When you book your flight, they will ask if you want to check your car seat for an additional fee if they have no free service.
The car seat can break very easily, and if you do not protect it, it might get damaged on its journey from the airport to your home. You need to pack the car seat appropriately to remain in sound shape on the flight.
Packing your car seat into a suitcase isn’t the easiest of things to do, and it can be tricky to do it in such a way that you do not damage your car seat.
A good way of doing this is by taking the car seat apart, removing all parts, and packing them separately. Carry on reading if you want to learn more about how to pack a car seat for a flight.
The following are some tips on how to pack a car seat for checked baggage:
Cover the car seat utilizing a travel bag or special car seat covering to protect it from grim or damage, like broken pads or buckles. Most airlines offer sturdy plastic bags that you can use as temporary cover in case you do not have your car seat bag or covering.
Please put your child in their car seat before strapping it into the aircraft so that they can not unbuckle themselves in case of turbulence.
Car seats must be secured with a locking clip in order for them to be properly secured in an aircraft’s seat belt system. Ask your airline about its policy regarding locking clips; some will supply them upon request while others do not. Check with the airline before reserving your flight if you will need one for your child’s car seat.
By successfully implementing the above-given steps, you will learn how to pack a car seat for the flight.
It is your responsibility to ensure your car seat safety during your flight. The airlines do not wrap car seats, so you should know how to wrap a car seat for air travel. You should have a protective car seat bag that you can place around the seat.
The car seat bag will help prevent the seats from getting damaged or dirty and cushion them from impact if they are dropped. A few airlines may allow you to check a car seat in the cabin if you purchase an extra ticket for it.
How to prepare a Car Seat for a Flight?
If you have got a small child, you will probably be taking them on holiday during the coming year.
In this case, it is crucial to think about how best to transport their car seat and ensure that they are safe when they arrive at your destination. There are two ways to do it, which are:
Travel Bag
You can purchase a custom-made travel bag for your car seat that offers the most protection. It often makes it effortless to carry, as the travel bag probably has straps to hold it on the shoulder or in hand.
Another potential benefit is using part of the interior space to carry other items for babies or children, such as diapers.
Wrap with Plastic
The car seat can be wrapped in solid plastic or cardboard and can be sealed with adhesive tape. It is not very practical and can be annoying when security personnel asks you to open it to show you inside.
Still, protecting the car seat is a good option if you don’t want to spend money on buying a travel bag.
What is a Car Seat Bag?
These bags are very similar to travel bags come in various colors and designs and can be found online and in most baby stores. They protect the car seat from dirt, scratches, and other damage.
Also, they stop the seat from moving around in the plane during take-off, landing, and turbulence. Car seat bags also have wheels and handles, making them easier to transport around.
A car seat bag has the following advantages:
Protects against dirt, scratching, and damage
Supplies a little extra space for baby essentials such as diapers and milk
Prevents movement of the safety seat within the plane
Keeps the car seat clean and dry Provides a good grip for lifting onto overhead lockers
Can You Pack Extra Stuff in a Car Seat Bag?
When you are flying with a car seat, you can take the car seat on the flight or check it in at the boarding gate. If you want to take the car seat onboard, you must remove it from your vehicle and take it through security as a piece of baggage.
You can put many things in a car seat bag, but you should use your discretion when packing.
The car seat bag is not for personal luggage. It is intended for carrying your child’s car seat. Therefore, your personal stuff should be kept out of it.
So, the car seat bag should be left relatively empty (except for the car seat and its base. Still, you can place baby products like diapers, soap, etc., in it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do airlines have bags for car seats?
Typically, the airliners have limited liability in case your car seat gets damaged or lost during the trip. Airlines do not consider a car seat a checked bag. They assume a car seat as a baby item like a stroller.
2. How to bring a car seat when traveling?
Secure the car seat firmly within its original box or a similar-sized collapsible box (if using) with the use of packaging tape to ensure that everything is in its right place and secure.
Label a sticker over the box, saying, “Fragile,” so handle it with care. To make the plane safer, you should wrap the car seat in bubble wrap—tape down any parts that stick out, so the seat does not break.
3. Do airlines charge for car seats?
Yes, most airlines allow you to bring your child’s car seat as carry-on or checked luggage. Some are charging a specific amount for this service or do not even allow it. So check first whether the airline you have chosen is.
Final Words
We hope that this guide on how to pack a stroller and car seat for flight is helpful for you. Ensure that you do everything listed to make the most out of your car seat and ensure its safe flight.
If you want to protect your car seat during the flight, it is a good idea to remove it from the stroller frame and keep it in a separate bag. You should not be putting things like bottles or loose objects inside the car seat, as they could cause it to break on the plane.
Hello, This is Erica Wilson and I am a mother of two kids, one Three-year-old daughter and my beautiful 2 year old Son. I studied MA in Social Science at University of Texas at Austin, United States. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email at [email protected].
