Car Seat as Baggage on Airplane

Hi, N.,

Try www.onestepahead.com. They have really neat travel solutions for parents traveling with babies! Good luck!! =)

We flew on Delta at Christmas and they provided the carseat bag at the counter.

We travel tons, usually with Northwest.

We just put a few trash bags around it with twisty ties because security still needs to look at it when it goes through. We also tood masking tape and wrote our names all over it.

You might consider gate checking it like a stroller. You know that a Gate checked item WILL make it to your destination, where as a checked item has a chance of getting lost. The last thing you want it to get there with no car seat -- you can't even leave the airport!

Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

Hi N.,
I agree that you should check the seat at the gate to make sure it's not lost. Have you considered renting a seat with your car? I always did that.. it was much easier than carrying a big seat around.

Good luck!

You have two options. One is to buy an actual bag for car seats from a company like One Step Ahead. I have one and do like it because it keeps the seat protected and clean. The other is the economical option. When you get to the ticket counter, ask for a bag. Most airlines have them available if you ask. I have found Alaska Airlines often has them hanging along the line so it is really easy. Good luck on your travels. I fly often with my two little ones (2 and 4) and have used both options. They seem to work fine, either way...

You can by a cover for it. I just traveled to NY and checked my in at the gate with a cover so it doesn't get dirty and damaged.

Hey N.,

I have an unasked or answered question. What carrier are you using and do they have a policy for your child to use the seat during flight? I travel all of the time, at least 4 round trips a year with my 3.5 year old daughter and I have always used the car seat in her seat. It is safer, not for the same reasons it is in a car, but it keeps the kids safely strapped in. Plus, it keeps them from constantly opening up the super easy buckle on the plane. The only carriers that wouldn't allow me to use it were Virgin Atlantic and Air France, because they provided their own, so they checked it at the gate for me. Just a thought.

Jennifer

We have flown several times using a very sturdy vinyl Graco car seat cover for our Britax Marathon car seat. We purchased the cover at Babies R Us for approx $50 (not super cheap, unfortunately). The problem with trying to obtain a plastic bag at the airport is that they often run out of the bags (not to mention that those bags seem quite flimsy). Also, the nice thing about the car seat cover is that we were also able to store a portable feeding seat in the bag as well.

I bought my car seat carrier bag at The Right Start. It has been one of the best purchases we made in regards to traveling with our kids. It has survived many trips including big International flights. Certainly other bags such as the ones for pack and plays have not held up over the years as well as this one. Another advantage of it is that there is still room inside to pack all those extra items you tend to pick up on your trip but don't have room for in your own luggage. Do not rely on the airlines and my experience with car rental car seats hasn't been the best - convenient yes (if they have them which isn't always the case even when you've booked one). We tend to travel where we have family and friends with spare cars for us so brining our own car seat has always been important. The Right Start car seat carrier bag is the best choice. Have fun on your trip.

i used a large, sturdy cloth laundry bag. It was really easy, protected the seat and had a draw string closure. I think you can find them pretty cheap at Target, or some place like that. Bon Voyage!

They provide bags at the check in counter

Hi N.,

I traveled often with my car seat, and they put the car seat into the plastic bag at the airport, I just made sure it was fasten and clean.

I hope it helps.

T.

If you just want one of those plastic bags, I believe the airline gives them out. You can call and check with them. I think they need to have it in one (or in something) so it doesn't get caught on things. Plus, it keeps the seat cleaner.
Double check with the airline on it with a phone call.

The other option would be to buy your own car seat carrier as the other mom suggested. They have a strap that makes them easy to carry, plus you can load up the seat with clothes and things and then zip it up.
If you don't travel a lot, then you might just stick with the free bag.
Have a great trip!

Hi N.,

We've had our fair share of traveling with car seat as baggage and actually we don't pack it... We just put a colorful ribbon on it or something that will stand out from all ther other car seat (you might be surprised) and check it in. We've never had any problem with it.

Have fun :)

right start sells a car seat zipper bag thats great.

Before you haul that thing across the country I'd check with the car rental co. Most of them (even in Ca) have them to rent with the cars. Also, check with your airline. Most of them are adding a surcharge on the over sized luggage. Have fun!

N.,

BabyRus sells a nice tough cover that will work for an infant seat or a britax or simliar seat. I also recommend checking it at the gate. I take my stroller and seat to the gate. (the stroller carrys the seat). They don't get damaged or lost that way.

Safe Travels,

M.

We bought a car seat carrier for flights at Babies R Us. I think I have also seen them at the Right Start stores. It has been very helpful to us especially on flights to the east coast for the holidays. We usually put all of our bulky cold weather clothing - coats, hats, etc on top of the car seats in the carrier and when we arrive, we take all of the clothing out and put all of it on right before we leave the airport. It has made transport of such bulky items for cold weather easy.

I thought they gave them out too, like some responses said, but it depends on the airline.
They may be out, so i would not count on that.
I was once running around frantically to find something to cover the carseat because the airline and representative that i was flying with were completely unhelpful, while pushing a double stroller and lugging the car seat trying to find a plastic bag......even raiding bathrooms to try to find an extra one..........finally a different airline at the same terminal helped me out!
I would definitely sort it out yourself, before you get there!
;)
Safe travels!
S.
www.MomsOnAMission.US

I found a good bag at one of those stores in the mall that sell leather stuff (suitcases, wallets, purses). The bag isn't leather, but a pretty sturdy material. It actually has two zippers so it can start off small and you can make it larger and larger. I actually fit two car seats in it and it even had extra space so we put it jackets and shoes in it. It also had wheels, which helped some. It was only $20, which was much cheaper than a car seat bag I had bought before which fell apart the first time I used it. This one I've used twice and it's still in good shape. It did get torn in a couple of spots on the bottom (because my husband dragged it instead of using the wheels), but we just put duct tape over it and it's fine. Good luck!

We have 3 children that all require car seats. In the past when we've traveled we also took the car seats with us. At the airport when we checked our luggage and car seats the airline actually provided the plastic bags, that was a couple of years back. Check with the airline if they still provide that service. Good luck!

i've never taken my carseat anywhere i traveled to.. but i've seen alot of people pack it with a bunch of saran wrap ... worst case scenario if you don't find anything