Tips to Pack Car Seat as Checked Baggage When Traveling

Key Takeaways

• Most airlines allow you to check a car seat at no cost

• Packing your car seat securely can help prevent damage in transit

• You can use any FAA-approved car seat on board an airplane, but booster seats typically are not allowed

Airline travel is almost always stressful these days, and adding a baby to the mix only intensifies things. From trying to plan flight times around naptimes and managing time changes to the exponential luggage increase, it can be a lot for parents to juggle.

One thing you’ll need to consider is how to travel with your car seat. Some parents opt to use the seat on the plane, while others prefer to check it with the rest of the luggage. The choice is up to you, but there are a few tips and tricks to make things easier.

Why Correctly Packing Your Car Seat When Traveling is Crucial

If you choose to check your car seat, making sure it’s packed correctly is hugely important. You wouldn’t want to risk damaging the seat and making sure it’s labeled clearly is critical to ensuring it ends up at the right destination.

• A travel bag can help protect your car seat from damage. Consider a waterproof option, depending on the weather. Orbit Baby’s car seat travel bag is designed to do exactly that, protect your gear while on the move.

• Make sure your bag is labeled clearly with your name, a contact number, and your destination.

• You can pack blankets, diapers, soft toys, etc. in the car seat as well to maximize storage. A fuller bag can also protect the seat.

Learn more about flying with a newborn for additional travel insights.

Essential Prep: Steps to Take Before Packing Your Baby Car Seat as Baggage

In order to minimize the risk of damage to your car seat in transit, there are a few steps you can take to better protect it.

Remove Accessories

First, remove any accessories from the seat. You may also want to secure the harness and buckles, so nothing can get caught or hung up in transit.

Use Bubble Wrap or Padding

Especially if you have to switch planes, you may want to bubble wrap or pad the seat to better protect it from jostling.

Use the Original Box or Travel Bag

If you have the original box your seat came in, that’s a great option since it’s designed specifically to accommodate your car seat. You can also purchase a travel bag (check with the manufacturer of your seat) designed for air travel.

Consider a Waterproof Outer Layer

Depending on the weather where you’re traveling, you may want a waterproof outer bag.

Label Everything Clearly and Thoroughly

Include your name, a contact number, and your destination. This is especially important for families using toddler car seats, which are often bulkier and may require additional tagging.

Smart Packing Strategies: Avoid Damage and Loss of Your Car Seat

To mitigate any damage in transit, there are a few strategies you can use.

Consider Gate Checking

If you’d like to be able to use your car seat with a stroller through the airport but you don’t want to take it on board with you, gate checking can be a good middle ground. Gate checked items are the last cargo loaded onto the plane and the first unloaded, so that also minimizes the opportunities for damage.

Allow Yourself Plenty of Time

Needing to rush through the airport adds unnecessary stress to your schedule. It also increases the odds that your luggage gets separated from you.

Take Photos

Take pictures of your car seat before your trip. In the event that it’s damaged or lost, you’ll have proof of its original condition.

See our curated list of travel essentials for baby to prepare more confidently.

Steps to Take if Your Checked Car Seat is Missing or Damaged

Even if you take all the proper steps to protect and label your car seat, things can go awry. If you arrive at baggage claim but your car seat is damaged or, worse, missing, it’s important to do these things immediately.

Report the Problem Immediately

The airline should have a customer service desk in the baggage claim area. Let the representative know that your car seat is missing or damaged.

Keep All Documentation

If you need to file an official claim, you may need to provide your boarding passes and the baggage claim tag you were handed when you checked the car seat.

Understand the Airline’s Policies

Different airlines may have different guidelines regarding how to file a claim and what their compensation process looks like.

File the Claim

Include all of your documentation and photos, if you have them. When you file the claim, confirm how long it will take for them to review it so you know when to follow up.

Request a Temporary Replacement, if Needed

Particularly if you’re out of town when your seat is lost or damaged, check with the airline to see if they can provide a temporary replacement. 

Alternatively, if you’re renting a car then the car rental agency might be able to provide one, or you can check with your hotel for baby gear rental companies in the area.

Baby Car Seat in Checked Baggage Vs Taking it on the Plane

For some parents, the simple thought of having to go through the claims process is enough to have them toting their car seat on board. 

While it is a good way to make sure your car seat ends up in the same destination (and in one piece), it can be more costly since your child will need their own ticket. Still, it can be worth weighing the pros and cons of each before deciding what’s right for you.

Taking it on the Plane

If your car seat is FAA-approved, you can use it on board the airplane. Specific airlines may have rules about which seats you can use a car seat in (like the window seat, for example, so you’re not blocking aisle access). Experts recommend using a car seat on the plane with your child in their own seat as the safest way to travel, but it does require purchasing a ticket for your child. Check with your airline, though, since some offer special child rates at a lower cost.

To learn more about your rights and what to expect, check out our guide: Can You Gate Check a Car Seat?

Pros

• Safest way to travel

• Don’t have to worry about your car seat being lost or damaged

• Gives your child their own space on the flight

• Allows you to use the car seat with a stroller travel system for navigation through the airport

Cons

• Requires the purchase of a separate ticket

• Can be difficult to maneuver the seat on and off the plane

• Airline may restrict which seats you can use for the car seat

Checked Baggage

For parents who don’t want to take their car seat on board, they can check the car seat. This can be done at either the ticket counter or the gate itself. 

While it streamlines the boarding process to not have a car seat in tow, it does mean that your child will have to sit in your lap for the duration of the flight.

Pros

• Less to manage when boarding and disembarking from the plane

• Less expensive, since baby won’t need a separate ticket

• Most airlines will check a car seat and stroller at no charge

Cons

• Increases the opportunity for loss or damage of the car seat

• Checking at the ticket counter means you can’t use your travel system through the airport

• Safety experts agree your child is safer in their own seat than as a lap child in case of turbulence or other flight issues

Orbit Baby Simplifies Family Travel With Our FAA-Approved Car Seats

Both of Orbit Baby’s car seats—infant or convertible—are FAA approved for use on airplanes. If you prefer to check your car seat, our car seat travel bag is a must-have.

It’ll keep your seat clean and insulated from damage, while also providing an easy spot to label with your name and destination information.

Traveling with your baby can add extra challenges and stress, but Orbit Baby products ensure that safety and quality don’t have to be among them.