When a family chooses to travel together by air, parents may need to take a car seat for use on the airplane, or for use at the destination in the car. Other parents use a car seat as an infant carrier or as part of a stroller travel system. When flying with a child restraint system, it can be checked or taken on the plane for a child to use.
If your child will be flying with you, you can purchase her a ticket or if she is younger than 2 years old she can fly for free on your lap. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends securing your child in an approved child restraint system even if she is younger than 2. Because transportation regulations mandate that all passengers be safely restrained in their seats with safety belts fastened during takeoff and landing of a commercial aircraft, except for non-ticketed children younger than 2, a child younger than 2 who is not restrained receives less protection from possible injuries due to crash or turbulence than restrained adults.
If you are purchasing your child a ticket, she can fly most safely restrained in an approved child safety seat. Check your car seat before leaving home to see if it is approved for airline use. Bring the instruction booklet with you because installation in an airplane seat may be different than in a car seat. Ask the airline if they can provide a safety seat for your child, and if so, you may not be allowed to bring your own seat on board.
If you don't purchase a ticket for your child, there's still a chance she can fly in the car seat. Ask at check-in if the plane is full. If it is not full, the flight crew may allow you to use one of the unoccupied seats for your child. To ensure your child has a seat, book one when you book your tickets. Ask the agent whether a discount is available for your child.
If you choose not to restrain your child in his car seat during the flight or if your car seat is not approved for use on an airplane, you can check the seat at check-in or at the gate. Check the seat at check-in to avoid lugging it around the airport. If it's part of a stroller travel system or you are using it as a child carrier, it may be more convenient to keep your child in it until boarding and check it at the gate. If you plan to use the seat but are unable to use it because it doesn't meet airline regulations, you will be asked to check it at the gate.
If you take your car seat to the gate with you, you will need to remove your child from it to pass through the security checkpoint.
