Question

Going to Florida by plane and renting a car for 3 days with a 2 and 3 year old. Do we bring car seats with on plane, check them, or even bring them? Seems expensive to rent them for the car but also a hassle to bring with.  

Answer 1

Bring them. you can check them with your baggage there's no additional cost and just pick them up with your luggage and take them to your rental car

Answer 2

Check them on the plane no cost if ur flying southwest. Put them in a clear bag or they will get dirty

Answer 3

Get a car seat bag off Amazon and check them for free with your suitcase. If you're worried about them getting damaged, you can also check them at the gate for free and they're a lot more careful with them. Or if they're airline approved, you can use them in the plane to keep your kiddos safe and comfy while flying. Have fun!  

Answer 4

Your kids should be riding in their seats on the plane, especially if they are under 40 lbs per FAA recommendation.  

Comments

@steer266 agree! My husband works for an airline and is a pilot, turbulence can be very dangerous to little ones

Answer 5

Flew with my 3 and 1 year old several years ago. We did not bring carseats and just rented them with the car. Wasn't too much extra. I was afraid of my carseats being thrown around and ruined on the plane.  

Answer 6

I had this same dilemma this past weekend. I ended up bringing them with us (2 car seats, 2 adults, 2 kids, 3 pieces of luggage, 2 backpacks) and it was a shit. Show. It was not easy. BUT then I caught a glimpse of the ones the rental car place offered and I was so beyond thankful we brought our own. They were disgusting and looks used and ABUSED!  

Answer 7

Get the car seat bag off Amazon and check everything. It made our life so easy getting through the airport. When we got to baggage claim we loaded everything onto a car and a porter brought it all to the car.  

Answer 8

Bring them and use them on the plane, it’s safer and not worth the risk of them getting damaged by checking them or risking getting a damaged seat from the rental.  

Answer 9

I vote bring them, the car seats the rentals use aren’t the best. I used theirs one time and never ever again.  

Answer 10

Car rental car seats are flimsy from what I observed.  

Answer 11

I would bring them on the plane and put your kids in them. Not only will it keep them from being damaged while checked but it's safe the for kids and familiar so maybe they will sit nice like they are in a car. I wouldn't trust car rental car seats. Have they been in an accident, damaged, etc? Safe travels!  

Answer 12

We have gotten the car seat bags and checked them. So much easier than lugging them and a stroller through the airport (assuming your taking a stroller and not renting one when you get down there). We would pick ours up at baggage claim and load things up and go grab the rental. My husband usually takes the car seats and his backpack to get the rental while the kids and I wait for him. This way he gets them semi installed (hooks in with latch and then I adjust seat heights) at the rental area and then I can finish when he gets there with the car.  

Comments

@aude530 I agree with the bags. The ones with the backpack type straps are so much easier to carry through the airport!  

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@fecula yes! We got the britax ones with the wheels and backpack option. They were much more expensive but the 2 we have lasted us 4+ years so far.  

Answer 13

It’s recommended to use the car seats on the plane.  
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Car...share

Answer 14

Bring them for sure.  

Answer 15

We've done both. Traveling with them is a pain, bags and all. They really don't need them on a flight unless you think they will repeatedly take the seatbelt off, but our kids ended up laying across us half the time anyways. I've never had an issue renting car seats either. Have fun!  

Answer 16

Bring your own car seat and bring it on the flight. I have friends that work at airports and they’ve always advised don’t check your seat and don’t rent from car agencies. They throw the seats around and they get damaged.  

Answer 17

Bring them, we checked ours at the gate and had them for the car. I liked having my own car seat, not a rented one.  

Answer 18

Thanks everyone! We will definitely bring the car seats  

Comments

@lowman umbrella strollers too. Always worked the best for the boys and easy to transport and cheap. You can gate check

Answer 19

Check them! I usually throw in beach towels and some clothes for extra padding in the car seat bag and it saves room in the suitcase. Just be sure it isn’t over the weight requirement.  

Answer 20

Did you buy seats for them? Or are they lap children?  

Comments

@alicia6786 bought.  

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@lowman then definitely take your seats on the plane. The kids understand that they have the same rules as the car and do very well. Have a great trip  

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@alicia6786 will do, thank you!  

Answer 21

We brought ours and used them on the plane and I felt like the kids were more comfortable since it was their own carseat.  

Answer 22

I rented once from a car rental place and will NEVER do that again. I was absolutely sure that it would not protect him if we had been in an accident. It was dirty and looked like it had been in a war. I used it long enough to get to a store and buy a new one. Carrying his car seat with me is a huge hassle but well worth it for my peace of mind. Getting it to the gate to check is your best option if you don’t want to use it on the plane.  

Answer 23

We brought ours on the plane and it was perfect! Kept the little from jumping all over the place too, win win!