Guide for Traveling with a Car Seat

Flying with children can be overwhelming, from managing luggage to keeping your kids entertained. Traveling with a toddler can be made easier by taking your booster seat on the plane. Having peace of mind about your child's safety can help make traveling a world of a difference.

It can be confusing to get information from the FAA or airlines about the safety rules for children. The information doesn't always make sense and constantly contradicts itself. We researched and created a guide to help make traveling a little less overwhelming.

If your child is under the age of two, airlines allow you to hold them in your lap for the duration of your flight. However, the FAA recommends that you shouldn’t do this; instead, you should use an approved child restraint system (CRS), like a car seat or a CARES seat belt. This ensures your child is safe if your flight has unexpected turbulence. It can also be a more comfortable solution for you on long flights.

A CRS can be a forward-facing or rear-facing seat with a hardback. However, a booster seat or backless CRS must be on the plane with the child during ground movement, takeoff, and landing. If your child weighs less than 40 pounds, their car seat must be on the plane with them, with the child correctly harnessed in it.

Some airlines permit booster seats or harness vests for lap children during the flight, so it's best to check with your airline before traveling. Manufacturers make booster seats to keep kids safe in cars by positioning the seatbelt correctly. But on airplanes, seatbelts only have a lap belt, so booster seats don't work as well on planes.

Types of Child Restraint Systems

Figuring out what kind is best for your child should be determined by their age and size. If your child is over the age of two, you can base your choice on what will make your child the most comfortable. Many families opt to use a car seat because that's what their kid is used to, and that familiarity can help them fall asleep more easily.

Forward Facing and Rear Facing Child Seats

Rear-facing seats are best for children under three years old

Front-facing seats are best for children between 1 and 7 years old

Please keep in mind car seats in the US must have a label showing certification to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You will typically find this label near the manufacturing details, and it will indicate if the seat is approved for use on an airplane. If your car seat does not have this label, it may not be certified for safety. Car seats without backs or properly labeled are not allowed on the plane.

If your car seat is made in Europe, it will have a square orange sticker on the site letting you know that it passes the federal safety standards.

CARES harness

Amsafe created the only FAA-approved seat belt straps for children between 22 and 44 pounds.

This is great if you don’t want to travel with a car seat or booster seat since it's only straps that can easily be installed with any airplane seat and can easily fit in any bag.

Another benefit to Amsafe is they also sell belts for children who have special needs as well.

Tip: Check which retailers carry CARE harnesses, and then check to see if there are any coupons available.

Ensuring Your Child Restraint System Fits

Measure the width of your CRS. The smallest seat on an aircraft is 15 inches, so to ensure your CRS fits across airplanes, make sure it's no wider than 16 inches. Generally, economy seats are between 15 and 17.8 inches wide.

Spirit and Southwest Airlines have the smallest seats among US airlines. The seat width can often be different depending on cabin class. Here is a breakdown of each aircraft’s seat width to help you figure out if your CRS will fit.

When checking in a child restraint system, most major airlines allow passengers to check a CRS for free at the ticket counter. Flight attendants will check the label to ensure it's FAA-approved and fits in the airplane seats. Make sure it's clearly labeled to avoid delays during boarding.

If you purchased an approved CRS does not fit into a particular aircraft seat, the airline is responsible for providing another seat in the same service class to accommodate the CRS. Then you will need to have it as a checked item and get it from baggage claim with your luggage. However, it's important to note that airlines may have specific policies outlining safe seat locations for different planes. You can check what kind of plane you have for your flight by checking your reservation.

Ensure that the seat has been approved for travel and is appropriate for your child's size and age. It's also important to check if their CRS functions properly and is labeled correctly. The CRS, like a car seat, should have a label that confirms its certification for use in motor vehicles and aircraft, and the user manual should specify if someone can secure it in a plane seat. It would be right next to the instruction label on your car seat, usually in red lettering.

If you want to make sure your car seat is approved for flying, look for a tag or sticker on the car seat that talks about whether it's certified or approved for motor vehicles or aircraft. What it could look like:

• "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards."
• "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft."
• "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only"
• "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d), Amd 21.50 6-9-1980, Approved for Aircraft Use Only"
• “This child restraint device conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.”
• “FAA APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 14 CFR PART 21.305 (D) APPROVED FOR AIRCRAFT USE ONLY.”

As mentioned before, it's important to note that some non-US carriers may not allow the use of car seats, so it's best to check the airline's policies. Airlines may also have different rules for CRSs for international travel.

Different countries or airlines may have weight and height limits on car seats. Check the laws of your trip destination to make sure that the car seat you want is still approved. If not, any travel insurance you paid for will not be valid.

Boarding Process

Most airlines won't allow you have a car seat in an emergency exit rows, rows in front or behind the emergency exit rows, the very first row, or aisle seats. So when you are booking make sure to take that into consideration.

How to Install Different CRS

For rear-facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6G9VK6qZSY&t=6s

For front-facing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbRcVqGy02o

For CARES Devices: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8jBxNuXRkQ

Car Seat Recommendations

If you're feeling overwhelmed about what's best for your kids, don't fret—we've got suggestions from our PreFlight colleagues! We made these recommendations based on functionality, size, added features, and reviews. We advise you to review your specific airline rules to ensure they're airplane-compatible.

There are many car seats available in the market that can be converted into strollers. This is an excellent choice if you anticipate a lot of walking during your journey or to facilitate airport navigation.

Car seat bases are not permitted on the aircraft and must be fastened using only the airplane's seatbelt.

These suggestions are derived from our independent research and personal travel experiences and are not associated with any brand. If you are looking to use a rear-facing car seat, know that not all airlines allow them, like United Airlines.

Duna Infant Car Seat

With over 14k positive reviews, parents gush about the quality, comfort, and ease of use for children under 35 lbs. The seat is 17.3 inches wide and can unfold into a stroller with a single button. The anti-rebound feature helps lessen the impact of turbulence or sudden car stops. If you are traveling somewhere sunny, the canopy provides UPF 50+ sun protection for an extra feature.

Evenflo Shyft DualRide Infant Car and Stroller

It is a bit on the heavier side, weighing 20 pounds, which can be a little bit difficult to move, but the durability and the ability to turn into a stroller make up for it. An added feature offering peace of mind for your baby's health is the SensoreSafe, which can connect to your phone using Bluetooth to help keep track of car seat temperature, if a clip gets unexpectedly unbuckled, or if they have been sitting too long/

Graco Modes Pramette Travel System

This is a 3 in 1 stroller car seat; it's an infant car seat, infant pramette, and a toddler stroller, so it can work while your child grows. It can also fold using only one hand, making storing it in an overhead compartment easier. It goes up to 35 lbs.

Safety 1st Smooth Rid Travel System Stroller and Car Seat

The car seat is light, weighing only 8 pounds, and can easily fold flat. It's easy to install and user-friendly, cutting out the stress of trying to set it up on the plane. There is an added storage basket under the stroller, a perfect spot for a diaper bag or easily accessible baby supplies on your travels.

Baby Trend Trooper 3-in-1

Just under 17 inches widest, it fits comfortably across most airlines. It can convert from an infant to a rear-facing toddler and forward-facing toddler up to 65 lbs, making it easy to travel for multiple years.

If you don't want to buy a new car seat but want an easier way to travel with your car seat, you can use a travel belt or buy a travel cart where you can stack your travel items.

Using a CRS on a Shuttle

When utilizing a shuttle service for your transportation needs to the airport, customers must inquire about the availability of a car seat for their child. Typically, shuttle services do not provide car seats as part of their offerings. Therefore, when a car seat is unavailable, customers are encouraged to bring their child's car seat along for the journey. This ensures that your little one is safely secured during transit.

It is also important to keep in mind that the shuttle service provider may not be able to store any personal items for you. If you decide to bring a car seat, you will need to take it off the shuttle when you reach your destination. Fortunately, PreFlight shuttles are equipped with seatbelts that can be used to securely fasten a Child Restraint System (CRS) for your short commute to the terminal, providing peace of mind as you travel.

While traveling with a child restraint system may initially seem like a hassle, it is essential to recognize that doing so can significantly enhance the safety and comfort of air travel for young children. Ensuring your child is correctly secured in a car seat can alleviate concerns about their safety during the ride.

Additionally, if you are apprehensive about the potential cost of purchasing an additional ticket for your child, it is advisable to check with your airline. Many airlines offer reduced fares for children, which can help ease the financial burden of traveling with your little one. By taking these steps, you can ensure a smoother and safer travel experience for both you and your child.

If you want more tips and tricks on traveling with babies and toddlers, check out our article called Tips for Traveling with a Baby or Toddler. Happy Travels!