Checking a car seat on an airplane can be done, but there are some things you should know before doing so. Here are some tips:
1. Please don’t assume your baby or toddler is safe on the plane while in your lap. As an advocate for child safety, I feel very strongly about not using the “lap child” option on aircraft. It’s unsafe. You don’t drive without your little one being in a car seat – you shouldn’t fly that way either. I’ve discussed this topic before, and a car seat used on the plane is absolutely the safest route for you little one. Airlines, like Southwest, offer an infant fare, so please check into such offers when booking your flight.
2. If you do check your car seat on the airplane and your toddler is under 40 pounds, use a CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) to ensure your child’s safety. Clear air turbulence does happen and CARES is the best way to protect your little one and the most convenient option since it fits easily in your carry-on bag.
3. With that said, it won’t cost you anything to check your car seat and other baby equipment, like a stroller. However, there are checked-baggage fees for your luggage, with your baby’s clothes, on most airlines.
4. 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. On our last trip to Florida a car seat, just like the one in this picture, came out onto the luggage carousel pieces at a time. At first we thought it was ours, but fortunately, our daughter’s arrived safe and sound shortly after.
My kids are older and fit nicely in the airplane seats, so we have been checking our car seats on flights and it’s been working well. But please remember that you are your child’s only advocate and keeping him or her safe is your job. If your little one requires a car seat then they should use either a car seat or CARES harness on the airplane.
I concur. In my tips for flights I also recommend using a car seat for children of “lap age” and a CARES harness for those between ages 2 and 10. We actually have a car seat case (found at a garage sale for a couple dollars. Because it is bigger than the car seat we would put clothes in with the seat so we didn’t have an extra piece of luggage. Now that my girls are both in booster seats we can put both seats, disassembled, in the one bag.
Spot on advice!
I agree! I always brought the car seat on board. Paying for the seat is well worth the price in terms of both safety and sanity. Babies are used to riding and more importantly, sleeping in them:) It worked like a charm almost every time.
For some families, paying for one more seat will make the trip unaffordable. If the “lap child” option were unavailable (or if we guilt-trip parents that they are endangering their kids), some families will opt to take a car trip instead and that is definitely less safe, regardless of how good of a baby seat is being used. So, IMO there are two sides to that issue.
Sparco makes some of the best car seats in the market. I usually prefer leather car seats over cloth.,~*
Car Safety is always on the top of my head that is my i always use modern gadgets that could enhance the safety of my brand new car.~:~
Please everyone NEVER CHECK A CAR SEAT AS LUGGAGE and please don’t encourage other parents to do so.
Car seats are only built to withstand ONE accident. If your car seat is mishandled, its ability to protect your child in the future may be in question. Many parents check car seats and say “they’re fine” but in fact, the damage is not obvious and they’ll only find out if they’re in an accident and the seat doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. Scary thought!
Especially if another seat on the same flight was damaged. I would not use that seat again. I’m sure they were both treated roughly.
The airlines wont compensate you for what they consider to be a delicate, check-at-own-risk item. No plastic bag will protect your seat from being sent to the wrong city and then how will you transport your child on arrival?
Car seats can be checked in the ORIGINAL box but this is only recommended in special situations like a pregnant woman flying or someone bringing the seat someone else at their destination. If your child is with you, don’t check his or her seat!
If you’re organized, flying with the car seat is no big deal. I manage it alone with three children on 11 1/2 hour flights with connections so it can be done!
A car seat is too important a piece of safety equipment to mindless check as luggage. Car accidents are the biggest threat to children today so please everyone, let’s keep our little ones safe!
Sharon,
Thanks for the advice on not checking car seats. But how do you manage it with three children?? We’re flying soon with three children and three car seats. We have no idea how to do this. 3.5 years in Britax, 2 years in Britax, and 4 months in Chicco. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Andrea