Do you have to pay to bring a carseat on a plane?

Checking in a car seat as baggage 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.



No, you generally do not have to pay to bring a car seat on a plane, provided you are traveling with a child. Most major airlines, including United, Delta, and American, allow you to check one car seat and one stroller per child free of charge, regardless of your fare class. This can be done at the ticket counter or "gate-checked" just before you board the aircraft. If you wish to use the car seat on the plane for your child's safety, the seat must be FAA-approved and have a visible label stating it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. In 2026, using a car seat on board requires you to have purchased a separate seat for the child, as infants flying as "lap children" do not have a dedicated space for a car seat. If the flight is not full, some gate agents may allow you to use an empty adjacent seat for the car seat at no extra cost, but this is never guaranteed. Always check your specific airline's baggage policy before heading to the airport to ensure your model meets the size requirements.

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Is there a cost? You can bring 2 items of carry-on baby equipment for free. This can include a pushchair/buggy, car seat, booster seat or travel cot. These will need to be tagged at the check-in desk or at the boarding gate.

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They could sit on your lap for the flight, secured with a safety strap. Even if your baby doesn't their own seat, you need to let the airline know in advance that you're flying with a baby. There's usually a charge. If you can stretch to it, you might find it easier to book a seat for your baby.

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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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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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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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Although children who have not reached their second birthday are permitted to travel as lap children, the FAA strongly discourages this practice and recommends that you secure your child in an approved CRS in their own seat for the entire flight.

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Although airlines allow for children under 2 to sit on a parents lap, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) recommends for all young children to sit in a FAA approved car seat at all times during a flight.

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Changes of clothes: You can never be too prepared—one for you, one for your toddler. Toys: Books, stuffed animals, or simple puzzles are safe bets. Sippy cups: Bringing an empty sippy cup is beneficial if your toddler uses one, as the flight attendant can fill it during drink rounds.

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If you're feeling like a newborn about travel rules, let's get you up to speed. Baby food, milk and water are allowed. Containers can be over 3.4oz, but put them in a separate bin for x-ray screening.

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Because of the limited number of oxygen masks, most aircraft only permit one lap infant per row. Lap infants are also not allowed in emergency exit rows or the rows directly in front of or behind the exit rows. On some aircraft, there are additional rows that do not permit lap infants.

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If you are travelling with an infant (8 days-2 years), you can bring as much baby milk, powdered milk, sterilised water, and baby food as you need for your flight even if this exceeds the usual limit on liquids.

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If you choose not to pay to reserve a seat, your seat will be assigned to you free of charge when you check in, between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to departure.

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