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Flying with a car seat on a plane: 10 things you NEED to know (2024)

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This article about taking a car seat on a plane is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

Are you considering flying with a car seat? Or maybe you’ve decided it’s your best option and wondering exactly how to fly with a car seat? Then you’ve come to the right place!

This guide covers everything you need to know about travel with a car seat on planes – from choosing an airplane car seat to airline rules to installation quirks and insider tricks you can only learn with lots of experience. We’re sharing it all to make traveling with a car seat on a plane a smooth experience for your family.

Flying with a car seat is the safest option

Let’s start with the most basic question: why should you fly with a car seat? The simple answer is that airplane seatbelts aren’t designed for tiny bodies. The general recommendation is for children under 40lbs to fly in an FAA-approved restraint – either a travel car seat or a CARES harness (minimum weight 22lbs, but fits better at 30lbs – full review here ). The best car seat for airplane travel depends on your child’s age, size and development level – start your search here to pick the right one . The FAA and the NTSB both recommend using your car seat on airplanes.

This video shows you exactly why:

Why aren’t parents required to use car seats on airplanes? First, because airlines have lobbied to prevent rules that might decrease the number of families who fly – and thus, their revenue. Second, air travel is much safer than car travel. Government statisticians have determined that society is better off overall with unrestrained or improperly restrained kids on flights than with many more families taking to the roads to travel. Learn more about the pros and cons of flying with a lap infant if you have a baby.

Even if you’re reading this after you’ve made your travel arrangements and you didn’t buy a seat for your baby, you can always ask at the ticket counter or check in with the gate agent. If the flight isn’t full, you can often use an empty seat for free to put your child (with their car seat) so that everyone on the flight is safer.

So do you need to bring a car seat when traveling? You need some way to keep your child safe in-flight and safe on the roads beyond, so in part it will depend on your child’s age and the type of trip.

Can you take a car seat on a plane? It depends on the airline

The US leads the way for using car seats on airplanes. Kind of shocking, eh? Not only do the FAA and NTSB encourage buying kids their own seat and using a car seat in flight, but your right to use an FAA-approved car seat through the entire flight is protected by law. Bookmark these FAA rules on car seats on your phone (or even save it) in case a flight attendant gives you a hard time. Across the border, Transport Canada maintains similar standards .

If you bring your car seat on board ( and you should ), you’ll have to use it for your child for take-off, landing and when the seatbelt sign is on during turbulent patches. All in the name of safety! Just make sure your car seat is certified for airplane use – nearly every car seat in the US is FAA-approved (just not this one ). You can’t use a booster seat on planes at all since they require a lap-shoulder seat belt, but a combination car seat like this one is completely fine if the harness is still installed. Get more details on bringing booster seats on an airplane here.

Read more: Important info for traveling with car seats

How do I know if I have an airline approved car seat? Near the base of the car seat there’s a white sticker with lots of small print. In red letters it should say that it’s approved for aircraft use.

Below is an example of the FAA approved car seat sticker from this seat . It’s located inconveniently on the bottom of the seat, but they’re in different places on different seats. Make sure you locate yours before you get to the airport; for some international flights, we’ve had to show it at the check-in counter to avoid sending it along with the baggage. In other cases, we’ve been asked to show it before installing on the plane.

Some parents (and flight crews!) get confused when they see this because it has two separate sentences about aircraft. That’s because the seat can either function as a forward-facing harnessed seat or as a booster seat. Just leave the harness in and you’ll be fine! An FAA-approved convertible car seat will generally just have the first red sentence, while an all-in-one car seat will have both. Booster seats can’t be used on board so they will only have the last red sentence.

It’s been an uneven few years for airlines, and plenty of crew members don’t know the ins and outs of flying with a car seat. Here are a few things to keep in mind to avoid unpleasant encounters:

• It’s YOUR responsibility to know how to correctly install your own travel car seat for airplane use. Be sure to read the manual in advance of your flight and consult a CPST if you have questions.
• Infant car seats generally fit better than rear facing convertible car seats .
• You are allowed to rear face within manufacturers’ limits on US carriers, even if it impedes recline. You may want to consider seating someone else from your family in front of a large rear facing car seat so that another passenger isn’t inconvenienced.
• Car seats must be installed on forward facing aircraft seats, but that doesn’t mean that car seats must be forward facing.

Read more: The lightest infant car seats of 2023

Note that on some airlines the seats are so narrow that you’ll have to choose your travel car seat wisely. If you plan to fly Spirit airlines, for example, be sure to read this article for all the particulars.

There’s one important (and recent) exception to note: some of the new premium classes of service like United Polaris and Air Canada Signature aren’t able to safely accommodate car seats. In those classes, the only option is to hold a child under 2 in your lap and to buckle older kids in the lap belt. Personally, I wouldn’t book those with a young child.

Can you bring a carseat on a plane in other countries? In my experience, outside of the US and Canada it’s more like the wild west. Every airline sets their own policies. They can range from airlines that are extremely supportive of car seat usage on board in the interest of safety to airlines that prohibit all car seats in the cabin. Some don’t allow any car seats, some only allow forward-facing car seats, some only allow car seats for certain ages. Thankfully a few give discounts if you’re purchasing a child their own seat.

The strangest rule we’ve encountered is that even if you bring a car seat on board, some foreign airlines require you to use a “belly belt” instead during take-off and landing. Belly belts have been banned in the US and Canada because they turn a baby into an air bag. What should you do if you find yourself in that situation? Graciously accept the belly belt and attach your child to you. As soon as the flight crew is securely seated in their harnesses, strap your baby into the car seat to keep them safe during the most dangerous part of the flight.

The worst situation reported by one of our Tiny Globetrotters families was when traveling on an Asian carrier with their 3 year old and car seat. They wouldn’t permit the kid to sit in the car seat for take-off, but he was clearly not of an age to use the belly belt. The airline forced the family to gate check the car seat. Which leads me to recommend…

If you’re flying a carrier that isn’t based in the US or Canada, be sure to check their “traveling with children” section before booking your tickets to make sure you’re comfortable with the airline’s policies. You’d hate to arrive at the airport and be told that you need to check your car seat unexpectedly!

What’s the best carseat for flying? The best airplane car seat depends on your child’s age and size – there’s a wide range to choose from but it’s important to consider your family’s specific needs in selecting the best car seat for plane travel. Check out these best car seats for airplanes, including the honest pros and cons of each one: – Best infant car seat for travel – Best travel car seat for a 1 year old – Best travel car seat for a 2 year old – Best travel car seat for a 3 year old – Best travel car seat for a 4 year old – Best travel car seat for a 5 year old – Best travel car seat for a 6 year old – Best travel booster seat

How do you travel with a car seat? The airport isn’t so bad

For lots of parents, the most daunting part of figuring out how to travel with a car seat is strategizing about the airport. How to travel with a car seat in the airport depends on your family’s specific needs, like how many kids, their ages and what gear you’ve chosen for flying with car seat and stroller.

Yes, a car seat is another thing to schlep with you on the endless trek through the airport. But it’s not the end of the world. Travel systems and other car seat-stroller combinations can help, and there are lots of creative ways you can transport your car seat through the airport all the way to the gate – read about them all here .

Just give yourself plenty of extra time to get through security. Some car seats fit through the x-ray machine, but others will require hand inspection. We’ve been delayed as much as 10 minutes at security waiting on an officer to poke at our car seats. Beyond that, it’s not much of an issue if you have a solid game plan for transporting your car seat around the airport.

Maneuvering through the plane with a car seat can be ugly

Ok, so getting through the airport is no big deal with the right tricks up your sleeve. Getting through the plane… that can be a little tricky depending on your car seat. Car seats have gotten wider, aisles have gotten narrower. So what can you do?

The first thing to do is show up at the gate with your small child, car seat, carry-ons and miniature circus tent and politely explain that you need some extra time to board the plane and get situated. Usually gate agents will let you on fairly early in the process even if there isn’t an official family pre-boarding policy. Trust me, the extra space in every direction can only help you!

There have been plenty of times when I’ve had to carry a car seat down the aisle of an airplane over my head. That’s why I personally prefer a lightweight travel car seat ! The other great option is to use a foldable car seat travel cart to wheel your narrow car seat through the aisle. Just make sure the folks in front of you keep their knees in! If you have a Doona , you don’t even have to fold the wheels in until you get to your seat.

Once you get to your row, if possible put your child in the same row on the opposite side of the aisle. It’s for their own good! Raise the arm rests in your row to make your life easier. There’s usually a hidden lever on the underside of the aisle arm rest (near the hinge) to lift it.

If you’ve used a cart up to this point you need to detach the car seat from the cart, lift the car seat into the row and shimmy it to the window seat if need be. Then fold your cart and stow it under the seat in front of your car seat. If your car seat is light enough that you carried it over the tops of the seats, hopefully you can gently place it in position to begin installing the car seat on the plane.

For me, maneuvering down the airplane aisle was always the worst part of flying with a car seat!

How do you install a carseat on a plane? It’s usually pretty easy

Do you remember your first time?

The first time you huffed, puffed, sweated, swore and possibly cried… through installing a car seat, that is.

Installing a car seat on a plane won’t be like that. It’s generally the easiest kind of installation you can do. There are just a few simple steps for how to install a car seat on a plane:

• Find the correct belt path on your car seat for rear-facing or forward-facing
• Loosen the adjustable side of the airplane seatbelt
• Feed that side through the belt path
• Pray that your hand is tiny enough to reach through
• Buckle the seatbelt
• Put your weight into the car seat (possibly with the airplane seat reclined) while pulling the seatbelt tail to tighten

Here are few tips to help you out… 

• An infant car seat is the easiest style to install since the “belt path” is just two little arms that are completely exposed.
• For a rear-facing car seat, the buckle is usually between your child’s feet or knees so it won’t bother them. As long as your child is on the older side of infancy, it’s ok to install your rear-facing convertible car seat a little more upright. Sometimes that’s necessary on airlines with tiny seat pitches.
• The biggest challenge with using a forward-facing car seat on an airplane is that the seat belt buckle may end up right in the middle of your child’s back. We usually shove a sweatshirt in there after installing the car seat to offer more padding and that’s worked well. Some parents also recommend looping the short side of the seatbelt around the armrest so that the latch plate connects outside of the car seat.
• If your car seat has a lock-off for seatbelt installation pretty please read the manual to understand your seat’s particulars. The last thing you want to do is break the lock-off on your super expensive car seat ! See the yellow box below.

That’s pretty much it when it comes to car seat airplane installation! The best place to look for details on your car seat is in your manual.

SPECIAL NOTE: Installing a car seat with a lock-off, ClickTight, SnugLock or other fancy tensioning mechanism Lots of car seats today are designed to make seatbelt installation in cars easier, and I love them. They may have a traditional lock-off (Clek Foonf/Fllo, Britax Allegiance etc), a locking panel (Britax ClickTight, Graco SnugLock) or a “tensioning” panel (Evenflo LockStrong, Nuna True Tension). The common feature of these seats is that you must consult the instructions to make sure you install the car seat on the plane without breaking it. Generally you’re instructed to bypass the tensioning/locking mechanism for aircraft installation. At least once per week now I’m asked how to install a Britax ClickTight on a plane, or someone tells me that they couldn’t get it to work and had to check the seat. Below you can see the Britax ClickTight airplane installation instructions taken from the Marathon manual, and you’ll not that they’re totally different than the instructions for installing in a car! Note that the directions for installing the car seat rear facing and forward facing are different as well.

Want to know all my best secrets? Click here to learn how to travel with your car seat like a pro!

You can only be seated in specific places on the plane

Nearly all airlines have rules on where on the plane you can install your child’s car seat. Generally speaking, it needs to be in a window seat if it’s a single aisle plane, and it can also be in a middle seat in the middle section on a plane with two aisles. We’ve gotten away with putting a rear-facing car set in the window and a forward-facing car seat in the adjacent middle seat.

A car seat (or a child without a car seat, for that matter) can’t be in an exit row. In the US, you usually can’t install a car seat in the row in front of or behind the exit row either. Many airlines don’t allow car seats in the bulkhead row.

Errrrrr…. So where can you install the car seat?

Rest easy. You can install your child’s car seat in the vast majority of seats on any given flight (assuming the airline permits them). We’ve only run into an issue once in all the flights we’ve taken, and that was because we were assigned seats immediately behind the exit row.

If you’re having trouble figuring out the right seats to request or if you’ve booked a Basic Economy fare, I suggest reaching out to the airline in a private message on Facebook or Twitter and let them know you’ll be taking a car seat on the plane. It’s by far the fastest way to reach a real customer service representative, you’ll have everything documented and they can make changes for you immediately if you provide a confirmation number.

You have to install your car seat on a forward facing aircraft seat. Into the early 2000s, Southwest offered “lounge seats” (aka “party seats”) in the exit row that faced each other. You’re unlikely to see those again, but you also can’t install a car seat on sharply angled seats.

Some well-meaning parents worry about inconveniencing other passengers by limiting their recline on long flights. That’s awfully nice of you! Remember that your child’s safety trumps another passenger’s comfort and convenience. That said, you can try to mitigate the issue by putting someone else from your family in front of the car seat – especially if it’s rear-facing. 

When we traveled with two kids in car seats, we’d book our family of four in the “AB-AB” (two rows of window seat and middle seat) configuration rather than “ABC-D”. The forward-facing car seat went in the window seat in front of the rear-facing car seat since there was no real need for recline. We missed having the aisle seat but survived lots of flights this way.

If you’re lucky enough to be flying in First Class or Business Class, you’ll definitely want to do your research in advance. There are many limitations on car seats in First Class and Business Class and they vary not just by airline, but even by aircraft type and configuration.

Rear-facing car seats are awesome for sleeping babies (and beyond)

Do you ever have trouble falling asleep on flights because you just can’t seem to get comfortable? Imagine if you got to sit in a perfectly-sized, cushioned recliner for the entire flight. That’s what I’m talking about.

But seriously, that’s what it’s like for your baby or young toddler when you put them in a rear-facing car seat on the plane. Their heads are properly supported so they don’t loll awkwardly forward. Our flights got much harder when our kids switched to forward-facing because they had a harder time getting comfortable!

The other advantage of rear-facing car seats on planes is that your kids can’t really drop stuff. We’d prop the tablet at our kids’ feet against the seat back when they were old enough to watch. If they dropped a toy or blankie, it rarely went further than their laps (or ours). These days I feel like half of our flights are spent retrieving their stuff from disgusting airplane floors.

If you’re traveling with another child in a car seat or adult, you may want to consider seating them in front of the rear facing car seat so that a passenger outside of your family doesn’t lose out on recline. It’s not required, but it is considerate.

Your kid may not be able to use the tray table (but that might be ok)

One downside of using a forward-facing car seat on a plane is that, with very few exceptions ( this one , this one and this one ), a standard tray table won’t come down all the way. Boooooo. That can make it hard to serve them meals or offer quiet hands-on activities on a long international flight. One option is to bring along a tray like this one that props on their laps.

Somehow, our kids managed to survive. By the time we let them face the front of the plane, they were much more interested in spending the whole flight watching movies on the in-flight entertainment system… at least as much as we’d let them. And our kids have almost always refused airline meals anyway – just a few nibbles even on 13 hour flights! So we don’t stress too much about it. I do recommend bringing a car seat with a cupholder so that your kid can have easy drink access to stay hydrated.

This, however, is the one bright spot of Spirit Airlines and their comically tiny tray tables. They are so ridiculously small that the car seat arm rests don’t interfere with them!

You can flip the airplane car seat around mid-flight if you need to

The FAA says you have to use your car seat per manufacturer instructions, but if your child is the right age and size to rear-face or forward-face then it’s totally up to what you want to do. Change your mind mid-flight? No problem.

Why might you want to flip your car seat back and forth during the flight? There are a few reasons. On a long flight, you might want to let your child face forward to eat and watch a movie but then flip her rear-facing (which offers more recline) for sleeping. Alternatively, if you have a child who’s old enough to face forward but won’t stop kicking the seat in front then switching him to rear-facing is the kindest thing you can do for the passenger in front.

When riding in a car, the car seat harness should come from below the shoulders for rear-facing and above the shoulder for forward-facing. I have changed them mid-flight when there was a big difference, but for the cruise portion of the flight I wouldn’t worry if they’re pretty close to the right spot. For take-off and landing I’d make sure the car seat is installed such that the harness height is correct.

There isn’t usually anywhere to store a car seat on board

Last but not least… once you decide to bring a car seat on a plane with you, you’re pretty much locked in to that decision unless you bring this . Your child will be required to use it for take-off, landing and turbulent patches. In between they don’t necessarily have to be strapped in (though that’s always the safest bet).

But don’t plan on taking your baby out and stowing the car seat elsewhere to let them play. There generally isn’t room. There are exceptions, of course – on a huge international flight, the overhead bins (if they aren’t full) are usually tall enough to accommodate an infant car seat.

Sometimes flight attendants will be nice and put a car seat in a closet in another cabin. But usually either you take it or leave it. A notable exception is this car seat (suitable for kids at least 2-3 up to 7-8): if you’re bringing it on board for a child over 40lbs and decide you don’t want to use it mid-flight, you can separate the base from the back for storage.

If your child is at least 30 lbs and you don’t need a car seat at your destination (or you have a Ride Safer travel vest for cars), you can use the CARES harness instead if you think you’ll want your child to have the whole seat available to relax and play rather than sitting in the car seat most of the time.

Get a quick visual summary of flying with a car seat !

Flying with car seat FAQs

While kids under 2 who have their own seat on a plane are often required to use a car seat, kids over 2 aren’t required to use one. However , it’s strongly recommended to use a car seat to keep your child safe through runway incidents or extreme turbulence.

As kids approach 40 pounds, they can get a better fit with the airplane seatbelt than when they are smaller. But an average 3 year old is still just over 30lbs and benefits from riding in a travel car seat for a 3 year old . Another option at this age is the CARES harness .

Average sized 4 year olds can often sit safely using the airplane seat belt, though not if they’re on the smaller side. However, bringing the travel car seat on a plane avoids the risks of loss or damage when checking a car seat .

If you buy your child their own seat and are flying a US-based carrier, it’s your legal right to bring an FAA-approved car seat on board and use it! If you don’t buy a seat for your child (under age 2), you may luck out and ask for an empty seat. If you’re flying a non-US airline, be sure to check their specific policies before booking your tickets.

While a car seat isn’t generally required on a plane, some airlines do require a car seat if you purchase a ticket for a child under age 2 (assuming he or she is under 40lbs). Not sure if you do need a car seat on a plane for your upcoming trip? Reach out to the airline to confirm, but remember that the recommendation/requirement is in place to keep your child and the other passengers safe in a runway crash or during serious turbulence.

Car seats must be installed so that they don’t block the safe exit of another passenger. In a single-aisle aircraft, that generally means a window seat (or window seat and middle seat if you’re installing two car seats). On a two-aisle aircraft, you may also install a car seat in any airplane seat in the center section.

If you’ve purchased a ticket for your child, you don’t have to pay extra to bring the car seat on board! When checking your car seat , there’s generally no charge but many airlines deem them “special items” and aren’t liable for loss or damage per the contract of carriage.

You might also like…

• Uber and car seats: what you NEED to know about riding Uber with a baby or child
• Best travel car seat options by age
• Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age

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66 thoughts on “Flying with a car seat on a plane: 10 things you NEED to know (2024)”

I just wanted to say, your site has so much good information. I had a mom email me for booster seat info and I sent her straight to your site. She was very appreciative!

Awwwwww thanks, that’s so sweet of you!

Thank you for the info! I have had so much trouble finding a convertible car seat that will rear face on standard airplane (Boeing 737) with the proper recline. I have tried 3 different ones including the Costco scenera and they are so upright! Any advice on specific car seats? Or specific rows in the airplane that might have more legroom?

Hi Kristin! Thanks for your comment. It’s all dependent on how the airline sets the seat pitch and configures for that specific route. Which ones have you tried? And how old/big is your child?

I’ve tried the scenera, clek Fllo, and Britax boulevard clicktight. My daughter just turned 2 but we have flown 30 times with her and have just given up and forward faced her on the plane shortly after a year. We do buy the upgraded seats on Alaska for when we fly to Hawaii so she can sleep reclined rear facing.

Since she’s over 2, I wouldn’t sweat facing her forward on a plane at this point. Even at 1 year old, the most important thing is just to keep her safely restraint in case of turbulence (which is a much more common issue than plane crashes). If you have more kids in the future, just note that some car seats require a minimum of 2 years old to forward face. In theory, US airlines have to try to seat you in a place where you can use the car seat safely in the correct direction, but that would be more of an issue when traveling with an infant.

We use the maxi cosi pria 85 it’s been perfect!

I’m glad it’s been working for you!

Safe travels, Melissa

Hi! I had a question if you choose to buy a ticket for your infant (8 months) but decide to keep her on your lap, and check in the car seat at baggage, is that allowed?

Airlines will pretty much always allow you to check your car seat as baggage, though your risk of loss/damage is greater than if you keep it with you on the plane or at least until the gate. You would be required to hold your baby on your lap for take off, landing and turbulence; it’s up to flight crew discretion whether or not they’ll let your child use the empty seat at all during calm cruise portions of the flight, as some airlines do require that young infants have a car seat if they’re going to occupy a seat.

Hope that helps!

If a child is one and two years old are they suppost to bring their own car seat?

The FAA strongly recommends that kids under 40lbs ride in a car seat or CARES harness on a plane. If you buy a seat for children under 2, some US airlines do require them to sit in a car seat or CARES. Let me know if you have any other questions!

Best, Melissa

For a rear-facing infant car seat, do you need the base on the plane, or will just the seat do?

Hi Mindy, great question! For an infant seat, you’d install without the base. There should be a seatbelt guide (like a little plastic arm) on either side near baby’s knee. Thread the seatbelt through there, buckle and pull tight. That’s it! As long as you do not have the Nuna Pipa Lite, it’s very easy.

Hi!! Thanks for this amazing guide! I’m getting ready to fly in a couple of weeks with my 10 month old but I’m pretty sure I have to use the base with my car seat, the Nuna. Is this going to work- “installing” the base with car seat in the airplane seat? Thanks so much for your help!

Hi Dan, Thanks for stopping by! Car seat bases are not approved for use on planes. If you have the regular Nuna Pipa, you can install with the seatbelt guides (little black or silver arms on each side of the car seat near baby’s knees). If you have the Nuna Pipa Lite, unfortunately you can’t install it without the base at all – either on the plane or in a car. In that case I’d suggest that you pick up a lightweight convertible car seat – probably either the Combi Coccoro (my favorite) or the Cosco Scenera Next DLX (more budget-friendly).

If you have more questions, just drop me a reply here!

I’m flying with my 4 and 6 year olds and they both have the across the shoulder seat belt type booster seat, would it just be easier to gate check those, since it sounds like they won’t work in the plane seat? I’m confused if I make the 6 year olds a backless booster if u could use it on the plane or just not worry about it?

Thanks for stopping by! Airplanes don’t have shoulder belts, so you can’t use any booster seat on them at all. A backless booster is very easy to carry on – check out the Bubblebum for one that will fit in a backpack (you can read my in-depth review here ).

For your 4 year old, I know that a booster is convenient but it’s not really an ideal solution from a safety perspective. Most 4 year olds don’t sit properly in position 100% of the time (especially when sleeping as they often do after a travel day), and smaller kids run a greater risk of “submarining” under the lap belt in an accident. My favorite option for a 4 year old is the Ride Safer Travel Vest. It’s kind of a cross between a harness and a booster when you use it with the top tether, but it packs up small enough to fit in a backpack. The size small will last for several years. You can read more about it here . It’s on sale for Black Friday and I highly recommend it!

Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you out with.

Dear Melissa, Thanks for the info. It is my first time flying with my first kid, only 5 month old! Your page is so great! But, a question I have?! Am flying with very small plane, one aisle and totally 4 seats! 2 on each side. My wife and I and no ticket for baby. In this Covid world, am not planning to find any empty seat to use. So, what is your suggestion? Still, taking the car seat into cabin? Or using the baby holder on chest like a kangaroo? Or what else to make this nightmare sweeter?!! 🙂

Regards, Kian

Hi Kian, Thanks for your comment. Whether or not there’s an empty seat will definitely depend on which airline and what route. My husband and I had to fly (separately) last month for an emergency and our smaller flights on Delta were at 50% capacity, with all aisle seats open (2-and-2 configuration). I recommend at least bringing the car seat to the gate with plenty of time to spare and asking if there’s an open seat you can use. Remember, it’s in the airline’s best interest for your baby to be safely strapped in a car seat as well so she doesn’t become a projectile in bad turbulence! US airlines do not permit the use of a carrier during takeoff and landing, as your baby becomes your own airbag in a runway accident. You can wear your baby during the cruise portion of the flight (though you may have to remove her in bad turbulence).

I hope this helps!

Hello Melissa Thank you for your informative post about flying with a car seat. I was reading some other posts but I do have a question for you. So I have the Nuna Pipe Lite car seat. So I am assuming that in order to travel with this specific car seat I’m going to need to bring along the base so it can lock into the airplane seat.

Hi Barbara,

Unfortunately the Nuna Pipa Lite is the only car seat you can’t use in-flight 🙁 Car seat bases are NOT approved by the FAA.

I recommend that you buy either the Combi Coccoro (my favorite!) or the Cosco Scenera Next (more budget-friendly, just make sure to get a solid color). They’re both lightweight convertible car seats that will fit your baby well now and last for several years to come.

Please let me know if you have any more questions!

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for your website and all this great information! My question is in regard to checking our carseats and double-stroller. We have an upcoming flight on American Airlines and their website specifically states: *Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge *Strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter *All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding *If you have a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate

We are traveling with 2 kids under 2. We just wanted to see what your advice was if they are going to indeed make us check our double-stroller (Which is definitely over 20lbs). We may ask if they have extra seats, but if not, we are planning on just checking both car seats as well. What do you recommend as far as maybe bags to protect these items while they get thrown around during the process?

Thanks for stopping by! American does indeed have a stingy limit for gate checked strollers. Is there any chance you can get away with a single stroller and a baby carrier? We always had great success with that! Otherwise you won’t have your stroller in the airport at all – on either end.

Unfortunately protective bags can only do so much good for car seats. This is one of the more padded options. They can prevent the cover from getting dirty or torn, but if baggage handlers chuck them from the belly down to the ground hard enough then there can still be damage. You’d want to make sure to inspect a checked car seat for signs of damage (namely stress marks on the plastic shell) before using in the car. If you do wind up having to gate check your car seats, the good thing is that I’ve never encountered an airline enforcing a rule of only gate check either the stroller or the car seat. I can’t promise anything about American because they’re pretty stingy in that department, but it would be worth bringing everything to the gate. I would avoid checking car seats with baggage if at all possible – there’s that much more opportunity for loss or damage. You can read more about checking car seats (if you haven’t already).

If you haven’t already, make sure you’ve told AA that you will have two lap children, as a standard single aisle plane only has four oxygen masks for every three seats – your family would have to be split onto opposite sides of the aisle and seated next to strangers unless they happen not to assign a third adult to an ABC set of seats.

I hope this is helpful! Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Have you brought a Doona on Spirit? Can you confirm that it fits in the seat?

Thanks for stopping by! I have not tried that particular combination. Some of Spirit’s seats are 17″ wide (which the Doona could probably work with) but some of them are a paltry 15.5″. You may be able to find specific widths for your aircraft if you check SeatGuru, though it’s always subject to an equipment change. I will say that we managed to squeeze our Evenflo SecureKid in on Spirit and it’s a little wider than the Doona.

If you anticipate flying Spirit often, I suggest picking up the Combi Coccoro . It’s the narrowest convertible car seat and also extremely light. We traveled with ours for many years and loved it so much that it was our younger child’s main seat at home too 🙂 It’s not the tallest convertible car seat but will last a few years. Also – it’s currently on sale!

Thanks for this extremely informative article, Melissa! I have an upcoming trip, flying American, and would like to bring my 13 month old’s car seat to use on the plane, and then in the car at our destination. What do I do with the car seat base? Does this have to be put in our checked luggage then? Thanks!

Thanks for your comment! As long as the seat isn’t the Nuna Pipa Lite, I would consider leaving the base at home and installing baseless. If you’ve never done that, I’m happy to help you through it. If you do want to bring the base, the safest option is to put it in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of your baby. You could also consider checking it in a hard-sided suitcase, but you’ll need to keep your eye on the airline’s weight limit as some bases are close to 10 pounds on their own and suitcases that can fit bases could weigh nearly that much as well.

Hope this help!

Safe traves, Melissa

Can my 5 year old sit in a seat without a carseat?

If your child is 40 pounds, your child can safely fly without a car seat. We did continue bringing our harnessed booster on the plane even after 5 to avoid checking it. Another option would be to bring a Ride Safer Travel Vest to use in the car, which you can tuck in a carry on for the flight.

I used to be very pleased to seek out this web-site.I needed to thanks on your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely having fun with each little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

Hello, is it safe for baby to sleep in the carseat in a plane? I am planning to fly 6 hours ( lax to bos) with a 6 month old. I have the Doona which I will be taking her in.

Everyone should get up to stretch and move around every ~2 hours, including babies, whether you’re traveling by car or plane. It’s never ideal for baby to sleep in anything other than a safe, flat place like a crib or bassinet but when we’re trying to balance safe transportation and safe sleep it’s ok to let baby snooze in the car seat as long as it’s reclined at the proper angle.

Hello, I’m traveling with my 2 year old in august and debating on which car seat to use. We are flying through copa airline, Do you have any advice or recommendations? Thanks!

Hi Katahna,

Thanks for stopping by! The most popular option these days is the Cosco Scenera Next . It’s super affordable and super lightweight. It is generally outgrown once a child reaches 37-38″ tall, so if your kiddo is at the top of the growth charts a different option may be better.

You can read about the pros and cons of many different travel car seats for 2 year olds . If you need more guidance, please just reply with your child’s height and weight.

Safe travels,

I’ve been using the Cosco Scenera for air travel. It was recommended a lot when I searched for airplane car seats. It’s fine rear facing, except for the person’s recline in front of it. Forward facing, the belt path is beneath the cloth and the buckle doesn’t clear the path. My son has the buckle in his back and he cannot sit like that. This is on a Southwest plane. Do you have any suggestions on how we can fly in this seat comfortably?

Hi Melissa. Thank you for putting together this amazing article, it is so helpful! I am a first time Mama to twins. They will be a year old this summer and we have a flight booked from NJ to SC. I bought seats for them and wanted to bring my car seats on the plane (and gate check my double Zoe twin stroller that folds). I even bought the travel wheel thing I can attach their car seats too to wheel them through the airport thanks to you! We have the Britax One4Life. We are flying United. The Britax website says its FAA certified. The website says its 19.5 inches wide. We are flying regular economy. I’m so scared we will get on board the plane and the Britax seats won’t fit in the airplane seats! Any tips?

Thanks for stopping by! Somehow I didn’t get notified of your question in a timely manner, so I’m really sorry for the delay. Personally I’d only fly with the One4Life if I was relocating and had to take it with me. If the plane is narrow you may be unable to wheel them down the aisle. Even if you can, it’ll be a tight squeeze. And times two!

Since your twins are still so young, I’d pick up two of the Cosco Scenera Next (get the solid colors). They’re not nearly as fancy, but your travel day will be infinitely easier.

I’m traveling soon with my 4 and soon to be 7 year old. Both are still in harness car seat, but my daughter does have a booster seat convertible seat, with the harness option. Has anyone ever traveled with an older child still using the harness option?

Your child can legally use a harnessed car seat on a plane in the US as long as she’s within the manufacturer guidelines. That said, if it’s an “all in one” seat you may want to check the maximum height limit if she’s average height. I believe that the all-in-one seats cap out at 49″ in harness mode and you also need to be sure the straps are still coming from above her shoulders. If she’s mature enough to sit still for the whole car ride, a booster seat is a VERY safe option at her age. If she’s still a little wiggly, you can look into the Ride Safer Travel Vest and use it with the top tether.

Let me know if you need more ideas!

Hi Melissa, What if we couldn’t get a window seat for car seat? You said it generally needs to be a window but we had book same week as we’re flying and could only get middle and aisle seats.

They’ll need to do some shuffling! Reach out to the airline ASAP via Twitter dm or Facebook messenger. Include your last name and confirmation number and give them a heads up that you’ll be bringing a car seat. They should shuffle for you, and it’s easier before day-of. If they can’t, be sure to allow extra time at the airport and it should get sorted out.

Hi Melissa, In a couple of weeks we will traveling to Costa Rica from North Carolina , it is an international flight with one stop on Atlanta, , We have a Chicco Keyfit 30 car seat that fits in our Chicco Bravo Stroller; My plan is to bring both the carseat and the stroller to the gate and use the car seat for my daughter (7 months old) during the flight, and for the stroller let the crew members take care of it (the stroller is less than 9kg) so I can use it again when we landed (We have a 3h layover). I have read that it is permitted either the stroller or the car seat on the gate, but not both , but in this case we are using the car seat and the stroller as “one piece”, and I’ll just “de-attached” once we reach to the gate. Do you know if that is possible? PD: We are flying with American Airlines (we are paying our daughter’s seat)

Hi Kenneth,

Thanks for stopping by! It’s no problem to bring your car seat on board and gate check your stroller. We did it all the time 🙂 Please let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to read up on Costa Rica car seat laws before you go.

We are planning to travel to PHX from EWR soon and wanted to know if United Airlines allows us to gate check our stroller for 3month old and use car seat? Getting her separate seat on the flight as well.

thanks, Dinesh

Thanks for stopping by. Yes, you can gate check the stroller and use the car seat on the flight 🙂 We did it many times on United!

One thing I’m still not sure is whether you NEED to bring the car seat base, in addition to the actual car seat. We are traveling across country to see my family and would have a carseat available when we arrived. So, I’m thinking NOT having the base would make lugging around the seat (and baby, and dog, etc) a little easier. Can you please confirm whether having the base is necessary?

Thanks for stopping by! As long as you do not have the Nuna Pipa Lite (including Lite R and Lite LX) you can travel without the base. How you choose to do it is a matter of personal preference. We generally left the base at home for our Chicco KeyFit but did bring it once or twice when we were renting a car AND our kid was a very consistent car sleeper. The base fit well in the basket of our KeyFit Caddy and then in the overhead bin. Other than the Pipa Lite mentioned above, the base is not approved for installation on a plane.

As a more experienced parent now, I’d probably leave it at home for most trips. If you go that route, be sure to practice a baseless seatbelt installation (including locking the seatbelt) in advance. If you are traveling outside of the US or will be installing in a very old car (pre-1997 generally) be sure to have a locking clip and know how to use it. In contemporary cars in the US that’s not a concern.

Hi! Thank you so much for your article. We’re planning our first Family vacation for Orlando and we’ll be traveling (kids first time) through JetBlue. My question is, my daughter (4 at the time of travel) will be using her Diono Radian, but I’m not sure if my son (who will be exactly 6 years old at the time of travel since it’s on his b-day week) should and can have his Diono Radian? He’s a bit on the shorter side but “big-boned”. Or should I “check it” at the gate? I’m not sure what would be best.

Traveling with two Radians is downright heroism! I’d strongly consider something lighter for the birthday boy. He can legally use the Radian on board but basically anything else will make YOUR life easier! Since he’s the older one, you’d get a lot of mileage out of a Ride Safer Travel Vest tucked in his backpack. Here are additional travel car seats for 6 year olds that you can consider.

As a side note, the Radian is outgrown fairly early forward-facing – usually once the harness is no longer above the kiddo’s shoulders. It doesn’t make a great booster seat for a variety of reasons unfortunately. I’m a co-admin in this very helpful car seat group , which you’re welcome to join for a photo fit check and recommendations on the next step 🙂

What is the risk of a 5 yr old, 53lber, in an airline seat? Curious about if submarining is an issue. Unable to bring the harnessed booster for the flight, and am thinking of either the whiz rider or travel vest for the car portion of the trip once we leave the airport. Really wish the CARES system was an option but as we wouldn’t pass the extended usage of CARES exemption, am curious about the safety aspect of a lap belt only seat for the 5 yr old. Thank you!

Thanks for stopping by! At 53lbs, your kiddo is fine using the airplane seatbelt alone. You could bring the Ride Safer Travel Vest or, if mature enough for a booster seat, hifold . The vest is more compact but the hifold is easier to use properly when getting in and out of a rental car frequently.

Hi. What an excellent article, thank you so much. And I wish you didn’t have to repeat the “don’t bring a base” part in every other comment 😉

We are traveling to the Middle East with our 3 mth old, and it’s a long flight with a 5 hour stop at the Istanbul airport. We are flying Turkish airlines and do not have an extra seat for the baby, but for buy a bassinet seat up front.

Qs to you, we want to use our stroller and the car seat at the Turkish airport. We have a Cybex Cloud Q car seat with a Cybex Libelle stroller, which can fold and become the size of a small hand carry bag. Do you think we can give the car seat at the gate and get it at the Istanbul Airport, while we keep the stroller in the overhead compartment ?

Question: we didn’t purchase a seat for our 15 mo on an upcoming flight but hope to be able to bring his car seat on. If they don’t have room, we have a bag and we’ll gate check it. If they do have room and we can put him in it for the flight, what do we do with our big, bulky car seat gate check bag for the flight?

I’m so sorry I’m just seeing this! Most of the car seat bags can fold up and then go under the seat in front of your child.

I wish I had found your site that so helpfully synthesizes so much information before I went and did dozens of hours of research myself!

We’re flying with our 5 month old from the US to Spain next week where we will be renting a car. We would prefer to take our Chicco Keyfit 35 as he’s most comfortable in that, however half of our flights are with British Airways and Iberia which require all car seats to forward face. I know Chicco says to never forward face this seat. But is it possible to do so on a aircraft? We also have a Graco Contender Slim that we will take if we must but I would really love to find a way to take the Chicco. Thanks so much!

I just flew with my 20 month old and really had trouble fitting his convertible seat rear facing. It was very hard to fit the seat because of the pitch (distance between seats from front to back). The seat ended up tipped more than recommended by the manual. Kid was tipped forward, towards the seat back. I waved down the flight attendants but they had no suggestions. This was Alaska Airlines, so not a budget airline. I am using the Cosco Scenera, probably the most popular car seat to travel with. Nowadays the airlines are squeezing the seats as close as possible together. Has anyone successfully installed a rear facing convertible seat on an airline?

I’ll be flying with my 3 year old next month. At what weight is the lap belt acceptable? He’s currently about 38 pounds and a little over 40 inches tall. I’m thinking I’ll take the car seat but just wanted to know the options. Thank you 🙂

Airplane seatbelts generally begin fitting at 40lbs, but on some larger seats it they might not give a great fit until closer to 45lbs. Taking your seat on board also ensures that it arrives without damage, and at your destination!

Dear Melissa,

Thank you so much for this page. I’ve read it several times now! My one concern still is that we’re taking a long-haul flight (9 hours) and I know it’s only recommended for babies to stay in the car seat for 2 hours-ish. Is this ok? It’s an overnight flight so I’d really love it if our little one (1yo at the time of the flight) could sleep for the majority of the time.

Thank you so much for the advice!

Thanks for stopping by! I wouldn’t wake a sleeping 1yo mid-flight, but when they wake up naturally that’s a great time to get out of the seat and get everyone’s blood flowing. The real risk at that age is blood clots, which is the same risk as for adults on a long-haul flight.

The article offers some useful insights and helpful advice. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

Hi Margaretta,

Thank you for your kind words!

You provided a well balanced view of the topic, allowing viewers to create their own opinion.

Your interest forever is contagious! You are so recognizing as well as kind-hearted.

Why thank you!

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Take Baby’s Car Seat On A Plane: How I Made A Car Seat Dolly From A Luggage Cart… A Stroller & Car Seat In One!

Air travel , canada travel , free stuff , kids , luggage , packing tips , z1.

Flying with an infant or toddler can be stressful.

Not only do you need to pack for yourself — but you also need to pack all of the necessary items for your baby, too.

After you pack diapers, wipes, snacks, and baby distraction items, it’s easy to just say “forget about it” when it comes to packing anything extra for yourself.

I recently flew solo with my 14-month-old son on his first airplane ride.

In this article, you will learn:

• How to turn your baby’s carseat into a stroller
• My tips for traveling with a toddler on an airplane
• Car seat travel accessories that I found to be the most helpful
• Everything you need to know before taking a carseat on a plane
• Tips for taking your baby’s car seat in a taxi or Uber

One of the great things about flying with infants is most airlines will let you check baby items — such as strollers and car seats — for FREE !

This definitely helps when you’re trying to eliminate baggage fees and stay within airlines’ luggage weight limits.

Here’s how I made the most of what I had by creating a car seat stroller for my little guy…

A Portable Car Seat For Travel

When I was preparing to fly with my baby for the first time , I knew for sure that I would need a car seat once I arrived at my destination .

I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable renting one without knowing its history. Plus, car seat rentals run the risk of being out-of-date, and they’re often installed incorrectly without the manual.

Since my baby was not quite 2 years of age, he qualified to fly for free as a lap baby.

The best part: most airlines will accommodate parents flying with lap infants and sit them next to an extra seat when possible (obviously, only if the plane isn’t full).

My baby likes his car seat most of the time when we’re traveling — so it made sense to have the car seat readily available in the airports with us as a familiar means of travel for him, instead of checking it as baggage .

Plus, if I happened to score an extra seat on the plane, then I could use the carseat to keep him safely seated next to me.

I Used A Luggage Cart To Make A Car Seat Dolly!

I had to bring the car seat regardless, so I decided to make the car seat multi-functional and have it serve as a makeshift stroller as well — keeping baby contained to watch the busy airport world as we strolled through it.

First, I researched ways to convert your own car seat and carry-on luggage into an airport car seat on wheels — like a stroller and car seat in one!

I also found car seat dollies on the Internet (the best ones cost $30 and up).

Then, I just so happened to come across an American Tourister Luggage Cart on sale for $4 at our local Bargain Hunt store!

Because of the low price, I figured I’d have nothing to lose if I brought it home to see if my son’s car seat would be compatible.

Most luggage carts are simply a compact luggage cart/dolly with attached bungee straps to secure practically anything — so it can be pulled along just like other rolling luggage .

My luggage cart also has a telescopic and folding handle, which folds up flat and compact for storage or travel. There are several different luggage carts like this to choose from online and I’m sure almost any of them would work just as well.

How To Make A Portable Car Seat Dolly Yourself

I placed our FAA-approved car seat (the Cosco Scenera Next convertible car seat ) onto my newly acquired luggage cart — and it was just our luck that they fit perfectly!

I simply used the luggage cart’s bungee straps to secure the car seat, and I instantly had a custom car seat dolly to stroll my baby easily from the car to the airplane — and everywhere inside the airport .

The car seat was already equipped with a removable cup holder to hold my son’s Nuby Flex straw drink cup . I put the drink cup inside a koozie — so it would fit more securely.

Then, I tethered the Munchkin snack catcher cup  with a Nuby plush pacifinder clip to the car seat — to avoid accidentally losing them.

This video shows another way to make a portable car seat dolly, using your own carry-on luggage with wheels:

They also sell  car seat travel accessories and car seat travel belts to simplify the process of converting your rolling luggage and car seat into a car seat dolly.

Take a car seat gate check bag… just in case.

In the event of a full plane — in which case, baby would be on my lap for the entire flight — I also packed a car seat gate check bag .

The big bright red bag fits most car seats with the simple close of a drawstring (to keep any loose items contained).

The bag was big enough to fit our portable car seat even with the luggage cart attached — which made gate checking the car seat super easy when necessary!

I could even stow my carry-on suitcase on top — within the car seat itself — inside the bag to consolidate my gate checked items.

When I booked the flight, I also pre-paid to choose an aisle seat. I figured it would be the best position to be in on a full flight with an infant in my lap (…and I was right).

Before You Take A Car Seat On A Plane…

Here are 5 important things to consider when using a car seat on an airplane:

#1 – Know the width of your car seat.

The average economy airline seats are approximately 16 inches wide .

Make sure you measure your existing car seat or use an FAA-approved car seat to stay within (or as close as possible to) that width.

Although not one flight attendant checked to see if my car seat was FAA-approved, width could still be a concern — due to the confined nature of an airplane.

#2 – Prepare for seat belt issues.

Our car seat has a normal seatbelt channel directly behind the car seat fabric. Most car seat belts would not be a problem with this basic setup — because it is just the seatbelt strap resting in the channel. But an airplane seatbelt has the buckle clasp landing directly in the middle of baby’s back, once you get it looped through.

I was offered a seatbelt extender by the flight attendant — but realized quickly it would not solve the issue, as I would be unable to cinch it down securely.

I ended up moving the car seat as close to the window as possible to have the buckle part land more to baby’s side — but it was still cumbersome directly behind my baby’s kidney. I know I certainly wouldn’t want something hard digging into my seat. My son seemed fine, but I think I would try using an airplane seatbelt extender over the entire car seat the next time we fly with baby.

Obviously, having the belt over the seat could also be a nuisance in your baby’s space. However, since our car seat’s seatbelt channel was rigid with a hard casing, even trying to flip the buckle around was not an option.

So you will definitely want to consider how your car seat will be secured on the plane — keeping the airplane lap belt buckle in mind.

I would also consider bringing a small prefabricated portion of a pool wacky noodle to enclose the airplane seat belt and buckle to provide a little more uniform padding behind the entire car seat pad for the cumbersome buckle.

#3 – Commit to using the car seat on a plane.

If you’ve scored an extra seat or bought a seat for your infant on the plane, the car seat is the obvious choice for your baby to travel in — to keep them safe from unexpected turbulence or an improbable crash.

The car seat does take up room, and there is nowhere else to put it once the airplane doors are closed.

Using a car seat on a plane requires commitment since it takes up so much room in the tight airplane seats — especially when you take baby out of it during the flight for a break from the car seat.

I did take my baby out to nurse — because he started fussing due to the pressure in his ears during take off and landing.

As a parent, I tried my best to be courteous of other passengers to keep baby from pitching a fit.

#4 – Prepare for a kicking toddler.

Because the airplane seats are so crammed together, you run the risk of your toddler kicking the seat in front — if they can reach it with their feet .

My toddler could reach the seat in front of him with his feet, so I repeatedly had to keep him from kicking and disturbing the passenger ahead.

This is definitely something to be mindful of!

#5 – Remove the car seat from the dolly before getting on the plane.

On our first flight, we scored an extra seat.

I strolled my baby in the car seat dolly perfectly through the first class/premier aisle, but came to a screeching halt when we hit the narrow economy aisle!

Luckily we were pre-boarding — so the plane was relatively empty.

I had to carry the entire car seat with baby loaded in it and I wished I had removed the dolly prior to reaching my seat — because the space to work is really tight.

If you’re traveling solo and using the car seat onboard, then take advantage of the pre-boarding (and the empty plane!) to get to your seat.

If you have a travel partner, have them pre-board with the empty car seat — so you can board with baby at the last possible minute.

Read more of my tips & tricks for traveling with a toddler on a plane

The bottom line.

My DIY portable car seat dolly worked great and I would definitely fly with it again!

I even had several people (especially mamas and grandparents) stop and ask me where I got my fancy car seat with wheels as we strolled about the various airports.

They were all surprised when I told them it was 2 separate pieces:

• A simple luggage dolly
• An FAA-approved car seat

(Everyone thought it was built as one piece.)

I hope you found this article useful and have a happy flying and car seat strolling experience with your little one!

Tips For Taking A Car Seat On A Plane, In A Taxi, Or Uber

In addition to the links I’ve included above, here are some other resources to help you find the easiest way to take your car seat on a plane:

• How To Travel With Car Seats Without Losing Your Cool
• How To Ride With A Car Seat In An Uber Or Lyft Car

Until my son was born a few years ago, I was a diehard motorcycle enthusiast who traveled the globe. As a Marketing Specialist and Brand Ambassador for Harley-Davidson for over a decade, I lived and worked all over North America. Now, grounded as a first-time mom, I share my love for outdoor adventure with my son and extended family in the Smoky Mountains… and beyond. I hope you find my travel tips and recommendations helpful!

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The Best Travel Car Seats

By Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Cosco sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). Like other boosters, when in booster mode, this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though very unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was recently discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $25 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

Hacks for Travel With Kids

by Michelle Pratt | Nov 2, 2023 | Mom Life , Travel | 0 comments

Did you know that this year, 2 out of every 3 Americans plan to travel this Holiday season ? This includes by plane , train, road trip , etc. in order to visit loved ones to celebrate, or for a much-needed vacation or trip. If you’re one of these many people, and you’re packing your family up to travel soon, I know how overwhelming that can be– especially with little ones. That’s why I’ve compiled my favorite travel hacks for any type of travel with kids, whether it’s plane, train, or automobile!

Travel Hack #1: Prep Your Kids for Travel

Travel hack #2: snacks, travel hack #3: keep the kids entertained on the journey, travel hack #4: keep everyone organized while traveling.

Our kiddos (especially toddlers!) thrive on predictability. This is why preparing your child(ren) for any upcoming travel is really important. If you’re heading to the airport, let your little one know what to expect when you’re there. You can say things like, “We’re flying on a plane! But first, we are going to go to the airport. There, we will get our tickets, they will take our suitcases from us to put them on the airplane, and then we will go through security. Security may be a little scary, but they want to check each person to make sure it’s safe for them to get on the plane”.

If you’ll be heading on a long road trip, you can also prepare them by saying something like, “We’re going to be driving to Grandma’s house! It will take us a long time, and you will be buckled in your car seat for a while. But, we will take breaks!”

Play is a great way to prepare kids for travel. Here are some of our favorite books, toys, and games to help prepare:

The Airport Book

Things That Go

Fisher-Price Little People Airplane Toy

Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip

This is an important hack for travel with kids: bring the snacks! Nobody is happy when they’re hungry (including mom!). So make sure to pack your kids’ favorites to keep them happy and full. You don’t want a meltdown when the specific crackers aren’t available at the airport! And no need to worry, you can bring (most of) your own snacks through TSA security .

Here are our favorite items for packing snacks for the car, airport, plane, or train:

Packit Freezable Bag

Snack Spinner

Reusable Snack Bags

Cup Cover with Straws

Ok, this one seems pretty obvious. But I mean endless entertainment . Packing a tablet and headphones in your carry-on or backpack isn’t the only solution with our kiddos’ attention spans (we wish!) and spotty Wi-Fi. To make it to your destination with an ounce of sanity, you’ll need an arsenal of toys, activities, and electronics to keep your child(ren) independently entertained for the duration of your travels.

Here’s a list of our favorite products for travel:

Amazon Fire Kids

Kids Headphones

Suction Spinners

Magnetic Wooden Blocks

Busy Board Activity Book

In order to keep your mind clear and stress-free, I highly recommend finding an organization system that works for you and your family while you travel (not just throwing everything into a plastic bag last minute!). Does your kiddo want a certain toy at a moment’s notice? You know right where to grab it! For example, keeping all activities and devices accessible in this toiletry bag (this is my favorite hack!). Keep everything organized from luggage to carry-on backpacks for success.

Here are our favorite organization products:

Toiletry Bag

Packing Cube Hanging Shelves

Mesh Pouches

Trunki Ride-On Suitcase for Kids

Carry-On Backpack

Ready to Travel With Kids

Use these tips and tricks for your next adventure for a stress-free journey. Prepare your kiddo before your next family vacation by letting them know what to expect, packing all of the snacks, getting your toys, activities, and devices ready to go, and keeping it all organized. Use these hacks for travel with kids to set everyone up for a smooth journey. You got this!

Affiliate links are included above. Safe in the Seat earns a small commission when you purchase through these links with no cost to you. We so appreciate your support.

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24 Genius Road Trip Hacks Seen on Pinterest

 Didier Marti / Getty Images

​If you're planning a family road trip with kids, Pinterest is a fantastic place to find clever tips on how to reduce car-trip mess and stress. From repurposing a plastic cereal container as a trash can to creating more hotel beds, these road trip hacks below will help make traveling with the family a whole lot smoother. The best part? These tips are very easy on the wallet.

Use Shower Caddies for On-the-Go Meals

From a BuzzFeed roundup of simple road trip hacks, inexpensive dime-store shower caddies can come in handy when you hit the fast-food drive-through. With multiple compartments, these caddies make it really easy to store your drinks, meals, and snacks without having to worry about spillage or crumbs getting everywhere.

Use Cupcake Liners to Keep Car Cup Holders Clean

So smart! From  Kids Activities Blog comes an easy and oh-so-simple way to keep your car's cup holders clean and gunk-free. Place cupcake liners in the cup holders, and when they start getting overly filled with crumbs and grime, you can replace them in just a few seconds—it'll save you so much time not having to wipe your car down.

Make a DIY Car Sickness Kit

If your kid is prone to getting car sick, you need to be prepared for the occasional mess.  Cul-de-sac Cool shows you how to create a DIY ready-to-go car sickness kit containing everything you'll need when the "uh-oh"s strike. In each kit, you'll store disinfecting wipes, napkins, a drink containing electrolytes (like Gatorade), bottled water, hand sanitizer, a light snack, a motion sickness wristband, and motion sickness medication such as Dramamine. Of course, you'll also need a gallon Ziploc bag for throwing up in, plus a second plastic bag just in case, and a trash bag to store anything that's covered in vomit.

Recharge Your Phone From the Hotel Room TV

Forgot your charger? The Krazy Coupon Lady  says that some hotel room TVs have a USB port on the back; check to see if your TV has that capability before you make a last-minute trip to the store.

Use a Shoe Organizer to Corral Baby Essentials

 Just one of several good hacks on PopSugar Mom: Use a shoe organizer to keep baby care essentials handy. You could steal this idea for toddler toys, sanitizing wipes, snacks, and just about any kind of backseat flotsam and jetsam. 

Turn a Cereal Container Into a No-Spill Trash Can

Who knew? Those plastic cereal containers make for surprisingly good trash cans. They're narrow enough to squeeze into the backseat, plus the lids snap tightly into place—even if you or one of the kids accidentally knocks it over, there will be minimal-to-no spillage. Thanks again,  BuzzFeed .

Look at Your Rental Car's Fuel Gauge to Find the Gas Tank

Renting a car? Country Living  says to look at the fuel gauge to quickly determine which side of the car the gas tank is on. So, if the arrow next to the gas pump icon is pointing to the left, your gas tank will be on the left side. No more getting out of your car at the gas station and realizing you parked in the wrong spot.

Make a Travel Game From an Altoids Tin

Inventive folks find all sorts of clever uses for empty Altoids tins. Here,  Melissa's Bargains  shares a tutorial for how to make a travel-sized tic-tac-toe game that would be perfect for family car rides. All you need to make it is an Altoids tin (or other small, metallic box), glue, scissors, a ruler, button magnets, scrapbook paper, and acrylic paint. Because you'll be playing with magnetic buttons, you won't lose your game pieces, and it's small enough to fit into your purse.

Use Suction Shower Organizers to Hold Kids' Art Supplies

Do your kids love to draw and color in the car?  Moser Moments  recommends using inexpensive suction shower organizers on car windows to hold their crayons, markers, and other gear. They'll help keep the floor clear of clutter, as well as store everything in one easy-to-find spot.

Hang Bags With Carabiners

Want to keep your handbag within easy reach?  HGTV  has an inexpensive DIY solution. Use carabiners as hooks for tote bags, umbrellas, and other hangable items to keep your essentials accessible.

Catch Popsicle Drips With a Cupcake Liner

Yet another ingenious use for cupcake liners! Keep little kids stain-free and your car cleaner by using liners to catch popsicle drips on summer vacations, recommends  Mommy Shorts .

Let Your Map App Lead You Back to Your Parked Car

One of the best travel hacks we've ever heard is this one from PureWow , which solves the problem of how to find your car in an unfamiliar city. When parking, just drop a pin on your map app before you head out to dinner or for a day of sightseeing. If you need a little assistance on your way back, your GPS will lead you right back to it like a homing pigeon.

Pack Solar Lights for Evening Picnics

As noted on the  Starling Travel  blog, cheap and cheerful solar lights are a handy take-along item on a family road trip. Even when you're not camping, you can use them for dinnertime picnics and all sorts of evening outings.

Use Cookie Trays as Backseat Desks

Cookie sheets make awesome backseat desks for kids. The raised edges keep crayons from rolling off and the metallic surface is super for playing magnetic games and puzzles of all kinds. In this pin,  Cultivated Lives  shares how cookie-tray desks are great for coloring and sticker play.

Build a Makeshift Toddler Bed in Your Hotel Room

Sick of cramped hotel rooms when you're on the road?  Walking on Travels  suggests 10 different ways to create more beds in a hotel room. Among the different options, you can push chairs together to create a toddler bed, or book a room that has a sofa bed.

Keep Behavior in Check With a Visual Reminder

How did one family manage to drive 16 hours with four kids on their best behavior?  Less-than-Perfect Life of Bliss  swears by "kids clips" made with scraps of paper and some stickers. Each kid gets their own clip on Mom's visor as a reminder to be kind and nice.

"The rule was simple: as long as they were doing well, the clip stayed up. But, if anyone made a bad choice [and] decided to be ugly or whiny, their clip came down. And if the clip came down, they would miss out on the next fun thing, whether it be a pack of gum at the next gas stop, an ice cream cone, getting to choose the next movie, or having extra time on the iPad."

Create a Road Trip Countdown for Kids

This fun hack from  Suitcases & Sippy Cups  is guaranteed to stop the "are we there yets" in their tracks. Create a road trip countdown using a string and some cards listing cities or towns you'll pass on your route. Every time you hit a milestone, a card comes down, giving your kids a visual cue that shows how close you are to your final destination.

Tether a Sippy Cup to the Car Seat

Little kids just love tossing their sippy cups on the ground, and if you've repeatedly scrounged around the car floor in search of one (and what parent hasn't?), you'll appreciate the genius in this tip from MomLovesBest . A short tether tied around the cup keeps just-tossed drinks within reach. For safety, make the sippy lasso just long enough for your child to comfortably get a drink.

Roll Dice in a Transparent Container

Leave it to an elementary school teacher to come up with this smart tip. If your family likes to play board games on the road, keep the dice in a small transparent Tupperware-like container to keep them from getting lost, as recommended on  Cardigans and Curriculum .

Get a Heads-Up on Your Exit Lane

Driving in unfamiliar territory? Don't stress about whether your exit will be to the left or right. Simply look at the top of the highway signs for an early heads-up. If the exit number is pushed flush left, your off-ramp will be to the left. And vice versa.

Store a Stash of Quarters in an M&Ms Minis Tube

Turns out that an empty M&Ms Minis tube is the perfect size for a roll of quarters. And as Southern Living  points out, those coins can come in mighty handy at toll booths and rest area vending machines. 

Change Your Phone's Lock Screen

If you lose your phone while you're on the road, how could a Good Samaritan return it to you quickly?  SmarterTravel  recommends changing your phone's lock screen to an image that displays your emergency contact information, including your email address and an alternate phone number.

Let Young Artists Use the Car Window As a Canvas

If your kids love to draw, give them a set of washable window markers for drawing right on the car window (fun stencils are optional), suggests  Frugal Family Times . For clean-up, bring a package of window wipes.

Silence the 'Are We There Yet?' Chorus

If your kids keep asking how much longer until you get to your destination, it's time for this nifty trick from  Down Home Inspiration . Simply laminate a map (or pop it into a transparent binder sleeve) and trace your route using dry-erase markers. Even young school-age kids can see how far you've come and how far you've still got left.

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Posted on Last updated: April 5, 2024 Categories Kids Travel Gear

By: Author Kate

Toddler Travel Gear: 10 essentials you don’t want to forget!

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Toddler Travel Gear

Toddler travel is tough. Like, reaaaaally tough. Traveling with a toddler   has got to be one of the biggest challenges I’ve had parenting yet! Sleep schedule? Out the window!  Eating anything? Forget it!  Everything is new and exciting and new and exciting until EVERYTHING IS AWFUL and your toddler is having a meltdown no less than 5 minutes into the trip. One thing I have come to appreciate is toddler travel gear that ACTUALLY makes my life easier.  Whether it’s a toddler travel bed that actually FITS my toddler, or travel toys that can keep my kids attention for more than 30 seconds, I’m happy to along pack things that truly allow me to relax on a vacation with kids !

Below is my list of the best toddler travel essentials I use when traveling with a toddler:

The Best Toddler Snackbox:  The YumBox

The YumBox is one of my favorite toddler inventions of all time. It’s cute, practical, and highly appealing to easily distracted toddlers. This thing is great for storing travel snacks for toddlers on your vacation. My son has always been a picky eater, and this lunch box has really helped me to get him to try new foods (although we are still working on the color green). The YumBox compartments are the perfect size for a variety of snack-size treats and the YumBox can even hold liquids like yogurt and applesauce.

We make use of the YumBox throughout our trip. We fill it up with extra-appealing snacks for distractions on the plane or in line-ups. On a long flight with a toddler , unlimited snacks is key! If we are staying at a resort, we will fill the YumBox up at breakfast and keep it in our bag for snacking all day long. On trips where we have our own kitchen, we buy healthy snacks and divide them into the YumBox every morning. The YumBox has either 4 or 6 compartments allowing for a nice variety of snacks you know your toddler will eat, and some good stuff to sneak in as well.  It is a must-have!

The yumbox is also great for the beach! Check it out on my post on ‘ What to Pack for the Beach with Kids ‘ for more info!

Toddler Straw Cup for Travel:   Silikids Siliskin 

This is another toddler travel accessory I simply can’t live without. Wherever I go, servers are always impressed with these toddler approved straw cup toppers . The silicone toppers will turn any cup into a straw cup or sippy cup without the bulk of actually bringing your sippy cup along. If your kids are anything like mine, they have to do it ALL BY THEMSELVES, and the siliskins allow kids to use adult cups without spilling a gallon of water in the process.

Toddler Car Seat Head Support:   No Bob Panda 

I bought this off of a Kickstarter campaign and it certainly falls under the category of “Why didn’t I come up with that?!” For long road trips, this toddler travel hack is a must. It keeps the head supported when kids fall asleep with no awful head slump. The top strap on the no-bob model prevents the strap from going up too high or too low. My son loves the “pandie strap” and often requests it to be put on when he’s ready for a long snooze. Win-Win!

Be sure to check out my post on the best toddler travel car seat   if you are looking for some lightweight and affordable options!

Toddler Travel Gear Delivery Service

On our last trip to Mexico, we used a Baby Gear delivery service (Baja Baby) to deliver some items to our resort. This is one of the best toddler travel hacks I’ve found yet! We ordered a swing for our baby (swing = more than 20 mins of continuous sleep for newborns), and we ordered sand toys for our eldest son. They delivered us a huge Tupperware container full of amazing sand toys, diggers and dump trucks and my son was in heaven. Diggers and dump trucks = at LEAST 30 minutes of uninterrupted “me time” on the beach. The delivery process was so simple, the stuff was in our room when we arrived and it was picked up as we left. I will definitely use this service again next time I am in Mexico .

Baby gear rental is available almost anywhere you travel, check out this post at travel mamas for more details!

Toddler iPad Case

Of course, family vacations are about bonding and spending quality time together as a family. But they also have to be a bit about relaxing, right?! Sometimes our vacations feel like non-stop GO GO GO and then I check my watch and it’s only 9:30 am. For us, some downtime is a must and my son certainly loves the iPad for a little R&R. Although this case can be a bit bulky if you are tight on space, its perfect for toddlers who tend not to be careful with their things. It also stands up on its own for viewing on tables or on the seat tray of an airplane. Our travel mantra goes something like “Wallet? Keys? Passports? iPad?”

If you are looking for some high-quality, education-focused iPad apps, check out my post on the top educational iPad apps for toddlers.

Toddler Noise Cancelling Headphones:   Banz Baby Ear Muffs

At the end of a long day on vacation, I love to catch some live music, eat some good food and decompress. Thankfully, we always bring our full-size double stroller (see below) and both our kids have had lots of practice sleeping in the stroller during the evening hours. These kids earphones allow us to enjoy the adult time and keep the kids sleeping. They are also great for attending loud events like concerts, sporting events, and fireworks.

Travel Stroller for Toddlers: Bring your full size! 

If I can bring a full stroller on vacation I will always bring it. Umbrella strollers just don’t cut it as a travel stroller for toddlers IMO. Full-size strollers also serve multiple functions such as luggage carriers, beach stuff carriers, napping devices, and kid restraining devices 😉 I usually bring my UppaBaby V ista , as tandem strollers are typically easier in narrow spaces, and it folds up nicely for the plane. I personally skip the stroller bag (too bulky!) and I have never had a problem with damage to my stroller on an airplane.

Toddler Sleep Accessories: A noise machine and a video baby monitor

We have a noise machine at home in our toddler’s room and we usually make the effort to pack it on vacation. As the boys are often sleeping in the same room as us, the noise machin e helps to dampen down any outside noise. After almost 4 years of sleeping with the sound of the noise machine, I can’t sleep without it!  If bringing a noise machine isn’t an option due to space, YouTube offers a nice selection of white noise videos on a loop that will do the trick as well.

Depending on the set-up while on vacation, consider bringing your video baby monitor along. At resorts with swim-out rooms, or if you are staying in a villa or house, having the monitor on allows you some freedom to relax during everyone’s favorite time of the day: NAP TIME! We have also used an app, iCloud baby monitor , over the wifi network if we weren’t able to bring our monitor along. With this app, you can watch a live stream of your kid asleep while you are enjoying the sun.

I have a ton of hacks for getting my kids to sleep WELL on vacation!  Check out my post on ‘ the 8 tricks I use to get my kids to sleep anywhere ‘ before you go!

The Best Toddler Pool Float: Puddle Jumper

The puddle jumper is one of the best toddler inventions around. Please note, that it is not a lifejacket , and still requires supervision, but it has allowed my son to be very independent in the water from a really young age. My son used to be so afraid of water and clung to us if there were any waves. With the puddle jumper, he is a little swimming fish! Although it takes some space, this item is a must-have in our suitcase for any beach or pool trip.

If you’re looking for more info, I have a whole post on the ‘ best floaties for toddlers’ with lots of great options that are perfect for travel!

Toddler Travel Toys: Bubbles!

Bubbles are the solution to many toddler problems. Many a meltdown has been saved by bubbles in our household. We like to hike with our kids and we usually bring along bubbles on our hikes. Bubbles are great for when the kids inevitably start to slow down and get tired and cranky. Works like a charm every time!

Cheers to a great vacation everyone! xo Kate

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7 Expert Airplane Seat Hacks to Boost Comfort on Long Flights

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

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Getting comfortable on long plane rides is easier said than done—and it’s different for everyone. Depending on your height, medical history, seat preference, and other factors, you’ll need particular adjustments to maximize comfort. Frequent-flying travel experts, however, have just the airplane seat hacks for you.

Airplane Seat Hacks for a More Comfortable Flight

From minor, on-the-fly adjustments to packing your own seat-comfort accessory, here are the airplane seat hacks that work for experts including a traveling sports medicine chiropractor and SmarterTravel’s own travel editors.

Add Lumbar Support

The unsung hero of long flights for many travel experts is makeshift lumbar support. Simply placing a rolled up jacket or blanket across the lower seatback can support the natural curve of the spine in a way that C-shaped airplane seats don’t. And Dr. Norman Eng , Olympic sports medicine chiropractor to Team USA during the 2016 Olympic Games, tells me it’s his airplane seat hack.

“I always try to roll up a blanket or towel and place at the low back region to give some low back support that’s needed,” Eng said. He also advises travelers to “try to get a massage and adjusted before a flight, as it can lessen the potential for neck and low back pain.”

Summon a Foot Rest

Some of the best airplane seat hacks can be accomplished by making use of what you have on hand. For shorter travelers, that’s as easy as using your carry-on bag to kick your feet up.

“I use my personal item, usually a backpack or larger over-the-shoulder bag, as a footrest on long flights,” says SmarterTravel’s Caroline Morse Teel. Slip off your shoes before your feet begin to swell from the cabin pressure and slip on some soft, fresh socks to make this simple solution feel even cozier.

For something sturdier, or for those who don’t typically keep a large personal item on the floor, try a packable foot rest. This  foot hammock can attach to your tray table arms and adjust to whatever height you need. Kid-friendly foot rests like the Plane Pal , recommended for flying with kids by SmarterTravel’s Christine Sarkis, inflates with a handy pump.

Use a Seat Cushion

Another useful airplane seat hack for those with lower back problems, Magellan’s self-inflating airplane seat cushion is SmarterTravel’s Sarah Schlichter’s best friend. The seat cushion’s non-slip material will keep it in place the whole flight, and the U-shaped pad self-inflates at the turn of a valve so you won’t have to huff and puff it to life.

Not sold on reclining your plane seat? Maybe a doctor’s orders can convince you otherwise. Eng tells me he’s squarely on Team Recline, since reclining can help prevent airplane seat-induced neck issues.

“Neck pain after flights is a frequent complaint,” Eng said. “If I’m on a long-haul flight, I prefer to recline the seat and use neck pillows to minimize the flopping around of the head during flights.”

Pack a spAIRTray

Taller travelers tend to knock knees with their tray tables, and passengers using laptops run out of tray-table surface area quickly. Both problems be solved by choosing the window seat and using a handy spAIRTray , a window-attached shelf roomy enough for your phone, drinks, or other small items.

“My dad loves the spAirTray travel shelf for the window seat and gets lots of questions from flight attendants about it,” SmarterTravel’s Ashley Rossi says. “It’s great for business travelers who need to get work done on the plane.”  

Bring a Massage Ball

Need a packable airplane seat hack for those airplane seat-induced muscle knots? SmarterTravel’s Jamie Ditaranto says she like to bring along “ massage balls that you can use to release any muscles that tensed up during the flight. For example, you can put one behind your shoulder and lean back on it while you’re sitting.”

Simply Pick the Window Seat

If sleeping upright in an airplane seat is your biggest travel conundrum, don’t underestimate the age-old trick of choosing the window seat—which SmarterTravel’s Patricia Magaña swears by. Supporting your head on the wall can be more comfortable than using a neck pillow. Simply tuck a rolled-up blanket or spare sweater atop your shoulder, or add an airline pillow to the armrest to cushion a sleepy lean. It might not get you a full red-eye night of sleep, but it may be better than attempting to sleep sitting up in the middle or aisle seat, where seatmates may wake you up for bathroom access.

What to Pack in Your Carry-On

Women’s business casual outfit for travel with carry-on, shop the look.

Ribbed Puff Sleeve Tee

Dress Pant Yoga Pants

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

20-Inch & 28-Inch Trunk Rolling Luggage Set

Men’s Amazon-Based Chill End of Summer Outfit

Espadrilles

Drawstring Shorts

Bifold Wallet

Women’s fancy outfit for a nice dinner.

Small Pearl Earrings with Diamonds

Floral Lace V-Neck Sheath Dress

Shimmer Wrap

Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne

Olivia Wedge

Men’s evening outfit for a cruise.

Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt

Stretch Technical Shorts

Square Sunglasses

Swimsuit for Women to Wear on the Beach

Ribbed One-Piece

Cushioned Flip Flops

Day-Light Protection Sun Screen SPF 50

Ripped Mom Shorts

Men’s swimsuit to wear on a cruise.

Revere Shirt

Board Shorts

Oversized Beach Towel

Women’s Semi-Casual Outfit for a Sunset Dinner

Floral Print Maxi Dress

Palm Coin Necklace

Blair Wristlet

Men’s casual summer outfit from nordstrom.

Floral Sport Shirt

Skinny Fit Jeans

Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Original Achilles Sneaker

Women’s trendy yoga outfit.

Jade Paloma Bra & Leggings

Wool Runners

40-Ounce Wide Mouth Cap Bottle

Third Rose Natural Deodorant

Loop It Up Mat Strap Eyelet

Men’s casual outfit for a trip to africa.

Linen-Blend Shirt

Raw Hem Chino Shorts

Crushable Wool Felt Outback Hat

Leather Bracelet

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Tricks to Making Coach Class Comfier
• How to Get the Best Airplane Seat
• Should Airlines Get Rid of Reclining Seats? This One Is.

SmarterTravel Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Instagram at @shanmcmahon .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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15 Hacks That Make Car Travel Feel Like First Class

Use these hacks and find out how much road trips can actually feel like first class when you're well-prepared.

Whether it's a family trip with the kids, a road trip with your best friends, or a romantic weekend getaway with your SO, car rides can be stressful. With the struggle of remembering what to pack, the stress that is suitcase Tetris, and bringing enough snacks for a small army (because car rides make everyone twice as hungry), it's definitely a process.

But it can also be fun, exhilarating, and stress-free. How, do you ask? Hacks.

Traveling by car is an age-old transportation method and now that it's 2020, we finally have some decent ways to save time, energy, and space. There's no need for the last-minute rush of throwing things in the car, only to forget something.

Don't even think of renting a bigger car just to fit more things. Instead, check out these hacks and find out how fun road trips can actually be when you're well-prepared.

15 Napping In Your Car Is Cheap, And Here's How To Do It Comfortably

For the days when driving is a 12-hour commitment, there's nothing like being able to pull off for a bit and get some shut-eye. While it's not recommended to randomly pull off anywhere (be smart about it), a pool float can be life-changing for car naps. When you're done, simply deflate and store under the seat.

14 Use Suction-Cup Shower Caddies for Extra (Uncluttered) Storage

Shower caddies  can be found at nearly any dollar store and while they'll only stick to shower walls for about two minutes, they'll stick to your window indefinitely. They're perfect for traveling with kids, but can also be used to hold chargers, small maps, utensils, napkins, and any other small items.

13 If The Backseat Is Free, Add Some Plastic Storage Drawers!

For those with SUVs or large trunks, this can be a brilliant hack. These plastic drawers can be found for pretty cheap (less than $20 in most places), and can store dirty laundry, food, drinks, electronic devices, shoes, blankets, pillows... you name it.

12 Empty Coffee Creamer Bottles Make Brilliant Snack Holders

All it takes is a bit of imagination (and a decent amount of coffee-drinking , which shouldn't be a problem for most of us) to up-cycle these. They can hold Goldfish, tiny crackers, and even small candies for a midway reward for patient little passengers.

11 Put Together A Portable Medicine Cabinet

You're almost at your final destination when you roll back your shoulders and realize a headache is on its way. You search the glove compartment only to find... Nothing. This could have been solved with a plastic jewelry case, easily converted into a portable medicine cabinet!

10 Dollar Store Baskets Are Perfect Meal-Holders

We see them all the time and occasionally find them leftover from the '80s in our parents' home offices: Plastic baskets. There was really no good use for them until now; you know you can store sammies, fruits, and even fries in one of these retro bad boys.

9 A Last Minute Phone Holder Can Be Created By McGuyver'ing Two Common Items

Phone holders can be pretty pricey, especially when you're paying for one that won't drop a phone on the first small 'bump'. A binder clip and a rubber band are really all you need to make sure your phone is secure, and hey - it's way cheaper than the alternative!

8 An iPad Is All You Need For An In-Car Theater System

These plastic bags might be a bit hard to find, but here's a hackier hack: You can also use a plastic cover sheet from a binder. Anything with a clear pouch and holes in the side can be flipped to create a makeshift theater system... Perfect for a full backseat and a longgg drive!

7 Strap A Mini Shoe Holder To The Back Of A Seat - Easy Storage When You Kick Your Shoes Off!

This can be done one of two ways: Use bungee cords to tie the shoe rack up between two seats, or simply hang it on the back of one. These can be super handy to store everyone's shoes (they always come off an hour into the drive) or anything else that will fit in a pouch, including snacks!

6 Packing A Fold-Up Mesh Laundry Basket Keep Suitcases Free Of Dirty Laundry

If you don't want to feel like this when you get home and start unpacking bags, then always remember to bring along a mesh laundry basket. They fold up easily and can be slid in between seats, and they're perfect to set up in a hotel room to toss dirty laundry as needed. Bonus: Throw a dryer sheet at the bottom of one.

5 Cereal Containers Make For Great Makeshift Garbage And Recycle Bins

Whether it's a plastic cereal container or a cloth bag, either one of these is a great option for tossing trash. Wrappers and food items should go in the cereal container, while recyclables can easily be stored in a cloth bag until you make it home or to a recycling center.

4 Desk Fans Can Be Clipped In The Backseat For Some Extra Air Circulation

Summer road trips are the best, but they're also the steamiest. And by steamy, we mean sweaty, and by sweaty, we mean uncomfortable. A desk fan is a simple solution to cooling down a sweltering backseat, especially if there are kids or pets back there. Crack the window for even more breezy circulation!

3 A Bit Of A Simple Sewing Project Makes For A Comfy Seatbelt Pillow

It goes like this: Step one, sew a foot-long square, leaving one side open (like a pillow). Step two: Sew directly down the middle, leaving a three-inch space and creating two compartments. Step three: Stuff with fluff. Step four: Sew the open side closed. Step five: wrap around the seat belt. Step six: Sleep.

2 Invest In A Multi-Port Charging System

Everyone wants to charge their phones, someone always needs to charge their iPad, and another person always has a Kindle. So how to solve a problem like this? A multi-port charger, for starters! They're worth the investment and keep everyone happy, especially when we all rely on GPS systems and social media.

1 Last But Not Least, Dryer Sheets Aren't Just For Laundry Day

You learn very quickly how stuffy one car can get on a road trip, especially when the car is packed out. Dryer sheets aren't the cure-all to this, but they can offer air-freshening relief, especially when most of us have them readily available. Wrap them around air vents for a built-in breath of fresh air.

UnifyCosmos

16 Hacks to Help You Survive the Stress of Air Travel

Posted: February 26, 2024 | Last updated: February 27, 2024

Embarking on a journey through the skies is an adventure in itself, filled with anticipation and its own set of challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or gearing up for your maiden voyage, the experience can be vastly improved with a few clever strategies up your sleeve. From mastering the art of packing to navigating the perplexities of airport protocols, these travel insights are like your trusty co-pilot, ensuring a smoother, more enjoyable flight. So, buckle up and prepare to elevate your air travel game, as we share some tried-and-true hacks that promise to transform the way you fly.

Choose Your Seat Wisely

Picking the right seat can significantly affect your comfort during the flight. Window seats offer a view and a wall to lean on for sleep, while aisle seats provide easier access to the bathroom and overhead bins. Middle seats are typically the least desirable. Consider factors like legroom, proximity to the lavatories, and whether the seat reclines when selecting your seat.

Keep Your Suitcase Organized

An organized suitcase not only helps you find what you need quickly but also saves time during security checks. Use packing cubes, and compression bags, or roll your clothes to maximize space. Keeping a checklist of packed items can prevent leaving essentials behind.

Know Where You’re Going

Familiarize yourself with your destination’s airport layout, transportation options, and local customs. Apps or websites can provide maps and information about airport amenities, helping you navigate connections smoothly and find essential services upon arrival.

Entertainment

Long flights can be tedious, so load your device with movies, music, games, or books. Don’t rely solely on in-flight entertainment, as systems can be unpredictable. Ensure your devices are charged and consider bringing a portable charger.

Travel Pillow

A good travel pillow can make a significant difference in your ability to rest during a flight. Whether you prefer an inflatable pillow for space-saving or a memory foam pillow for comfort, having a familiar pillow can improve sleep quality and prevent neck pain.

Dress Comfortably

Wear loose, breathable clothing and dress in layers to easily adapt to changing cabin temperatures. Comfortable shoes that can be easily removed are essential, especially during security checks or long flights where swelling of the feet can occur.

Travel Apps

Install travel apps for airlines, hotels, and transportation services. These apps can provide real-time updates, mobile boarding passes, and efficient ways to manage your itinerary, making your journey smoother.

Arrive Early

Getting to the airport early can reduce stress and give you extra time for unexpected delays. It also provides a buffer for long security lines and allows you to explore airport amenities or simply relax before your flight.

Travel Documents

Keep your travel documents organized and easily accessible. Consider using a travel wallet or organizer for your passport, boarding pass, and any required health documentation. Ensure your documents are up to date and meet the destination’s requirements.

Stay Hydrated

Cabin air is notoriously dry, so staying hydrated is crucial. Bring a refillable water bottle to fill up after security checks. Avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine, as these can exacerbate dehydration and jet lag.

Bring your own snacks to avoid relying on limited and often expensive in-flight options. Healthy, non-perishable snacks like nuts, dried fruits, or granola bars can keep hunger at bay and ensure you have something to eat that suits your dietary preferences.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Invest in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones to drown out the engine noise and chatter, making it easier to relax or sleep. They can also enhance your entertainment experience by providing clear audio.

Exercise and Stretch

Long flights can lead to stiffness and discomfort. Take time to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs, back, and neck. Some simple in-seat exercises can also promote circulation and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Pack a Change of Clothes

Packing a change of clothes in your carry-on can be a lifesaver in case your checked luggage is delayed or you spill something on yourself. It ensures you have something clean and fresh to wear upon arrival or during your flight.

Backup Battery/Charger

A portable charger or power bank ensures your devices stay charged throughout your journey. It’s especially useful during long flights or layovers where power outlets may be scarce.

Jet Lag Strategies

Minimize jet lag by adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before your flight, staying hydrated, and using light exposure to reset your internal clock. Consider sleep aids or melatonin if they work for you, but consult a doctor first.

This article originally appeared on UnifyCosmos .

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