Car seats on planes: rules by airline
Whether you can check a car seat free, and whether your baby can sit in it on board, depends on the airline. Onboard use usually needs a booked seat and an approved seat. Compare the rules below.
| Airline | Car seat rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Counts towards the two free items above. | Official page |
| easyJet | If the infant has their own seat, a suitable forward-facing car seat is needed for take-off and landing. | Official page |
| Ryanair | Onboard use requires a booked seat. Seats must be forward-facing, aircraft-approved, max 43 cm wide, with a 5-point harness. | Official page |
| Jet2 | Included in the two free items. | Official page |
| TUI Airways | Checked free, as above. | Official page |
| Virgin Atlantic | One car seat or booster seat free, on top of the allowance. | Official page |
| Aer Lingus | One car seat, booster seat or travel cot free. | Official page |
| KLM | One car seat or CARES free. Onboard use requires a booked seat, air certification, max 42 cm wide, and a reservation at least 48 hours ahead. | Official page |
| Air France | One car seat checked free. Onboard: an approved seat or CARES, max 44 cm wide. | Official page |
| Lufthansa | Car seat or baby basket free. Onboard use requires a child ticket and a certified seat secured with the lap belt. | Official page |
| Emirates | Onboard in a separate seat: aircraft-approved and forward-facing, secured with the lap belt. Emirates doesn't provide child restraints. | Official page |
| Qatar Airways | One car seat free only if the infant has their own seat. | Official page |
| American Airlines | One car seat checked free. | Official page |
| Delta | Onboard needs a purchased seat and an FAA-approved or foreign-government/UN-approved restraint, or CARES. Boosters not allowed. Window seat preferred. | Official page |
| United | Not verified yet | Official page |
Summarised from each airline's official page, checked 2026-10-14. Rules change: confirm with your airline before you fly.
Lightest infant car seats we list
| Product | Weight | Suitable for | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joie i-Snug 2 | 3.35 kg | Birth to 75 cm | £105 RRP | Check price at Joie |
| CYBEX Cloud T i-Size | 4.5 kg | 45–87 cm, up to 13 kg | £199.95 RRP | Check price at CYBEX |
| Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro² | 4.7 kg | 40–87 cm, up to 13 kg | £259.99 RRP | Check price at Maxi-Cosi |
Blank cells: not yet verified from the maker's official page.
FAQ
Can my baby sit in their car seat on the plane?
Usually only if you book them their own seat and the car seat meets the airline's rules. Ryanair: Onboard use requires a booked seat. Seats must be forward-facing, aircraft-approved, max 43 cm wide, with a 5-point harness.
Do car seats fly free?
Many airlines carry one free. easyJet, for example, includes it in its free child items; see the table for each airline.
Related guides
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