If you’re headed to the airport with your car seat soon, then you’ll want to find a high-quality travel bag to protect your car seat. I made the mistake of not purchasing one the first time I took my baby on a flight. When we picked up our car seat from baggage claim, I realized my major amateur faux pas.
The pink fabric was covered in streaks of black grease that I could never manage to get off. Not to mention, it’s not easy lugging around a big car seat with metal anchors hanging off and hitting you in the legs!
I didn’t make that mistake again, and I hope to help you avoid a similar mistake. Car seats are heavy and too expensive to risk getting damaged, so it’s worth the small investment for a quality cover to use at the airport. Keep reading to find the best car seat travel bag for your next flight to keep your car seat clean and easy to transport.
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Can I use my car seat on the plane?
It all depends. There are a couple of factors to consider: your specific car seat and the airline’s policies.
There are FAA-certified car seats that are designed to be used on planes. If your car seat is FAA-approved, it will have a label on it that says “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Most car seats that are approved for use in cars are also approved for use on airplanes but definitely check the manufacturer’s website to confirm.
If your car seat is in fact FAA-approved, most airlines will allow you to use it on the airplane, but there could be some restrictions. For example, some airlines have size or weight restrictions or limit where the car seat can be sat during a flight. Before purchasing your tickets, check with the airlines about their specific rules regarding flying with car seats.
I’ve never brought a car seat on the actual flight but instead opted to check my toddler’s car seat and use a child airplane safety travel harness on the flight. It was easier than lugging my car seat on the flight and still kept my toddler safe and secure in her seat. If you have an infant, then of course, the harness won’t work, so an FAA-approved car seat will be your safest option during the flight.
Do I have to pay to check my car seat?
Most airlines will check your child’s car seat for FREE! Even Spirit Airlines, which is notorious for no freebies, will check a stroller and car seat at no additional cost. So you shouldn’t have to worry about any extra fees, but it’s always a good idea to double-check with your airline.
Can I gate-check a car seat?
Most airlines will gate-check a car seat if you don’t want to check it before going through security. Make sure you get a luggage tag as soon as you get to the gate to avoid potential delays. Once you get ready to board, your car seat will be stowed away and you’ll retrieve it after your flight. Verify if the car seat will be in baggage claim or brought back up to the jetbridge.
Can I take my car seat on the plane as carry-on luggage?
Carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin. If you have a small booster seat, then you shouldn’t have a problem. A car seat may or may not fit, so definitely check the maximum dimensions of the overhead bin on your airline.
If you have a paid seat for your child, you can use the car seat on the flight if it’s an airline-approved seat.
If your car seat doesn’t fit in the overhead bin and you don’t have a seat for your infant on the flight, then you’ll most likely have to gate-check the car seat.
What should I look for when choosing a car seat travel bag?
The features you should look for when choosing a car seat travel bag depend upon your answers to a few questions:
- Will you be using this for a single trip or multiple times? How much wear and tear do you expect?
- Will you have other adults with you to assist with the luggage?
- Do you need your hands free for other luggage, strollers or to hold a child’s hand?
- Will you be taking your car seat on the airplane with you? Will you be checking it before security? Will you be gate-checking your child’s car seat?
- What will your budget allow you to spend?
- What are your car seat’s dimensions and what size bag will accommodate that?
After answering those questions, you can then decide which features are most important to you. Here are some features you might see in a car seat travel bag:
- Roller wheels- four wheels for 360-degree turning or two wheels for tilt-and-roll feature
- Adjustable backpack-style straps
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Padded handles
- Chest straps and waist straps
- Dual zipper opening
- Drawstring closure
- Water-resistant fabric
- Padded car seat bag interior
- Inner strap to secure car seat inside
- Inner or outer pockets for storage
- Reinforced corners
- Double stitching
- Universal size to accommodate most car seat models
- Fold-away design
- Small storage bag to stow when not in use
How we chose the best car seat travel bags:
We took into consideration the above questions when choosing the best car seat travel bags for our list.
You can find an option for a deluxe padded option that has three functions, a rolling car seat bag, a completely hands-free backpack car seat bag, and a budget car seat bag.
We are confident that one of these car seat bags will meet your needs for any future air travel you’ll be doing!
Best Overall Car Seat Travel Bag
The Little Stork Car Seat Travel Bag With Wheels
This three-in-one-wheeled bag is the best choice for getting around the airport. Not only can you easily wheel it around, but it also functions as a backpack or can be tethered to your luggage with the included strap.
This heavy-duty travel bag is made from 900D polyester fabric for extra protection. This water-resistant material keeps moisture, grease, and other liquids from getting on your car seat. The locking dual zippers keep your car seat secure.
The frame is made from polycarbonate and has curb-proof corners, making it durable for your trip and in baggage handling. The 360-degree, no-wobble four wheels make it easy to quickly move in any direction.
This car seat travel bag is padded on all sides to help protect your expensive car seat from damage. The double zipper opening in the front makes for easy stowing of the car seat.
When you need to carry this bag, the padded shoulder straps make it function as a backpack and allow for a hands-free experience. The adjustable waist strap and chest strap provide extra support for your upper body. There’s also a top grip and two padded side handles for easy lifting.
I love that inside and outside are pockets for stowing small items, like extra diapers, toys, etc.
And what is extra amazing is that they’re a USA-based small business and give a portion of their profits to ALSAC/St. Jude.
It really is the best car seat travel bag. The Little Stork Company seems to have thought of everything and this product is absolutely worth purchasing if you’ll be making multiple trips with your child’s car seat.
Runner-Up: Wheeled Car Seat Travel Bag
J.L. Childress Spinner Wheelie Deluxe Car Seat Travel Bag
This wheeled car seat travel bag comes from the trusted, family-owned brand J.L. Childress. This waterproof bag will fit most infant carriers, convertible car seats, and booster seats and protect them from water, grease, scuffs, and other messes.
The best part of this bag is the wheels. The J.L. Childress wheelie has four 360-degree wheels, making it easy to maneuver around the airport. It is definitely pricier than the two-wheeled tilt-and-go option, but it will save you lots of frustration from a heavy car seat flipping over when you’re trying to tilt it and roll it.
The heavy-duty material, padded sides, and reinforced corners make this a durable bag, so you don’t have to worry about rips and tears in the baggage area. The full-front opening makes it easy to get your car seat in and out of the storage bag.
It fits most car seats, but be sure and check their compatibility guide which shows all compatible car seat models before ordering.
This bag does not have backpack straps, so the only option is to roll it or lift it by the handle.
Runner-Up: Backpack Car Seat Travel Bag
Yorepek Padded Car Seat Travel Backpack Bag
If you’ll be needing your hands-free at the airport, a car seat backpack-style travel bag will be the best option for you. There are tons of options available but this Yorepek version is definitely one of the best you can buy.
The padded backpack straps have thick padding, to ease the pressure on your shoulders and back. It also has an adjustable waist strap, for added support and comfort. Those car seats can get very heavy, so having adequate padding and support is a must if you’ll be gate-checking your car seat. There’s also a padded strap on top, for lifting from conveyor belts.
This car seat bag is spacious and will accommodate most car seats that are within 28 x 18 x 18 inches. Inside is a buckle strap to keep your car seat from moving around. The car seat bag is made with heavy-duty, water-resistant polyester fabric, to resist moisture and stains that can easily happen during travel and baggage handling. It has a padded interior to help protect the car seat, as well.
Other features include a locking double zipper, elastic side pockets, and a name tag pocket. When not in use, this car seat bag folds up small to be packed away and secured with a buckle. This is definitely one of the best car seat bags with backpack straps and is an affordable option that we recommend for hands-free car seat carrying.
Runner-Up: Budget Car Seat Travel Bag
J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag for Car Seats
This airline-certified car seat storage bag has been around for quite a while. It’s a trusted brand that has been around since 2007 and is self-described as the original gate check bag for car seats. It comes at about $20, making it a budget-friendly option.
It will fit an infant carrier, convertible car seat, or booster seat. The bright red color makes it easy to spot at baggage claim. There’s a white ID box on the front to write your name, making it easy to identify. If you want a car seat bag that’s more subdued, it is also available in black for the same price.
The bag closes with a drawstring closure. It’s made of durable waterproof material with double stitching for resistance. When the storage bag is not in use, you can stuff it in the attached spandex pouch and stow it in a backpack or purse.
One downside is that this bag does not have shoulder straps, so I suggest that if you choose this option, you check your car seat with your luggage, so you’re not having to carry it all over the airport. Another option would be to purchase an inexpensive car seat travel strap or cart.
In summary, this is a basic car seat travel bag that has been highly recommended by customers for over fifteen years. The customer service of this company makes it worth purchasing, as well as the low price point and quality of the protective bag.
Honorable Mention: Budget Car Seat Travel Strap
GUCHO Car Seat Belt Strap
This travel belt obviously isn’t a travel bag, but it still makes the list for obvious reasons.
If you’re on a budget and are planning to gate-check your car seat, this car seat travel belt is the best budget accessory to easily transport your car seat around the airport. It works with 20″- 56″ roller suitcases and forward-facing car seats that have a top tether. There is a video that shows how to easily attach the car seat to your luggage with the belt, so you’re not struggling at the airport.
This sturdy strap attaches your convertible car seat to your rolling luggage easily with a heavy-duty buckle. The strap has reinforced stitching to guarantee it won’t fall apart on you. The metal D-ring attaches the car seat tether to the strap, for extra support.
The travel belt is much less expensive than a car seat travel cart or dolly and is super lightweight and small, making it easy to store in a backpack or purse when not in use. It will save your back and shoulders, too.
It really is the perfect budget travel accessory for anyone traveling with a bulky car seat who doesn’t want to spend over a hundred dollars on a rolling storage bag.
While it doesn’t protect your car seat from messes, it allows for easy transport. For added protection, you could use this in combination with the JL Childress Gate Check Bag mentioned above. Right before checking your car seat, secure it in the car seat bag.
Wrapping-Up
Lugging your baby’s car seat around the airport and entrusting it to baggage handling doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right car seat travel bag, you’ll be able to travel more easily with babies or toddlers and better protect your expensive car seat on the flight. And with great options for any budget, I’m certain you’ll find one that works for you.
