You’re finally going on your family vacation. But making sure your children are safe and comfortable can be a weight on your mind. If you’re flying with JetBlue, you can make traveling with children a child’s play by using our handy guide to their car seat policy.
When you fly with JetBlue, strollers and car seats don’t count toward your carry-on and checked bag allowance. As long as you’ve purchased a seat for your child, you can bring your car seat free of charge.
If you’re new to parenting, there are so many aspects of traveling that you’ve never considered before. There’s no need to be overwhelmed as this article will cover some of your top concerns.
Bringing a car seat on board
If your child is over two or you want them to have their own seat for the journey, you’ll need to pay for an extra seat. If your child can sit up unassisted, they aren’t required to have a car seat. But as long as your child has their own seat, you can bring an FAA-approved car seat on board. Non-FAA-approved car seats may not be allowed on the flight.
If you haven’t bought a seat for your child you could also go with your car seat to the gate and see if there are any empty seats left next to you. But remember if there isn’t, the airline will ask you to check it.
JetBlue doesn’t specify the maximum dimensions of a car seat for their flights. They only ask that it is FAA approved and fits on the airplane seat. You can find JetBlue’s set dimensions on their website. If you can’t find the aircraft you’re flying with or are still unsure, contact JetBlue and ask them to confirm.
Flying with young ones on JetBlue
Children can fly for free and sit on your lap from three days old to two years old. Remember to bring proof of age like a passport, birth certificate, or immunization record. Flights outside of the US may require you to pay an infant tax even though you’re not paying for a seat. If you’re traveling with a child on your lap, a diaper bag doesn’t count towards your carry-on allowance.
Check here for more about traveling with a child on your lap.
If you’re traveling with strollers and car seats but you don’t need them while flying, you can check them in the hold at no extra charge. A child traveling with only one of his/her parents may need to present a minor travel consent form. And remember that basic fares don’t allow you to choose your seats, so if you want to be sat together, you’re better off booking a fare that includes advance seat selection.
Traveling with children can feel chaotic at the best of times, which is why JetBlue offers preboarding for families with children under two, so you can get on the plane early and have time to settle in. You can keep kids happy throughout your flight with Jet Blue’s excellent in-flight entertainment. With Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Animal Planet on offer, you’re unlikely to hear a peep out of them. If you’re nervous about flying with your children, this article gives you a step-by-step guide to the whole process.
Car seat 101
The FAA recommends a car seat over keeping your baby on your lap. This is because during turbulence, a car seat will support their head better . As long as a car seat is FAA-approved, it should be adequate enough protection for your child. But you can choose to buy ones with super convenient features if you want to, like adjustable straps or luggage rollers on the bottom.
You’ll attach the car seat to the airplane chair in the exact same way you would in a car. Face them backward and attach them to the seat with the seatbelt. But if you’re having trouble or feeling overwhelmed, the air stewards see this kind of thing all the time and should be more than happy to lend a hand.
Remember that car seat regulations can change if you’re traveling abroad. Different airlines may have different approaches to passengers with car seats. It’s always best to check directly with the airline before you travel if you have any doubts. There are lots of things to consider when bringing young children on your trip, but this article on traveling with a car seat helps to take away some of the headaches.
Does my breast pump count toward my hand luggage?
A breast pump is classed as an assistive device and doesn’t count toward your hand luggage. If you’re traveling with young children, strollers, diaper bags, breast pumps, and car seats don’t usually count towards your carry-on or checked baggage allowance. Once on board, you can stow diaper bags and breast pumps under your seat.
Can my child collect air miles?
You can sign up for JetBlue’s Points reward scheme at any age. As long as you have an account, you can log in and enroll your kids 13 and under. Families and friends can use JetBlue’s points pooling to combine all their points in one place. Start building up their points now so you can give your children the gift of travel!
Can I bring baby food on the plane?
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food are medically necessary liquids. The TSA will allow you to bring all of them through security. Ice packs, cooling gels, and other accessories for keeping baby food and milk cold, are all allowed in your carry on too.
You should take everything out to be screened separately from your other belongings. They may perform extra checks to make sure they aren’t concealing prohibited items. You don’t have to, but if you want to speed up the process, it’s easier to transport the liquids in clear pouches rather than bottles.
