In February, 2014, a baby was thrown from its mother’s arms and five people were injured badly enough to go to the hospital when a United Airlines flight hit severe turbulence. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require children under two years old to have their own seat on an airplane. Technically, your baby can ride in your lap. But, the FAA does strongly recommend that you use a child safety restraint system (CRS) instead. Although plane crashes are rare, turbulence is common and severe turbulence can rip your child from your arms and fling him into the cabin or other passengers.
Making Sure You Can Use Your Child Restraint
Don’t plan on taking your child’s car seat on the plane. Only government-approved devices can be used on planes. Look for the words, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft,” printed on your CRS or other device. Otherwise you may have to check the device.
Also, you will probably have to pay for the extra seat for your baby. You need to reserve adjoining seats, and your baby or child should be placed in a window seat.
Choosing the Right Safety Restraint for Your Child
The basic guidelines are based on your child’s weight:
- Under 20 pounds – rear-facing CRS
- 20 to 40 pounds – forward-facing CRS
- Over 40 pounds – airplane seat belt
The FAA has approved a child restraint device, called CARES, for children between 22 and 44 pounds. It is a special harness-style device that cannot be used in cars.
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