Air Travel Tips: Carrying Your Child's Car Seat on an Airplane
Travelling with young children can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to air travel. To ensure the safety and comfort of your little ones, it's essential to understand the regulations and guidelines for taking a child car seat on a flight.
Firstly, it's crucial to note that the car seat must be FAA-approved for aircraft use. This means it conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and is certified for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.
When flying, a child car seat can only be used if you have purchased a separate seat for the child. Most U.S. airlines allow children under 2 years old to travel as lap infants, but if you want the child to travel secured in a car seat, you must buy a seat for them on the plane.
It's important to remember that car seats can only be installed in certain seat types and positions. Airlines like Alaska Airlines restrict car seat use in aisle seats, emergency exit rows, and some other specific rows for safety and emergency egress reasons. Placement is often recommended in a window seat or middle seat if a window seat isn’t available.
Moreover, car seats may have size restrictions depending on aircraft model. For example, car seats wider than approximately 17 to 17.5 inches may not fit on certain Boeing 737 aircraft.
Airlines require that the restraint functions correctly and is free of obvious defects. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that your child's car seat is properly installed and functional before the flight.
The FAA recommends that children over age 2 and under 40 pounds use a car seat on the plane, while children over 40 pounds can use the airplane seat belt. Rear-facing car seats are recommended for infants under 2, with some parents practicing extended rear-facing up to age 3 or 4 if the seat supports it.
Because policies vary by airline and aircraft, it is best to check directly with your airline before travel to confirm their specific car seat requirements and any size or placement restrictions.
When driving abroad, IAM RoadSmart advises parents to travel with a child car seat as not all car hire companies will provide them. It's also recommended to plan the journey, including checking where the hire car company is located, and to pack snacks, toys, games, and books to keep children comfortable during the journey.
In summary, flying with a child car seat is allowed if the seat is FAA-approved, you have purchased a seat for the child, and you follow airline restrictions on seating locations and seat size. The FAA recommends car seats for young children for enhanced safety during flights.
For more detailed information on airline rules and regulations, eSky.co.uk has a comprehensive guide. Some airlines allow certain baby equipment, like car seats and strollers, to be checked or carried free of charge, so it's worth checking with your airline in advance.
Richard Gladman of IAM RoadSmart advises, "If travelling a long distance, try to arrange your travel to coincide with nap time or bed time - this may make for a more relaxing drive for you and the children. For short journeys, encourage simple games."
- When driving abroad, it's advisable to travel with a child car seat, as not all car hire companies may provide them.
- Placing a rear-facing car seat for infants under 2 years old is recommended, with some parents opting for extended rear-facing up to age 3 or 4 if the seat supports it.
- A vacation or travel lifestyle can be more enjoyable when considering family-dynamics and relationships, such as scheduling travel during nap times for a more relaxed drive.
- On a plane journey, car seats for young children are recommended for enhanced safety, with the FAA recommending children over age 2 and under 40 pounds to use a car seat instead of the airplane seat belt.
- For car seats to be used on a flight, they must be FAA-approved, purchased separately for the child, and follow the airline's specific seating location and size restrictions, such as not using aisle seats or seats wider than approximately 17 to 17.5 inches on certain Boeing 737 aircraft.
- To keep children comfortable during air travel, parents might consider packing snacks, toys, games, and books for entertainment, while also ensuring the car seat is properly installed and functional before the flight.
