Sorry to dig up this thread again, but I have a similar question, but with some twists:

1. Does this free baby stroller/car seat allowance apply if the ticket holder isn't travelling with a child? A friend of mine is coming to the US for business, and she is buying a baby car seat to bring back to her home country. Her child is not coming (she is flying by herself).

2. Unfortunately, the box totals 69 inches (7" more than the linear limit). I helped her purchase the item and I've measured the ASSEMBLED car seat to be ~61" (maximum length + width + depth). I cannot shorten the box by remove any dimension to the box to meet the 62" limit (the car seat is packed with no foam protection!)

She is flying business class and doesn't have a problem with the luggage limit, but would feel better if the seat can be kept in the box. The box shows quite obviously that the content is a baby car seat (figure and description clearly shown).

The alternative would be to either custom-make a cardbox box for her, or just wrap the new car seat in plastic. Either way, she would have to pray that Delta won't break it.