When you’re traveling by plane as an adult, you don’t need much. You could probably fit everything into a carry-on or even a personal back if you needed to! However, when you’re flying somewhere with an infant or toddler, you need a lot of stuff. Even if you’re a pretty minimalist parent, you’ll still need a car seat and a stroller!
And, yes, you should bring these things with you don’t rent them when you arrive. (Here’s more on why we don’t recommend car seat and gear rentals.)
However, bringing these items on the plane can feel like a big undertaking if you’ve never done it before. So, today, we’re going to give you our guide to flying with a car seat and stroller!
Here’s how you do it:
Traveling With A Car Seat And Stroller
Traveling with your car seat and stroller may seem cumbersome and more hassle than it’s worth, but there are a lot of benefits! First of all, when you fly with your own car seat, you know that it’s safe and undamaged. You’ll be able to use it on the whole trip without having to rely on unreliable and potentially unsafe rental options.
The same goes for the stroller! A stroller is a lifesaver when going on family trips with a young child. And bringing your stroller on the plane doesn’t have to be a big deal. With the right strategy, you’ll arrive at your destination with your chosen baby gear and no headaches! (Or, at least, not very many.) Safe airplane travel starts with bringing your own gear!
How To Travel With A Car Seat And Stroller
Step 1: Ensure your child has their own seat.
Step one of having a stress-free flight with your baby gear is to buy your child their own seat. No matter their age, ensure that you purchase a seat just for them. A toddler or baby wriggling in your lap for 2+ hours isn’t safe or comfortable for anyone! Your child needs to be in their own seat and in their own car seat.
Step 2: Look carefully at your flight details.
Examine your flight details and ensure that you can install your child’s car seat in their seat. Airlines in the U.S. are required to allow car seats, but that may not be the case in other countries. So, do some research before you leave. You’ll also want to double-check your seats to confirm you’re not in an exit row because you will be asked to move elsewhere.
Step 3: Consider purchasing a stroller that’ll fit in the overhead bin.
On most U.S. airlines, you can travel with your stroller for free. That means it won’t cost you extra to check the stroller or put it in the overhead bin. However, when we’re talking about expensive and important baby gear, it’s always best to keep the items with us. We all know that the TSA isn’t kind to baggage, and no one wants to be surprised by a broken stroller when they arrive at their destination.
So, consider purchasing a stroller for travel that can fit in the overhead bin inside the airplane. The Baby Jogger City Tour 2, the CYBEX Libelle 2, or the GB Pockit+ are all great choices for reliable and compact travel strollers!
Check out our Stroller Finder Page for more travel recommendations!
Step 4: If not, check your stroller at the gate.
If you can’t fit your stroller in the overhead bin because it’s a travel system, it’s a double stroller, or it’s just too big, gate-check the stroller. Keep it with you for as long as possible, and then let the agent at the gate check it before you board. That way, you can still use your stroller while navigating the airport.
Step 5: Install an FAA-approved car seat on the plane during pre-check.
When pre-check starts, head onto the plane and install your car seat. If you and your partner are present, one of you should stay with the kids while the other takes care of installing the car seat and loading the stroller. (There’s no reason for the kids to be on the plane longer than they have to be!)
Installing your car seat with the airplane seat belt is simple, and the restraint system will not only make your child MUCH safer but also make them more comfortable and contained during the flight. The FAA actually recommends children under 40 lbs be in a car seat while flying!
We also don’t recommend checking your car seat at the ticket counter or gate because traveling through TSA security can be just as damaging to a car seat as a collision. The trouble is, you won’t even know how damaged your seat may be when it gets to you! So, keep that seat with you and install it like you would in your own car, whether that be rear-facing or forward-facing.
Before you leave, check to make sure your car seat is FAA-approved. Most car seats are, but there are a handful of swivel seats and other car seats that are not. It’ll be a big white sticker on your car seat! If you need to purchase an FAA-approved seat or just want a lighter-weight seat for flights, here’s our list of recommended car seats for airplane travel.
Step 6: Buckle your child into their car seat just like you would in a car.
Now it’s time to buckle up! Place your child in their seat and buckle them just like you would in your own car. Double-check the fit and try to correct any common car seat mistakes before taking off. Airplane turbulence can be intense, and when that happens, your child will not be safe in your arms or in an improperly buckled seat.
Step 7: Don’t be in a hurry to get off the plane.
Once you arrive at your destination, understand that it’s going to take some time to get your child, their seat, and their stroller off the plane not to mention your other luggage. Don’t be in a hurry to get off the plane. Let others off the flight first so you don’t feel rushed getting off and you’ll have plenty of space to get your gear down those narrow aisles.
Step 8: Gather your stroller, car seat, and other carry-on baggage.
Gather your items and get off the plane! This will probably be the biggest hassle of the whole process. However, you’re just minutes away from your trip or vacation!
Step 9: Enjoy your trip, knowing your car seat and stroller are in good condition!
Now it’s time to enjoy your destination, and you can do so knowing that your stroller and car seat are in good, safe condition because you traveled with them the right way!
Bonus Tip: Looking into stroller and car seat combos for travel.
If you want one less piece of gear and you’re traveling with an infant, consider getting a seat that doubles as a stroller! The Doona and the Evenflo Shyft DualRide are both great options for strollers and car seats.
Once you’ve purchased a seat, you’ll realize it’s pretty heavy when compared to our other recommended travel car seats, but with the added benefit of the built-in stroller, it’s worth it for many!
Traveling with a stroller or car seat doesn’t have to be complicated!
Everyone can enjoy a family trip much better if you have the right gear. It makes everything from getting a cab to taking a stroll downtown much easier. But, the thought of flying with your stroller or car seat can feel like a huge burden. With these tips, your flight should go off without a hitch, and you’ll be grateful you have the right gear!
If you’re still unsure about flying with kids, we get it. There’s even more to consider than just how to get your car seat on board. For all the need-to-know info, take the Wheels Up: Airplane Travel Course! It’s the perfect way to feel totally prepared for your upcoming flight!
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