https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 16:34:40 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2179131 Thu, 14 May 2015 22:34:09 +0000 bpcmarj 2179131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>United did not offer for me to board early when I was flying alone with LO. But, Delta did. Especially with the car seat because they want you to install before other passengers get on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2178062 Thu, 14 May 2015 11:21:49 +0000 Kemma 2178062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just thought I'd throw it out there, but generally carseat techs and organisations like CSFTL don't recommend checking carseats due to the potential for rough handling and seat damage. The current advice is to book a seat for your LO and install the carseat on the plane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2178051 Thu, 14 May 2015 11:13:57 +0000 ineebee 2178051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: @catomd00: Awesome, thanks!! My nerves about this flight are slowly calming down... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2178014 Thu, 14 May 2015 10:50:27 +0000 catomd00 2178014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: yep you can def gate check both a stroller and car seat on southwest! I do it all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2178012 Thu, 14 May 2015 10:49:42 +0000 catomd00 2178012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She needs a birth certificate and just throw the car seat in a bag and gate check it. If there's extra seats they May let you take it on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177983 Thu, 14 May 2015 10:41:30 +0000 SweetiePie 2177983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ineebee: yep, I've flown a few airlines so far (not southwest though) and I've never had a problem checking the seat and the stroller base.<br /> What you do is close to boarding (let's say when the previous passengers are deplaning) you put LO in your carrier/sling/etc (if they aren't already). Then you push the empty car seat/stroller combo to the plane and 99% of the time the baggage guys will help you by taking the car seat and helping fold the stroller. I've never even used a protective bag for either of them (though the snap n go is cheap so I don't care about damage). Then you just go on your merry way with LO in the carrier and your diaper bag. Not to get too far off topic but I high suggest taking NOTHING but the diaper bag on the plane with you. It's hard enough maneuvering with a baby on you and a diaper bag, I wouldn't do anything else.<br /> You might also want to ask baggage guy to keep the carseat by the plane until everyone is boarded. If you have an empty seat next to you, the car seat is clutch. My son does way better on flights when he's in a car seat than when I'm holding him. But that's just my opinion and experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177909 Thu, 14 May 2015 10:04:06 +0000 ineebee 2177909@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SweetiePie: Not to thread-jack, but I'm so glad you said this. I'm flying next week with our 2-month-old, and we need to bring our car seat and the stroller that it snaps into. I was going to ask if they allow both to be gate-checked (I'm flying SW) so that I can babywear on the plane only, and it sounds like you've done that successfully! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177872 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:44:28 +0000 DillonLion 2177872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is going on her second trip this weekend and we are again bringing her birth certificate. We brought it last time as well (lap infant at 15 months) but they didn't ask to see it. Now she's ticketed. No advice on the car seat, but have a good flight! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177870 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:43:10 +0000 SweetiePie 2177870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: I know you said you'll be baby wearing BUT I personally thought it was really hard to wear him for that long. If you have something like a snap n go I'd put the carseat on that and wheel up to the plane, then gate check both and wear onto the plane. I've done it both ways and what I just described is way easier than only wearing. In my opinion! ;-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177855 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:38:32 +0000 lawbee11 2177855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. J: We're flying next week and this is what we're planning to do. We bought LO a seat so DH is going to board first with our carry-ons and the car seat. Then I'll board last with LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177841 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:35:47 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2177841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: we fly United a lot and United does not have a policy to let people with children board early, so it's hit or miss as to whether the gate agents do. I would suggest that your DH board as early as he can to get all your stuff situated and you board as late as you can with the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177839 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:35:08 +0000 Mrs. J 2177839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: @lawbee11: I actually agree with NOT boarding early...I like getting him on last! More time to walk and bounce in the airport, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177835 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:34:22 +0000 Mrs. J 2177835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've gate checked ours with no issue. We bought a bag that DH wore like a backpack, and I wore LO through security (we've done this both domestically and internationally). </p> <p>Definitely bring the birth certificate. LO has a passport, so we bring that. </p> <p>We have this one, and we liked it <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009RNXNA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&#038;psc=1" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009RNXNA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&#038;psc=1</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177829 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:32:29 +0000 lawbee11 2177829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: We've never been allowed to board early....I don't think they do that anymore (at least they haven't on any of our flights). DH flew United alone with LO last week and was not allowed to board early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177824 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:30:13 +0000 Mamaof2 2177824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MenagerieMama: you can board early but I always thought that was awful advice - I want my kids to spend the LEAST amount of time on the plane - boarding takes forever! I would suggested being the last ones on! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177819 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:27:46 +0000 Mamaof2 2177819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would gate check it - that way if an empty seat is available you can get her a seat for free - my DS did much better when strapped in the car seat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177814 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:26:28 +0000 MenagerieMama 2177814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all! We're definitely gate checking it, because I don't trust checked luggage. We won't be bringing a stroller, just babywearing. Any car seat bag recs? </p> <p>@lawbee11: Any United specific baby tips? LO will be 8.5 mo. Do they let us board early? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177793 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:19:49 +0000 looch 2177793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you also bringing a stroller? If so, you will need to check how many items you can gate check. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177787 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:16:58 +0000 lawbee11 2177787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've flown United with LO 3 times as a lap infant. We always bring her birth certificate with us but we've never been asked to see it. We usually check her car seat with our luggage (you can check it for free), but you could also gate check it for free...just a matter of personal preference (we usually have so much stuff with us when we travel with LO that it's easier to check it with our bag so we don't have to lug it through the airport). We have a Brica car seat travel bag like this that we use: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BRICA-Cover-Guard-Seat-Travel/dp/B006P05S2Y" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/BRICA-Cover-Guard-Seat-Travel/dp/B006P05S2Y</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177774 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:10:02 +0000 lamariniere 2177774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would bring a copy of the birth certificate to be on the safe side. </p> <p>You will be allowed to check the car seat for free. Whether you baggage check or gate check is up to you. I've always baggage checked because I generally have too much stuff to lug through the airport. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177765 Thu, 14 May 2015 09:04:26 +0000 KayKay 2177765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bring the birth certificate. Especially for lap children, they often want to verify under 2 (even if obvious). </p> <p>I'd babywear the kid, since you can keep her on through security. Then gatecheck the carseat/stroller combo planeside. It's also nice to babywear so you can put diaper bag or other luggage in the carseat and have less to handle! You could also regular check the carseat/stroller for free, but I'm always worried it will get beat up or not make it to my destination. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177760 Thu, 14 May 2015 08:59:35 +0000 Truth Bombs 2177760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally would prefer to gate check the car seat so it will be bumped around less. You can also buy a car seat bag to help protect it.</p> <p>The TSA will not require identification for your LO but the airline might. We have only ever flown Southwest with LO but they always required a birth certificate to verify that she was eligible to be a lap infant (even when she was a newborn and clearly under 2 years old). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-wcar-seat#post-2177749 Thu, 14 May 2015 08:53:28 +0000 MenagerieMama 2177749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will be flying United in a few weeks, across the country, for LO's first flight. She will be traveling as a lap infant, but we need to bring her car seat (Keyfit) because we'll be renting a car and I would rather use our own seat. We aren't planning on checking any bags - how do we bring the car seat? The United site says it will be free, but can we gate check it? Or does it need to be checked like a regular checked bag? Do we need a bag or something to put it it? Help!</p> <p>Also - should we be bringing any kind of ID for her? Like her birth certificate? She doesn't have her passport yet. It's a domestic flight but I have never traveled with a baby! </p>