[texens]

I'm taking a domestic flight later this month (Indigo) and will be driving back. My wife and 1 year old kid will be accompanying in both the directions. How do I carry a baby car seat in the flight? Indigo's website says that they allow 1 pram or stroller per infant without any charges, but it doesn't say anything about a baby car seat. I tried reaching out to their customer service, but they just won't get me a human to talk to, and their AI bot is not much help.
Does anybody have experience flying with a baby car seat in a domestic flight? The car seat is decently sized and heavy at 30Kgs, and hence I'm a little sceptical on whether it'll be allowed or not.

[libranof1987]

I believe you can carry a baby carry cot / pram / stroller (assuming they can be completed folded) in the cabin without charge, but the car seat would have to be checked-in, and isn't a complimentary additional item. The weight would be considered within the allowance.

Try tweeting them, if that gets a response quicker.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by texens

The car seat is decently sized and heavy at 30Kgs, and hence I'm a little sceptical on whether it'll be allowed or not.

30kg! I am assuming this is the full setup with the base and all. That is overkill and you will need to check it in. What you can do is to take along the actual seat if detachable. Else pick up a reputed smaller one:

https://www.amazon.in/Rabbits-Picabo...s%2C297&sr=8-4

https://www.amazon.in/Trumom-Infant-...%2C297&sr=8-15

Originally Posted by libranof1987

I believe you can carry a baby carry cot / pram / stroller (assuming they can be completed folded) in the cabin without charge, but the car seat would have to be checked-in, and isn't a complimentary additional item. The weight would be considered within the allowance.

Correct! It will be treated as another baggage unit and treated accordingly. Also suggest getting it nicely wrapped in industrial cling to keep it sanitary and safe.

[Raghu M]

I have the same question. Can the baby chair just be checked in and flown if it's within normal weight range? I have no other luggage and this is just the one item.

[deep_bang]

A decade ago I was able to just carry my car seat in a flight and put it onto the seat in the plane. However this was for an international flight and so it may not apply to domestic flights. However the flight operator should be able to conclusively answer this. In this mode I did not have to weigh the seat itself to justify if it's within limits.

[texens]

My bad, it's 13Kgs, and not 30Kgs (Chicco Nextfit Zip - https://www.amazon.in/Chicco-NextFit.../dp/B09PGMJYQ7).

There is no option to fold the car seat. Given that I learned now that it's just 13 Kgs, and probably a max of 15 Kgs after all the packing and stuff, I should be able to check it in. The other option is to just ship it via surface couriers like DTDC, Gati, etc.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

[NomadSK]

Another thing which I saw once, if the seat doesn’t pass through the X-ray machine of CISF, you won’t be allowed to take it in, so will have to either discard it there or hand it over outside to someone known !

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by texens

The other option is to just ship it via surface couriers like DTDC, Gati, etc.

Are you renting a vehicle where you're flying? If so, perhaps you can check if they can offer a car seat there? When we went to Sri Lanka, we asked our tour operator to provide a car seat in the vehicle (and driver) we were assigned. So, perhaps that can be something you can work out.

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by texens

The other option is to just ship it via surface couriers like DTDC, Gati, etc. !

I would have packed it very well in a carton and used a door to door service like Delhivery. They have just launched a 15-50kg service too. Check them out.

[invidious]

I’ve carried it a few times but internationally, not domestically. Carried stroller as well as car seat. I wasn’t charged anything. I requested the stroller to be made available to me when the plane lands and it has been brought from the flight cargo hold to either the Tarmac or the aero bridge.

But if you are flying Indigo, all bets are off.

[deathwalkr]

Originally Posted by texens

I'm taking a domestic flight later this month (Indigo) and will be driving back.

Are you wanting to keep your child on the car seat itself on the adjacent seat while on the flight or are you planning to keep your child on your lap and stash the car seat?

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Are you wanting to keep your child on the car seat itself on the adjacent seat while on the flight or are you planning to keep your child on your lap and stash the car seat?

Full confusion!

If I understand correctly, he is not planning to carry the car seat into the airplane cabin, but instead needs to install it in a car for the drive back!

Mods: please edit the title for better clarity.

[sse]

I am not sure if my answer would be helpful, but here it goes -

Couple of months ago, I flew on Indigo from Madurai to B'lore and then to Hong Kong with a R for Rabbit Carry Cot for my 6 month old baby. In Madurai Airport we were told we have to place it in a box or wrap it and then book it as a luggage ( Check-in Baggage ). It cannot be taken inside aircraft as it'd not fit inside cabin storage. I usually ask my car to hold back till we complete check-in so we decided not to take it along with us considering the hassle and returned it back to my home.

We purchased another carrycot in HK and on our return from HK to B'lore to Madurai, We packed it in the same box we purchased. In airport, on enquiry, they gave us options -

1. To book as hand baggage with the box (or)
2. Unbox it and take it as cabin baggage (!!!!) - Which was surprising.

We chose option 1.

From B'lore to Madurai, we did the same. Put the cot in check-in baggage.

My suggestion would be, box it and check-in the luggage. Else it is a hit or miss.

[texens]

Originally Posted by deathwalkr

Are you wanting to keep your child on the car seat itself on the adjacent seat while on the flight or are you planning to keep your child on your lap and stash the car seat?

Keeping the car seat on the adjacent seat will require me spending 8-10k to book an additional seat - something I'd like to avoid. I'll stash the car seat in the flight.
I'll be using the car seat on my 1800Km long drive back home.

[nimbus1]

My two bits. No need to carry a car seat as it is too short a flight assuming you dont have lay overs or are not taking those 12Hr. ones for a short distance. You can ask your wife to hold the little one in her lap (a mother knows best how to hold a child in super comfort) and keep a feeding bottle or a pacifier ready during takeoff and landing and watch your child travel like a boss baby.

You may also give chocolates or goodies to your co-passengers incase (which will happen) your child decides to entertain the passengers with some loud crying.

PS: I have had two babies now and have never carried a car seat in a domestic flight nor have distributed goodies though, just a smile or a hard look has sorted things out (you get the air), as far as children are concerned they will do what they want and despite having the comfiest car seat in the world they will decide to travel in their parents lap.