seat has “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” printed on it, it is FAA-approved.
Gargie, is writer, traveler & a digital marketing specialist
passionate about traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a savvy traveler who likes to pack light, testing various luggage brands and seeking out budget-friendly airline options. Gargie enjoys creating unique recipes when she’s not on the go.
