Everything You Need To Know About Flying With A Car Seat Safely

A kid's wellbeing is the number one priority of every responsible parent. However, transportation of any kind carries a certain degree of risk, which parents are never willing to take.

Regulations and policies concerned with this matter are continuously changing and updating. Sometimes, it is hard to follow the advisable thing when traveling with a child.

In this informative text, you may find all the essential information on the best ways to accommodate a child in a plane safely. If you have done some research yourself, you're probably considering flying with a car seat; and you're going in the right direction. 

While holding a child in your lap is a legitimate form of child accommodation on aircraft, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends mandatory restraints of children younger than two years.

To choose the safest option possible for your toddler, keep reading and get familiar with FAA and NTSB regulations, learn how to fly with a car seat safely, and what the other recommended alternatives are.

What Are the Official Regulations for Flying With Children in the USA?

Is Holding Your Child on a Lap Safe?

What Is the Advice of Pediatricians?

The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly encourages and even demands a federal regulation that would require mandatory use of a restraining system for children under two years of age on aircraft.

As they argue, even the pots of coffee need to be secured on a plane, yet toddlers do not. Moreover, cases of preventable deaths and injuries among toddlers were recorded during survivable plane crashes and turbulence, which further stresses the problem.

To answer the American Academy of Pediatrics, the FAA has issued a mandatory requirement for child safety seats (CSS) to cause even more injuries because parents who cannot afford another place for their toddlers decide to travel by car. Any viable data of statistics did not support these assumptions.

While the chances for a severe injury in aircraft are negligible, they should be entirely prevented. Therefore, The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly suggests CSS usage to ensure children’s maximum safety. As they say, CSS should be the first thing parents pack when flying with a toddler.

What Are the Child Safety Seats?

Child safety seats are hard-backed seats specially designed to ensure the safety of a child in transport. These seats are governmentally approved for use both in motor vehicles and aircraft.

There are also booster seats and harness vests, but while they are widely used in vehicles, the FAA does not recommend them for airplanes as they don't provide the appropriate protection during takeoffs and landings.

Not every car seat is suitable for airplane use, so make sure your seat has the "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" label on it.

When it comes to harnessing devices, the only booster seat approved by the FAA is the CARES harness device, approved for children from 22 to 44 pounds in weight. Also, these devices are only accepted in airplanes and not in vehicles.

What Is the Best Car Seat to Fly With?

Do I Need to Pay for Another Seat for My Child if I Am Using a Car Seat?

How to Properly Install a Car Seat on a Plane?

The problem with rear-facing seats is that sometimes the base can not fit the seat, or the seat belt buckle is on the way so the seat cannot match the base properly. If that is the situation, what you will have to do is install the seat without the base.

You can do so by closely sticking to these steps:

Now, if you're flying with a forward-facing car seat, these are the recommended steps to follow to install your seat correctly:

When it comes to the CARES child safety device, these are the steps you should follow to install the device in the airplane seat properly:

However accurate these instructions were, never forget to check the manufacturer's instructions for your device specifically. These are the most accurate and safe instructions; therefore, always refer to them first.

What Are the Regulations in Other Countries?

Canada has pretty much the same regulations when it comes to flying with car seats as the USA. Namely, children under the age of two can be held on the lap of a parent, but they strongly recommend using child safety seats. The seats need to comply with Canadian and international standards that you can check on this link.

CARES child safety devices are accepted only on some airlines, so you would need to check it with your airline upfront.

The devices they do not accept on aircraft are booster seats, vests and harnesses, infant carriers, belly and loop belts.

Also, Canada demands one responsible grown-up for one child; therefore, you will need another adult to fly if you travel with two kids.

Europe has slightly different standards when it comes to the regulation of flying with children. They also allow for a child younger than two years to sit on an adult's lap, but they provide an infant seat belt to secure your child. This is necessary.

You might have to contact your specific airline for information on whether the car seat can be used on their airplane, even if it's approved for use on aircraft; in Europe, it depends on the airline policy whether you can use it or not.

You can also use the ISOFIX and high-back booster seats in some European regions; more information you can find in this official leaflet, and consult your airline for the info. Other devices approved for aircraft use in Europe are the Meru Travel Chair, Baby Bassinet, and Amsafe CARES device.

Once again, always contact your airlines for accurate information, since in Europe, the policy on the use of CSS on aircraft depends on the airline's policy. The additional information you can find on the official site of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

How to Prepare for Flying With Children?

It is strongly advised to contact your airlines and inform them that you will be flying with a child. They will provide all the essential information you need and brief you on their policies on the matter.

Always ask about the pre-boarding options, and If the airline allows it, don't miss it by any means. Pre-boarding will spare you the trouble because you need extra time carrying a car seat and caring about your youngster. Pre-boarding will provide more time for you to install the device, and the staff will have time to brief you on the safety measures for you and your child.

Also, make sure you bring everything necessary for your child. The recommendations include the approved safety car seat (check with your airline), a stroller (check with your airline), diapers, wet wipes, change of clothes, a pacifier, formula, changing pad, bottles with water, medications, snacks, favorite toys, books or cartoons, etc.

These are the standard recommendations, but I am sure every mother knows best what her child needs; just make sure you're fully prepared for the entire flight duration.

How to Take Your Car Seat to the Airplane?

This is the part where you get creative. The standard and frankly, the simplest way is to carry the car seat by yourself; this way, you will avoid any extra luggage or device that you will need to take with you on the plane and have to carry when you get to the destination.

Some people use foldable strollers as they are very compact, but you'll need to gate check it and still carry the car seat to the airplane. Another incredible option is to use the car seat cart and then fold and store it in the carry bag and check it at the gate. It is always advisable to come with another adult if you're traveling with a really young child.

You will have a lot of trouble taking care of your kid's safety and bringing all that baggage with you. Sometimes you can get tired, frustrated, or simply exhausted, which may result in a lack of energy for your little one.

Be responsible, organize your flight ahead, ask someone to join you on the plane, and help you with the car seat and luggage; and If you're traveling with more than one kid, do not by any means travel alone. In the case of an emergency, evacuating two kids at once is almost impossible and may jeopardize other passengers' safety.

Final Thoughts