Car Seats and Airplanes
Flying with a child can be logistically overwhelming - they require so many things to keep them fed, clean, entertained, clothed, etc. It’s a lot! Suddenly your luggage has doubled (or tripled), plus they will need a car seat when you arrive at your destination. There’s so much to keep track of. Though it seems like just one more thing to lug with you on your trip, bringing your car seat on the plane is actually recommended by the FAA and CPSTs (child passenger safety technicians) starting at birth.
A car seat will keep your child contained, give them a familiar place to sleep and relax, keep them safe during turbulence, allow you to have your hands free (hello plane snacks!), and it also means you have a car seat that you are familiar with at your destination.
Though car seat rentals exist, they come with many risks. Like any second hand seat, you don't know the history of the car seat you pick up. Has it been thrown up on recently? Has it been cleaned according to manufacturer's directions, or treated with caustic chemicals? Has it been in an accident that perhaps hasn't been reported? Do you know how to install it? What if the rental place runs out of car seats that fit your child?
Eliminate all those risks (and make your flight easier!) by bringing your car seat with you when you travel domestically! When you're tired after a long flight, the last thing you want to do is try to install a questionable car seat that you've never used before.
Decided to bring your child’s car seat on the plane? You can visit the FAA’s website to read their tips and guidance before your trip. Their website even includes a video of installing a forward facing car seat on an airplane for reference. Bookmark this page on your phone in case you run across a flight attendant who is unfamiliar with these regulations.
If you are bringing your child’s car seat on the airplane, here are some things to keep in mind:
Locate the sticker on your child’s car seat that says it is approved for airplane use. This is typically found on the bottom or side of the car seat. Nearly all car seats on the market used in 5 point harness-mode are approved for use on airplanes (with the exception of the Nuna Pipa Lite).
Typically infant seat bases are not approved for airplane use, so you’ll need to practice installing your child’s infant seat without the base.
A car seat cannot be installed in an exit row, as it may obstruct the emergency exit. Typically, flight attendants prefer to have car seats installed in window seats so they don’t obstruct the aisle.
Once you’ve booked your tickets, call the airline to notify them that one of the seats will be occupied by your child in a car seat. It’s best to give them a heads up so they know to expect you! This also means you can usually board a little earlier so you can have extra time to install your seat.
Car seats can be installed either rear or forward facing on an airplane.
Since booster seats (without harnesses) require both a lap and shoulder belt, they cannot be used on airplanes. If your child uses a booster seat, you’ll need to either carry on or check the booster seat to be used at your destination.
Visit this US Department of Transportation website to see the family travel policies for major US airlines
If you travel regularly and your child's car seat is on the heavier side, consider finding a lighter weight seat and using that specifically for travel. If you have an infant bucket seat that snaps into a stroller, consider purchasing a lightweight travel stroller frame that accommodates your infant seat so that it’s easier to get through the airport!
If your child uses a combination or convertible car seat, how do you transport that through the airport? With a luggage strap! You can strap your child’s car seat to a piece of rolling luggage by putting the luggage strap through the forward facing belt path. Bonus - once it’s securely attached to the luggage, you can harness your child into the car seat and roll them through the airport.
If you don’t have rolling luggage, you can purchase a car seat backpack or a travel cart to get your child’s car seat through the airport.
Safe travels!
