https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 13:21:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2240237 Sun, 19 Jul 2015 17:00:14 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2240237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: awesome! Bet it depends on the route you're flying too. All our flights have also been to places people go on vacation so no wonder they're booked. Hope you get a repeat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2240212 Sun, 19 Jul 2015 16:00:43 +0000 daniellemybelle 2240212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The flight was not full and they let me bring her seat on! Didn't bat an eye. It was awesome - so much easier than wrestling a lap child. Here's to hoping we can have a repeat on our trip home later today! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239810 Sat, 18 Jul 2015 09:42:31 +0000 Mrs. Deer 2239810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just flew with two car seats (holy cow!) but they each had a seat since it was covered for our military move. Our flight too though was 100% booked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239781 Sat, 18 Jul 2015 08:21:44 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2239781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I too have only been on 100% full flights, many with standby customers, in recent years but you could try and then gate check it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239748 Sat, 18 Jul 2015 05:45:33 +0000 SweetiePie 2239748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually did buy a seat for my LO once and I was boarding the plane and the airline employees assisting with boarding (after I showed boarding passes but before I was actually on the plane) asked me if I had a seat for the car seat, they told me I could only take it on if I had one. Of course I told them I did and it wasn't an issue, but had I said no they were making me gate check. I believe it was Delta or US Air. BUT I also can't recall if it was a full flight.<br /> I'd just call and ask! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239745 Sat, 18 Jul 2015 04:37:30 +0000 ChitownRo 2239745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had pretty good luck w this. Southwest is the best given their seating position assignments rather than actual seats. Out of 12 flights that my LO has been on, we have been able to use the seat 8 times. So that's a pretty good success rate :) Go for it! If no extra space, just gate check it </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239307 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:06:46 +0000 Applesandbananas 2239307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd just ship a cheap seat to your destination, rather than risking damage to your current seat or try to borrow one at your destination if possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239292 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:56:20 +0000 shopaholic 2239292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like PP said, most flights we've been on have been completely full. We've also had a couple flights where we were told no for the car seat even if were full flights, and I think once we were able to bring the car seat on when we didn't pay for the seat (Like once out of 10xs). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239265 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 11:34:31 +0000 daniellemybelle 2239265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm surprised so many of you have been on 100% full flights. This is a Friday afternoon flight so it's probably full and I am just going to have to gate check it in a plastic bag and hope for the best. :(</p> <p>@kjpugs: That's a good idea about asking if we can store it elsewhere though they might look at me like I have two heads, haha. I wish I had thought sooner to see if there was one we could borrow from someone where we are going. I would feel better if we had our padded case but I can't find it.</p> <p>@gracecat: What airline?</p> <p>@looch: We always fly Southwest and usually people choose the seat next to us very last, haha. I have actually had an empty seat (like the last empty seat) a few times!</p> <p>@rattles: That's encouraging! I am just going to ask when we check in.</p> <p>@PinkElephant: I think the only situation they would do this is if they know the flight is not full and they are feeling nice... I agree it doesn't make sense to chance it when there is probably no place to put it if there isn't a seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239221 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:37:57 +0000 looch 2239221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can try, but the seat doesn't have to be next to you and they are under no obligation to rearrange seating.</p> <p>Sucks that they don't do more to accommodate passengers with children, but I guess they do it on purpose to enforce the lap child policy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239189 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:16:59 +0000 gracecat 2239189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We tried and were refused even though there was an extra seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239187 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 10:15:11 +0000 kjpugs 2239187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, you can try, but no guarantee. However then your only option is gate checking which can cause damage to your seat. If they won't let you put it in an empty seat I would ask them if there was anywhere to store it on the plane instead of gate checking. You may be faced with the seat being damaged in the gate check process and then you would not have a seat when you get to your destination. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239150 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 09:39:14 +0000 birdofafeather 2239150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>same as PPs where we asked, but the flight was full, so the seat was gate checked. i wasn't planning on being able to bring it on, so i wasn't worried. we had a travel bag for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239123 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 08:51:38 +0000 rattles 2239123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have better luck than PPs, I guess. When I haven't bought a seat, I've been able to bring the seat and use an empty seat 4 of 6 times. It's always been Southwest so that I could set up wherever. I call a day or two before and they tell me how many seats are left as of then so I have a general idea, and then I confirm at check in and at the gate. I do have a bag for the infant seat in case I have to gate check it, and I buy a ticket when I want to bring a convertible, but I've had good luck bringing the bucket on board! I hope you do too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239088 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 08:04:58 +0000 mrsrain 2239088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there is an empty seat, this should not be a problem. But don't count on that happening. I can only remember 1 flight in the last 5 years of traveling that was not completely booked! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239076 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:55:04 +0000 regberadaisy 2239076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bring it and if it's full you can gate check it. Btw this is a super brilliant idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239073 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:52:43 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 2239073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gate check. It won't get banged around and you have the added bonus of being able to use a seat of there is a free one near you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239061 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:37:09 +0000 Foodnerd81 2239061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: btw, we don't have a special car seat bag. We like to be super classy and use a huge black garbage bag. We have always gate checked since we wanted to try for the empty seat first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239060 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:35:54 +0000 MoonMoon 2239060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've never been on a flight with LO with any available seats! I think you should count on gate checking it, just cover it with plastic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239051 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:20:40 +0000 ladybee 2239051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: I say there is no harm in asking. I'd take it and ask when checking in. If there aren't open seats then check it. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239046 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:12:48 +0000 PinkElephant 2239046@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it a capsule or convertible? I was allowed to carry our capsule on several flights where LO didn't have a seat, but they were business/first international flights, so the planes (and luggage compartments) were enormous. I didn't get a seat, just stashed it in the luggage compartment overhead to avoid damage. </p> <p>I feel like with a convertible seat, it's very unlikely they'd let you on with it without a purchased seat, since it won't fit in the overhead in the likely scenario that no seat is available to strap it onto. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239044 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 07:07:43 +0000 NCSUchick27 2239044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every domestic flight I have been on in the last 3 years (around 8 flights) has been completely booked. I would be very surprised if there are any empty seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239040 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 06:57:08 +0000 hilsy85 2239040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like PPs have said, you can only bring it on if there is room on the flight--otherwise there is no where for them to store it and they will gate check it for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239036 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 06:51:37 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2239036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely wouldn't bank on it. Every domestic flight I've been on in recent memory has been completely booked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239026 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 06:27:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 2239026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there is an empty seat they should let you bring it, but every flight I have taken with C I've asked and they said it was totally full. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239020 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 06:23:09 +0000 IcebergMom 2239020@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe you could call the airline? It's probably just a game-day decision and you can tell them to gate check it if the seat is not empty before you start boarding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/can-i-bring-my-car-seat-on-the-plane-if-i-didnt-buy-a-seat#post-2239018 Fri, 17 Jul 2015 06:17:06 +0000 daniellemybelle 2239018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't buy a seat for LO and I'm not going to - let's get that out of the way. </p> <p>I have been on flights that are not completely booked and they let her sit in the seat next to me. I can't find the padded case we use to check our car seat (we are in the middle of moving and I don't know which end is up). I'm traveling with our cheaper seat but I obviously am concerned about the safety of it getting banged around and then using it for the weekend once we are at our destination.</p> <p>If the flight is not fully booked do you think they will let me bring the seat on and use it? </p>