Does A Car Seat Count As A Checked Bag

Traveling along with a car seat on a flight can be burdensome because it’s extra baggage to carry.

If you do not hope to use the car seat around the airport or on the flight, check it in. 

The car seat does not count as a checked bag rather it is referred to as a baby item.

Most airlines will permit you to check-in one baby item per child for free. It also implies that the airlines have limited liability in case your item is misplaced or destroyed.

Different airlines have their own rules and regulations regarding baby items and car seats. Continue reading to discover what your favorite airline has to say about counting a car seat as check-in baggage.

Does A Car Seat Count As A Checked Bag?

Not at all. Your car seat is not counted as a checked bag while traveling on a plane. Airlines allow the car seats checked-in free of charge. They categorize the car seat as baby items.

Below is a detailed list of different airlines and their rules as regards checking-in a car seat as baggage.

Aeroflot

Aeroflot airline permit passengers to check-in of baby strollers and car seats at no extra fee. Children below 2years are allowed the same luggage allowance as adults. Luggage allowance is primarily dependent on their booking class.

Air Canada

The standard baggage allowance is allotted by the airline to Kids who have their seats. Parents traveling with a lap-carried baby can bring a piece of uncharged luggage weighing not more than 10kg. 

Air France

On flights longer than seven hours, passengers can reserve a bassinet. They are offered only to children weighing below 10kg. You are allowed to take a collapsible stroller and a car seat free of charge.

Air Serbia

Lap-carried Infants below 2years are not entitled to any luggage allowance. Parents are permitted to come along with a stroller or a baby basket plus carry-on luggage.

In Economy Class, infants up from 2 years and above retain the same cargo allowance as adults. In Business Class, if you are with a 2-year-old, you can check-in a bag of up to 23kg and a collapsible baby stroller. 

American Airlines

Due to safety justifications, the airline expects children to travel in their car seats. You are permitted to come on board with one collapsible stroller and set of nappies for free.

Austrian airlines

Children below 2years with booked seats must use a car seat. Lap-carried children are permitted to bring a car seat, carrier, or stroller.

British Airways

British Airways provides parents with a specially designed bassinet on some routes for babies. Children below three years can travel in their car seats. 

Parents traveling with babies below 2years can bring a baby bag as extra luggage. You will be entitled to check-in one bag free of charge, a stroller, and a car seat.

Brussels Airlines

Children from the age of two to 11 years are entitled to the standard baggage allowance. When you travel with your under 2year old infant, you can come with a basket carrier or a stroller. You can also come on-board with baby food. You are also entitled to check-in a bag of about 23 kg.

Delta Airlines

You are permitted to come with a car seat and stroller for free as they are not counted by delta airlines as check-in baggage. A baby below the age of 2 years traveling for free is not entitled to a luggage allowance. 

However, infants paying 10% of an adult fare are allowed up to a 10kg bag and a collapsible stroller.

Qatar Airways

Parents traveling with infants up to 11 years of age are allowed to check-in stroller for free. If your baby of 2 years old and below is still lap-carried, your hand carry-on will include a bag. The bag must not be more than a 10kg bag with a 45inch maximum dimension.

Emirates

If a parent carries their baby during a flight, they are permitted one baby bag and stroller, all without a charge. The Dubai International Airport has complimentary baby strollers to use around the airport. 

Lufthansa

Babies below the age of 2 traveling on their parents’ lap are allowed one free checked bag of not more than 23 kg. You can come along with strollers, car seats, or baby baskets at no charge. Your car seat must be approved. 

If it does not meet safety standards, your car seat will be store by the airline in a hold.

Swiss

Children not up to the age of 2years can travel on an adult’s lap or utilize car seats. Swiss airline provides bassinets to babies below 8 months of age and about 11kg in size. This added service is available to specific passengers.

Turkish Airlines

You can come along with a car seat for your flight. This possibility is accessible only if your infant has a reserved seat. You are also allowed to bring one foldable stroller to the aircraft steps. It will then be packed by the airline in the hold.

How Do I Check-In My Car Seat As Luggage?

Below are three steps involved in checking-in a car seat.

1. When baggage checking a car seat at the airport, you can pack it properly in a cardboard box. Cardboard boxes are ideal because manufacturers initially design the boxes to protect their products. A car seat travel bag will serve sufficient for cleanliness but can’t ascertain that the structure remains undamaged.
2. If you do not have a bag or box, most airlines will give heavy-duty plastic bags to utilize as a temporary cover. 
3. Make sure your car seat is tagged clearly with your personal information like your name and phone number or email address.

As with checked luggage, your car seat is allowed on the plane. Nevertheless, like other carry-on luggage, it’s still liable to the same regulations. You have to follow the instructions on what you can and can’t carry on a plane.

How Can I Gate Check A Car Seat?

If you want to gate check a car seat, walk up to the gate agent with your car seat and inquire about vacant plane seats. Explain to the agent of your intention to seat your baby in her car seat.

It’s the flight crew’s most significant concern for babies to be safely strapped by their parents into a car seat, so they will likely help. If you cannot use it on the plane, wrap it with one of the flight gate check bags. This check-in bag for car seats offers a little bit of protection and has straps to carry through the airport.

Conclusion

A car seat is not counted by airline as check-in luggage. Car seats are categorized as baby items. Different airlines do not charge passengers for carrying car seats on-board. Passengers are entitled to bring on-board at least one car seat per child.