Flying with a Car Seat

S. A.
I have to agree with Jennifer N.
The car-seat is really the safest way to fly with your child.
The only exception I would consider is if your child is in a sling. For some reason, when you sling your baby, flight attendants leave the mom's alone, but if you use a "Baby Bjorn" or any carrier such, they will not let you hold your baby within because they are not FAA certified. When you lap your baby and there is an unfortunate even, your baby is not safe--I know everyone has seen the pictures and videos.
When my son was a baby we lapped him once and it was not fun.
My son was not happy. All the other times we flew we used his seat and the trip was pleasant, he felt safe, his seat was his security--and our sanity. He has always been placed by the window, though. That shows a difference in flight attendances and airlines. Basically in a nut shell, what is the age of your child?? Can he/she be snuggled safely in a sling, or will he/she sit still in a seat. At age 3 1//2 my son, gets harder and harder to sit still without his car seat.
The car seat might be a pain to carry around the airport, but the safety of the child is the most important.
If you still want to check it at the gate, yes you can, they will tag it just like they will tag your stroller. Oh, and that is the easy way to carry the car-seat, turn it upside down over the front side of the stroller, then sling the baby.
The other alternative, if baby is in stroller, is strap car-seat over stroller handle-bars.
Good Luck, M. N.

S.,

How old is your child? I took a recent trip to California with my 2 year old and used the CARES safety harness. It weighs less than 2 lbs and hooks up to the airplane seatbelt. It is the first FAA approved safty harness for airflight. You can check out their website here: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/ If you don't want to pay the $75 to buy one, there is a gal on eBay that rents them for $15 per trip. You can find her by going to eBay and searching "CARES".

J.
www.MindBodyBabyStL.com

yes it can be checked at the gate and then put into cargo, I hope this helps,
Thanks, T.

i just got back from disneyworld yesterday, we flew and sat our 2 year old in the car seat which i think was a life saver because she was used to it and slept on the plane, it also allowed her to have something to lay her head on. but if you do check the car seat it goes in with a different part of cargo. most car companies will rent car seats though. and if you are boarding with a car seat you get on first!

S.,

We have flown with our two year old and her car seat before. It made the whole trip easier. She was more comfortable and relaxed sitting in her own seat. It was a pain getting it on to the plane and switching flights in Denver, but my husband and I felt it was worth the trouble. The stewards were all very helpful about letting us pre-board and get the seat belted in properly. She will have to sit in the middle seat and the car seat needs to meet FAA specs, but those were the only requirements besides going through the x-ray machine.

Good Luck,

J. N.

If your traveling with a little one that's still using the car seat stroller system, take the whole deal through the airport and they'll take it from you as you board. If your child is a bit older, I'd pack it in the box if you have to check it.

We're actually flying to Florida on Sunday with our 4 1/2 month old. We are taking his car seat and stroller. All you do is drop off the car seat right before you board the plane, and they take care of the rest. When you land, it will be waiting for you as you step off the plane. It is very convenient.

Did you ask at the place you are renting the car from, maybe they can rent you a seat as well. That way the whole ordeal of bringing yours with you is not a problem.

Call the rental place, normally they supply you with one when u let them know you have an infant or toddler. I flew home when my son was 3 1/2mths and we got one from the rental place so we didnt have to bring it with us. It was a real good carseat to, 5 harness

I have flown before w/car seat- you can check it just before you board(just like you do with your stroller) then they will bring it out for you once you land.

Most car rental places supply them either free or for a very reasonable price. We flew with both of our kids last summer and it was sooo nice not having to take 2 car seats, check them, etc.