Questions on Double Strollers and Car Seats in the Plane

[Capo]

Hi All,

We'll be flying across coutry in less than 2 weeks to go to WDW! We're so excited!

I did have a few travel related questions I'm hoping some pros can answer:

1) Double Strollers. Can we bring these through security and check them on the plane at the gate? We've done this before with a single stroller, but never a double. Will we be able to get it through the security scanner? is there a requirement that it must fit through the scanner? Anyone know the dimensions if so?

2) Car Seats. Do airlines still let you check car seats for free? We're also debating bringing one of our car seats on the plane as that we have a VERY long non-stop flight (red eye too) and we're hoping our toddler will sleep if she's strapped in it. Is this allowed? Will most all car seats fit in an airplane seat?

3) For a toddler and a baby, I assume we still do not need to bring ID to the airport, correct? Just want to make sure this hasn't changed.

Thanks!

 

[bastraker]

Hi All,

We'll be flying across coutry in less than 2 weeks to go to WDW! We're so excited!

I did have a few travel related questions I'm hoping some pros can answer:

1) Double Strollers. Can we bring these through security and check them on the plane at the gate? We've done this before with a single stroller, but never a double. Will we be able to get it through the security scanner? is there a requirement that it must fit through the scanner? Anyone know the dimensions if so?

2) Car Seats. Do airlines still let you check car seats for free? We're also debating bringing one of our car seats on the plane as that we have a VERY long non-stop flight (red eye too) and we're hoping our toddler will sleep if she's strapped in it. Is this allowed? Will most all car seats fit in an airplane seat?

3) For a toddler and a baby, I assume we still do not need to bring ID to the airport, correct? Just want to make sure this hasn't changed.

Thanks!

Yes you can bring a double stroller to the gate and check it. We always bring our double stroller to disney - no problem. When you go through security at the airport, someone will come and get the stroller and do some swab tests on it and then give it back to you.

Yes you can bring car seats on the plane and strap them in to the air plane seabelts. You can also check a car seat for no fee when you check your luggage.

As for ID for kids - every time we book our tickets, the website says that you need to have ID for the kids (kids are now 2 and 4 years old). However, everytime we fly, no one asks for ID. I do bring their passports with us just in case.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

I highly reccomend getting a gate check bag for your stroller and carseat if you check it. We gate checked our stroller and used the red gate check bag I bought at Babies R Us and when we got it back it has a good amount of black markings and dirt on it, certainly not something you want on your stroller!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003554H9M/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1292935031&sr=8-2

 

[ccudmore]

1) Double Strollers. Can we bring these through security and check them on the plane at the gate? We've done this before with a single stroller, but never a double. Will we be able to get it through the security scanner? is there a requirement that it must fit through the scanner? Anyone know the dimensions if so?

Never seen anyone have a problem with any size stroller. May want to double-check with the airline you're flying, especially if part of the flight is on a smaller regional jet.

2) Car Seats. Do airlines still let you check car seats for free? We're also debating bringing one of our car seats on the plane as that we have a VERY long non-stop flight (red eye too) and we're hoping our toddler will sleep if she's strapped in it. Is this allowed? Will most all car seats fit in an airplane seat?

Any airline I've every flown with the family has allowed car seats to be checked for free as luggage. You can only use car seats on the plane that have been specially certified for use on aircraft. They will have a sticker on them that says "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only". Otherwise the airline likely won't let you strap the children into them. More details at http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

 

[Capo]

Got it, thanks!

Do all car seats that meet this FAA regulation have them on their? Or because it's not something everyone does, they don't even bother marking it?

 

[tjmw2727]

Got it, thanks!

Do all car seats that meet this FAA regulation have them on their? Or because it's not something everyone does, they don't even bother marking it?

Most current seats are FAA approved and will have a sticker on the side or back indicating such.

Note that the wording doesn't always mention the FAA but somewhere on the safety sticker will be wording -usually in red - stating that the seat is authorized for use in motor vehicles as well as aircrafts.

If your seat doesn't have this sticker you shouldn't expect to be able to fly with it as most carriers check.

 

[louisasqural]

Airlines or going by bus or own vehicle is a best way. It may happen that your seat does 't have this sticker, you must have to take to be able to fly with it. I hope every one agree with it.

 

[dudspizza]

FYI. You mention a baby, but don't mention whether you purchased a seat for the baby. If you DID NOT purchase a seat, you will have to provide proof (birth certificate) that your baby is under the age of 2 qualifying them to fly for free. No other ID will be required to get the kids through TSA or on the plane.


Duds

 

[DopeyDame]

Most, but not all, carseats these days are approved for use on airplanes. On the myriad of stickers on the side or back of your carseat will be a statement saying it's approved for use in motor vehicles. That's where the aircraft statement will be too, assuming it's there.

Did you buy seats for your under-2s? If so, you definitely want to bring the carseat onboard. We travel a lot with our almost 2 year old, and always, always, always buy him a ticket and strap him into the carseat.

Of course, yesterday, in the midst of all of the mortheast flight issues, we were flying from Illlinois to Maryland and left DS's carseat in the car when MIL dropped us off at the airport. Needless to say, MIL didn't have her cell phone turned on and lives over an hour from the airport. SO.. we boarded with DS without his carseat. Since he's almost 2, and pretty big for his age, my plan was just to buckle him into the seat. That was a no-go. Bought seat or not, kids under two must be either lap babies or in a carseat for takeoff and landing. DS was fine as a lap baby since we had a very uneventful flight (thankfully!) but I was nervous the whole time. So, moral of the story is... if you bought a seat on the airplane, bring the carseat onboard.

 

[sam_gordon]

FYI. You mention a baby, but don't mention whether you purchased a seat for the baby. If you DID NOT purchase a seat, you will have to provide proof (birth certificate) that your baby is under the age of 2 qualifying them to fly for free. No other ID will be required to get the kids through TSA or on the plane.


Duds

And if you did NOT purchase a seat, there may not be a spot to put a carseat onboard.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Did you buy the infant a seat? If not you MUST bring proof of age. I have seen families in a big mess because they assumed the airline would agree that the 2 month old was an infant. Bring the birth certificate!