Flying with kids isn’t a nightmare like many claim. In fact, it can be a lot of fun as long as you get your ducks in a row ahead of time! One of the biggest questions parents face when packing for a trip is whether or not to bring a car seat, and how to pack a car seat if they decide to bring one.
Should You Bring a Car Seat When You Travel?
In our years of traveling with our kids, we’ve juggled whether or not to bring a car seat on several occasions. What we have learned is that there is no universal answer to whether or now you should bring your own car seat when traveling.
We’ve learned this the hard way, too. There have been time that we left the car seat at home and eventually regretted it. We’ve also brought a car seat along on several occasions and failed to use it even once. When you debate whether or not to bring a car seat, you should consider the following things.
When to Bring a Car Seat
“What many parents don’t realize is that kids tend to be even better behaved if they have the ability to easily move between their own seat and their parent’s lap.”
When NOT to Bring a Car Seat
When you are traveling to a city and will use public transportation
Every destination is different, and not all destinations really require a car seat! If you are traveling to a place with robust public transportation, and you have a stroller that doesn’t require your car seat to be attached to it, you can absolutely leave it at home.
Most major cities in Europe and Asia have superb public transit. If you travel to Paris, Milan, London, Tokyo, or the likes, you will have almost no need for a car seat, as long as you are comfortable with buses and trains. American cities can be very hit or miss in this regard, and you’re more likely to need a car seat in the US.
“Newsflash: Most countries around the world hardly use car seats.”
Should You Bring a Car Seat on a Plane?
I will be the first to admit that I have a pretty strong opinion on this matter. In my experience, bringing a car seat on a plane is almost never a good choice. There are a few reasons for this.
Firstly, you can only bring a car seat onboard if you’ve bought your child their own seat. This is irrelevant for kids over two years old, but is a big consideration if your child is under two.
I Never Buy a Seat for Kids Under Two
Children under two years old fly as lap infants for free on domestic flights in the US and for very reduced rates on international flights.
I will never, ever purchase a plane ticket for a child under two years old. That’s not to say anyone who feels differently is wrong. But in my own experience, kids under two just want to be held anyway and don’t want to sit in a seat.
“In my experience, bringing a car seat on a plane is almost never a good choice.”
We’ve never had an issue just holding our little ones as lap children. Our oldest had been on 9 flights of over 8 hours by the time he turned two, and he was never a problem. And even if he had been, that problem would certainly be worth it if it meant saving thousands of dollars!
Our Toddler Has Never Needed a Car Seat on a Plane
Once he turned two, and he required his own extra seat, we still did not need to bring a car seat onboard. By this age, young children can sit comfortably in their own seats. While the seat belts on airplanes consist of nothing but a lap belt, we’ve never found this to be an issue as long as he has the seat between us.
Now, I understand that the more kids you have, the more impossible it becomes to monitor every child at all times. In bigger families, it might make more sense to bring a car seat onboard, knowing that you can securely strap a child in and not have to worry about them wiggling out of their seat.
However, in most other situations, I think you’re better off either leaving the car seat at home or checking it at the gate or counter.
As a dad, my hands are way too full as it is when I board a plane. I’m always lugging the carry-ons, the diaper bag, the stroller, and my own backpack. Bringing a car seat would make boarding unnecessarily difficult, at least in my own family!
How to Pack a Car Seat When Flying
If you do decide to travel with an infant seat, and you don’t plan on using the seat on the plane, there are a few different ways to pack a car seat to protect it from damage. These range from ten cents to a hundred dollars, and the more you pay, the better protected your items will be.
Remember that you don’t have to pack a car seat at all if you don’t want, as airlines will accept them at the ticket counter regardless of whether or not they’re covered.
Use a Large Trash Bag
The easiest and cheapest way to pack a car seat for a flight is to use a large plastic bag. Obviously, a thin plastic bag offers little protection during transit. But it is better than nothing!
A trash bag at least protects the car seat from some spills, surface dirt, and germs as it is being handled. If you don’t have the time or money to buy a nicer bag or case, a trash bag is the best way you can protect your child’s car seat from damage via baggage handlers as they get your items from the ticket counter to the baggage claim.
Sometimes, airlines will offer free car seat bags for parents to use. These are made of a much more durable plastic, and they are sealed shut to protect the car seat. Not every airline offers this, but many domestic and international airlines do.
Universal Cover
If you have a little more time and money to invest in a way to protect your car seat, you can buy a universal car seat case on Amazon. These bags are manufactured to fit all car seats and are usually very affordable. The Gorilla Grip Car Seat Travel Bag is an example that can be bought on Amazon for less than $20 here.
These covers offer significantly better protection than plastic trash bags, but they cost significantly more. They usually aren’t made of the highest quality materials, but they get the job done – especially if you only use them a few times per year. I recommend finding one with backpack straps to make carrying even easier.
Brand-Specific Car Seat Bag
Often the best (but most expensive) option is a brand-specific car seat bag. If you have the time and money to order one, these are often the highest-quality covers for your travel car seat. They’re also custom-made for your exact car seat, guaranteeing a perfect fit.
Of course, they usually cost more than generic brands. This is especially true if you have an expensive car seat, as the brand’s product will likely all come at a higher price point. The downside is that there may not be many different options available for your brand.
Bring It Onboard
If you bring a car seat onto the airplane, you have no need to pack it in any way! The downside is just that you have to haul it with you through the airport and the boarding process. Personally, I find that I have enough carry-on bags and baby equipment without a car seat, and I just don’t have enough hands to bring a car seat onto a plane.
Luckily, most flight attendants are very friendly people. Airline staff have always been very helpful with us when boarding with little kids. Some flight attendants have even offered to help carry baby items to our seats!
Gate Checking Is The Safest Way to Protect Your Items
If you’re worried about damage to your baby equipment, a really good option is to gate-check it. While this requires you to lug your big baby items through the airport, it is an effective way to minimize damage to your stroller and travel carseat.
To gate-check a stroller, you simply approach the gate agent at your gate and ask them to provide you with a gate check tag. Different airlines have different rules and allowances, and I recommend that you read my in-depth post on how to gate-check a stroller. Gate-checked items are only touched twice in the loading process, which protects them from significant exposure to damage.
Best Car Seats for Traveling with Toddlers
If you travel frequently or are making big international travel plans, it may be worth investing in a lightweight, FAA-approved car seat that you use for your trips. While not all small children need a car seat when traveling, many are better off using one.
If you’re in the market for a new lightweight car seat, make sure to read my guide on the best travel car seats. It lays out several things to consider when buying a new travel car seat, plus my personal choice as to which car seat is best.
Thanks for reading my post about packing a carseat when flying with kids! If you have any questions, send it as a comment below.
