Every airline we checked takes a car seat free as checked baggage. Sun Country and Breeze say they aren’t liable for damage to one checked without a padded or protective case.
| Airline | Where it’s checked | What else the airline says |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Ticket counter, or the gate | With a stroller, 1 can go at the gate and 1 at the counter |
| Delta | Before security, or the gate | Doesn’t count toward your bags |
| Southwest | Checked free, 1 per child | Carried with a limited release of liability |
| Alaska and Hawaiian | With your bags, or the gate | Free as checked baggage |
| JetBlue | The airport, or the jet bridge | Gate-checked seats come back on the jet bridge |
| Frontier | Checked, or gate-checked | A seat with no air travel label must be checked |
| Allegiant | Ticket counter, or the gate | 1 per fare-paying passenger |
| Sun Country | Checked baggage | Not liable without a durable enclosure |
| Breeze | Checked baggage | Not liable unless packed in a protective case |
| Air Canada | Checked free for a child up to 11 | Nothing else packed inside it |
| WestJet | Checked, or gate-checked | One of the free infant equipment pieces |
| British Airways | The hold, as 1 of 2 extras | Even on Basic fares |
| easyJet | Bag Drop, or the gate | Collected at baggage reclaim |
| Ryanair | Check-in desk or gate, tagged | Back at the aircraft steps or baggage hall |
What counts as a padded case
Sun Country’s contract calls it a durable enclosure: a case for a car seat or stroller with 5 millimeters or more of protective padding, or a hard-sided case. Breeze asks for a container or case of airline-approved protective material made for shipping a child seat, and wants damage to a properly packed one reported within 1 hour.
Pack only the car seat
Air Canada says a checked car or booster seat can’t hold anything else, such as clothes. It also suggests writing your name and address on the seat in permanent marker.
Check it, or use it on board
Air Canada recommends using a car seat on board for a child 2 or older rather than checking it. For a lap child, JetBlue gate-checks the seat free and hands it back on the jet bridge, and Sun Country requires it to be checked. Rules for using it in the cabin are on car seat on a plane.
Look the seat over when you get it back, and report any damage to the airline before you leave the airport.