Can I bring a car seat on a plane for free?

Yes, most airlines allow you to bring a car seat on a plane for free, but the rules vary by carrier. Car seats can be checked as free baggage on nearly all major airlines, and some allow you to use them onboard if you purchase a seat for your child. However, policies differ significantly between airlines and regions, so always confirm with your specific carrier before flying.

  • United States: Southwest, American, Delta, United, and Alaska allow one car seat per child free of charge as checked baggage. Car seats approved for aircraft use may be used onboard if you purchase a seat for your child.
  • Europe and UK: British Airways allows up to two child items free, including a car seat. Ryanair permits two free carry-on baby items per child, including a car seat. easyJet allows two child items free. LOT Polish Airlines permits a stroller or car seat free for infants on laps.
  • Gulf Region: Emirates allows a car seat free of charge as checked baggage or onboard if space is available. You must purchase an additional seat if you want your child to sit in the car seat during the flight. Qatar Airways and Etihad follow similar policies.
  • Turkey: Turkish Airlines allows a car seat free of charge for infants and children, subject to aircraft approval for onboard use.
  • Asia-Pacific: Qantas allows car seats free of charge but restricts onboard use to specific aircraft and seat types. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific permit car seats within the free baggage allowance.
  • Onboard use: To use a car seat during the flight, you must purchase a separate seat for your child. The car seat must be FAA-approved or meet the equivalent safety standard and fit within the aircraft seat dimensions.

Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page.

Want a deeper dive? ↓

Detailed Answer

Checked vs. Onboard Use

There are two ways to travel with a car seat: checked as baggage or used onboard. Most airlines allow a car seat to be checked free of charge, even if you have not purchased a seat for your child. If you want your child to sit in the car seat during the flight, you must purchase a separate seat for them. Infants under two years old can travel on a lap, but using a car seat onboard requires their own seat.

By Region and Airline

United States

Southwest Airlines allows each ticketed customer to check one stroller and one car seat or child restraint system free of charge. The items are transported with a limited release of liability. American Airlines, Delta, United, and Alaska follow similar policies, allowing one car seat per child as free checked baggage. For onboard use, the car seat must be FAA-approved and fit within the aircraft seat. The car seat must be placed in a window seat so it does not block the aisle.

Europe and United Kingdom

British Airways allows up to two of the following items free of charge as checked baggage: a fully collapsible pushchair, car seat, booster seat, travel cot, or baby back carrier. For onboard use, British Airways permits car seats in certain cabins and seat types, but restrictions apply in Club Suite and rear-facing Club World seats. easyJet allows two child items free, including a car seat. Ryanair allows two free carry-on baby equipment items per child, including a car seat. Ryanair requires car seats to be forward-facing, approved for aircraft use, and not exceed 17 inches (43 cm) in width.

LOT Polish Airlines allows a foldable stroller or a car seat free for infants under two traveling on a lap. If you want to bring both, one must be checked as part of your standard baggage allowance or paid as an extra. For children with their own seat, both a stroller and a car seat are allowed free.

Gulf Region

Emirates allows passengers traveling with infants to carry a car seat free of charge. You can ask check-in staff if space is available to carry it onboard. If you want your child to sit in an approved car seat, you must purchase an additional aircraft seat at the appropriate child fare. Qatar Airways and Etihad follow similar policies. Passengers transiting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha should confirm with the airline in advance.

Turkey

Turkish Airlines allows a car seat free of charge for infants and children. Onboard use is subject to aircraft approval and the car seat must meet safety standards. Passengers should contact the airline before travel to confirm the specific rules for their flight.

Asia-Pacific

Qantas allows car seats free of charge, but onboard use is restricted to specific aircraft types including the Airbus A330, A380, Boeing 737, and Boeing 787. Booster seats and capsules are prohibited. The car seat must have a single release harness and be fitted by the parent or guardian. Rear-facing seats are permitted only if certified for aircraft use without a base. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific permit car seats within the free baggage allowance. Japan Airlines and Korean Air follow similar rules.

Approved Car Seat Standards

For onboard use, car seats must meet specific safety standards. In the United States, the car seat must be FAA-approved and bear a label stating it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. In Europe, the seat must meet United Nations ECE Regulation 44 or the newer i-Size standard. In Australia and New Zealand, the seat must meet AS/NZS 1754. Canada requires CMVSS 213 or CMVSS 213.1 certification. Always check the label on your car seat before flying.

Car Seat Alternatives

For families who do not want to bring a full car seat, the Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is an approved alternative. It is a harness-style device that attaches to the aircraft seat and is suitable for children weighing 10-20 kg (22-44 lbs) and up to 100 cm (40 inches) tall. It is lightweight and easy to pack. Some airlines also provide child restraint devices onboard, but availability is limited.

Real Traveler Experiences

"I checked my daughter's car seat for free on Southwest. It was tagged at the gate and arrived at my destination without any damage. I wrapped it in a padded bag for extra protection." US traveler, forum post

"On British Airways, we used our car seat onboard in Club World. It was forward-facing and the crew was very helpful. We had to purchase a seat for our toddler, but it was worth it for the safety and comfort." UK traveler, travel review

"Ryanair allowed us to bring the car seat free, but it had to be forward-facing and fit within 17 inches. We measured it at home before flying and had no issues at the gate." Europe traveler, forum post

"Qantas was strict about the car seat rules. Our rear-facing seat was not allowed in economy because it was too large. We ended up checking it and using the CARES harness instead." Australia traveler, Reddit

Pro Tips

  • Check with your airline before flying to confirm their specific car seat policy and any size or weight restrictions
  • For onboard use, purchase a seat for your child and ensure the car seat is approved for aircraft use
  • Pack the car seat in a padded bag if checking it to protect it from damage during handling
  • Consider a lightweight travel car seat or the CARES harness if you want to avoid carrying a bulky seat
  • Arrive early at the airport to allow extra time for tagging and boarding with a car seat
  • If you are renting a car at your destination, check whether the rental company provides car seats to avoid bringing your own

Related Questions

Sources

AskTravel.org gives you the answer first, then the detail. Every answer is built from official sources and updated when rules change. See how we answer: How We Answer.

AskTravel.org is an information website only. Always check local regulations and operator policies before traveling, as rules change frequently.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Can I bring a vape to Egypt?

Yes, you can bring a vape to Egypt for personal use, but you must follow strict rules for transport and use. Egypt lifted its ban on e-cigarettes in 2022, making importation and possession legal for adults. However, you must carry your vape and spare batteries in your hand luggage only, never in checked bags, and you should expect severe enforcement against any product containing marijuana or other drugs. Legal for personal use: Egypt officially allows the import and possession of vaping products for adults aged 18 and over. The ban was lifted in 2022. Carry-on only for flights: Vapes and spare batteries must be in your hand luggage. Placing them in checked baggage is prohibited for aviation safety reasons. Quantity limits apply: Carry only what you need for your trip. A reasonable personal supply is generally tolerated, but large quantities may raise questions at customs. Zero tolerance for drugs: Vapes containing marijuana oil or any other narcotic substance are treated as ...
Read more

Can I use my Costco card internationally?

Yes, your Costco membership card works at all Costco warehouse locations worldwide, including the US, Canada, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Mexico, and more. Your physical card or the Costco app on your phone grants you access to any location globally. However, there are important differences in payment methods, food court access, and gas station rules to be aware of before you travel. Membership works everywhere: Your Costco card is valid at any Costco warehouse worldwide. Show your physical card or use the Costco app on your phone US Visa card works only in the US: The Costco Anywhere Visa card is only accepted at US warehouses. International locations accept local cards (Mastercard in Japan, Visa in China, etc.) or cash Food courts are member-only in 2026: Costco is rolling out membership verification at food courts worldwide, so you will need to show your card to order food Gas stations are member-only: Fuel is available at Costco gas stations in many countries inclu...
Read more

Can I use my phone charger internationally?

Yes, you can use your phone charger internationally. In most cases, you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter. Modern phone chargers are almost always dual voltage, meaning they can handle the different electrical currents used around the world. However, you must check your charger's label and have the correct plug shape for your destination. Most phone chargers are dual voltage: look for "INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60Hz" on the charger block to confirm You need a plug adapter to change the shape of your plug, not a voltage converter Plug types vary by region: Type A/B (US, Japan, Canada), Type C/F (Europe), Type G (UK, Ireland, Singapore, UAE), Type I (Australia, China) Universal travel adapters with built-in USB ports are the most convenient solution for international charging High-power devices like hair dryers and straighteners often need voltage converters; do not assume they are dual voltage Need data abroad? Get an eSIM from Airalo See our full list ...
Read more