Guide for transporting a child's car seat on an airplane voyage

Guide for transporting a child's car seat on an airplane voyage

Planning a holiday with a young one can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Here are some essential tips to help make your journey smoother, especially when it comes to bringing a child car seat.

Firstly, it's crucial to check your hire car company's policy regarding safety-approved seats at your destination. Not all car hire companies provide them, so it's best to contact them in advance to avoid any inconvenience.

When it comes to air travel, most airlines allow free gate-checking of car seats, which reduces the risk of damage compared to regular checked baggage. To find out about an airline's specific policy, visit their official website and look for the "Baggage" or "Family Travel" sections.

For instance, British Airways generally allows you to check car seats at no extra cost, either as checked baggage or gate-checked. EasyJet permits two additional items per child, including car seats, which must not exceed 44 cm in width and must be used in a forward-facing position if used onboard. Ryanair also allows two items of baby equipment per child free of charge, including car seats, but they must not exceed 43 cm in width and must be airline-approved for onboard use.

It's always advisable to use a protective travel bag for the car seat and clearly label it to prevent loss or damage. For the most accurate and detailed information, consult the respective airline's official website or customer service.

During the flight, it's important to ensure your child's comfort and safety. IAM RoadSmart encourages simple games to distract and potentially educate children, such as asking them to look for landmarks or play a game of I-Spy. They also recommend packing children's favorite toys, games, and books to keep them entertained during travel.

For long-distance travel, it's suggested to arrange the journey to coincide with nap time or bed time for a more relaxing drive. Richard Gladman of IAM RoadSmart also advises making sure your child is as comfortable as possible during the journey, and that you're familiar with your hire car and that the child seat is safely secured.

Lastly, remember that children under the age of two must be secured whenever the seatbelt sign is on during a flight. It's essential to travel with a child car seat when going on holiday abroad, and most airlines allow travellers to bring a child car seat for free, but it's recommended to call and check with the airline first.

For more detailed information about the rules and regulations of different airlines, eSky.co.uk has a comprehensive guide that you might find helpful. Happy travels!

[1] British Airways: Link to British Airways' car seat policy [2] EasyJet: Link to EasyJet's car seat policy [3] Ryanair: Link to Ryanair's car seat policy [4] eSky.co.uk: Link to eSky's guide to airline car seat policies

1. When motoring with a child, ensure the hire car company allows a safety-approved seat at your destination.
2. Most airlines do not charge extra for gate-checking car seats, making it a safer option than regular checked baggage.
3. Always check the individual airline's policy regarding car seats by visiting their official website or the "Baggage" or "Family Travel" sections.
4. British Airways, for example, allows car seats to be checked free of charge, either as checked baggage or gate-checked.
5. To maintain the safety and comfort of your child during long-distance travel, consider scheduling the journey during nap times or bedtimes and pack their favorite toys, games, and books.
6. IAM RoadSmart recommends simple games like identifying landmarks to distract and potentially educate children during the journey.
7. It's crucial to remind parents that children under the age of two must always be securely restrained whenever the seatbelt sign is illuminated during a flight.

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