Air travel friendly car seat?

Question

In a few months my family and I are going to be going on a trip that includes a 3 hour flight, and then we'll be renting a car when we get there. My daughter is at the age where I can have her on my lap on the plane but I'm going to need to take a car seat for when we get there... I'm wondering if they can go carry on or if they are too big, or if I need to check it... and if I need to check it, do I have to have it in a duffel bag or something? Or if by some chance there is a flip down car seat or something that will be the right size for carry on... my daughter is almost 25 lbs so she can be in a front facing car seat and I don't even know if a flip down car seat exists! Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

I recently flew with my 4 month old daughter. I have a graco snug-n-ride carseat, and a travel stroller that is basically a frame that the carseat fits in to. I brought her as a "lap baby", but many airlines have a policy that if there are any empty seats, they will give it to you for the baby.

When there was a seat available, I checked the stroller at the gate (does not count towards carry on or checked baggage limits) and took the carseat on the plane with me. When there was not a seat available, I checked both the stroller and the carseat at the gate.

Call the airline to check what their policy is. Also, visit the TSA website below to find out the exceptions for what you are allowed to bring on the plane for the baby.

Answer 2

Lugging a carseat as a carryon isn't going to be much fun (especially if you're using a convertible carseat). It may not be so bad if you're baby is still in an infant carseat - in which case take the basket with you and check in the base. You can definitely check your carseat it without a problem... whether you want it in a bag of some sort is up to you... you'll have to think of whether it's going to get wet (if it's raining) and how dirty it's going to get... or possibly have a rip or tear.

Ooopss.. if your baby is 25lbs, then you're probably using a convertible carseat. Another option for you is to rent a carseat through the car rental place. Make sure you rent a carseat that is appropriate for your child's age and weight.

Answer 3

There are some rental cars companies that provide you with car seat if request it , you migth want to call the company were you will be renting the car and ask,also you can check with the airplaine company that you are traveling too see if you take the car seat how will you do it they will be able to help you, I hope I could help you more but so far that's all I can help !!! good luck and have a nice, fun and save trip !!! !

Answer 4

You can check it. They give you a plastic bag to put it in. You can check it at the gate or at the check in counter. I found that easiest. I've flown several times with my twins and always check their car seats. Also, many car rentals also offer car seat rentals. I would call and check on that. Best of luck.

Answer 5

http://www.parenting.com/parenting/article/0,19840,1093138,00.html
Car-Seat Airplane Tips
The lowdown on air travel safety for your baby
By Robert Herguth


In a car, you buckle your child into a car seat or booster. But on a plane, guidelines are hazier, since airlines let parents keep kids under age 2 on their laps free of charge. Yet according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child is much safer in a car seat than on your lap. If you hit turbulence, you'll be glad he's buckled in.

On a plane, kids under 40 pounds do fine in car seats (those no wider than 16 inches fit best on airplane seats). But skip booster seats, as they don't meet safety requirements on planes. One new option on the horizon: For kids 22 to 44 pounds, the Federal Aviation Administration just certified AmSafe CAReS (Child Aviation Restraint System), a web-buckle device that takes the place of a front-facing car seat; airlines may offer it in the future. For now, ask if they provide loaners for each leg of the flight. You'll still pay for a seat (kids under 2 fly at half-price or less), but you won't have to haul a car seat onboard.

http://www.thebabydepartment.com/travel/
Most flights don’t require a ticket for your baby if you keep your baby on your lap during the flight. This applies mostly to babies 2 and under, with some airlines only exempting babies 1 and under. Always check the rules and regulations of your airline before purchasing your tickets. Keep in mind, it may be difficult to hold onto your baby during an extended flight or during turbulence. The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that babies under 2 sit in an air travel–approved car seat which is buckled into their own seat on the plane.

The airline will charge for the extra seat. Most offer a 50 percent discount, some do not, so always check with your airline. The extra seat may be worth the extra money, especially if you have an active baby. It can be more comfortable for you as well—you’ll be able to eat your airline provided meal without curious hands getting into your juice.

If you would like extra room than normal airline seats provide, request bulkhead seats. These seats have more leg room and play room if your baby needs to cruise around. Choose nonstop flights whenever you can. Short layovers can be too stressful, especially if you only have 7 minutes to get from one end of the airport to the other—which is often the case.

Pack a blanket, an extra outfit for your baby, and an extra shirt for you in your carry on bag. Traveling can make babies nervous and more likely to spit up, so you may want to include an extra shirt for yourself, too. You will be well prepared for a chilly flight and spit up stained clothes.

The changes in air pressure can be hard on your baby’s ears. Babies need to be sucking during the take off and landing to equalize the pressure in their ears. If your baby won’t breastfeed or bottle feed during take off and landing, offer a pacifier, a teether, or something safe to chew on.

Even well-traveled parents may find it a little surprising when traveling with a baby. Your travel checklist is much larger than when it was just the two of you. There are so many extra things to take into consideration. Create a list of everything you need to pack when traveling with your baby. You’ll feel better knowing that you are prepared for any scenario that may occur along the way.

http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

http://www.twinslist.org/flyStroll.htm

http://milenko.com/carseats/#_AirTravel

http://sheknows.com/about/look/3138.htm

http://www.elitecarseats.com/Cheeky-Monkey-Pac-Back.pro

Answer 6

I know that some car renting company's will provide you with a car seat if you request it.