How to Fly and Travel with a Car Seat and Stroller With Children

Key Takeaways

Airline travel with children can be stressful, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Don’t forget to plan for navigating through the airport itself, as well as upon arrival at your destination.
Safety and convenience can be well worth the increase in budget.

Airline travel can be frustrating or stressful under even the best circumstances. But for parents traveling with little ones, all the variables can be downright overwhelming, especially for first-timers. Understanding how to fly with a car seat and stroller can feel complex, and it’s normal to have questions about how to do it correctly.

However, there are some simple steps you can take to set yourself up for success. A little preparation, with a side of patience, can go a long way toward smoothing your travel experience.

How to Prepare for Travel with Car Seat and Stroller

A little prep work before you leave can make traveling with your car seat and stroller go more smoothly. Make sure both items are tagged with your name and a contact method. You may want to purchase a travel bag for your items as well, to protect them from damage and debris during transit. Familiarize yourself with how to collapse and reopen your stroller, and make sure you know how to install your car seat utilizing a seat belt without the base.

What to Expect When Traveling With Car Seat and Stroller

It’s normal for parents to feel anxious about traveling with little ones, especially if it’s your first time flying with them. To reduce your worries, it can be helpful to know what to expect during the process.

Expect Security to Take a Little Longer

Be prepared to move a little more slowly through security, especially if you have something like TSA Precheck or Clear and you’re used to breezing through. Strollers and car seats are bulky and may get flagged for a personalized check.

Look into PreBoarding or Family Boarding Options if You Need Extra Time

When you get to your gate, check with the gate agent about early boarding options. This will allow you extra time to gate check items you aren’t bringing on board, as well as time to secure the car seat if you’ve purchased a seat for your child.

Allow Extra Time for Connections

If you have to book a connecting flight, make sure to choose an option that allows you enough time to switch gates at the next airport. You may have to wait a few extra minutes for gate-checked items to be returned to you, and you’ll also be moving a little more slowly through the airport than you would solo.

Essential Tips for Traveling with a Car Seat and Stroller

When it comes to traveling with a car seat and stroller, the best advice really boils down to two things. One, you need to know how to use your gear in ways you might not be familiar with. And two, you need to protect your items from potential damage in transit.

Know How to Install Your Car Seat Without a Base

If you plan to use your car seat on the plane, you will have to install it without the base. Most parents are used to LATCH installation, so make sure you know how to secure your seat using the lap belt provided on the plane. Should you need one, a flight attendant can provide you with a seat belt extender.

Know How to Collapse Your Stroller

Whether you plan to check your stroller at the ticket counter or gate check it, make sure you know how to collapse your stroller completely. If you have any removable accessories, like a canopy, tray, or extra storage, make sure you remove those so they don’t come off and get lost in transit.

Invest in a Travel Bag

Frequent travelers may want to purchase a travel bag for their stroller and/or car seat. This will keep your items from damage and debris.

Tips on Choosing the Ideal Car Seat and Stroller for Traveling

Parents who travel frequently may want to consider their travel needs when shopping for a car seat and stroller. Certain features can make the travel process flow more smoothly, and prioritizing them can lead to a less stressful experience.

Make Sure Your Car Seat is FAA Approved + Will Fit in a Standard Seat

Experts agree that it’s safest for children to have their own seats on a plane and to ride in an FAA approved car seat. Most, but not all, car seats on the market are FAA approved—you’ll find a sticker on your seat that indicates it is. In addition, keep in mind that most airline seats are roughly 16 inches wide, so you’ll want to make sure your car seat fits within that space. Seat pitch—that is, the space between your seat and the row in front of you—can vary by airline as well as by seat class, so you’ll want to verify the fit there as well.

Pick a Well-Built Stroller That Collapses Easily

While choosing a super lightweight stroller seems like the obvious choice for frequent fliers, that might not actually be the best one. A heavier stroller constructed of durable materials may actually hold up better over time. Choosing a stroller that collapses fully and easily—some even managed this one-handed—can also be a lifesaver.

Utilize a Travel System for Smooth Transitions

Often, navigating the airport itself can be the most stressful part of travel. Simplify things by utilizing a stroller and car seat that form a travel system. Having items that seamlessly integrate and then separate easily for the boarding process can lower frustrations and keep you moving quickly.

Have Your Kids Enjoy a Luxury Travel Experience with Orbit Baby

Orbit Baby understands how to simplify air travel for parents of little ones. Our car seat is FAA approved for use on all airlines and installs easily with the seatbelt, while maintaining a narrow profile that easily fits into the average width seat.

Our stroller meets airline requirements for gate checking and collapses easily and completely to make storage a breeze. We recommend our travel bag for frequent travelers to keep your stroller protected from damage or debris during travel.

Utilize the two components together for a seamless travel system that allows you to navigate even a hectic airport scene with ease.