Taking a stroller & car seat on an airplane?

Question

How does this work? I see a ton of people with strollers and car seats at the airport, and they are obviously too large to put in the compartments with the bags. What happends to the stroller and car seat when you get on a plane? And do you just hold your infant the whole time? How does this work? Thanks!

Answer 1

This alll depends on how long your trip is. You can hold your baby on your lap for the trip or if you want to buy another plane ticket, you can strap their car seat into a seat next to you. (I would opt for the first one if your plane ride is less than 5 hrs) When we brought our stroller w/ us, they folded it up and put it somewhere by the entrance to the plane-in a closet maybe. When we landed, we were able to get our stroller as we left the plane. If you wanted to and didn't want to bring the stroller on the plane you can always check it in. My son was 8months old at the time of our trip and did fine sitting on our laps.(2 hr trip to FL)

Answer 2

If you don't want to hold your infant the whole flight you will have to purchase another ticket so that you can use another seat for either a car seat or just to have your baby sit there.  The stroller you can take on the plane.  The car seat if you are not planning on using it must be checked with your other luggage.  Make sure that you have protected the seat from damage because I have seen them come through damaged.  If you are renting a car on the other end of your flight many have car seats to use.

Best of luck on your flight.

Answer 3

Chances are they will be able to stow the car seat in first class seating or in the captains hutch.  As for the stroller you can check it and have it stowed with the luggage under the plane or you can make arrangements to have one at your destination (have your friends/family go out and get one to keep there).  You can hold your infant the entire time if you'd like to but most flights will make accommodations for an infant car seat.

Answer 4

With the stroller they either check them like baggage or have a place on the plane for them.  The car seat is if the child has his own seat on the plane.

Answer 5

We've used two different airlines and they did it the same way both times.  They stowed the stroller and we had it right away when it was time to get off.  As for the infant seat... we had to check it with the luggage and during one trip to see the in-laws we had to wait at Minnesota/ St. Paul airport for 6 hours b/c the infant seat and luggage was put on the wrong plane.  THEN, when we got it, it was scratched up.  I was soooo mad.  If you have an older or extra car seat, I would suggest taking that one instead.  Check w/ your airline though, they may do things a different way; most are pretty lenient w/ baby items, including diaper bags.  I would hold your baby instead of paying for a seat for him/her.

Answer 6

they send the stroller with their luggage.  they bring the carseat for the baby to be in during the flight.  they have to pay for the seat.

Answer 7

They put my son's stroller and car seat in cargo and brought it out to me after we landed. It may get a bit dusty down there so you can bring an old sheet to wrap it in if you'd like. There is no charge to you for this.

I had my baby in my lap, he was 2 months then. It worked okay as it was a short trip from Phoenix to Chicago. He slept the whole time we were actually in the air. Or you can buy a reduced price seat for the baby (right next to you, and it cannot be in an exit row) and if your car seat is FAA approved you can use it in the seat. Make sure to check the airlines regulations on car seats ~ they can vary. Otherwise for short trips I would just save the money and keep your baby on your lap.

I was nervous about the whole thing too and trust me, it will not be as bad as you think. Good luck!

Answer 8

u just have to hold your enfant the hold time though u can take the stroller with u in the airport while waiting the carseat has no use! hehe but beware they can get lost like what happened with my sister she lost a 400$ car seat! so check up on your luguage before getting on the plane

Answer 9

The best way is to take them as far as the airplane entrance with you, then they will be loaded on top of the luggage compartment and come out first. If your child is 2, and therefore has a seat of his own, then take the carseat onboard with you and use it on the flight.

Answer 10

What do most people do or what should they do? Its often 2 different things.

Most people will use the stroller and car seat right up to the gate, and then have them 'gate checked'. It means they are put under their plane so they will be ready to use as soon as they land.

What should they do? Gate check the stroller and USE the car seat on the plane. Just b/c airlines allow lap babies doesn't mean its safe. If you ask any flight attendant they can tell you they prefer all children to be in a child restraint for their own benefit and everyone else's. You aren't required to, but its a really good idea to take one. Kids do better when they have their seat on the plane, same as in the car. They are less likely to want to run around and such since they are used to being put in a car seat whenever traveling.  And believe it are not, they are safer. Should turbulence happen, they are less likely to be injured or scared.

Another thing to consider: will you be doing any traveling by car once you get to your destination? Then you will need the car seat anyway, or you will have to purchase one when you get there. Do not rely on a car seat from a rental company! Its dangerous. Car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture, and are not safe if not taken care of properly. It must never have been in a wreck, never dropped, include all the original pieces and manual, and be installed correctly, something the rental staff will not help you with. On that note, remember too, that it is better NOT to check car seats as luggage. Think of how your luggage gets banged around - well, if your car seat gets banged around, it is no longer safe to use. A car seat is only made to withstand being dropped/in an accident once! And if it gets dropped and you don't know about it, you unwittingly put your child in danger. Better all around to take the seat on the plane.

And the airline is very unlikely to replace the seat if they do damage it. Just check to make sure that your car seat is FAA approved for aircraft use, should say so somewhere on a label on the seat.

Also - if you are planning on having your baby as a lap baby, you should know the truth of what can really happen, check the links below. Flight attendants refer to lap babies as MISSILES!!!! That's right, b/c missiles is what they become when there is heavy turbulence or other problems or rough flights. They give the count as "127 pax (passengers) and 3 missiles". Is a missile what you want your baby to be?

Answer 11

If you purchase a seat for your child, then the car seat gets buckled into their seat and that's where he or she sits. If not, you check the car seat with your bags and the baby sits on your lap.

The stroller can be checked in as you're getting onto the plane. It will be waiting for you as soon as you step off the plane at your destination.

Answer 12

Im  not sure about the stroller or car seat.  However Im sure you can take the car seat and put it in the babies seat and strap him/her in.  As for the baby, you can either hold him/her the entire time, or you can buy them their own seat.

Answer 13

We just traveled with our 3 month old. You push the stroller(and car seat if it's a travel system) up to the gate and they will stow it in the plane while you're traveling. When you reach your destination your stroller will be waiting in the area right where you get off the plane.

You can purchase a seat for your infant and put their car seat in that seat or you can hold them and it's no charge. We held our baby boy going to Florida and coming home had an empty seat in the middle so we put him there while he was napping.