You can check one car seat and one stroller or folding wagon per child you're traveling with, for free. This can be done at the gate or ticket counter. Large or non-collapsible strollers, and non-folding wagons must be checked at the ticket counter.
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Most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free in addition to your baggage allowance. This applies to toddler car seats and booster seats as well as baby car seats. Check with your airline first to be sure of the rules.
Check car seats at the gate or with your regular checked baggage at the ticket counter. If you buy a seat for your infant, please make sure the car seat meets FAA-approval. If you have not purchased a separate seat but there is an open seat next to you, a lap infant may sit in a car seat free of charge.
Once you've selected a car seat travel system, make sure the seat is very well padded. Additionally, take a photo of your car seat prior to your trip for proof of its condition if it does arrive damaged. Another great option is packing the car seat back in the original box with as much padding as possible!
If you're traveling with a 2-year-old, they do need their own seat on the plane. Once you're on board, you can certainly hold your toddler on your lap if needed.
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.
Not all car seats are approved for use in airplanes. Check for a label that says, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” For a seat that can be used with or without a harness (“all-in-one” seats, for example), the label will specifically mention if the seat, in harness mode, is approved.
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.
The FAA recommends that children under 40 pounds continue to use a car seat and that children over 40 pounds use the seat belt on the airplane seat. The AAP recommends that you continue to use a car seat on a plane for any child who uses one in a car.
The quick answer is: we don't recommend checking your car seat. The likelihood of damage is very high regardless of how you package it not to mention in most airline fine print, they aren't responsible for damage! Your best options for traveling with little ones is to bring the car seat with you on the plan.
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!
Flight attendants check that seatbelts are fastened the old fashioned way - by looking and confirming each passenger has correctly fastened them. There is no indicator anywhere around each seat which indicates as such.
On many aircraft, the rightmost seats have letter designations HJK, skipping the letter I. This is because each seat has a row number followed by letter; letters that may be confused with numbers (I, O, Q, S, or Z) must be avoided, usually for people with dyslexia.
If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight. If you see a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, you may be in luck.
Sometimes. Some airlines will wrap your car seat in a giant clear plastic bag if you choose to check your car seat when you check your luggage, but that option isn't available at all airports or from all airlines. It doesn't prevent real structural damage, but it will protect your seat from grease and grime.