Flying with a carseat

starrsgirl · #1 June 15th, 2011, 11:32 AM

Ug, I didn't even think about this one and I'm flying next week!!! How do I work the whole car seat thing with the airlines? When Emmett was a baby, his infant car seat was part of his stroller so it wasn't an issue at all. He just rode in the stroller and we checked the whole thing (both the seat and the frame) at the gate.

Now, we have Birtax Marathon seats for both vehicles. They are huge. I'm traveling alone and without a stroller (Emmett will be in a carrier). I'm not sure I can manage that car seat plus baby plus carry ons by myself.

Also, will they charge me to check the seat? Can I check it at checkin? (I might be able to get it to check in on my own if I bungee it to my roll behind suitcase to get from my car into the airport.)

AmandaEliz · #2 June 15th, 2011, 11:37 AM

Usually you can check a carseat for free. You check it with your luggage. I know you can buy protective cases for them, but I'm not sure where.

Ally-Mac · #3 June 15th, 2011, 11:42 AM

I'm glad you asked this question. We are traveling in a few weeks and I was wondering the same thing. Last time she was in the infant carrier..now we also have a Britax. Can you gate check those? Or do I have to check it with regular luggage? I don't want it to get damaged.

starrsgirl · #4 June 15th, 2011, 11:49 AM

My MIL is a travel agent so I also have her trying to run down an answer for sure.

AndiNW · #5 June 15th, 2011, 12:03 PM

When we went to California, we checked DD's car seat. They gave us a big bag to put around it and we checked it where you check specialty items (sports equipment, etc). I labeled it really well - used a silver sharpie to write our name on the plastic frame. Everything was fine. We don't have a Britax, not sure how much larger they are than our Eddie Bauer seat. It was free to check ours.

#6 June 15th, 2011, 12:22 PM

It's free to check all baby items at the gate...stroller...car seat...so on. If you don't need a stroller at your desination I highly recommend getting a Go-Go kidz. It hooks onto the carseat making it a stroller. You can gate check the whole thing. I used one all the time when we where traveling with one kid and loved it. Just be sure you ask security to hand check the carseat so they don't try to shove it through the xray machine.

Gogo Kidz Travelmate - Go Go Babyz Corp - Babies "R" Us

mommytokem · #7 June 15th, 2011, 02:25 PM

Liz you can just check it with your baggage for free so you don't have to lug it through the entire airport. That's what we've done with all four kids when we've flown.

starrsgirl · #8 June 15th, 2011, 02:27 PM

Awesome, thanks guys! MIL just confirmed that I can check it at the baggage check in too...don't have to lug it all the way to the gate.

Should I buy a special bag for it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMC

It's free to check all baby items at the gate...stroller...car seat...so on. If you don't need a stroller at your desination I highly recommend getting a Go-Go kidz. It hooks onto the carseat making it a stroller. You can gate check the whole thing. I used one all the time when we where traveling with one kid and loved it. Just be sure you ask security to hand check the carseat so they don't try to shove it through the xray machine.

Gogo Kidz Travelmate - Go Go Babyz Corp - Babies "R" Us

Love this, Heather! That's a million dollar idea right there. However, I don't think we really fly with Emmett enough to justify. But still super cool.

Hollybear · #9 June 15th, 2011, 03:55 PM

I would definitely get a travel bag of some sort. They handle everything super hard and you don't want any of the important pieces to get weakened, damaged, or cracked. You can look on Amazon, there are TONS. There might even be one specifically for your car seat. You should be able to find a bag/protective cover for under $50.

I would also check it with my luggage if you don't have him a seat. No way would I want to lug that thing around!

Another thing you might want to think about is this - Baby Travel Harness & Chair For Planes, Restaurants, Shopping

I usually wear Sophie in my Ergo, but now that she's so big I am thinking about trying that next time. (I also just noticed One Step Ahead had bags as well!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMC

It's free to check all baby items at the gate...stroller...car seat...so on. If you don't need a stroller at your desination I highly recommend getting a Go-Go kidz. It hooks onto the carseat making it a stroller. You can gate check the whole thing. I used one all the time when we where traveling with one kid and loved it. Just be sure you ask security to hand check the carseat so they don't try to shove it through the xray machine.

Gogo Kidz Travelmate - Go Go Babyz Corp - Babies "R" Us

I am so getting one of those next year!

madelynsmomma · #10 June 15th, 2011, 04:16 PM

I see on Craigslist a lot where people ask to "rent" one of those things Heather posted. Maybe put up an ad and see if anyone in the area has one?

#11 June 15th, 2011, 04:21 PM

If any of you do decide to get the Gogo kidz let's me know. I have flown with ours over 10 times and have a bunch of tips I can share.

As for the bag...YES! I bought one at Babies R Us and on our last flight I checked Calebs carseat with our luggage and was able to fit a ton of extra stuff in the bag with the car seat...since they check the car seat for free it saved me the cost of checking a third bag.

Hollybear · #12 June 15th, 2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMC

If any of you do decide to get the Gogo kidz let's me know. I have flown with ours over 10 times and have a bunch of tips I can share.

As for the bag...YES! I bought one at Babies R Us and on our last flight I checked Calebs carseat with our luggage and was able to fit a ton of extra stuff in the bag with the car seat...since they check the car seat for free it saved me the cost of checking a third bag.

OMG you are so smart, I would have never thought to do that! I use the Vista Travel bag with my stroller when I check it (I gate check my umbrella one) I feel like you just like changed my life over here LOL

#13 June 15th, 2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollybear

OMG you are so smart, I would have never thought to do that! I use the Vista Travel bag with my stroller when I check it (I gate check my umbrella one) I feel like you just like changed my life over here LOL

LMAO just keep in mind the 50lb weight limit still applies.

starrsgirl · #14 June 15th, 2011, 08:58 PM

OMG!!! So we no longer have a problem. See...we GAVE the infant carseat to my SIL...who we are flying to visit. So, they can just put that carseat in their vehicle (she's still preggo) and come get us. It's a Graco 32 so Emmett is still well within height/weight limits!

Score!!!