Ultimate Guide for Bringing Car Seats on Airplanes

Flying with your child for the first time can be an incredibly daunting task. There is so much new information, new things to think about and it doesn’t always feel easy to find the right information you need to answer your questions. One of the biggest questions I had was about car seats on airplanes. Should you bring your child’s car seat on the plane? What about a lap child? What was safe?

After a lot of research and now having flown several times with my son I want to help answer your questions and make it easier for you to fly with a car seat on your next flight.

This post covers flying with a car seat in the US. It does include some tips for flying in other countries but it is not a comprehensive guide to flying everywhere.

This post may contain some affiliate links. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. I only recommend products that I love and would purchase myself! Full disclaimer here.

Flying with a Carseat is the Safest Option

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the safest place for a child on a flight is in a car seat. This is because your arms are not capable of holding your child securely during unexpected turbulence (FAA). These regulations and recommendations are in place in order to keep your child, you and the other passengers safe on every flight.

However, it is not required to fly with a carseat. Flying without a car seat can be a cheaper and more economical way to fly as a family. The reason that flying with a lap child is allowed is because air travel is much safer than car travel. So flying with an unrestrained child is safer than more families on the road driving to their destination. Secondly, airlines have tried hard to keep air travel affordable for families. Allowing kids under two to fly free or at a discounted rate goes a long way towards that goal.

Choose what is right for your family. When you have the opportunity, definitely use a FAA approved car seat or harness. But know that lap children fly safely each and every day with no issues.

Can You Take a Car Seat on the Plane?

As long as your car seat has been approved by the FAA and the airline, then you absolutely can take a car seat in the plane. Make sure you verify before flying that your car seat is approved for your flight.

An FAA approved car seat will have an FAA sticker (see picture) that says that the car seat is approved for car and air travel. There are a couple of different phrases it could say but that is the gist. Most car seats are approved for air travel but not all so it is definitely worth double checking.

If your car seat is not FAA approved then you will have to check your car seat either at the front desk or the gate. Most airlines provide this as a complimentary service.

Flying with a Car Seat vs Flying without a Car Seat

Federal aviation rules do not require any kid of any age to use a car seat. This means that you get to decide whether you fly with a car seat or you hold your baby if they are under two or get them their own seat if they are older yourself. There are a few important things to keep in mind when making your decision.

Flying with a Lap Child

Flying with a lap child is very economical and one of the cheapest ways to travel with a child. You can only fly with a child on your lap that is under the age of two. I first traveled with my son in my lap when he was about six months old. It went pretty well, however the next time we flew was at nine months. He was older and walking and very much not content to just sit in my lap. I imagine it only gets harder from here!

Flying with a Car Seat

Traveling with a car seat on the plane is nice. It gives your child their own space to play in and explore. It gives you more space too. Holding a child for several hours in a row can get exhausting. During the middle of the flight I felt comfortable letting my son be unbuckled and he enjoyed interacting with the other passengers and the flight attendants.

I think the most inconvenient part of traveling with a car seat is lugging it through the airport and setting it up on the plane. Choosing a lightweight car seat and using strollers can help with this though. Plus if you are using cars at your destination now you do not have to worry about obtaining a car seat once you arrive.

Getting a Child a Seat but Not Using a Car Seat

You do not have to put a child in a car seat at all if you feel that is right for your family. The smaller the child the more nervous that would make me feel personally. The seatbelts are not made for tiny bodies and the seats are not going to keep your child in place. My son would be trying to run around every chance he could.

However this does eliminate the hassle of carrying a car seat through the airport . Plus if you do not need a car seat at your destination then you do not need to worry about what you will do with the car seat for the duration of your trip.

When deciding to fly with a car seat keep in mind a child’s age, height and weight.

More Tips for Traveling with Young Kids

How Do You Travel with a Car Seat?

Traveling with a Car Seat Through the Airport

Traveling with a car seat through the airport is not always easy. They are big and bulky and after the infant seats they don’t clip onto strollers. So where do you put them?!? Well there are a few options that can make things a little easier.

If you are traveling with a rolling suitcase then a car seat travel belt is a good option. The car seat travel belt attaches the car seat to the wheeled suitcase. This way when you are pulling your suitcase your car seat comes along effortlessly as well with minimal effort.

Another good option is a car seat travel cart. These tend to be a little more expensive. However, it can be really handy especially if you checked your luggage or aren’t traveling with any. You simply attach the car seat to the car seat travel cart and roll it through the airport. Some can even be used with the child inside the car seat.

Some car seat covers have shoulder straps on them. This allows you can carry the car seat like a backpack or slung over your shoulder. This way can be tiring but still easier than carrying the seat without any straps.

But you don’t have to buy anything if you don’t want to, just get creative. Maybe you can put the car seat and the luggage in your stroller and carry your kiddo in a carrier.

Flying with a baby seems intimidating at first but with some research and a little practice it does get easier. Traveling with young kids and babies you will probably have to travel with a car seat at some point. Bringing car seats on airplanes can be done and there is everything you need to know when traveling with a car seat to help things go as smoothly as possible.

Tips for Traveling with Car Seats on Airplanes

Always check your car seat manual for exact instructions. In most cases you will not use the car seat base on the plane.

Car seats are getting bigger but plane seats and aisles are getting smaller. A car seat 16 inches wide or less should fit on every airplane. But that is extremely hard to find on the market. Do keep width in mind though when purchasing a car seat that you will use for air travel.

How Do You Install a Car Seat on the Plane?

You will have to install the car seat yourself, don’t expect the crew to know how to help. This is not a part of the flight attendants training. Plus there are so many different car seats they may have never seen yours before. Look at your car seat’s manual, either physical or online. I also recommend looking on YouTube for a video of a person installing a car seat. You may even be able to find your exact car seat model.

Installing an infant car seat like this one on a plane tends to be the easiest. You simply tighten the strap across the top of the seat under the two small arms that hold the belt in place.

Where to Sit on an Airplane With a Car Seat

You can only put the carseat in certain seats on the plane for safety reasons. Car seats cannot be in exit rows and some airlines do not allow them in the rows right before or after the exit row. You also cannot put car seats in aisle seats. This is because this blocks the exit route for anyone sitting on the inside seats.

Window seats are the preferred place to put a car seat the majority of the time. Sometimes they will also be allowed in the middle of the middle row in double aisle planes. If you are unsure, ask a flight attendant before you strap the car seat in.

Some seats in first class are not suitable for car seats. It is a good idea to check with the airline before booking. Let the airline know ahead of time that you’ll have a carseat with you so they can assign the proper seats. If you cannot pick your seat ahead of time I also recommend calling ahead. If you want to double check, talk to the gate agent before boarding so that you can be moved to a new seat if necessary.

Side Note: There has been some concern with certain car seats (especially infant seats and rear facing car seats) limiting another passenger’s ability to recline their seat. Although I understand that this is inconvenient, safety trumps comfort. Be courteous but firm when standing up for your child’s right to safe air passage.

One thing you can do to limit any discomfort if you have two car seats is try AB-AB seating when traveling as a family instead of ABC-D seating. This way you can put one car seat in front of the other.

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Rear-Facing Vs Front Facing Car Seats on Planes

When you bring a car seat on the plane you should use them the exact same way you use it in the car. So if you have a rear facing car seat, then use it rear facing. If it is a front facing car seat, then put it front facing. If it can be used either direction then do what is recommended based on your child’s height and weight.

Rear facing seats are awesome for babies and toddlers. The car seat is an awesome way for your kiddo to have their own space to play in. A car seat offers a comfortable place to lay back and sleep plus they can’t kick the seat in front of them which is bound to drive the other passenger crazy.

A front facing car seat offers some of the same benefits because each child still has their own space, they can play with toys and they are restrained so it is easier to keep children that want to run and walk and move in place. However with most front facing car seats you can’t use the tray table. This can make mealtimes hard so consider bringing a travel tray that you can purchase separately. And of course do your very best to stop them from kicking the seat in front of them!

a baby sleeping in his car seat on a plane.

If you have a car seat that can go either direction you can flip the airplane car seat around mid-flight if needed. Space is limited so it may be slightly difficult to do so but you are allowed to.

Can You Check a Car Seat?

Yes, if you choose not to use your car seat on the plane or there wasn’t a lucky empty seat for your lap child then you can check your car seat instead. This is free to do and can be done at the front check-in counter or at the gate. If you check it at the gate then you will get your car seat and stroller (if you checked one) back at the gate once you reach your destination. If you check the car seat at the front counter then it is treated like luggage and you receive it at the luggage carousel.

The biggest deciding factor for where to check your car seat (and stroller) is whether you are trying to get a free empty seat for a child under two and whether you are going to be using it while you go through the airport.

If you are going to check your car seat you will want to protect it. Unfortunately you do not know how it will be handled by the staff that load and unload the planes so your best bet is to protect it as best you can. At a minimum I recommend using a car seat bag that will protect it from scratches and dings and padding it out with diapers. This is also a great way to save space in your luggage.

For more protection you can get a padded car seat cover. These already have all the padding in place to protect it from any bumps or crashes that may occur.

Can You Store a Car Seat in the Cabin of a Plane?

Most likely, no you will not be able to store your car seat in the cabin of the plane. There is nowhere to store a car seat on board a flight because most car seats don’t fit into overhead bins. Before boarding the plane you have to decide whether you will take the car seat onto the plane or not and that will have to be your final decision. There will be nowhere else for the car seat other than the seat reserved for your child.

Car Seat Alternative for Planes

If you do not want to travel with a car seat but you want the highest possible level of safety that a car seat on an airplane provides then you can use this FAA approved child harness device (CARES harness). It is the only FAA approved harness on the market. And you can use it on flights in place of a car seat.

The CARES harness uses the airline seatbelt in conjunction with straps to create a 5 point harness. It packs up into a really small pouch that is easy and convenient to travel with. The harness works for children that are between 22-44 lbs and 40 inches or shorter.

One thing to note is that it is very hard (if not near impossible) for kids to sleep in the harness. If you are going on a very long flight and your child is going to need to sleep then a car seat or holding your child during cruising altitudes will be your best bet in my experience.

Traveling with kids by plane means a lot of extra gear. Learn how to travel with a car seat on an airplane.

Then you just have to decide if the harness is the best choice for that particular flight. Landing and takeoff are the most dangerous times of a flight. So that is the most important time for a child to be strapped into restraints.

Airplane Bassinets

If you would like to travel without a carseat but do not want to hold your child the whole time then you can try and request an airplane bassinet. If your baby is young enough and not too heavy then bassinets are available on the majority of airlines. This guide to airplane bassinets can help you learn the ins and outs of these helpful tools.

What do I do if the flight attendants won’t allow me to use my car seat?

It is rare but it could happen that you encounter a flight attendant that doesn’t know all the rules and regulations surrounding air travel with a car seat. If that occurs, stay calm and I recommend having these back ups in place. First, have the airlines car seat rules page pulled up on your phone as well as the FAA’s rules and regulations. You could also print them out.

Ask them to talk to other flight attendants if needed. Hopefully one flight attendant will have experienced car seats on flights before. If that still doesn’t work, stay calm and take names and notes of the situation. Take pictures of the car seat, where it is at and anything else you feel may help show what happened. Stay on board the plane and get through the flight. This will mean you will have to comply with what they say, possibly not using your car seat. Then demand a refund at the help desk upon reaching your destination and showing your proof as well as the FAA regulations page. You may also be able to reach out online in order to get the situation rectified.

More Tips on Traveling by Plane:

FAQ’s About Taking Car Seats on Airplanes

Does a 2 year old need a car seat on a plane? Do toddlers need car seats on airplanes?

The fact of the matter is, no you do not need to bring a car seat on the plane for a child of any age. They will be able to fly without one and most likely they will be perfectly safe. However the FAA states that the safest possible way for a child to fly on a plane is in a carseat in case of unexpected turbulence.

You do have the right to bring a car seat on any flight where the child has their own seat. You can either purchase a seat for them or, if they are under the age of two, you can hope there is an empty seat on the plane that you can use. In the end it is recommended to use a car seat but not required.

Can you bring a car seat on a plane?

Yes, you absolutely can bring a car seat on a plane. If you bring the car seat on the plane though you have to use it. There is not likely to be a place to store the car seat on the plane (most car seats do not fit in overhead bins). So if you have an assigned seat for the car seat and you want to use it then it is encouraged that you do.

Are car seats required on airplanes?

No, nobody of any age is required to use a car seat on an airplane. However it is recommended as the safest way for a child to travel on an airplane. If you don’t want to bring a car seat on the plane but want the same level of safety there is one FAA approved harness you can use called the CARES harness.

It uses the airline seatbelt in conjunction with straps to create a 5 point harness. It packs up into a really small pouch that is easy and convenient to travel with.

Do airplanes charge for car seats? Does a car seat count as a checked bag?

Most airlines do not charge to bring a car seat or a stroller in order to encourage family travel. This is an exciting incentive. Bringing a car seat and stroller to your destination yourself is much safer and more convenient than relying on baby gear rentals or buying them at your destination.

Usually with each child that is on the reservation (including a lap child) you are allotted one car seat, one stroller and one diaper bag/carryon.

Not all airlines have the same rules and guidelines though so always make sure you check online or call the airline directly to understand what you are allowed to bring for free and what will cost extra. You will need to check with each airline you fly with and it may be different in other countries.

What if my car seat doesn’t fit?

Traveling with young kids and babies you will probably have to travel with a car seat at some point. Bringing car seats on airplanes can be done and there is everything you need to know when traveling with a car seat to help things go as smoothly as possible.

The FAA states that it is the airlines “responsibility to accommodate the CRS in another seat in the same class of service.”. This means that if your car seat does not fit in the seat you were assigned then the airline has to move you around on the plane to another seat that will work.

To avoid trouble and risk unnecessary issues it is a good idea to not travel with the largest carseat on the market. Airplane seats and aisles keep getting narrower and car seats are getting bigger. A car seat 16 inches across will fit on every plane but that is really hard to find on the market. Look for a car seat as close to that as possible and if you travel a lot and your regular car seat is too big, consider getting a smaller car seat just for travel.

Cheapest FAA approved car seat?

One of the most affordable FAA approved car seats on the market is the Cosco Scenera Next. This airline approved car seat is a great option because it is inexpensive, lightweight, highly rated and it can go front or rear facing.

Another great car seat for airline travel is the Safety 1st Guide 65. It is a little more expensive but has higher weight and height limits so it may last you a little longer which will save you money in the long run

Can I use a booster seat on the plane?

No, booster seats are not approved for use on planes. In the US you have to use a FAA approved car seat (some combination car seats are fine) or the CARES harness if you chose to fly with a child and not simply use the airlines seat belt.

You can bring a booster seat onto the plane but it must be stored in the overhead compartment.

Car Seat Rules for Major US Airlines

Bringing Car Seats on Airplanes

Traveling with kids definitely has its own challenges but bringing car seats on airplanes doesn’t have to be one. It will get easier with practice and I know you got this! Remember that the flight is just a small amount of time but it allows you to visit many amazing places.