How do I know what type of child seat is approved for use on an airplane?

Question

We're flying to Texas with our four kids next month, two on the lap, and two have seats, and I need to bring carseats/booster seats anyway for our rental car, but how do I know what's approved for use on the plane? I've checked AA website, but all it says is "must be FAA approved" but I don't know where to find out if our seats are or aren't or what the requirements are.

Answer 1

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I fly a lot with my three children. Here is the page on the FAA website that tells you whether your seat is FAA approved;

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

Most car seats for children up to 40lbs are FAA approved, as are some that go beyond that weight.

Boosters are *never* FAA approved because the seat has to have a hard back and an internal harness. Airplane seatbacks collapse for emergency evacuations (unlike your car) so boosters don't protect and there is no shoulder belt that the booster helps position.

Good for you for bringing your own car seats and boosters and not using ones provided from the rental car company. I had a bad experience with a rented car seat and I now always bring my own. This, I understand, is not uncommon.

It is possible to use the CARES harness that is pictured in the above link but at $75, it can only be used in the airplane.

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

Also, it's not a good idea to check car seats. The CARES harness website has upset a lot of car seat techs with their suggestion that you check the seat and then use their product. Car seats can easily be damaged, not to mention lost, in the luggage hold so try to use them on board.

At check-in, ask if there are any free seats and see if they can put a "block" on two seats near you. They will then only use them if needed. Then you can bring your car seats on board and use them. Your children will be both more comfortable and safer in their seats and you wont have to worry about the seats getting lost or damaged in luggage. Three of our four bags didn't make it the last time we flew but our car seat was with us so my daugher was safe on the 2 hour drive home.

Bring the seats to the gate in either case. First, you don't know if you can manage empty places up to the last minute (missed connections, delays, etc.) and also, that will mean that the car seats will be gate-checked with the wheelchairs and strollers, thus less likely to be damaged.

For your booster seats, pack them in your luggage surrounded by soft things. They are sturdier and less likely to be damaged. Some people bring them on board so that they'll for sure get to the destination but with four children, this might not be very practical.

To get your seats through the airport, there are all sorts of gizmos sold. These are just examples;

http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-...

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/...

Some parents manage to bungee cord their car seat to the stroller or I simply use an all-metal luggage cart, the small ones that fold. I secure it with a bungee and it works great.

There is a lot of information on flying with children on the web but few written by people who actually directly worked for the airlines. Many are also commercial. About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on this subject for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience.

For more information on packing, security, and other issues, feel free to visit;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Good luck getting extra seats and have a good time in Texas!

Answer 2

Airlines recommend children under 40lbs have their own seat with a child safety device - a CRS (Child Restraint System - otherwise known as a car seat) - because it is safe for the child (especially during turbulence), makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, will help your child sleep, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit. Also, if the child is under 40lbs, the airplane seat belts will be too loose and will not restrain them properly.

Booster seats are NOT approved for use on airplanes.

In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. Here is a picture of what the sticker looks like: http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/flyin...

There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, and is approved for kids 22–44 lbs. If you don't want to be bothered by taking a car seat, and especially if you do a lot of traveling, then this is another very handy device. http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. You should call your airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.

Try to book "bulkhead" or front row seats for some extra space.

If you haven't booked separate seats for your other two children, be nice on check-in and see if they can "block" the seats next to you. They will then only use them if they absolutely need it - giving you free seats! Ask about booking a bassinet for your two youngest in the event there are no empty seats next to you. Bassinets are limited, and not available on every flight. If the bassinet is available (they can only be used in bulkhead seats) it will attach to the front wall for you to put your child in (however you can not use this during taxi, take-offs, landings, or turbulence).

If you choose not to use your childrens car seats for the plane ride, you will be allowed to gate check them (along with a stroller). It will not count towards your checked luggage. This means that you will need to take them with you to your boarding gate, & one of the handlers will take it from you before you depart, tag it, & put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.

There are many products out there designed to help the traveling family. Here's a product that can attach to most car seats so that you can use it as a stroller and get it through the airport more easily. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6, and 5 months). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights.

I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/f...

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Answer 3

It's not necessary to use carseats on airplanes, however, if you feel more comfortable doing so....then do so.  Don't call, just look at the side or back of your carseat...there should be a sticker on it.  Read the fine print, if it's approved for use on an airplane, it will say so on the label!  If it's not approved, you have no choice NOT to use it on the plane.

Answer 4

Yep, call the Airport or your local travel agent may be able to email you a list, don't you hate it when nobody can just give you the info as standard ticketing information when you book the kids in.

Answer 5

You should call up the airport.

Ive seen regular carseats in there before. Im sure it doesnt matter as long as it is safe for the car it should be safe for the airplane!!

Booster seats shouldnt be a problem.

Answer 6

Plan on checking  your child auto seats. Children do not need a special seat for an aircraft. The infants you will hold in your laps.

Regards,

Dan

Give AA reservations a call and see.