Traveling with Kids Gear
Car Seats, Strollers, & Carriers
Travel Strollers
Unless you need an all-terrains stroller, leave your full-size or jogger stroller at home. Young kids have a lot of stuff and anything you can do to minimize the amount you have to lug will make your travel day smoother. Also, not all airlines or airports allow you to gate-check a full-size stroller which kinda defeats the point of having one in the airport!
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There are a few types:
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Umbrella strollers: The original compact stroller. Lightweight and inexpensive, these strollers come in many, many forms with varying options (and budgets). Quite a few fully recline and are compatible from birth. We've used MacLaren strollers for years and have always been very pleased by the quality and functionality for an umbrella.
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Foldable strollers: These have really come on in the last few years. Quite a few models will fit in the overhead bin, eliminating the worry of checked baggage. With such a compact size, there are a few drawbacks like little storage, tiny bonnets, and may not be suitable for babies under six months. Be sure to check with your carrier before flying as policies can vary as well as bin space on certain types of aircraft.
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Stroller Wagons: These come in many sizes, but a few compact options are permitted on airlines. This is a great option for older kids or beach/outdoors trips when a wagon comes in handy. We have the Delta Adventure Wagon (affiliate) which folds small enough to fit most airline restrictions for strollers.
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Key items to look for in a travel stroller:
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Weight: Less is more when lugging gear
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Easy of fold: Your hands are full in an airport. Something that is simple and easy to collapse, ideally one-handed is essential
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A decent recline: You don't need a full recline (unless you have a baby under 6 months), but if you expect a child to nap, you definitely want a flatish spot
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A large UPF bonnet: Blocking the sun is important, esspecially for naps, but a large bonnet provides other benefits. Travel can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially a kid. Having a large bonnet gives your kid a safe, quiet place to escape the stimulus
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A basket: Even a tiny basket will give you a spot to stick rain coats or a packet of wipes
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Handling: No one wants to push a crummy stroller; its exhausting. Look for decent wheels and good handles or better yet, a single bar.
Baby and Kid Carriers
Carriers are a wonderful travel tool. They comes in all shapes (structured and unstructured) and sizes (newborn to preschool). Carriers have the added bonus of leaving your hands free to deal with travel while knowing your little one is secure. Some security checkpoints allow you to go through screening with your child strapped in (as long as there are no metal closures).
Whatever carrier you use at home, you can use on the go!
Car Seats
in the Air
We love using our car seat on the plane. It is a safe and familiar option for young children. In fact, the FAA recommends all children under 40 pounds use a car seat or a CARES harness while traveling.
However, EVERY airline has different rules about car seats and deciphering all the fine print is a bit of headache. So to make life easier, a summary of carrier policy's and a link to the airline's family information page is below. Remember, certain aircraft types or configurations may negate general carrier guidelines. You can always ask the crew to check the manual about positioning on your specific aircraft.
Flying with a Car Seat
If you plan to use a car seat at your destination, bring your own. While rental car companies offer the option to rent one, this can be problematic. In the fine print, rental companies do not guarantee the car seat. So if they run out, you are out of luck upon arrival. Several groups have reviewed car seats at rentals and found that many were missing manuals, some had expired, and others were missing pieces. Since car seats are vital to protecting our children in an accident, this isn't a gamble you want to take!
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Carting it around is a pain, but there are a few options to try!
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Place in a stroller and secure with a luggage strap
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Secure to a roller with a luggage strap
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Use a backpack or wheeled car seat bag to tote the seat. You will have to remove it from the bag at the security checkpoint
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Most airlines allow you to check a car seat free of charge. In most locations, you can use your car seat up to the gate, but this is dependent on airport policies, not the carrier.
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Tips for checking a car seat:
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Buy a sturdy bag with a zipper. Do not use a drawstring one (we had the strings get tangled in the baggage equipment and the bag was shredded).
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Get your bag tagged at the ticket counter and confirm you can take it through to the gate. If possible, drop the seat at the gate, not at ticketing. Gate-checked items are walked to the plane and are less likely to be mishandled or damaged.
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It varies by airline and, frankly, gate agent, but often you can put extra baby items in the car seat bag as long as it isn't excessively heavy. We often toss in diapers, coats, or blankets. As an added bonus, these soft items offer some additional padding.
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Be sure your bag is labeled with your name. I have a contact label on the seat as well just in case it is lost or the bag is damaged.
Using a Car Seat Onboard
Every carrier has their own rules, but very few prohibit all car seats. It is important to check guidelines, but these items are generally true across most carriers:
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Car seats must be approved for use in flight with a sticker - CE for European manufactured seats and FAA for American or other similar government transportation entities.
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Bases for infant seats are prohibited. Boosters are typically not allowed.
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Car seats need to have five-point harnesses and be able to be installed with a lap belt.
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They must fit in the seat. Arm rests should be to be down for take-off and landing so the seat must fit between them. You can check seat width for your specific flight with Seat Guru. Some carriers are bigger sticklers about this than others. I like to install with the armrests down so I don't have to worry about it.
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If in doubt, contact customer service to confirm seat placement and assignments.
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Some airlines will allow you to use an empty seat for a lap child, but this is at the discretion of the gate agent and seat availabilty at departure.
Which Car Seat?
The Cosco Scenera Next is a perennial favorite among travel gurus because it is durable, lightweight, and inexpensive. It can be used from birth (5lbs) until 40 pounds in both front and rear facing installations. It comes with the latch system or can be used with the seatbelt making installation quick and easy when traveling.
It is certified by the FAA for use in the aircraft cabin. At just eight pounds, carrying it onboard is a cinch! Double bonus, it is slim enough to slide inside our MacLaren stroller (needs to be secured with a strap). We cart it to the aircraft one of three ways - in a stroller, strapped to a roller, or in a lightweight carseat backpack. It doesn't have many bells and whistles - only a detachable cupholder, but its perfect for trips. I can also attest to the fact that the cover washes well in case of accidents or spills.
When our oldest outgrew the Scenera, we looked for options that still provided a harness. It is much safer than using a lapbelt and is required by law in many countries and states for her age and size. The harness is certified for 30 to 65 pounds (and up to 49") which provides longevity. It has a seatbelt installation so if you are traveling to Europe, be sure to pick up a seatbelt lock.
My daughter tried out a few and this was her pick. She liked the double cupholders (which are removable) and she said it was the most comfortable. Weighing 12 pounds, it is also reasonable to tote about for travel. The harness configuration is FAA approved, too, so it can be used onboard.
If you do not need a car seat at your destination, this handy tool turns a lap belt into a 5-point harness. Manufactured by Amsafe, it is FAA-certified for children who are up to 40 inches tall and who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds, perfect for a toddler who is forward facing in their own seat.
To install this, do not sit in the last row. You must have access to the back of the seat that your child will be seated in. Also, take advantage of pre-boarding in order to install without disrupting other passengers.
Be aware there are many copy cats online, but only CARES is approved by the FAA for use onboard
If your car seat is FAA approved and will fit in the aircraft seat, you do not need to purchase another seat. However, frequent travelers will find that having a lightweight option is much easier than lugging the main one on the road. It also means that if the airline loses or damages your seat, you don't need to replace it the moment you arrive at home. Our travel car seats are also our back-up set during wash days, accidents, or help from another caregiver.
Carrier Guidelines
Aer Lingus now allows forward facing car seats with several stipulations. Infants under 6 months, must be a lap child and the car seat checked. Children from 6 months up to 36 months may use a forward facing seat in a window seat. They may not be used in the exit row or the rows immediately in front or behind. If a child is 36 months or older, special permission must be obtained to use a car seat on board and can be requested through Special Assistance.
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Aer Lingus does not permit car seats during the flight on regional flights (numbered 3000-3999), but CARES harnesses are allowed. Additionally, they only allow eight infants per flight. AerLingus will check one stroller free of charge for each child as well as one car seat, booster seat or travel cot.
Car seats with a five-point harness or CARES harness are strongly encouraged on board and are required for anyone under 2 not riding as a lap child. Children under 9kg/20 pounds may ride rearfacing. For 20 to 65lbs, car seats must be installed forward facing. Car seats are not allowed in Signature Class.
Children ages 0 to 11 are permitted to check a car seat or booster free of charge as well as a stroller. A small stroller (less than 10 inches in diameter and 36 inches long when collapsed) may be gate checked. Larger strollers must be checked in at ticketing.
Car seats are welcome for passengers with a seat assignment and on certain aircraft types. After booking, contact Air France to confirm aircraft type and appropriate seats for a car seat. They may be installed either rear or forward facing for take-off and landing, but only forward facing during the flight so as not to interfer with seat recline. Car seats must not be wider than 44cm or 17.3in. There are cabin restrictions: car seats cannot be used in La Première and select Business configurations while harnesses may not be used in Premium Economy.
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A car seat and a stroller with a cover may be checked free of charge. For lap children under two, a cabin bag is permitted and a 10kg bag may also be checked free of charge (light fares are excluded from extra baggage).
Alaska welcomes approved car seats onboard for use in the window seat or middle seat if access to the aisle isn't blocked. It must fit within the seat (minimum seat width is 16.5 inches). Car seats are prohibited from aisle seats, exit rows, the row before or after the exit row, and A seats (rows 1-4) on E175s. Car seats can be used in an assigned seat or an unoccupied seat next to an accompanying adult.
A stroller and a car seat may be checked free of charge for each child onbaord. Stroller wagons are permitted if they measure less than 90 linear inches and weigh less than 35 pounds. They must be designed for children (no garden wagons!)
Allegiant welcomes car seats in the window seat only and requires them for infants under two who are ticketed in their own seat. CARES harnesses are also allowed. Car seats must not exceed 17.88 inches in width. Each child may check a car seat or stroller free of charge either at the ticketing counter or at the gate. An additional diaper bag is permitted free of charge for each fare-paying adult with a child.
American allows for both forward and rear facing car seats that are approved for air travel as well as CARES restraints. You must have a seat for the child or an open seat next to you in order to use the car seat during flight. Children must be buckled in the car seat for taxi, take-off, and landing and any other time the seat belt sign is illuminated. Due to seat angle, car seats may not be used in certain Business or First class configurations.
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Every ticketed passenger may check one stroller and one car seat free of charge. Only one of these may be gate checked. Strollers weighing more than 20 lbs must be checked in at the ticket counter.
Approved car seats and CARES restraints are welcome onboard for those with a seat assignment. Car seats may not exceed 17in in width and must secure the torso, lap, and lower body, but are not required to be a five point harness. Families with lap children are granted free seat reservations. Seats for children under two may not be purchased online; contact Customer Service. You may also check two of the following free of charge: collapsible stroller, car or booster seat, travel cot, or baby back carrier.
Delta allows for car seats and CARES harnesses at all times during the flight. A booster may be used during the flight, but not take-off and landing. Car seats should be installed in the window seat or in a middle seat on a wide body with an adult, 18 years or older, next to the seat. Car seats may not be used in the exit row, the rows before or after an exit row, first class lay-flat seats, or some bulkheads. It may not obstruct another passenger's access to the exit. If a seat has not been purchased for the car seat, you may use an open seat. Additionally, a car seat and a stroller may be checked free of charge.
Approved car seats are allowed for infants sitting in their own seats and must be installed forward facing. Car seats must fit in the 44cm wide or 17.5in space between arm rests. Additionally, CARES and FireFly GOTO posture seats are approved for use. Other speciality seats that support posture or are medical need approval which can be requested through Customer Service.
Easy Jet allows two of the following checked item for each child, free of charge: travel cot, pushchair, double pushchair, buggy, car seat, collapsible or non-collapsible pram, booster seat, or baby back carrier. If you take these items onboard, they are subject to a large cabin item fee.
Car seats are encouraged on Frontier flights, but they must fit in the seat. Minimum seat pitch across the fleet is 16.5in. FAA approved seats should be placed in the window seat and may not be used in the first row, exit row, or the rows directly ahead and behind the exit row. CARES is also allowed. Booster seats may not be used for take-off and landing, but can be used during the flight. A stroller may be used up to the gate and checked free of charge. All other baggage is subject to fare allotment.
Iberia is very vague about their child seat policy. An authorized car seat is permitted for children who have a seat assignment. Baggage allowance is dependent on fare class and trip length. Per Iberia, children will "have the same allowance as this adult and may also cover a foldable stroller or a car seat."
I have been able to check a car seat on several Iberia flights, including those on the basic fare.
Car seats are welcome at all stages of flight for children up to 11 years old as long as the passenger has a seat assignment and the seat meets American, Canadian, German or European standard. CARES is welcome as well. Car seats must be used with in the window seat and are prohibited from the exit row as well as the row before and after the exit row. Car seats that require a three-point seat belt installation may not be used.
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For children 2 to 11, a checked stroller is allowed free of charge in addition to baggage allowance. For children under two, a stroller and car seat are included as well as a checked bag on all fare levels except Economy Light.
JetBlue allows any FAA-approved car seat as long as it fits (minimum seat width on JetBlue is 16.3in) and the passenger has a reserved seat. They allow a checked car seat and stroller for each child free of charge.
KLM welcomes car seats onboard, but the airline must be notified prior to travel. To reserve a seat for a child under two, contact the airline. The max width for the car seat is 42cm or 16.5in. You may place the seat rearfacing during take-off and landing, but during the flight, the seat much be placed forward-facing. CARES is also approved, but you still must notify KLM in advance. You may also bring a stroller and a car seat for each child, but a protective cover is required for checked items.
Lufthansa allows car seats onboard. For a passenger under 2 years, a car seat is required for them to sit in a seat. Seats should be put in the window seat to avoid obstructing other passengers in case of emergency. In some wide body aircraft, car seats are allowed in the middle of the aircraft.
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Lufthansa provides a list of approved car seats. It is very inclusive of European brands and lists a few American seats. You can use seats not listed on here as long as they fit in the seat, can be secured with the lap belt, and have a harness. I have used our seats without fail - the brands are included in Lufthansa's list, but not the specific seat. They are smaller than several other seats mentioned.
RyanAir allows car seats the are no more than 16.8 inches wide. They must be placed in the window seat in rows 5-14 & 19-30. You must contact RyanAir prior to departure to add a car seat to your reservation. Do not show up at the airport with it - you will not be allowed to board with it.
For a child under two, you must purchase a seat. You can do so at a discount by contacting Customer Service. For children over 2, you can book online and then contact Customer Service to confirm the car seat and location. You may also use the Amsafe CARES Child Restraint during flight.
If you do not want to use it onboard, a car seat (along with a stroller) may be checked free of charge. Strollers can be used up to boarding and will be waiting upon departure where airport configurations allow. Be sure to have your stroller tagged prior to boarding, preferably at the check-in counter.
Approved car seats are permitted onboard in the forward facing position for those with a seat assignment. You may check one car seat and one stroller for each child traveling, up to 12 years old.
Car seats and CARES are allowed for passengers under three. Child car seats and harnesses cannot be fitted on seats at the emergency exit rows, as well as the rows immediately before and after. They also may not impede the aisle and must allow an adult to pass by or must be placed in a window seat.
A fully-collapsible stroller and car seat may be checked free of charge. Depending on the fare and destination, a bag of either 10kg or 23kg may be checked free of charge as well. Foldable strollers are welcome onboard except for Scoot flights. They must weight less than 7kg, measure less than 115cm, and be stored in a suitable bag before boarding.
Car seats are welcome on Southwest. They should be used in the rearfacing position for a child under 20 pounds and forward facing up to 40 pounds. Car seats may not impeded the exit of passengers and generally should be placed in the window seat. Middle seats are allowed in the forward-facing position. Car seats are not allowed to be used in any aisle seat, exit row, or the row before and after the exit row.
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Customers are allowed to check one stroller and one car seat without charge when travelling with a child. Strollers and car seats should be tagged prior to boarding. If you wish to pick up your stroller at the gate, notify airline personnel so that it is properly tagged. If you do not have a bag, you may purchase a reusable cover at the ticket counter for $17. Preboarding is allowed for families with children under six as there are no seat assignments
Approved car seats and CARES can be used during flight with a seat assignment. Seats are 15.5in to 17in across. Car seats may not be installed in the exit row or the row in front or behind the exit row. They may also not be used in seats with inflatable seat belts (varies by aircraft type). One car seat and one stroller may be checked free of charge for each child.
TAP allows car seats in flight for passengers up to 5 years old with the purchase of a seat. You must notify TAP 24 hours prior to the flight to use a car seat onboard. To use onboard, the base must not exceed 40 cm or 15.7 in. The seat must go in the window seat and may not be used in the exit row or the row before or after an exit row. If the item does not fit, it will be checked.
Passengers below the age of 5 also may check a stroller or a car seat free of charge on all fares and an additional 10kg item on all fare classes except discount.
Car seats may be used in the window seat on United flights. Children under two must have purchase a seat to use the car seat. Bases, booster seats (without a 5-point harness), and baby carriers are not allowed during the flight. CARES harnesses are also approved for use onboard. One stroller or wagon and one car seat may be checked free of charge per child.
Forward facing car seats and CARES harnesses are welcome onboard. They must have a five-point harness and not exceed 17 inches (43 centimeters) in width. They cannot be used in Upper class on all planes and Premium seats on the A330-300 planes. Boosters may be used during the flight, but must be stored during taxi, take-off and landing, and when the seat belt sign is illuminated.
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One car seat and a stroller may be checked free of charge for those under 12. Foldable strollers are permitted onboard in lieu of hand baggage and must not measure more than 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 36 x 56cm) .
Car seats are allowed onboard and are required for an infant under 2 in their own seat. To book a seat for an under two, contact customer service. Car seat width must not exceed 44cm or 17.3in. Children up to three are allowed to use a car seat. Boosters are prohibted. Strollers may be check for all children up to 12 free of charge and may be gate-checked or brought on board if they meet cabin size requirements. Children under 2 years may also check a carrycot, car seat or cot. The car seat can only be checked in as special luggage, at an additional cost.
Wizz Air allows only rearfacing car seats onboard. An additional seat must be purchased for the infant. Car seats must be installed in a window seat with an accompaning adults at least 16 years old. A stroller or a travel cot may also be checked free of charge.