It’s a question I Googled endlessly before our trip to Saint Lucia: Should you take a car seat on the plane? And the answers were confusing at best.
Previously, we didn’t bother because Little Rick was still a lap infant, and our destinations were easy to manage without one. But with Saint Lucia’s roads being a little… unpredictable (to put it politely), and a five-week stay ahead of us, we knew we’d likely need to hire a car. That’s when the real debate began: do we check a car seat into the hold or take it onboard?
Car seat in the hold: is it worth it?
If the thought of lugging a car seat through the airport makes you break out in a cold sweat – and let’s be real, when you’re traveling with a toddler, you’ve already got enough to carry – you can check your car seat in with your luggage. Most airlines allow you to do this for free, but I’ve seen how baggage is handled behind the scenes. Let’s just say, those suitcases don’t land gently.
Many parents recommend using a padded car seat bag or stuffing it with clothes and nappies for extra protection. But personally, I wasn’t comfortable with putting Little Rick’s car seat in the hold. That’s not to say you shouldn’t – plenty of people do and have great experiences! Just be sure to check for cracks or damage upon arrival.
Taking a car seat on the plane: pros and cons
So, that left us with the option of bringing the car seat onto the plane. Since Little Rick is over two, he had to have his own seat booked (parents, I beg you – if your little one is under two, take that free ticket while you can!).
In theory, this sounded great. He’d be:
- Safer in case of turbulence or an emergency
- More likely to nap in a familiar setting
- Securely strapped in for takeoff and landing, rather than attempting to make a break for it down the aisle
- Sorted for both airport transfers and our rental car
But then came the practical side. Were we just making life harder for ourselves? Lugging a bulky car seat through the airport didn’t sound fun. So, cue another frantic round of Googling. Apparently, there are car seat backpack carriers, special trolleys, and even straps to attach them to your luggage or pushchair – and I’m sure many other ideas are already forming as I type!
Then we checked British Airways’ child policy – thankfully, pretty generous! Little Rick had the same baggage allowance as us, plus we could bring two essential baby items (e.g., pushchair, car seat, or travel cot).
Sounds easy, right? Nope. Here’s where things got tricky: car seats need to be under 17 inches (43cm) wide to fit on a standard plane seat. Our everyday car seat was way too big, and finding an affordable, travel-friendly one was proving impossible. Toddler-sized options were either too wide or ridiculously expensive – £200+ for a seat we’d only use occasionally? No thanks.
At this point, we had to step back and ask: was it actually worth it? And so we did the sensible, adult thing and made a list of pros and cons!
Pros of taking a car seat on the plane
- Safety: Provides better protection during turbulence or an emergency
- Familiar nap environment: Increases the chances of a stress-free toddler snooze
- Toddler containment: Less aisle-running = happier parents (and other passengers!)
- Convenient for airport transfers & car rentals
- No concerns about hired car seat quality
- Peace of mind knowing the seat meets safety standards
Cons of taking a car seat on the plane
- Size restrictions: Car seats must be under 17 inches (43 cm) wide to fit most airline seats
- Extra luggage hassle: Carrying a bulky car seat through the airport isn’t fun
- Potential gate check refusal: If slightly oversized, the airline might not allow it onboard
- Cost: With our existing car seat being too big, we would need to buy a new, travel-friendly one
Alternative options
We were running out of time, so we started looking into alternatives.
- CARES harness: This is a lightweight, FAA-approved harness that attaches to a plane seatbelt, mimicking a car seat harness. It looked fantastic for in-flight safety, but it didn’t solve our car seat issue for the rental car or transfers. That said, we might invest in one for future long-haul trips!
- Pre-booking a car seat with transfers: Thankfully, we came across many airport transfer companies who would let you add a car seat for a small fee.
- Local transport: We discovered local buses were an option where car seats aren’t required.
- Hiring a car seat with a rental car: During our search, we found that many car hire companies would provide car seats for an additional fee.
Our decision & final thoughts
After weighing up all the options, we decided not to take a car seat with us. Instead, we:
- Booked a private airport transfer with a car seat included
- Hired a car from a local company that ended up providing a car seat free of charge! They were so keen to encourage families to explore the island that they happily provided one a no extra cost
For future trips, we’d likely purchase a CARES harness for the flight but make the same decision regarding the car seat. We’d also research baby gear rental services at our destination – many places now offer travel-friendly car seats, pushchairs, and even cots for hire.
So, should you take a car seat on the plane? It depends on your travel plans, budget, and how much hassle you’re willing to deal with. If you’re renting a car and plan to drive a lot, it might be worth it. If not, there are plenty of alternatives that make traveling with kids easier!
Would you take a car seat on the plane? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear what worked for you!
FAQ: Quick answers to common questions
- Can I bring a car seat on a plane for free?
Most airlines allow a car seat for free, but always check their child travel policy in advance.
- What are the airline size limits for car seats?
Do double-check with your airline but British Airways required car seats to be under 17 inches (43 cm) wide to fit on a standard seat.
- Is a car seat safer than just a seatbelt on a plane?
Yes. In turbulence or an emergency, a properly secured car seat provides the best protection for young children.
- Should I check my car seat or carry it on?
Check it if you don’t want to carry it through the airport (use a padded bag!).
Carry it on if you want it for the flight and airport transfers.
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