5 Tips for Flying with Car Seats

If you need a car seat at your final destination, the safest way for the car seat and your child to travel is on the seat next to you on the airplane. The hard part isn't installing the car seat on the plane, it's navigating the airport with your kiddo and seat in tow. Check out these 5 tips for flying with car seats to get you from point A to B safely and sanely.
Check out our Wheels Up: Airplane Travel Course for even more ins and outs and how-tos when it comes to flying with kids and car seats. You'll get access to the course plus our private Facebook group filled with caregivers just like you sharing their best travel tips! safeintheseat.com/wheels-up-c...
Looking for the best car seat for your child that's also great for travel? Use our Car Seat Buying Kits to get your customized list of recommended seats. safeintheseat.com/car-seat-bu...
Products Featured in this video:
gb Pockit: urlgeni.us/amzn/yzW
Safety 1st Jive: urlgeni.us/amzn/hofv
Bungee Cords: urlgeni.us/amzn/KvV7
Travel Cart: urlgeni.us/amzn/5DjY
Extend2Fit: urlgeni.us/amzn/NE7F (Review here: safeintheseat.com/graco-exten...)
Radio Flyer Wagon: urlgeni.us/amzn/ImXA
Evenflo Sonus 65: rstyle.me/+LHF__StKy8irzO6HVb...
Car Seat Backpack: urlgeni.us/amzn/WT1U
Wheeled Backpack: urlgeni.us/amzn/VGj3
Car Seat Strap: urlgeni.us/amzn/BKCj
Century Drive On: urlgeni.us/amzn/oyQj
Graco TrioGrow SnugLock Review: safeintheseat.com/graco-triog...
Safety 1st Jive Review: safeintheseat.com/safety-1st-...
Maxi-Cosi Romi Review: safeintheseat.com/maxi-cosi-r...
#carseat #travel #airplane

[@evan.hongzhengyang7135]

Here is me, a new dad with a 7 months old planning our first flight for the holiday. Thank God I found this video!!! You are liked by me and my daughter 👍😁

[@safeintheseat]

Have fun! Thanks for watching!

[@kbruce807]

So helpful! I love how real your tips are!

[@safeintheseat]

Glad you like them!

[@natekristyjowengert4547]

Thank you! I'm flying next week with 2 under 2 for the first time and had no idea what to do. I appreciate the tips!

[@safeintheseat]

I'm glad you found the video helpful!

[@angiecruz8707]

Thank you!! This helps

[@safeintheseat]

Glad it helped!

[@angrybeaver6667]

Bunjee strap with umbrella stroller for the win!

[@safeintheseat]

That's a great, easy option!

[@cadianlawrencehooker8635]

Omg the logistics can be stressful. Once you’ve done it a couple of times, it feels better. Thank you for your tips.

[@safeintheseat]

You are so welcome!

[@ceedeelab]

These are great tips! For the car seat + GB Pockit combo, can the child ride in the car seat while pushed in stroller so long as it's secured with the bungee cord?

[@safeintheseat]

If it's a lightweight car seat and the child+car seat is below the 55# stroller limit and you feel like you have the car seat attached securely, you might be able to have the child in the car seat. But you should be careful.

[@malorierausch7619]

Could you do a video installing the Britax in an airplane seat? I’m worried the buckle will be in the way of the clicktight mechanism!

[@safeintheseat]

You do not use the Clicktight mechanism on the airplane. See your car seat manual for details.

[@neongreenandblue]

what do you suggest you use if you have to gate chack a lap child's car seat. I bought the tickets before your course and now I'm nervous!

[@safeintheseat]

A lot of manufacturers make a car seat bag for their seats now. You can see if yours has one available. I would add some extra clothes/diapers to the bag for additional protection.

[@laurenh.bauler8232]

What type of bungee cord do you recommend with the holm cart? I babywear, but This is the first time I’ve ever flown alone with a toddler by myself. I would love to find a way to be able to baby where but leave an empty car seat attached via bungee cord to my luggage in carry that through the airport? Can you tell me if that’s a thing? I can’t wait to join the course. I did go through the Facebook page, but haven’t been accepted yet. I have a Graco 4Ever DLX

[@safeintheseat]

The Holm Cart comes with a strap for the car seat already. If you just want to attach the car seat to your luggage, you can get a strap for that. You can use a luggage strap, a small ratchet strap or you can find one made to use with a car seat in my Amazon shop: www.amazon.com/shop/safeintheseat/list/5T27LQ4Y04FR?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d

[@lauraweiler8964]

If I’m bringing an infant seat, can I gate check the stroller that goes with it? It collapses but is obviously not as compact as a compact stroller.

[@safeintheseat]

Check the airline's policy. Some of them have max weight limits for strollers that are checked at the gate. As long as it's within that limit, you can definitely do it.

[@The_Millennial_Mom]

Traveling with a 10 month old and 2 year old, bringing car seats for both. Any suggestions for the best method of having to stroll 2 kids through the airport and navigate 2 car seats

[@safeintheseat]

I recommend checking all luggage except for one backpack with essentials plus the car seats. I would have both car seats attached to travel carts and drag the kids through the airport in their seats. This doesn't work with infant seats, though, so you would need to have a convertible seat for the baby. Or you can take the infant seat and whatever stroller you currently use. If the 2 year old's seat is light enough, you can use a bungee cord to hang it from the stroller handle.

[@andreasolorio3563]

Am I able to board the plane with the Evenflo dual ride? If so, can the wheels be attached when placing it on the seat?

[@safeintheseat]

Yes and the wheels must be attached for use on a plane

[@stormbunnie6966]

Bungee cords are allowed?? That is wild. One time I took a collapsible hula hoop that was attached to my back pack with velcro straps and some lady on the plane was so upset, trying to get the air stew to tell me it's not allowed on plane. We were literally taking off lmao. I am gonna do you idea and bungee the carseat to my rolly bag.

[@safeintheseat]

People do this all the time with the bungee cords. We haven't heard anyone say they had a problem

[@judiehouston1952]

Any suggestions for flying with 2 yr old granddaughter on international flight (long haul) solo? I have the airplane ride figured out. I am taking lots of snacks and entertainment, extra clothes, etc. My stress is getting through the airports before and after flights. 1 full size suitcase (going for 20+ days), my backpack, her diaperbag backpack, carry-on, umbrella stroller, car seat. My plan is to zip tie large wheeled suitcase to back of stroller (to get to check-in and after getting it from baggage claim) zip-tie carry-on on top of suitcase-sideways, strap her car seat in stroller- I want to use it on the plane (window seat) and when we return home for rental car, put my backpack in the car seat, have her tethered to me via her small personal backpack. Once I drop off large suitcase, I will zip tie the wheeled carry-on to back of stroller and put her in the stroller. At the gate, will cut zip tie and have stroller gate checked. I did try this at home and it seems to work ok. But, I am at home, not in a large bustling foreign airport. My hotel is across the street from the airport, but the baggage claim area is on the opposite side of the airport. Minimum 15-20 minute walk for the average person. Yes, I will be walking inside the airport until I am across from hotel for safety reasons. Just wondering if anyone has tried this in real time application. Oh, I am not a young grandmother. Yes, I condensed the suitcase items down to minimal, but clothing, and other essential items, etc. for 2 people in 1 suitcase, I have maxed the weight limit. I could take a 2nd suitcase, but I know my limits as far as towing 2 large suitcases! Tried the airline assistance, but don't qualify for extra help (must have mobility issues), tried TSA and airline assistance also, same reason. I have looked at KZbin videos, but they have more than 1 person, or way less than what I need to take. Thanks for any comments, additional ideas. Don't know how to add a pic of my "experiment".

[@safeintheseat]

I think your set up sounds as good as you can get it! You can do this!

[@judiehouston1952]

@@safeintheseat Thank you. It is the best I could think of!

[@desireegandule5056]

Any tips on securing the belt without the buckle bothering the child's back on a ff Carseat?

[@safeintheseat]

It doesn't bother most kids. But when on an airplane only, you can add a wash cloth or something like that in between the buckle and the child.

[@desireegandule5056]

@@safeintheseat can you please show me?! I been asking around and watching so many videos..and no one ever mentions the buckle location part. I did see one ask for an extension, but the like of the buckle was short and stayed on the side of the carseat..

[@tybaltharr3304]

Do you have any tips for traveling with our 8-month old? She’s our first, and my wife and I have travelled for ourselves, but now we need some advice for a +1, lol😂

[@safeintheseat]

Take as little on board the actual plane as possible is my preference. Get a seat for baby and take their car seat. Have a couple of her favorite toys and maybe a few new ones. Traveling with kids before they can walk/need full meals is my favorite lol less stuff needed

[@tybaltharr3304]

@@safeintheseat alright then! Thanks for the tips!

[@yumikamia]

I have a car seat with the stroller (actually I can choose to put the car seat or the stroller seat there). Is it ok to go with it? I mean, I will use the stroller with car seat and the wheels stroller part will be dispatched at the plane door.

[@safeintheseat]

You can fly with any car seat that has aircraft approval, and that is most of them. Make sure you check out the section in your car seat manual about aircraft installation so that you are prepared for how to do it. You can find the manual online if you don't know where the physical copy is.

[@Hbk206]

Has anyone traveled with the evenflo dualride it fit on over head cabins?

[@safeintheseat]

No infant seat will fit in the overhead cabins. They can be used on the airplane seats though

[@mrscaldwell]

do you have to pay for the car seat cart to go in the overhead bin?

[@safeintheseat]

You can usually just fit it under your seat. Most of them fold up really small.

[@yarazard]

Looks like you handled that backpack easily… not sure if i can

[@safeintheseat]

You can try using it with your current seat. But you may find a lighter seat would be easier for you if you will travel more than once.

[@KatieJollimore]

I'm so confused it says the plane seats are 17 inches, but most car seats are over 17 inches wide. Will my car seat fit as long as the arm rest is up?

[@safeintheseat]

When you put the armrest up, you get about 2 more inches of space so it's usually fine

[@mrandmrswootton4692]

What is the stroller u mentioned and does it fit down the aisle ?

[@mrandmrswootton4692]

I will b traveling by myself w 2 kids. Eek. I like the stroller idea. Maybe I can also add a stroller board for my 3 year old ?

[@safeintheseat]

I always put the links in the description. It is this one: urlgeni.us/amzn/yzW The stroller will typically fit down the aisle. But if you have a wide car seat attached to it, then it will not.

[@wadzmiahasim1098]

where to buy backpack for the car seat?

[@safeintheseat]

The links are in the description!

[@melissamolina9238]

Do their car seats need to be rear facing in the airplane or front facing?

[@safeintheseat]

However they ride in the car is ideally how they would ride on the plane. On a plane, you often have to make a rear-facing seat more upright than you would in a car, but as long as the child can sit unassisted, this is a safe option on the plane.

[@devonreed434]

I have 2kids

[@safeintheseat]

Me too! And Sandy, on my team, has taken even 3 toddlers alone on a plane! You can do it!