• About
  • Travel Resources

One Day in a City

24 Hour Travel Itineraries to Make the Most of a Day in a Destination

  • United States
    • California
    • Pacific Northwest
    • New England
    • Midwest
    • South
    • West
    • New York
    • Hawaii
    • Florida
  • Europe
    • Austria
    • Croatia
    • Czechia
    • Finland
    • France
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • Ireland
    • Italy
    • Netherlands
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Romania
    • Russia
    • Scandinavia
    • Slovenia
    • South Korea
    • Spain
    • Turkey
    • United Kingdom
  • More Destinations
    • Canada
      • Quebec
      • Vancouver Island
    • Caribbean
      • Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Rico
      • Jamaica
      • St. Maarten / St. Martin
      • St. Thomas
    • Central & South America
      • Argentina
      • Colombia
      • Mexico
    • Australia & New Zealand
      • Victoria AUS
      • Queensland AUS
      • North Island NZ
      • South Island NZ
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • India
      • Japan
      • Jordan
      • Nepal
      • Singapore
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • South Pacific
    • Africa
      • Kenya
  • Travel Tips
    • Travel with Babies & Toddlers
    • Couple Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Cruise
    • Packing Tips
    • Work and Travel Balance
  • Shop
    • Gift Guides
One Day in a City > Travel Tips > Travel with Babies & Toddlers > Tips for Flying with Baby in a Carseat

Tips for Flying with Baby in a Carseat

January 18, 2020 By Gina
Posts on this site may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

Pin486
Share
Tweet
486 Shares

Tips for Flying with a Baby and Infant Carseat

Got an extra seat for your baby on the plane? Enjoy the space and remember these tips.

I was lucky my first time flying with a baby. Not only was my husband, Tom, with me, we also had a seat purchased just for Lulu thanks to this being a work-related trip for the whole family through my husband’s job. Otherwise, 5-month old Lulu would definitely have been sitting on my lap.

I’ve done flying with Lulu now as a lap baby, too, and let me tell you – flying with a carseat that can be put on its own seat is all sorts of amazingness (except for that darn extra plane ticket cost factor…).

Still, there was a bit of a learning curve. Here are some takeaways I discovered for flying with a baby in a carseat when the baby has his or her own seat.

My own seat on the plane? Party!
My own seat on the plane? Party!

Go Through Airport Security Like a Champ

The baby needs to be taken out of the carseat to go through security. This is different from traveling with a lapbaby who is allowed to stay in a baby carrier like an Ergo when going through security (of course, you can always put the baby in the Ergo for security and just carry the carseat – I recommend this and would have done this had I known at the time the baby can stay in the carrier, but that is another story).

Bring Your Stroller for the Airport Terminals

Bring a carseat adaptable stroller, like the Chicco Click n’ Go. It will make going through the terminal so much easier so you’re not lugging the carseat over the crook of your arm — and thinking about how nice it will be when you can just travel with a foldable booster seat!

Check the stroller once you’re at the gate so you’ll have it again when you get off the plane.

I almost convinced my husband that a stroller was going to be too annoying to bring through security and the airport; luckily he convinced me otherwise. The stroller was so handy and convenient. Plus, if Lulu wasn’t sitting in it, we could just pile all our luggage into it while going through the airport.

Secure the Car Seat with the Seatbelt Correctly

The seatbelt should go through the tab on the side.
The seatbelt should go through the tab on the side.

The seatbelt goes through the tabs on the side of the carseat and you strap it into the seat similar to if you were using the carseat in a car without the base, which is something you’ll get used to doing if you travel with baby enough.

Decide When to Nurse

You may have a carseat versus boob dilemma upon take-off if you’re breastfeeding. If you’re not sure how your little one is going to react to the change in pressure and hurting ears, then feeding her upon take-off is a smart idea as the suckling helps regulate ear pressure and helps the ears to pop. On the other hand, the car seat is the safest place for the baby to be upon take-off and landing since that is when the plane is most at risk for sudden turbulence. If you use a bottle, then this is easy – leave the baby in the carseat and give him or her the bottle. If you nurse and don’t want to deal with bottles through security (which I didn’t) and you don’t want to take your baby out of the safety of the carseat, try a pacifier as that helps, too.

Take Your Time Getting Off the Plane

Unless you’re in a huge hurry, wait for everyone else to deplane. Carseats are cumbersome and waiting to get off at the end will help ensure your stroller is already off the plane and you can just click in and go without having to wait for it.

Choose Your Seats Wisely

Get a window and middle seat if you’re not traveling with anyone else and won’t have the whole row. The car seat can only be rear facing in the window seat, otherwise it blocks the row and provides an obstacle to exit in the case of an emergency.

Take Advantage of Some Down Time

One last takeaway: When your baby (hopefully) sleeps in the car seat on the flight and you have both hands free AND you’re far, far away from the demands of piled up laundry and dishes, but you’re too nervous about being on a plane with your baby to sleep, take advantage. Finally read that magazine that is three months out of date. Or start that book you’ve been wanting to read. Granted, it may take another several flights to finish it, but hey, at least you started it. Just relax.

Being stuck on a plane with a baby doesn't have to be bad. In fact, it can be quite fun if the baby has her own seat!
Being stuck on a plane with a baby doesn’t have to be bad. In fact, it can be quite fun and relaxing if the baby has her own seat!

Wait — relax when flying with a baby? Well, you can try. While in your seat, just remind yourself that at least you’re not in the airplane bathroom trying to change a messy diaper!

 

About Gina

I'm a former travel agency marketing director turned freelance travel writer. My editorial and copywriting work has been published on and in USA TODAY, Travel + Leisure, the Travel Channel Cities app, TripSavvy, and many more online and print publications. I especially love sharing my knowledge of traveling with limited vacation time, making the most of cruise ports of call, and vacationing with kids. I also enjoy sharing my favorite travel gear and products to make traveling easier!

Comments

  1. Gina says

    August 17, 2017 at

    Yup! Just have to make sure it’s an FAA approved one.

  2. Maria says

    July 30, 2017 at

    Thanks for your idea. I thought I am not allowed to take the car seat to the plane.

About One Day in a City

One Day in a City: Start Here
Hi! I'm Gina, a former cruise and tour marketing director turned independent travel writer who helps those short on time make the most of their travels, even if you just have 24 hours to spend somewhere. Read More...

Travel Writing

Gina Tarnacki Writing

Top Travel Tips

Travel Resources and Websites to Make Your Vacation Easier

Travel Inspiration

One Day in a City: Start Here
I have over a decade of experience working in the travel industry and use what I've learned to help you take control of your travels and design YOUR best trip with however much vacation time you have. Start Here...

Recent Posts

  • Should You Use a Travel Agent for Your Disney World Vacation? 
  • Ultimate List of the Best Cities to Visit in Europe
  • 20 Best Beaches in California to Add to Your Bucket List
  • Best Weekend Getaways in Michigan: A Local’s Ultimate Guide
  • The Best Winter Family Vacations for Fun and Snow

Search for a Destination…

Contact
Advertise
Content Writing Services
Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, and Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 · One Day in a City is a property of Ports and Pen Media LLC.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided 'as is' and is subject to change or removal at any time.