Traveling with your baby can be quite an exciting experience, but parents usually skip out on purchasing an extra seat on the airplane for their baby. If they do choose to get a seat for their child, the American FAA recommends using an approved child safety device, especially for babies under two. Installing a car seat on airlines can allow both parents and toddlers to be more comfortable for the duration of the journey without making the child spend the entire time on their parent's lap. When selecting an air travel car seat, there are a few factors that should be considered.

What to look for in air travel car seat

If you plan to travel with your little one, picking the right travel-friendly car seat can make your trip that much smoother.

• Width

According to the FAA, airline-approved car seats should not be more than 16 inches, making it harder to find since the average travel car seat is usually between 17 to 20 inches. However, as long as the travel seat has the appropriate certified label of approval for airline use, parents shouldn't worry about the width too much.

• Weight

The car seat should be lightweight, so it is easy to carry through airport security checks as well as to and from the airplane. Don't forget the extra things you'll be carrying along with your overhead baggage. Ideally, the car seat's weight should be less than 10 lbs., which is slightly less than the average weight of 10 to 20 pounds, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find the right car seat.

• FAA Approval

Car seats need to have the FAA's sticker of approval that states the restraint is certified for use on airlines. A label is present on quite a few models, but it might be easier to invest in a lightweight model to make traveling less of a burden. Generally, all car seats need to check a few safety boxes so they can be used on airlines, so be sure to read the sticker before making the purchase.

• Convertible Seats

An easy-to-fold and convertible car seat that is either forward or rear-facing can be used on airplanes if they meet the FAA standards. The convertible seats can be used for years to come as the seat and restraints can be adjusted to accommodate babies between 5 lbs. and 65 lbs.

Top picks for the best airline approved car seat

Take a look at these FAA-approved travel car seats capable of making any journey easier and more comfortable for infants and toddlers.

1. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible Car Seat

The rear-facing car seat weighs 21 lbs. and can carry babies between the weight of 5 and 45 lbs. The seat is also 18.5" wide at the point where the handle connects to the body of the car seat, allowing the seat to take up less space in any vehicle. However, the weight of the seat is 21 lbs. making it feel slightly heavy when lifting and installing in any vehicle

2. NUNA Pipa Lite R Infant Car Seat with RELX Base

This lightweight car seat weighs only 5.3 lbs. and ultra-portable. FAA certified for aircraft when used with the base. The 17.5" wide seat can carry children from 4 to 32 lbs. It even features a swift and easy installation system.

3. DOONA Infant Car Seat

This car seat is suitable for infants between 4 and 35 lbs and approved by the FAA. The rear-facing car seat weighs about 16.5 lbs and has a width of 17.3", making it appropriate for air travel use. This dual model can be used as a stroller and car seat, which is even more ideal for air travel as you can push your baby around the airport, and once boarded, you can have a readily available car seat.

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