What makes a car seat airline-approved
An airline-approved car seat is one that meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and has been tested to work safely during flight. The FAA does not maintain a master list of approved models — instead, each car seat manufacturer tests their own products and prints approval information directly on the seat itself. You will see a label that says something like "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" or lists specific airlines.
The key difference from a regular car seat is that an airline-approved seat has been crash-tested to withstand the forces of an aircraft emergency. Not every car seat meets these standards. Some manufacturers make seats specifically designed for both car and plane use, while others make seats that work only in vehicles. The approval is not about comfort — it is about whether the seat will stay attached to the airplane seat and protect your child if turbulence or an emergency occurs.
You can bring an approved car seat on the plane and use it during flight if you have purchased a ticket for your child. You cannot use it in a seat you did not pay for, and you cannot use an unapproved seat at all. Airlines do not provide car seats, and they do not charge extra for bringing one.
Key Takeaways
- Airline-approved car seats have a label from the manufacturer stating FAA approval, and you must check this label before bringing the seat to the airport.
- You can only use an approved car seat on the plane if you have purchased a separate ticket for your child — the seat cannot occupy a seat you did not pay for.
- The seat must be installed in a window seat using the airplane's seat belt, and it cannot be used in exit rows or bulkhead rows.
- Different airlines have slightly different rules about which rows allow car seats, so contact your airline before your flight to confirm their specific policy.
- If your car seat is not approved for aircraft use, you can still bring it on the plane but must stow it in the overhead bin or check it as luggage.
How to check if your car seat is approved
Look at the back or side of your car seat for a label or tag from the manufacturer. The label will say whether the seat is approved for use in aircraft. Common phrases include "FAA approved," "approved for use in aircraft," or "certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Some seats list specific airlines by name.
If you cannot find a label or the label is worn away, contact the car seat manufacturer directly with your seat's model number. You can usually find the model number on the base of the seat or in your instruction manual. The manufacturer can tell you whether that specific model was tested for aircraft use. Do not assume a seat is approved based on its age, price, or how new it looks — only the manufacturer's label or confirmation counts.
If you are shopping for a new car seat and plan to fly frequently, look for models marketed as "dual-approved" or "aircraft-approved" when you are comparing options. These seats cost the same as regular car seats but have been tested to meet both vehicle and aircraft safety standards.
Using your car seat during the flight
Once you have confirmed your seat is approved and you have purchased a ticket for your child, you can bring the car seat to the gate. Tell the gate agent that you have a car seat and plan to use it during the flight. The agent will note this in the system so the flight attendants know to expect it.
During boarding, carry the car seat onto the plane and install it in a window seat using the airplane's seat belt. Thread the seat belt through the belt path on the car seat — this is usually marked with arrows or a label. Pull the belt tight so the car seat does not move side to side or forward and backward. The installation process is similar to installing a car seat in a vehicle, but you are using the airplane seat belt instead of a vehicle's LATCH system.
Your child can sit in the car seat during taxi, takeoff, and landing. During cruising altitude, you may remove your child from the seat if you wish, though many parents keep children in the seat for the entire flight. The car seat must be removed before deplaning — you cannot wheel it down the aisle or leave it installed.
Seat location restrictions and airline policies
Not every seat on the plane is suitable for a car seat. Airlines do not allow car seats in exit rows or bulkhead rows (the row directly behind a wall or divider). These restrictions exist because exit rows need to stay clear for emergency evacuation, and bulkhead rows have different seat belt configurations that do not work with car seats.
Most airlines require the car seat to be installed in a window seat, not an aisle or middle seat. This keeps the aisle clear for flight attendants and other passengers to move through the cabin. Some airlines have additional rules — for example, they may not allow car seats on certain aircraft types or on flights shorter than a certain duration. Contact your airline before your flight to learn their specific policy.
If you are flying with an infant and did not purchase a seat, you will hold your baby during flight. The FAA recommends purchasing a seat for children under two, but it is not required. If you do not have a seat for your child, ask the gate agent whether the flight has empty seats — if it does, you may be able to move to a row with an extra seat and use your car seat at no additional charge.
What to do if your car seat is not approved
If your car seat does not have an FAA approval label, you can still bring it on the plane, but you cannot use it during flight. Instead, you must check it as luggage or stow it in the overhead bin. Many parents check their car seat in a protective travel bag to prevent damage during handling.
If you check the car seat, it will travel in the cargo hold with your other checked bags. Inspect it carefully when you land to make sure it was not damaged. If damage occurs, document it with photos and file a claim with the airline within the timeframe they specify — usually 24 hours for checked luggage.
If you need a car seat at your destination and yours is not approved for aircraft use, you have a few options: rent a car seat from a local company, purchase an inexpensive approved seat to leave behind, or ask your hotel or car rental company whether they have seats available. Some car rental companies include car seats for free or a small fee if you reserve one in advance.
Traveling with a car seat on connecting flights
If you have a connecting flight, you will need to remove your car seat from the first plane before deplaning. You can then bring it to your next gate and install it again on the second flight, provided you have a ticket for your child on that flight as well.
If your connection is tight and you are worried about time, you can check the car seat through to your final destination instead. Ask the gate agent at your first flight whether they can check the seat all the way through. If they can, you will pick it up at baggage claim at your final destination rather than carrying it between flights. This saves time but means you will not have the seat available during your layover if you need to move around the airport with your child.
If you are renting a car at a connection point, you may want to check the car seat and rent a different one at that location rather than carrying it through the airport. This is especially helpful if your layover is long and you plan to leave the airport.
Packing and protecting your car seat for travel
If you are checking your car seat, use a car seat travel bag or protective case. These bags are designed to protect the seat from damage during baggage handling and cost between $30 and $80. They also make it easier to carry the seat through the airport if you are not using it on the plane.
If you are bringing the seat as a carry-on item, remember that it counts toward your carry-on luggage limit. Most airlines allow one carry-on bag plus one personal item, so a car seat may take up your entire carry-on allowance. Check your airline's specific policy before you pack.
Before you travel, take a photo of your car seat's approval label with your phone. If the label becomes illegible or you need to prove approval to an airline agent, you will have documentation. Keep your car seat's instruction manual or a digital copy with you as well — some airlines ask to see it during boarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a booster seat on an airplane?
Booster seats are not approved for aircraft use by the FAA. You can bring a booster seat on the plane and check it or stow it, but you cannot use it during flight. For children who have outgrown a forward-facing car seat but are not yet tall enough for a seat belt alone, you will need to hold them or have them sit in a regular airplane seat during flight.
What if the airline says my approved car seat cannot be used on their flights?
Some airlines have additional restrictions beyond FAA rules — for example, they may not allow certain car seat models or may have rules about specific aircraft types. If an airline tells you your seat cannot be used, ask them to provide their policy in writing. You can then contact the car seat manufacturer to see whether they can provide documentation that the seat meets FAA standards, or you can choose to check the seat instead of using it during flight.
Do I have to use a car seat on the plane if I have one?
No. Using a car seat on the plane is optional. The FAA recommends it for safety, especially for children under two, but it is not required. If you do not want to use the car seat during flight, you can check it or stow it in the overhead bin. If you have a ticket for your child but no car seat, your child will sit in a regular airplane seat or sit with you if they are an infant.
Can I install a car seat in a middle seat?
Most airlines require car seats to be installed in window seats only. Middle and aisle seats are kept clear for passenger movement and flight attendant access. If you need a car seat and only middle or aisle seats are available, you will need to either purchase a window seat or check the car seat instead.
What happens if my car seat does not fit in the airplane seat?
Some car seats are wider than others, and some airplane seats are narrower than others. If your car seat does not fit, you cannot force it in. Tell the flight attendant, and they will help you decide whether to check the seat or hold your child during flight. If this is a recurring problem with your airline, consider purchasing a narrower car seat model or checking your seat on future flights.