Do airports check car seats?

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.



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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.

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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.

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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!

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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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Screening of infants/toddlers/children Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier through the walk-through metal detector. Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian. Parents/guardians who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck® may bring their children with them through a TSA PreCheck® lane.

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The additional costs to check baggage make packing for a trip have most people trying to get by with as little as possible. One perk about being able to check your car seat for free is that you can use a car seat check bag and pack extra diapers, formulas and other essentials right inside along with your car seat.

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As is industry standard, only FAA-approved car seats are allowed on board and must have the proper labels. If the labels are missing, it cannot be used. Booster seats may be used during the flight, but not during take-off and landing.

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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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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. Even if you're not boarding any time soon, attach your luggage tag to your items as soon as possible.

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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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Screening Technology Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required. If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, he or she may be screened through the advanced imaging technology.

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An infant is considered fit to fly if:
  • You can produce a passenger medical form, also known as a medical release for travel, signed by a physician stating that the baby is healthy enough to fly.
  • You have a copy of the baby's birth certificate as proof of age.


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First, choose the bulkhead, the window, and near the toilets. These seats are the most convenient spots for families when flying. Second, if you have an infant, get a bulkhead seat, and request a bassinet, a crib that attaches to the cabin's front wall.

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The safest way for baby to fly: The AAP recommends that the safest way for your baby to fly is in a child safety restraint?an FAA-approved car seat or airplane harness device approved for your child's age and size installed with the airplane's seat belt. Booster seats cannot be used on airplanes.

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You can gate check your gear without worry with TravelSafe! With the purchase of an UPPAbaby Travel Bag, you qualify for our TravelSafe Program which insures your stroller, car seat, RumbleSeat, or Carrycot during air travel.

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American Airlines Each ticketed customer is allowed one stroller and one car seat to be checked free of charge. However, if you have one stroller and one car seat, only one of them can be gate checked. Strollers over 20 lbs must be checked at the ticket counter.

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Which car seats can NOT be used on airplanes?
  • Belt-positioning booster seats. Boosters that use a lap and shoulder belt in a car cannot be used, since in an airplane there is no shoulder belt for upper-body restraint.*
  • Travel vests. Even if labeled as okay for aircraft, these should not be used. ...
  • Belly Belts.


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Once your child is 2 years old, you'll need to purchase a seat for them. 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.

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