Car Seat and Air Travel

My daughter is now 17 mos. and she has taken around 10 plane trips. I always hold her on the plane, definitely easier and less expensive. We bought a carseat cover at Babies R Us for not a lot of money that is kind of a plastic canvas material and it kept the carseat more protected than the bags they stick them in (the airline workers throw the luggage around without a lot of care and often damage things). Definitely carry on the stroller and have them check it at the gate because you will want it for the long walk through the airport. But same as with luggage, they toss it around pretty good sometimes so if you have a less expensive one you can take it is safer just in case. Our wheels were loose and it got a little beat up.

Continental is wonderful when it comes to accommodating families. When you go to check in your baggage, remind them that you have a lap child. More often then not, they will make sure that, if there is an empty seat on the plane, it will be next to you. Be sure you are in a row approved for lap children as not all of the rows have an extra infant oxygen mask that will drop down in an emergency. They will also let you know if it's a possibility to put the car seat on the plane or if you are going to waste your time lugging it through the airport only to have to gate check it anyway because there is no extra seat. Be sure your car seat is approved for air travel (it should say on the side), otherwise you will still have to hold him for take off and landing even if the seat is belted in.
If you do end up checking it, they have bags behind the counter that they put the car seats in and then tag the bag. If offers protection from the elements but still lets you identify your seat at baggage claim. They do not count this as a bag either.
Also, just an FYI, if you have a stroller going through security, they will let you go through the first class/handicapped line. Most of the time these lines are shorter and have less winding back and forth.
Finally, if you are renting a car, they do 'rent' car seats right from the car rental. They will have it buckled in when you pick up your car and they are good car seats. They offer the infant bucket seats or the bigger toddler seats. Not too sure about the booster seats yet as we are not to that stage. Just ask when you make your reservation, see if they are running specials, and always look for coupons!

Sorry a little more information then you probably wanted but if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

I have checked a car seat. I bought an inexpensive large duffel bag at Target and it fit nicely. Generally, you have to check strollers at the door of the plane, and they are put in luggage, I believe. You get it tagged at the gate, then wheel it right up to the door of the plane and they put it on. When you get off, it's right there for you at the door again.

Most airlines will allow you to use it on the plane if there are empty seats (even though you didn't pay for a seat). I would recommend taking it to the gate - when you get on the plane they should be able to tell you how full the flight is and whether or not arrangements can be made for you to use it. If not they can "gate check" it. Similar to the stroller. I would suggest you call the airline to find out their policy on this - it's my understanding though that that is pretty standard.

You can check the car seat when you check your baggage. On Northwest, they put it in a big plastic bag and tag it with the rest of the luggage.

I just got back from a trip with my one year old. I checked the carseat and gate checked the stroller. I flew Delta and they didn't count the carseat as one of my checked bags, but they did count the pack n play. Basically most airlines consider carseat and stroller a necessity, anything else is not.

I would call Continental and check their policy. Also, make sure they have you child listed on your ticket as an "infant in arms". If it isn't on your boarding pass, you can't bring the baby through security.

Have fun on your trip.

I checked my carseat when I got my ticket at the check in desk. I didn't even put it in anything. They just tagged it like they did my luggage.

You can check your car seat with your luggage. It noes not need to be in a bag, but if you're traveling where the car seat will be exposed to possible rain or if you are worried about it getting dirty, you might want to put it in something. I have a bag that I bought that is made for car seats and has wheels - it is ok, but it is a little cumbersome to get the seat in and out. I also saw a car seat at baggage claim that was in a large clear plastic bag-it seemd to work just fine. Happy travels.

I don't have any experience with this, but was just thinking that if your baby is still in the infant carier you may be able to put it into the stroller (like a travel system) and take them both to the gate with you as one item. Just a thought.

I checked my carseat with the rest of my checked luggage. It just counts like a suitcase.