How to Fly With a Car Seat

Two stress-free solutions

Family vacations are wonderful experiences. But the packing? Not so much. Especially when the kids are younger, and you’re trying to pack for all their possible needs. Who knew that the smallest member of the family would require the most stuff?! Favorite teddy bears, a week’s worth of diapers, and the ultimate question: how do you fly with a car seat?

Take a deep breath, you’ve got this. Let’s take a closer look at two smart options, so you can decide which one works best for your family.

• Flying with a car seat, and shipping the rest

  If you’re traveling with a younger child and they have their own seat on the plane, flying with your car seat is a pretty easy (and practical) solution.

  Infant carrier seats, with or without the base, and most car seats will fit into a plane seat. But check the airline’s seat dimensions and car seat policy ahead of time, just to be sure.

  Flying in a car seat is also the safest option for in-flight travel, and it gives your kiddo a familiar, comfy place to sit on the plane. It may even score a mid-flight nap!

  If your child doesn’t have their own seat on the plane, you can still bring a car seat. You’ll just have to check it as luggage. Invest in a sturdy cover to keep it clean and protected. Look for one with handles or backpack-style straps to make it easier to carry through the airport.

  The only problem? Running out of hands. Between the diaper bag, the car seat, and your kid, you’ll definitely be juggling. A lot. Add carry-ons and luggage, and you’re looking at an airport obstacle course!

  Luckily, there’s a simple solution. Ship everything else ahead of time. And we mean everything, you guys! Diapers, a pack’n play, and even clothing can be sent to your final destination. So you won’t have to worry about them at the airport, and they’ll be waiting for you when you arrive.

  This option is ideal if you need your car seat right away, for a rental car or airport pickup.

• Shipping your car seat

  Of course, you don’t have to fly with a car seat. If lugging a bulky car seat through the airport sounds like too much, this option might be your new best friend.

  Because instead of bringing your seat with you, you can ship it ahead of time. That means you can breeze through the airport with just the essentials—wallet, kid, and diaper bag. Car seat-free and stress-free!

  But this only works if you won’t need a car seat right away. Maybe you’re using hotel transportation, getting picked up by family, or relying on public transit. As long as you don’t need it immediately, you can ship your car seat ahead of time to your hotel, Airbnb, or a relative’s house.

  To ship your car seat ahead of time with LugLess, all you have to do is pack it up in a sturdy box with plenty of padding. Then drop it off or arrange for pickup, whatever works best for you. We’ll take care of the rest. And at the end of your trip? Simply ship it back home for the same smooth travel experience.

  So you can travel lighter—physically and mentally.

Both options are totally doable, you guys. Consider your needs—both during the flight and after you’ve landed—and choose what works best for your family.

Whether you’re shipping your car seat, your luggage, or all of your vacation gear, LugLess makes traveling feel easy. No juggling, no hauling. Just stress-free travels and an incredible, unforgettable family vacation!