How to Pack a Car Seat for a Flight?

The flying experience has grown into one of the main challenges parents face with children. In preparing for air travel with a little one, among the important things one needs to consider is how to bring their car seat.

Below is a child car seat packing guide. We will show you everything you should know to take it with you up in flight in the best condition: how to pack it if flying, whether your toddler has to wear a seat belt or not, how to secure it en-route, or whether you'll be buying a special seat to fly.

Complications of Traveling with a Child Car Seat

It is daunting to fly with a car seat of a child. You want to take care of your little one during the flight and figure out how to pack, check, and secure the seat for air travel. It is overwhelming to determine what to do with the car seat once you have reached the airport, or how it would get through security and onto the plane.

With these needs that need to be taken on by parents in packing and transportation and then the eventual installation or use on the plane alone, the workload becomes increased.

However, with substantial information and adequate preparation for traveling with a car seat, the exercise needn't necessarily be provocative at all. Actually, it should be a challenge all along as one shows concern and care about their child's safety during flight. Herein discusses how you can manage that step by step.

Why Properly Packing a Car Seat is Important

Packing properly is very important if one happens to travel by plane with his or her car seat. There are several reasons as to why it is highly recommended to pack a car seat well before traveling through an airplane.

First, you need to ensure the car seat stays intact the entire journey. The people who normally handle baggage for airlines are never gentle with the items.

Plus, a well-packed car seat means that once you arrive at your destination your child's seat is ready to go. Sure, you might be gate checking the car seat - or using it on the plane, but packing it well is going to make your experience far easier - and safer.

Last but not least, being well packed will facilitate a much smoother passage through the airports and through the security check. There might be some set of rules airlines and the security people apply for a car seat; therefore, packing it accordingly and strapping it properly will cut down much valuable time.

How to Pack a Car Seat for Air Travel

It does take some thinking and advance preparation to pack a car seat for flying. Here's an easy, step-by-step approach that will get the seat ready for flying.

Take All Accessories and Parts Off

The first step is taking away all additional accessories-attached cup holders, padding, or toys-from the seat of the car. Easily, these might get missing or even damaged in transit and would do better being packed up individually.

Check with the Different Airline Guidelines

The carrying of a car seat inside the cabin is different depending on the airlines and has some policies and regulation criteria. If you are plan for its use in-flight, first check your airline that the seat comply for use inside the cabin, because permission of carrying the seat for inside the cabin for its use by your child while going to its destination and other Airlines may need you check it.

Choose a Car Seat Travel Bag

Car seats always require a car seat travel bag-a very important tool to maintain the safety of the seat during transit. A padded strap bag will be easily available than ordinary ones.

Most of these carrying bags come with extra storage compartments to hold additional accessory items like the harness mechanism and the installation manual.

Label the Car Seat

It would also be a good practice to label the car seat with your contact since during transition, seats tend to get lost or misplaced especially since you might well be checking it in as luggage.

Car Seat Securement for Travel

Place the car seat inside the travel bag in such a way that it is snug and doesn't shift. Any empty spaces should be filled with padding or soft materials to prevent shifting. This will ensure that the car seat remains in one piece and safe throughout the journey.

Use Car Seat Protector Mat (Optional)

You could place a car seat protector mat underneath for extra protection. This will help add a barrier between the car seat and dirt, and any damage or moisture upon transportation.

How to Secure the Car Seat for Airport Travel

While it is busy and chaotic, properly securing your car seat will make the airport experience much easier. You want it compact and not to be a burden to tote around in case you do have to carry the car seat through the airport. Many car seat bags offer wheels or backpack-style straps that can easily help out with transportation.

If you want to have the car seat checked on the counter, ensure it is properly wrapped up in a hardy travel bag. You may need to find out from the airline whether they provide any special handling for such fragile items as car seats. Other airports also allow the checking-in service of car seats where a car seat is delivered straight to the gate for boarding.

If you are flying with an infant who will utilize the car seat onboard you will need to stow the car seat in a location on the aircraft. Car seats should be installed according to the car seat manufacturer's instructions and according to the FAA's installation instructions. If you do not know how to secure the car seat in your airplane seat, flight attendants may be able to provide you with some assistance.

Which Car Seat Is Best for Air Travel?

In choosing a car seat to take on an airplane, size and weight and whether the car seat can be secured with the aeroplane seat are important considerations in selecting one. EASA recommends several car seat types for car and aircraft use: forward-facing child seat, rear-facing child seat, ISOFIX or equivalent car seats, and high back booster seats. Aside from these, parents can choose other types of devices only for flying.

FAA-Approved Seats

Not all car seats are approved to go in aeroplanes. If this be the case with your car seat, it should have a specific FAA approval sticker placed on it. These FAA-approved car seats, available in the US, can be used both in cars and aeroplanes, providing much-needed safety and security while flying.

Lightweight and Compact Options

If convenience is more your concern, then there are car seats that are lightweight and compact. It's easier to carry around the airport and often compact in size, making installation on an aeroplane much easier. Most parents prefer a travel-specific car seat that is designed to be carried around easily.

Convertible & Booster Seats

The booster and convertible seats are mainly larger in size and bigger in size, which does not suit much due to its bulkiness to take into the aeroplane with you. But that may be a good choice; you need something that may be converted from car seat to booster seat. The thing is just to match the dimensions of the seat fitted inside the aeroplane seat dimensions.

Check out our blog: Which car seat is best for air travel to determine how to decide which car seat to fly with.

Tips for Flying with a Car Seat

Flying with a car seat can be a total nightmare, but here are some tips that make it a little bit easier:

• Consider renting a car seat at your destination: If you don't want to bring your own car seat, check to see if your destination offers car seat rentals at your hotel or car rental service.
• Board early: When flying with a child, it is often helpful to board early in order to get settled with the car seat and anything else you may need.
• Travel harness: If one's child isn't using his or her car seat on the plane, then the travel harness is great to keep them in their seat.
• Extra pack of essentials: Keep baby essentials like snacks, changes of clothes, and wipes especially in case of delays.

Final Thoughts

A flight need not necessarily be a source of great stress regarding packing a car seat if one plans to go the right way about it. You can be free of worry during travel with your little one onboard, provided that proper packaging of the seat has been ensured, a travel-friendly car seat is chosen, and the safety guidelines about car seat travel have been followed in traveling with babies.

Get Jovikids Car Seat for Flying!

Jovikids provides baby car seats for flying! These car seats are ideal for those looking for compact, lightweight portable car seats for air travel. It will be great for always-on-the-go families that are designed for easy use, portability, and safety.

FAQ

Can I bring a car seat on the plane?

Yes, many airlines allow you to bring a car seat on the plane if you have purchased a separate seat for your child.

What car seat is suitable for flying?

According to EASA, the following are ready for flying: forward-facing child seats, rear-facing child seats, ISOFIX seats, and high-back booster seats.

How do I protect my car seat when flying?

A travel bag or a protective case is best for keeping your car seat safe during travels. Most of the travel bags have padding inside that avoids scratches, dents, or other damages. Some brands have their travel bags available and some universal bags fit most of the seats.

Can I take a rear-facing car seat on the plane?

Yes, you can bring a rear-facing car seat onto an airplane. You do need to check with the airline to be certain the seat fits within the aircraft seat and space is adequate to install the seat. It should also be noted that there are some restrictions by individual airlines regarding rear-facing seats being in certain positions.