Find Out How to Pack a Car Seat for Checked Baggage!

Usually with family trips, we are more prone to enjoy car trips than taking any other vehicle. However, the thought of buying or renting car seats for your infant at the destination seems very unnecessary when you have your one at home.

The problem starts to show up when you realize it needs to go through an airport where there’s a chance of issues such as restrictions. However, thankfully there are airlines that do allow taking car seats with you without cost. Delta, for example, says it doesn't charge any fees for strollers or car seats, and they don't count toward your bag allowance. You can either opt for a gate check or simply check one at the ticket counter.

Now maybe you want to try the latter option but don’t know how to pack a car seat for checked baggage. Well, today’s piece of writing is meant to sort out the point for you.

Here are Tips on How to Pack a Car Seat for Checked Baggage.

Below we will go through a few tips on packing a car seat for checked baggage. These are meant to give you an efficient outcome that is less costly. Keep on Reading…

One Thing to Know Before Packing the Seat.

Car seat safety standards differ by country, so even a seat you're allowed to carry onto the plane may not be legal for car use at your destination. A seat certified only to UK and European rules, for example, may not meet the legal standard in the USA, Australia or Canada, and a U.S. seat may not be accepted abroad. Check the destination's rules before you pack.

Packing the Affordable Car Seat Right Way.

To make sure the car seat you’re bringing is not at risk of damage, take some precautions. For example, you need to wrap the seat with something withstanding. Such as a strong plastic or cardboard. Then use tape for sealing it entirely.

Maybe the whole process will seem a bit inconvenient. Checked items can be opened for security screening, so a wrap that's easy to reopen and re-tape saves hassle.

Now if you don’t mind spending a few bucks, then this problem can be sidestepped. You can get a car seat bag that is built for safety purposes. The thing would provide most protection, and at the same time, it’ll be very easy to carry.

If you get the one with enough space, then few of your baby’s stuffs can also find a place to reside in. another fantastic trick is surrounding the car seat with baby diapers. You can opt for other soft items too for example socks and towels. This will provide additional protection.

Also, some may wonder if airlines will wrap the car seat for you. Some offer a plastic bag at check-in (more on that below), but a thin bag adds little padding, and damage policies vary by airline, so the protection is mostly up to you.

And this also reminds me of another thing. You should not bring along a car seat that is very expensive. Go for the ones that are affordable. Because in case the car seat gets damaged, you will regret a bit less.

Use Some Bubble Wrap.

One cheap and inexpensive way to carry a car seat can be with bubble wrap and tape. You will need to put quite a few layers of bubble wrap around the car seat. Make sure you cover all the areas. Then get a heavy-duty tape for securely wrapping it. This can be a bit hassling if there’s a security checkup in the situation. Since then, you may need to open whole thing to show the security in charge.

However, in most cases, this works and there shows no problem. You can also bring all straps after shortening them and then clip them together. Sometimes due to catching of protrusions and straps on the belts of baggage, damages take place. The clipping will avoid such consequences.

Asking for a Car Seat Bag at Checking.

There’s also a way of asking for a car seat bag. You can do that at check-in. Some airlines keep heavy plastic bags big enough for a car seat, with an adhesive strip to seal them. The bagged seat is then checked, sometimes through the oversize baggage area.

Don’t forget to ask for an extra one. For the return journey collecting a spare one will help. But then again, deepening on who you’re flying with, this may or not be an option available.

On-Board Using the Car Seat.

Many parents choose to skip checking the seat and use it on board instead. The FAA says the safest place on a plane for a child under 2 is an approved car seat or device, so it's worth buying the child a ticket if you can. If you carry the seat through security, TSA screens car seats by X-ray, or by hand if they don't fit the machine.

Look for the label that reads "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Car seats generally must go in a window seat, can't be placed in an exit row, and booster seats can't be used for takeoff and landing. A narrow, lightweight seat is the easiest to fit on smaller airplane seats. If you have no ticketed seat for the child and no open seat is available, the car seat will be checked at the gate.

Watch This!

Wrap Up

And we are all sorted with knowing how to pack a car seat for checked baggage. The whole thing can be a bit daunting, but so much worth it.

One thing you should know in case of mishandling or damages. Never leave the airport before making claim. If seat does not come to you on your arrival or make it to the last destination, there’s something wrong.

Report any damage or missing seat to the airline's baggage office before you leave the airport, and keep your claim tag. Compensation rules vary by airline, so ask how to file a claim. A car seat that was badly mishandled may have hidden damage, so check with the seat's manufacturer before using it again.

Sources

• Child Safety: Keep Your Little One Safe When You Fly, Federal Aviation Administration
• Children & Infant Baggage Items, Delta Air Lines
• Traveling with Children, Transportation Security Administration