Can you gate check a car seat?

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).



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If the flight winds up being full, you can gate-check the seat. DO gate-check the carseat if it's not possible to bring it on board and use it for your child. Items that are gate-checked have less opportunity to be mishandled and are much less likely to be missing when you land. DO know your rights!

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Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray. Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.

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Most airlines allow you to gate check a stroller and a car seat per child. This is usually all that you're allowed to do, but that should be more than enough!

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Absolutely! The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) strongly encourage bringing your baby's infant car seat on board. It protects against turbulence and keeps your little one safe in their seat, so they're not trying to explore the plane.

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Gate checking can help protect your stroller when flying. But there are other benefits to pushing your stroller through the airport. It makes navigating to your gate easier if your little one is secure. Just make sure to let them burn off some energy before boarding if you want your toddler to sleep on the plane.

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Diaper bags, soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don't count toward your personal item or carry-on.

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If your seat has been approved for aircraft use, there will be a sticker (either on the back, bottom or side of the seat, depending on the size of the label) that says This restraint has been certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft in red lettering.

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My favorite tip: Use a large plastic lawn bag (find them at Home Depot or any other home improvement store) to contain the car seat. You can take it a step further and wrap the seat in bubble wrap for extra padding and reuse it on the return trip.

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It's a contradiction: Kids under 2 can fly for free as a lap infant, but experts say babies on an airplane should be buckled into an approved child restraint system in their own seat.

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Water for babies is allowed in reasonable quantities in carry-on bags. Remove this item from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from the rest of your belongings.

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The TSA will allow you to go through the metal detector while wearing your baby, although you may be asked to undergo an additional screening even if there is not an alarm. The additional screening will consist of having your hands swabbed for chemical residue, and potentially a pat-down.

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With TSA PreCheck™, you can breeze through airport security. Best part, children 12 and under can accompany a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck™ on their boarding pass. Travelers 13 and older who do not have a TSA PreCheck™ boarding pass must go through standard security lanes or apply for TSA PreCheck™.

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