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Why We Fly with a Car Seat (After 3 Kids and Countless Long-Haul Flights)
When our eldest was 11 months old, we were planning our first long-haul trip Down Under. A friend who had lived in America mentioned that flying with a car seat in the cabin was completely normal in the States. So we borrowed her FAA-approved seat and took off as a family of three. That was the best travel decision we ever made.
Our thinking was simple. Kids are already used to sitting in a car seat. So why wouldn’t they be more relaxed in one on a plane? And we were right. Over the years, we’ve flown long-haul with car seats for all three of our children. Switzerland to Australia and plenty of stops in between. Hauling a car seat through the airport and wrestling it up a narrow aisle? Frustrating every time. But the peace of mind it gave us in flight was always worth it.
There was no squirming out of the seat. There was no negotiation. Expectations were already set: once you’re in the car seat, you sit there. And honestly? That’s priceless on a 24-hour journey to Sydney.
Before You Fly With a Car Seat: Your Quick Checklist
Here’s a summary of everything to sort before your trip:
- Check your car seat’s approval label. Look for FAA, TÜV, or other airline-accepted certification stickers on the side of your seat, in the manual, or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Check your airline’s car seat policy. Find their specific rules on dimensions, approved certifications, and seating restrictions.
- Measure your car seat against your airline seat width. Use SeatGuru to check the seat width on your aircraft.
- Reserve your seats early. Window seat or centre-row middle seat. Notify the airline you’ll be bringing a car seat on board.
- Get confirmation in writing. Email the airline and save their response.
- Pack your documentation. Car seat manual, airline policy, and booking confirmation.
- Plan your airport transport. Decide whether you’re carrying, strapping, or wheeling the car seat through the terminal.
Pros and Cons of Using a Car Seat on a Plane
Why It’s Worth It
- A car seat on a plane keeps your child secure in a seat they already know and trust. They’re safer during turbulence than with just a lap belt. And if turbulence hits while they’re sleeping, you don’t have to wake them up and move them to your lap. They can continue sleeping safely.
- Because a car seat raises your child up higher, they can actually see the in-flight entertainment screen without craning their neck. With your hands free, mealtimes become easier too. And if you’re lucky enough to doze off yourself? You know your little one can’t wander off down the aisle.
- Car seats also make it genuinely more comfortable for small children to fall asleep. That familiar, snug feeling does a lot of the work for you on an overnight flight.
The Downsides (And How to Deal with Them)
- Let’s be honest — car seats are heavy. I’ve balanced one on the back of a stroller more times than I’d like to admit (not recommended, but desperate times). The good news is there are products that make airport transport much easier. Like a car seat travel backpack lets you carry a car seat hands-free on your back. Or this car seat travel cart makes moving through the airport easier.
- Getting the airplane seatbelt threaded through the back of the car seat is fiddly, especially under pressure while other passengers are boarding. My best advice: board as early as you possibly can. Most airlines offer priority boarding for families — use it.
- Your child won’t be able to use the tray table while in their car seat, which means snacks and activities happen on your lap or theirs. We never found this to be a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing.
- Car seats must be placed in a window seat or a middle seat in the centre row. Aisles must always be free for a path in an emergency. Make sure you reserve your seats in advance and let the airline know you’ll be bringing a car seat on board.
- And one thing that catches a lot of families off guard: your car seat may not be approved for use at your destination. If you’re flying between countries with different safety standards, check before you go.
Do You Need to Buy a Separate Seat for Your Child?
Children under two are normally entitled to fly on an adult’s lap. But if you want to use a car seat, you need to purchase a separate seat for them.
From our experience, buying a seat for long-haul travel is worth every cent, especially once your baby has outgrown the airline bassinet. Bassinets on most airlines are only suitable for babies up to about 8 months and 11kg — after that, a lap infant on a long flight is tough on everyone.
Yes, it costs extra. But compare it to the alternative: trying to hold a wriggly toddler on your lap for 12+ hours while also eating, sleeping, and keeping your sanity. We’ve done both. The seat wins every time.
Which Car Seats Are Approved for Air Travel?
This is the part that trips most families up — especially those of us living in Europe. In the US, nearly every car seat carries FAA approval for aircraft use. In Europe? The options are much more limited.
What Approval Labels to Look For
There are several certifications that airlines accept, and which one you need depends on your airline:
- FAA (Federal Aviation Administration): The US standard. Look for a white label on your car seat that reads “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Most US-based airlines require this.
- TÜV Rheinland: The European certification body for air travel approval. If your car seat has been tested and approved by TÜV, it will have a sticker confirming it’s suitable for use in aircraft. This is the one European airlines most commonly accept.
- ECE R44/04 or R129 (i-Size): These are general European car seat safety standards — but having one of these does NOT automatically mean your seat is approved for air travel. You need the specific aircraft approval sticker as well.
- Other regional standards: Some airlines also accept approvals from the UK’s CAA, Canada’s CMVSS, or Australia and New Zealand’s AS/NZS.
The key takeaway: always check the actual label on your car seat. And always confirm with your airline before your trip — don’t assume.
Best Travel Car Seats for Flying (If You’re Coming from the US)
If you’re an American family planning a trip to Switzerland — or anywhere in Europe — you’re actually in luck. Almost every US car seat carries FAA approval, which gives you far more options than those of us shopping for airline-approved seats in Europe.
That said, not every car seat is practical for air travel. You want something lightweight enough to carry one-handed, narrow enough to fit in an economy seat (most are between 43–46cm or roughly 17–18 inches), and ideally something you won’t cry over if it gets scuffed up in transit.
Here are the seats that travelling families swear by — and that I’d recommend if you’re flying into Zurich or Geneva with little ones:
- Doona Car Seat & Stroller: This all-in-one travel system is such a clever design. You’ve got a car set that converts into a stroller in seconds. This car seat suits infants up to only 15 kg (35lbs) → Doona on Amazon.
- WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat: If budget isn’t the main concern and you want the lightest possible option, the WAYB Pico weighs just 3.6kg (8 lbs) and folds flat — genuinely flat — into its own carry bag. It’s designed specifically for travel and works for children from 10–22.7kg (22–50 lbs) and 76–114cm tall. → WAYB Pico on Amazon.
- Graco SlimFit 3-in-1: A convertible seat that works rear-facing, forward-facing, and eventually as a high-back boosterIt’s heavier than the WAYB Pico at about 9kg (20 lbs), so it’s not the easiest to carry through an airport. But its slim design means it fits in most economy seats. → Graco SlimFit on Amazon.
Not sure what to pack for your kids once you arrive? Check our guides on what to wear in Switzerland in summer and autumn — the weather here catches a lot of visitors off guard
European Car Seats Approved for Flying
Finding an airline-approved car seat in Europe is harder than it should be. Here’s what’s currently available:
- Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 — This rear-facing infant seat carries TÜV certification for air travel. At 44cm wide, it’s a tight fit on some airlines, so check your airline’s seat width. It’s a good option for babies from birth to about 15kg. → Maxi-Cosi on Amazon.de
- Britax Römer Eclipse — This Group 1 seat (9–18kg, roughly 9 months to 4 years) remains one of the few European car seats approved for air travel and is hard to find. It has a narrow base, which helps it fit in airline seats. Important: you need to purchase the separate Britax Aircraft Fitting Kit before you can use it on a plane. The kit includes a belt shortener and a TÜV approval label.
- You can find a list of car seats approved by TÜV Rheinland for airline travel here.
If you can’t find an approved seat new, I’ve had luck buying second-hand on Ricardo (Switzerland’s version of eBay) and through Facebook preloved groups. Just make sure any used seat hasn’t been in an accident and that the approval labels are still intact.
Car seat rules in Switzerland are strict. Children must use an approved child restraint until they turn 12 or reach 150cm — whichever comes first. That’s older than many countries require. Car seats must carry ECE R44/04 or R129 (i-Size) certification, and fines apply if your child isn’t properly restrained. Most US car seats don’t carry this European certification, so if you’re bringing one from the States, check for the orange ECE label on the side. No label? Your safest bet is to rent an approved seat from your car rental company — just book early, especially in summer. Either way, having your child in a properly installed car seat is always safer than no seat at all.
Which One Should You Choose?
It comes down to how often you fly and what you need at your destination:
Flying once or twice a year and need a car seat at your destination? The Cosco Scenera Extend is the best value. It’s cheap enough that you won’t stress about airline handling, and it works perfectly well in a rental car.
Frequent flyer who wants maximum portability? The WAYB Pico is worth the investment. The fold-flat design and ultra-light weight make it the easiest seat to travel with, though you’ll still need a separate car seat for extended road use at your destination.
Want one seat for the plane and the rental car? The Graco SlimFit gives you the most versatility, but you’ll pay for it in weight at the airport. Consider a car seat travel cart or backpack carrier to make the trek manageable.
Once you’ve landed in Zurich and picked up your rental car, chances are you’ll be heading south at some point. If the Gotthard Tunnel is on your route, read our local’s guide to getting through it without the queues.
Good to know: Unlike in the US, it’s still uncommon to see car seats used on European flights. Flight attendants may not be familiar with them and may need to check their manual before confirming you can use yours. Bring your car seat’s instruction manual on board and have your airline’s car seat policy printed or saved on your phone. Being prepared makes the whole process smoother — I’ve learned this the hard way more than once at the gate.
Airline Policies for Car Seats in the Cabin
There’s a surprising amount of variation in airline car seat policies, so the most important thing is to check YOUR airline’s specific rules before you start shopping for a seat or packing for your trip.
Here’s how the airlines we fly from Switzerland most often handle it:
- SWISS: You can bring a car seat on board if you’ve booked a separate seat for your child. The seat must be certified for air travel, and its base must not exceed 40 x 40cm. SWISS also approves the CARES harness and the LUFTIKID restraint system. Their economy seat width is approximately 43cm, so measure your car seat first.
- Lufthansa: Lufthansa supports car seats on board and maintains a list of approved seats on their website. As a Lufthansa Group airline, their policies align closely with SWISS.
- Singapore Airlines: Accepts car seats and travel harnesses approved by the FAA, UK CAA, ECE (EU), CMVSS (Canada) and AS/NZS (Australia/New Zealand). They approve use for children aged 3 and under only.
- Emirates: Car seats must not exceed 44cm in width and must be TÜV- or FAA-approved. Forward-facing only.
- American Airlines: American accepts most car seats approved for motor vehicle use, as long as they have a solid back, restraint straps, and a label confirming they’re certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. They also accept seats with UN approval (the “E” label in a circle) and the CARES harness. Car seats must go in a window seat, and they’re not permitted in first or business class on certain aircraft with angled seats.
- United Airlines: Similar to American — FAA-approved car seats are welcome on board.
How to find your airline’s policy: Google “[your airline] car seat policy” or check their “travelling with children” page. When you find it, email the airline to confirm you’ll be bringing a car seat on board and that you’ve reserved appropriate seats. Get the confirmation in writing — it saves headaches at the gate.
Tips for Flying with a Car Seat (From Someone Who’s Done It Many Times)
After years of long-haul flights with car seats in tow, here’s what I wish someone had told me before our first trip:
- Board early. Take advantage of family priority boarding every single time. You need those extra minutes to get the car seat installed without the pressure of a queue forming behind you.
- Reserve a window seat. Car seats must go in the window seat (or centre seats of the middle row on wide-body aircraft). Book this in advance and confirm with the airline when you notify them about the car seat.
- Check your seat width. Use SeatGuru to look up the seat width on your specific aircraft. Most economy seats are between 43–46cm, but it varies. Measure your car seat at its widest point and compare before you fly.
- Practise the install at home. Thread a belt through the back of the car seat a few times before your trip. Airplane seatbelts are shorter than car ones, so knowing where everything goes helps enormously under pressure.
- Bring your documentation. Have the car seat manual, the airline’s car seat policy, and your seat reservation confirmation accessible. Flight crew — particularly on European airlines — may not be used to seeing car seats in the cabin and may need to verify that yours is approved.
- Consider a car seat carrier for the airport. Whether it’s a [backpack-style carrier](AFFILIATE LINK), a wheeled cart, or even just a sturdy strap, having a way to carry the seat without using your hands is a game-changer when you’re also managing kids, passports, and hand luggage.
Flying from Zurich or Geneva? Both Swiss airports offer family lanes at check-in, which is a lifesaver when you’re juggling a car seat, a stroller, and carry-on bags. At Zurich Airport, look for the family check-in area in Terminal 1 — the staff are used to families travelling with bulky child equipment and can help if you have questions about gate-checking versus cabin use.
A Lighter Alternative: The CARES Harness
Can’t find an approved car seat? Don’t want to deal with the weight? There’s a genuinely great alternative.
The CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) is the only FAA-approved safety harness designed specifically for airplane use. It weighs just 250g — about the size of a rolled-up t-shirt — and slips over the back of the airplane seat. It’s approved for children from 10kg to 20kg.
We switched to the CARES harness for our youngest when her car seat turned out to be too wide for the SWISS economy seats. I used it on multiple long-haul flights from Zurich to Singapore and beyond, and it became my go-to for that in-between stage when the kids were too big for a car seat but too small to sit safely with just a lap belt.
The biggest advantages over a car seat: it’s virtually weightless, gives your child access to the tray table, and installs in about two minutes. The trade-off is that it doesn’t recline and doesn’t raise your child up to screen height the way a car seat does.
I’ve written a detailed comparison of both options in my full CARES harness review, including a side-by-side table, what ages each works best for, and the honest pros and cons from years of use.
→ CARES harness on Amazon.com or Amazon.de
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