Quote:
Originally Posted by dallaschildren  The FAA rules are as follows:
Less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing CRS
From 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing CRS
More than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt
A child may also use an alternative device, such as a a harness-type device, if it is approved by the FAA. The FAA has approved one device appropriate for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. This type of device is not safe for use in motor vehicles.
No booster seats are allowed.
Make sure your CRS is government approved and has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check the CRS as baggage.
Make sure a child safety device is approved and has "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only" on it.
Measure the width of your CRS. It should fit in most airplane seats if it is no wider than 16 inches.
So if your son is 40 pounds or less and you would like to use a car seat, it is fine. If he is between 40-44 pounds and you would like to use the FAA approved vest, that is fine too.
Have a safe trip!
Dallaschildren
CPS Instructor and momma to 2 sons in seats
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I just wanted to mention (because this really gets my goat) that the above is just a RECOMMENDATION from the FAA. The above is NOT a RULE.
In fact, until the age of 2, you don't HAVE to even buy a seat for your child.
I stated in another thread about car seats on airplanes that there are even international carriers that DON'T ALLOW car seats on airplanes. In fact, we were refused to even have a seat SOLD to us for dd on Turkish Airlines when she was 5 months old. On another flight (Lufthansa, maybe?), we were told that (then 1 year old dd) the car seat must be forward facing. When we refused, they informed us that if we refused, they could remove the seat from the plane.
I followed up with the FAA on both of those incidences and was told that the airlines and flight attendants were both well within their rights.
Since that last incident, we've flown with dd transatlantically about a dozen times (never on US carriers) and I always see these kinds of things happen to other people. We don't use a car seat because of the hassles and because dd has never had problems during turbulence or take off and landing in just the airplane seat belt.
