Didn't Buy Extra Plane Seat. Bring Carseat Anyways??

I fly all the time and 98% of the time there is NO empty seats. Ever since 9/11 and with the economy the way it is your more likely to have a overbooked flight than a flight with a empty seat.

You can try but I wouldn't get your hopes up about a empty seat.

Definately bring the car seat. If there is room they will allow it or should. If there is not room they will check it for you right at the gate.
Relax... look forward to having fun!!!

Our daughter is 9 months old and has already flown 6 times (3 trips). We haven't purchased a seat for her but have taken her car seat with us on all three trips. We always check it with our checked luggage. Some airlines will put the car seat in a plastic bag; others check it through with other items that need special handling (like skis and snowboards). It will count as one of your two checked items. I also just bought a piece of luggage at Babys R Us that is designed for car seats. There were a couple of different styles including one with wheels so you don't have to carry the seat. I think I paid about $30. You may also be able to check it at the gate when you board the plane (like you do a stroller) but I'd ask about that before you try it. Don't count on there being any empty seats and I don't think it would come even close to fitting in an overhead bin. We've never had any trouble with checking our seat.

It does not hurt to give it a try. Bring the seat and like the others have said, if there are no seats available, they can check it at the gate. Let us know what happens. Thanks J.

I'd bring it and check with the seating before you submit your luggage. If there's no room then I'm sure you can store it. You might have to pay extra depending upon the weight and/or size.

you'll be fine! i have a 3yo and a 20mo old and we never buy a seat for the under 2 b/c we'd rather save the $ though we can afford it. we also prefer checkign the car seat for the 3 yo b/c it's bulky and a pain (when we do bring it on, we don't actually strap it in!) we have a car seat carrier we use. seriously, once you do it, you'll see that you are fine. kids are unpredictable, she may not sleep regardless b/c it's weird to fly. people will give you mean looks no matter how wellbehaved she is! just bring some treats for when she gets really fussy.. we use sugar-free lollipops and wrap tiny surprises in gift wrap..hopefully uour babe will drift off and you guys can snuggle all the way there. but don't worry about it, because you can only do so much. i never knew an airline that would allow you to bring your car seat on if you didn't pay for the flight, but maybe playing ignorant will help? if you have a seat assignment and check in for the flight at home, try to get placed next to an empty seat...good luck!

I just traveled with my one year old a few weeks ago and did the same thing. On the way to CA there were no extra seats so they check your car seat like your stroller. On the way back there was room so I got to bring it on. The only bummer is that you have to carry the stupid thing around the whole airport with you and they won't let you bring the large luggage carriers through security. I have to lug around the stroller, diaper bag and huge britax marathon car seat with me. I would still do it though, its so nice to have them sleep in the car seat instead of squirm around on your lap. Oh, you have to wait till you check in also. I tried calling a few times before the flight to reserve and extra seat and they told me that the only person who can give me a seat is the attendant at the gate, not even the attendants at the check in counter. Good luck!

I agree 100% with Laura. Bring the car seat and if there's room they'll let you bring it on, otherwise they will check it for you at the gate. And if you need a car seat where you are going you will have yours there which would make me more comfortable. You never know about rental car seats...are they expired? Been in an accident?

The airport I fly out of won't let you bring a car seat through unless you've purchased a seat for it OR it's the kind of car seat (infant) that attaches to a stroller. We tried to play dumb the first time we flew with our 4 month old and they wouldn't let us do it (and we didn't have the stroller that the car seat attached to), so we were out of luck. If you can play dumb and get away with, then that's great! But I'd have a back up plan just in case!

If you have a direct flight it would be okay to try and find an empty seat. If there aren't any they will tag and stow it for you at the gate. If your flight is not direct, keep in mind you will have to drag the carseat along with you when you change planes along with your daughter and everything else you have to carry.

You have to make sure that your car seat is airlines approved, not all carseats are. Most are not. So you'll have to check.

Ask when you check in if the plane is full. If it is, you might as well check it in there. If not you can check it in at the gate if you have to. If your going to carry on your carseat make sure you have nothing other then your diaper bag to carry on. You will not be able to handle a carry on for yourself, your carseat, a diaper bag, your daughter and a buggy. It's just not humanly possible.

From experience it would be better to just check in your carseat. Traveling by yourself with an infant is just easier if you have minimal else with you.

Just check the car seat with your luggage. They won't let you bringit on the plane because it is too bulky for the overhead bins. You can bring a stroller right up to the door of the plane. They'll put a bright colored claim ticket on it and then stow it with the baggage. Right after the plane dock at the gate they bring up all the items with bright claim tickets on them si you can load her in the stroller right when you get off the plane. Have fun on your trip!!

I would NEVER check my carseat.... it will get damaged. They don't care if its a carseat, suitcase, or an expensive somethign else, they toss it in and it gets thrown around just like any other piece of luggage. Getting checked on the airplane can pretty much equal a crash.

That being said, you will need a carseat when you get there, so bring your carseat, but bring it on the plane. Don't beg for a seat for it, unless you paid for one. Have them put it in the little closet by the front of the plane, don't check it.

My boys are 6 and 2 now, so we HAVE to purchase seats for them now, but we've bought them a seat 99.99% of the time even when they were babies, and brought thier seats on the plane. Why? Its just easier, and when you book your tickets, if you ask, alot of hte times you can get a discounted seat for your under 2 child.

When you check in, ask if there is an empty seat on the plane so you can be there and have extra room for your lap child, but don't count on it because you didnt' pay for a seat for her. But you should bring the seat and have them put it in the closet.... you will need a seat in san fran!

I rented a car-seat from the car company in which I rented the car. Maybe not as desirable, but I was looking to save some space and make less for myself to carry, as traveling with children...even one, can be a juggling act with all the bags, stroller and luggage, etc.

Edit: Sorry, doesn't help much on the plane...but many times, the plane won't have an extra seat available...and they recommend lap sitting for infants if a seat is not available, vs. putting the baby in the car-seat in the isle.

Bring your car seat to the gate with you, opposed to checking it with your luggage. If there are no empty seats, they will check it for you. It will be waiting at the gate right when you depart the plane. Many people check their strollers there too. That way they will have them to get through the airport. If there is an empty seat, they will let you set your car seat up. Don't even give it a second thought. :-)