FAA regulations - under 2 years

[Jan06twinmom]

I thought I remember reading that if you buy an airline ticket for an infant (child under 2 years old), then you are required to use a car seat on the plane for that child.

If this is correct, can someone please tell me where to find the information?

If I'm making something up, please tell me that too!

I know all of the compelling reasons for using a car seat on a plane. However, I'm not sure that those reasons are going to help me. If there is a relevant regulation, then that would be helpful. I'd really prefer that my 16 month old 22lbs niece is in her car seat for the flights she is taking over the next several week.s

Thanks!

Melanie

 

[ketchupqueen]

I believe that is an FAA regulation, and that policy should be stated on the website of the individual airline. If you tell me what airline, I can try to help you find it.

 

[Jan06twinmom]

Delta and Jetblue

 

[LISmama810]

I don't believe there is any FAA requirement that parents have to use car seats for their kids.

I *think*--but am in no way positive--that if you buy a ticket for a child under 2, the child has to be in his/her own seat during takeoff and landing. So in that sense, a car seat might be required, because how is a 6-week-old going to sit in the seat? At the same time, the FAA doesn't care if a 25-month-old is harnessed, so why would they care if a 23-month-old is?

I guess I don't really know the answer. But I'm guessing no.

There is an FAA requirement that airlines must allow the use of car seats if a ticket has been purchased for a child.

 

[LISmama810]

Here's what JetBlue says:

Infants and children may occupy a seat with or without a child restraint system. If the infant is not in a child restraint system, they must be able to sit upright.

So a 7-month-old is perfectly fine an an adult seatbelt! (That's sarcasm. A 7-month-old is NOT fine in an adult seatbelt.)

Haven't checked Delta yet. Will do that now. ETA: I didn't find it addressed one way or another on Delta's site. (https://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_for_children/index.jsp)

Unfortunately, if JetBlue doesn't mind babies sitting in their own seatbelts, it's obviously not a regulation, and I'd imagine Delta is fine with it, too.

 

[Jan06twinmom]

Thanks for your help!

Melanie

 

[AmandaR]

On Delta, they do not have to be in their own seat for take off. We always buy DD a seat and always take her car seat, but during one take off she was crying so I picked her up and that was fine. She did remain buckled for the rest of the flight though. I've flown with her and 5, 7, and 8 months and will fly with her again at 11 months in 3 days.

 

[Mummy2Summer]

I have flown several times on international flights, all flights DD never had a carseat she was a lap child. We have flown Qantas and United, on United I just held her, with Qantas she had to have a seatbelt that was attached to my seatbelt.

When we fly in a few months I am buying her a seat and taking her carseat.

 

[Eclipsepearl]

Double seat belts or "belly belts" are banned on U.S. companies for safety reasons. The adult's torso can come down on the baby so they are in fact safer loose in the adult's lap.

It's actually required to have the child in the car seat for take-off and landing because technically, you can't strap bags into seats and if your car seat is strapped in, that's what is not allowed. I'm surprised how many parents didn't want to put their children in the car seat because they were "crying". I think their safety is more important! Besides, when my children were strapped in and realized it was a non-negotiable issue, they stopped!

It's better that a child be safe in their seat and the adult can concentrate on consoling him or her in the car seat rather than balancing the child on their lap. It wouldn't be any different in the car (we hope!)

We were told that under two's had to have a car seat to occupy a seat. Now there's the CARES harness for those over a year. I haven't flown in a few years but I can check...

 

[gecikuh]

On Delta, they do not have to be in their own seat for take off. We always buy DD a seat and always take her car seat, but during one take off she was crying so I picked her up and that was fine. She did remain buckled for the rest of the flight though. I've flown with her and 5, 7, and 8 months and will fly with her again at 11 months in 3 days.

you are flying 8 months pregnant?? i couldn't do it

 

[Eclipsepearl]

I flew pregnant with a toddler and then later with two, alone between Europe and California round trip. It can be done! The car seat did make it easier...

 

[ketchupqueen]

Last time I flew pregnant (5 1/2 or 6 months, I think) I got horrid edema in my legs (despite my pressure hose) that lasted the rest of my pregnancy.