FAA Approved Car Seats
FAA Approved Car Seats
If you are planning airplane travel with a child under the age of four, there are several issues regarding FAA approved car seats you should consider. First, it is important to note the FAA does not require the use of a car seat during air travel. In fact, most airlines will allow you to hold children up to two years old on your lap without buying them a ticket. Some airlines may charge small administration fees, but for the most part small children can fly for free as long as they share the seat with the constrained adult.
Before you make this choice, however, you should evaluate your ability to endure this condition over the length of the flight as well as your ability to protect a child under extreme flight circumstances such as turbulence. Keeping a child occupied and happy while they are sitting on your lap for more than an hour is a daunting task; even for the most patient and resourceful parent. But most importantly, you should anticipate what will occur during turbulence. Moderate turbulence is defined as when a plane suddenly loses up to 20′ of altitude, and this happens more often than you might suspect.
If you are pitched forward during one of these types of incidents, it is likely even a strong, healthy parent will injure the child on his lap. For these reasons, it is recommended by the FAA and other safety organizations that children up to the age of four have their own seats with an FAA approved car seat during all flights, but particularly during flights lasting more than an hour. This may change as there is legislation currently being considered by Congress that will require FAA approved car seats for all children under four.
If you decide to use FAA approved car seats during your next trip with your kids, there are several important issues to be aware of. By far the most crucial is that the car seat is FAA approved. Not all car seats have this rating. Before you purchase the car seat, check the sticker on the side of the seat that declares the seat is approved for use in cars and airplanes.
The sticker will contain these exact words printed in red. “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” If these words do not appear on the seat, the security personnel at the gate will not allow the seat through security. Another factor is the size of the seat. A declaration in red that the FAA approved car seat is appropriate for flight safety does not guarantee the seat will fit in the airplane seat you have purchased.
You can check online with SeatGuru.com to see if the brand of seat you are considering is sized properly for your airline seat. Again, if the seat does not fit, security will not allow the plane to take off. FAA approved car seats are an important part of flight safety, but proper preparation is required to avoid embarrassment and delay.