Flying with a Car Seat | Policies, Installation Process, & So On

It is a dream for a parent to travel with their baby. But, above 2 years of age babies, parents need to carry a car seat and every airplane company don’t approve of all types of car seat. They only approve AFF-approved car seats on the airplane.

Flying with a car seat means flying with AFF approved car seat. It is strongly encouraged that you should use an AFF and APP-approved car seat to travel safely on the plane. Moreover, you should also know the car seat installation process on the plane. If you don’t have any car seats, you should also think about the alternative ways.

This article helps you to get a perfect guide to assembling the car seat on the plane. After that, you will also get laws, uses, and other things to get a complete idea. So, let’s get started.

Flying with a Car Seat

First of all, you may want to fly with a car seat because of getting a type of seat belt which easily fit for babies. Am I right? Well, you can use a car seat on the plane. However, it is recommended to use AFF recommended seat to avoid any law problems on the plane.

The general recommendation is for children under 40lbs to fly in an FAA-approved restraint. Most of the airplane companies approved a car seat which comes with the following points.

• The car seat is strongly approved by AFF
• The age of babies above 2 years
• The weight of the babies should be above 2-years

It would be better for you to check out your airplane car seat laws. It helps you to easily understand their law and you can travel with your baby without facing any troubles.

FAA-Approved Car Seats and Harnesses

Child restraint systems (CRS) are suggested for traveling with a child by airplane. As a parent, you can elect to fly with an AFF-approved car seat without facing any troubles.

An FAA-approved car seat is not only suitable for the airplane but also suitable for taxi, takeoff, landing, and turbulence. You have to purchase an AFF-approved car seat when the babies are aged above 2.

On the other hand, the US government makes it easy to determine, if a car seat is approved by the FAA, it is suitable for traveling. To find out FAA approved level, you should check out the bottom area of the airplane.

The FAA-approved stickers are also certified for using the car seat on motor vehicles or airplanes. Undoubtedly, FAA-approved car seats are truly one of the best solutions for using the car seat on the airplane.

Can You Bring Your Child’s Car Seat on an Airplane?

Can you bring a car seat on the plane? The official answer is yes. You can bring your child’s car seat on the airplane. The USA leads the way in using car seats on airplanes. It is your right to use a car seat on an airplane.

However, you have to clear yourself that you are using an FAA car seat on the airplane. Because the majority of airplane companies recommended using FAA-approved car seats on the airplane.

But, how do you know if your airline approved the car seat? Near the base of the car seat, you will discover several white stickers with lots of prints. In red latter, it helps you that it is approved for using aircraft.

Before using the car seat on the airplane, you should check out these stickers. Different companies used different areas of the stickers. However, the majority of the companies used the bottom area of the seat.

How Do You Install a Car Seat on a Plane?

Installing a baby car seat on a plane is a kind of easy task but different. However, check out the following step-by-step guidelines to assemble your baby’s car seat on a plane.

• Step 1: First of all, you have to find out the correct belt path on your car seat for forward-facing or rear-facing.
• Step 2: Try to loosen the adjustable side of the airplane seatbelt
• Step 3: Through the seatbelt, you need to feed it
• Step 4: Buckle the seat belt
• Step 5: Try to put your whole weight into the car seat while pulling out the seatbelt tail to tighten
• Step 6: Now, test it before putting your baby on the seat

These 6 steps are easy to follow and you don’t need to apply any kinds of tools. If you are unable to complete the process, you can get help from an airplane service person.

What to Consider When Flying with a Car Seat?

If you determine that you need to fly with your baby on the aeroplane, you have to keep in mind some basic points. Here, I am going to share my personal experience so that you will get real-life data.

Your Kids Height & Weight

You can keep your baby on the lap when the baby’s age is below 2 years old. But, if the babies age above 2 years, you have to use a car seat without any doubts.

In that case, you have to use a car seat approved by both the FAA and AAP or an approved harness. So, make sure that you are using FAA and AAP-approved car seat when the baby is over 2 years old.

Airline’s Policy

Different airlines have different policies when it comes to flying with kids. So, it is worth it for you to check out their policy when you are going to buy the ticket. Some of the basic policies you should not miss, which I discussed in the following section.

• Does your under 2-year-old kids need his own seat: The answer is always no. But, if you travel internationally and you keep your baby sitting in your lap, you also need to pay for it.
• How many lap children can an adult have?: Typically, it is one lap per adult child. So, if you are travelling with two babies, one may need to keep in the car seat.
• Car seat approval: Generally, the majority of the airlines approved car seats which are approved by FAA and AAP. Before travelling on the airplane with your baby, you should check out this point.
• Are car seats not allowed in certain spots?: Majority of the airlines prefer to put the car seat near the windows. It is not necessary to follow. Business class or other classes of seats allow the car seat middle or the left side.

These are the basic rules and regulations which most of the airlines follow. It would be better for you to check out their policy section before buying the ticket. You should check out the children’s policy.

5 Tips for Bringing Your Car Seat on an Airplane

Traveling with a car seat on an airplane is not very difficult. Check out the following tips to bring your car seat on an airplane and use the seat without facing any troubles.

1. Buy a Seat If the Baby is above 2 Years

If your baby’s age is above 2 years, you need to use a car seat for the baby. When the baby is under 2 years old, you can keep your baby on your lap without facing airline policy problems.

Moreover, you can use the seat near the window of the plane. Note, that you have to try to choose an FAA and AAP-approved car seat for your baby.

2. Research the Airline

Before purchasing the air ticket, you should research them properly. Especially, you have to read out the policies of children carrying as well as baby seat carrying.

Some of the airlines have specific requirements to carry the car seat and install the car seat for the babies. So, check out all of them to get a safe and hassle-free travel.

3. Car Seat Bag

The most popular option is to carry a car seat with a bag. You can use any of the car seat bags like wheel and backpack. But, a wheel car seat bag is much more popular than a backpack car seat.

To choose the right car seat back, you have to focus on bag protection, portability, lightweight, and so on. But, it is true that the car seat bag companies are not ready to provide much protection.

4. Choose FAA and APP Approved Car Seat

If you want to travel by airplane with your baby, you may not avoid choosing FAA and APP-approved car seats. This type of car seat helps you to be hassle-free to carry on the airplane.

On the other hand, you can check out the approval sticker bottom side of the car seat. It helps you to understand whether your car seat is suitable for an airplane or not.

5. Car Seat Travel Belt

A car seat travel belt is an essential part of the car seat. It easily links your car seat to your wheeled luggage or the stroller. It also helps you to get close seat benefits. But, you have to install it properly to get the best benefits.

Do You Have to Pay for Car Seat on Plane?

It depends on the airlines. Most of the airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free of cost in addition to your baggage allowance. They allow the parents to assemble the car seat near the window.

On the other hand, some of the airlines asked for a payment to carry a car seat on the plane. They charge the money when the babies are above 2 years old.

Similarly, you will discover some airlines which take a fare fee if you are accompanying a child or a baby. The fare fee is normally 25% of a regular economy seat. (Note: The fare fees depend on the airline company).

To know the fare fee to carry a car seat and the children, you should read their policy. You should check out the children’s policy to get a clear concept about this matter.

What Kind of Car Seat Can I Use on an Airplane?

If you want to carry your baby by airplane, you need to consider the perfect car seat. For airplanes, you can go for FAA and AAP-approved car seats to get hassle-free performance.

I collected the following 3 car seats, which are strongly approved by FAA and AAP. So, choose any of them and carry the car seat on an airplane without facing any troubles.

1. Baby Trend EZ Flex Loc Infant Car Seat

It is one of the narrowest car seats I ever found. It is a rear-facing infant car seat that you can easily assemble on both an airplane seat and a car seat. Baby Trend EZ Flex is also suitable for the person who has a tight budget.

2. Britax Emblem Car Seat

This is another top-quality rear-facing and forward-facing car seat. It is also approved by AAP and FAA. However, Britax Emblem car seat are suitable for above 2 years aged children.

3. Britax Grow with You

Britax grow with you car seat is suitable for small and lightweight children. The manufacturer used this car seat alloy steel material which provides the users durable performance.

What Can I Do in Flying When I Don’t Have a Car Seat?

If you don’t bring a car seat on the flight, you have to lap your baby through the entire flight. You don’t need to pay any fare fee to lap your baby on the airplane.

On the other hand, when the baby is over 2 years old, you may not lap your baby and you need to pay for it. So, what is the best to take a car seat or lap the baby?

Well, if the baby’s age is above 2 years, you have to carry a car seat and also need to pay a fare fee. On the other hand, you can lap your baby when the baby’s age is below 2 years. Also, you can contact the airlines for bassinet seats.

FAQs (Frequently Ask Questions)

Q: Can you take a car seat on a plane?

Answer: If your baby’s age is above 2 years, you should take a car seat on a plane. You can’t carry every type of car seat on the plane. You have to take an AAP and FAA-approved car seat on the plane. The majority of the airlines approved the car seats which are approved by AAP and FAA.

Q: Is it free to bring a car seat on a plane?

Answer: It depends on the airlines. Most airlines don’t charge any fees to bring a car seat on the plane. Moreover, some of the airlines take a fare charge to bring a car seat on the plane. It would be better for you to check out the children’s policy of the airlines before purchasing the ticket.

Q: Can my 3-year-old sit on my lap airplane?

Answer: Probably, the airline companies charge a fare fee for your 3-year-old baby to sit on the lap. Because the majority of the airlines don’t take any fare fees when the children are below 2 years old.

Wrapping Up!

There are some rules and regulations for flying with a car seat. For example, babies’ age, height, weight, and so on. Some of the airlines take fare fees to carry the car seat. On the other hand, some airlines don’t charge any fare fees to carry the car seat. Try to read out the policies of the airlines before purchasing the ticket to know in detail about this matter.

More on Car Seats

How To Install A Baby Car Seat A Step By Step Guide

Where Is The Safest Place To Put The Baby Car Seat?

How Long Infant Car Seat Can Be Used?

How Many Car Seats Do I Need?