Steve Robinson

Challenge of Infants Flying in Their Own Seats

Given the availability of cheap airfares and cheap vacation packages, parents are more inclined than ever to purchase seats for their infants.

Children aged two and under are allowed to fly unrestrained on an airplane if seated on an adult’s lap.  However the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations say that children are safer when restrained in their own seats.

Last week a California mother and infant were forced off of a United Airlines flight in a dispute over an infant carrier.  The problem arose when the mother discovered that her child’s assigned seat was too narrow to fit the infant carrier.  She pointed out the problem to a flight attendant and was later escorted off the plane for being disruptive.

FAA regulations state that if an approved child restraint system (CRS) can not fit in the assigned airplane seat, then the airline must “accommodate the CRS in another seat in the same class of service.”

No infant carriers sport a sticker saying “FAA approved.”  Approved restraints say “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

Purchasing an approved carrier can be tricky.  Some child restraint systems are approved for use in cars but not planes.  The harness style Child Aviation Restraint System is approved for planes but not cars.  The FAA does not publish a list of approved makes and models of child restraint systems.

Article Tags: Child Restraint

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