Do we have to check in car seat for small baby? Will it get trashed in transit??

[Pannacotta]

We are off on hols this week and DS2 is only 4 months, so we are taking a car seat with us. Have never done this before (have hired on arrival) so not sure if we need to check the car seat in with our luggage?
If so do we need to pack it securely and any tips on how to do this given DS2 will be travelling to the airport in this seat?
TIA

Anyone know about this? I cant get through to anyone at the airport...
Thanks

The best thing is to ask if you can take it on board
Usually you can get the small ones like Britax in the overhead compartment

Make sure they tag it at check in then if it doesn't fit they will pop it in with the pushchairs

Best thing for packing is a clear plastic bag

Who are you flying with? SAS will sell you a bag for 6 euros

we always check ours in with luggage. never had a problem.

Thanks, we're flying with Air Malta, not as good as SAS IMO, just concerned how to package it quickly at the airport if we need to check it in. Is a plastic bag enough to protect it? Am wondering if we ought to buy a cheap holdall type thing to put it in, just in case.

we just put ours in a plastic bag.

We just put ours in the hold as it was - made sure the handle wasn't sticking up was the only thing. Done this a few times now and no problems - worst that happened was a slight mark has appeared on the fabric of the seat.

Sorry to be the voice of doom, but we checked ours in and it got broken - polystyrene padding broken off the "wings". As it was under the cover we didn't realise for a while what had happened. If you can't take it on the plane with you may be worth trying to wrap it up a bit, and certainly check it properly for damage when you get off so you can claim if there is a problem.

We have flown many times with a baby seat and a stage 2 seat
Stage 2 seat got damaged once

I think they are better in clear plastic so they can see what it is

Other option is to buy a padded bag

Check your insurance excess too - for the damaged seat I only got 50 quid back

ours is covered on our household insurance.

Thanks all, will try and protect it best we can (if wee check it in), we need the seat when we arrive (car seats not too good in Malta).