The child car seat is slowly transforming from an unusual, not very necessary novelty into a safety device necessary for every child, and therefore for parents. Many are so imbued with the convenience and sense of confidence that the chair gives that they would not want to give it up on vacation. It remains only to find out whether it is possible to take it on the plane and how to do it.
The easiest way to check in the car seat is along with large bags and suitcases. But this method has several significant disadvantages. Firstly, a good seat weighs a lot, and the amount of allowed luggage is often limited to 20, maximum 30 kilograms. And secondly, it is no secret that loaders do not stand on ceremony during work, transferring loads, often damaging them. One unsuccessful throw is enough for a crack to appear in the car seat, making it unusable. Only the passenger compartment remains. And here a natural question arises about the possibility of not only transporting a car seat, but also using it by a child during the flight.
Children under the age of 2 fly with tickets sold at a symbolic price, or even free of charge. It is understood that they will be in parental hands during the entire flight, that is, they are not entitled to a separate seat. If you want to transport your baby in his usual seat, you will have to buy out one more passenger seat. Whether you need this and whether such an option is possible, you should ask directly the representative of the airline.
For older children, a separate seat is mandatory when buying a ticket, but even here it will not hurt to find out the company's point of view on transporting a child in their own car seat. If there are no obstacles and you have received permission to use your seat, make sure that it bears the “For use in aircraft” sticker. In addition, it should be able to fasten with a two-point belt, such as is usually equipped with all passenger seats in the aircraft cabin.
A car seat during the flight will undoubtedly make travel easier for both parents and the child himself. But if the airline prohibits the use of unauthorized safety equipment on board or your car seat does not have a special "air" permit, it is better to inquire in advance about the possibility of carrying the car seat on the plane as a piece of hand luggage. In most cases, you will not be denied, you simply hand over the chair to the flight attendant upon boarding the cabin and get it back at the exit at the destination point.
