Do car seats count as checked baggage?

Children's strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter or at the gate. Child safety seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances.



People Also Ask

Children's strollers and child safety seats are not counted as part of the standard baggage and therefore can be easily checked for free. For your convenience, these items may be checked at the curbside, the ticket counter or at the gate. Child safety seats may be brought on board the plane in certain circumstances.

MORE DETAILS

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!

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Yes. You can increase your baggage allowance on 20kg bags when you check in for your flight online. Passengers can add up to 3kg in excess baggage to each 20kg Check-in Bag for a fee when checking in online, up to 2 hours before departure.

MORE DETAILS

If the flight you are traveling on is full, airport staff may request that your stroller is checked. Prams, three-wheeled jogger-style buggies and larger strollers do not fit in the overhead locker and must be checked on all aircraft. You may bring your child's car seat and stroller free of charge as checked baggage.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

The most popular option to carry a car seat is a simple airplane car seat bag. You can get one that is on wheels or one that fits like a backpack. If you're taking the seat on the plane with you, a thin bag can easily be rolled up and stored in the overhead bin for when it's not in use.

MORE DETAILS

Each airline will have its rules about who can sit where, but a bulkhead seat is generally considered an excellent option for families traveling with young children. The bulkhead is at the front of the cabin and sitting in those seats usually guarantees you some extra leg room.

MORE DETAILS

However, statistically speaking, a seat close to an exit in the front or rear, or a middle seat in the back third of the plane offers the lowest fatality rate. That said, flying is still the safest form of transport.

MORE DETAILS