Air travel with an infant car seat

  • Monday, February 28, 2011 11:41 AM
    Message # 534581
    Debbi
    If you do not buy a seat for your baby (i.e. lap infant), but you need to bring your infant car seat with you, what is the best option? Do you have to check it in to the hold along with your other luggage, or can you gate check it with your stroller?
  • Wednesday, March 02, 2011 1:10 PM
    Reply # 536932 on 534581
    Sandra
    Check with your airline about their policy.  I think most airlines will let you gate check it - it just needs a tag that you can get when you check your other luggage.  You could check it as baggage but with the way they toss around bags, I would worry about it being damaged.  If you do the latter, go to the oversize or special handling baggage counter.
  • Friday, March 04, 2011 3:47 PM
    Reply # 539010 on 534581
    Brooke
    We travelled with our 4 months old baby to the US last Christmas, taking flights with 3 different airlines. They all have the same policy: parents can bring the car seat and even stroller all the way to the gate and do a gate check-in. The car seat and stroller are not counted as luggage, therefore it's free of charge. We got to pick them up at the gate after landing. They even allow the mother to bring an extra carry-on bag without charging. You can check with your airline to be on the safe side.
  • Friday, March 04, 2011 9:13 PM
    Reply # 539238 on 534581
    Jenn

    Hi

    if flying with Air Canada or British Airways, their policy is, that the car seat must be checked in with your baggage - there is no extra charge for it.  why would you want to take it with you to the gate? i have travelled with the same car seat for 3 years and its never been damaged

    Jenn
  • Monday, March 07, 2011 1:57 PM
    Reply # 540784 on 534581
    Cortney
    We also checked our car seat with our luggage.  They wrapped it up in a bag for us so tags and straps weren't hanging out.

    BUT... they broke our stroller on a two hour flight and gave us a huge hassle about replacing it.... which is why we don't bring the nice stroller anymore, but have a travel/umbrella stroller that's more lightweight and cost us less.

    I'd also recommend looking into renting car seats.  There are companies that do this and you can rent equipment you'll need and have it delivered right to the airport.  We've never done this, but are planning to do so when we go to BC this summer!
  • Wednesday, March 09, 2011 10:30 AM
    Reply # 542192 on 534581
    kristy

    a few years ago we went to florida with my sister and her family.  They checked the carseat and on the flight home the airline lost it.  Luckily they had thought to bring a second one and leave it in the car so they were still able to make it home that night and the airline did give them money to replace it.  If you don't have to check the carseat with your baggage I wouldn't :)