{"id":5154,"date":"2023-04-01T12:24:54","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T12:24:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carseaton.com\/?p=5154"},"modified":"2023-04-01T12:26:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-01T12:26:06","slug":"car-seat-on-airplane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carseaton.com\/car-seat-on-airplane\/","title":{"rendered":"Car Seat on Airplane – 12 Tips for Air Travel with Babies and Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Are you planning to take a car seat on airplane for air travel with your kid?<\/strong> Or maybe you’ve decided it’s your best option and wondering how to fly with a car seat?<\/p>

Then you’ve come to the right place! This guide covers everything you need to know about taking a car seat for air travel on planes – from FAA laws<\/strong> to airline rules<\/strong> to insider tricks you can only learn with lots of experience.\u00a0<\/p>

Also, there are many things to consider when traveling with a car seat, including what types of car seats<\/a> to choose, how to take it to navigate through the airport, and how to install it on planes. So we discuss the rules and tips for using a car seat for air travel as well.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why use a car seat on airplane?<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Let\u2019s start with the most basic question: why should you use a car seat on an airplane? The simple answer is that airplane seat belts aren\u2019t designed for tiny kids. So it\u2019s not surprising that the FAA recommends that children under the age of 2 should be secured in an FAA-approved restraint – either a travel car seat or a CARES harness when flying on an airplane.\u00a0<\/p>

The best car seat for air travel depends on your kid’s age, size, and development level. But the general rule is that the car seat is better to be lightweight and portable. Check this post on the best portable car seats<\/a>.<\/p>

You may find that some parents still have this question.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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You may find that car seats are not required to be used on airplanes. The FAA just suggests that. Some parents may have their babies on their lap. But it’s not the safest option. Find out why on the next part on the car seat versus the parent’s lap<\/a>.<\/p>

If you’re planning to use the car seat, then you should follow the FAA rules – the car seats must be certified for use on airplanes<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How do I know if a car seat is approved or not?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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It’s easy. There will be a label on the car seat – commonly near the base of the car seat on the side, saying “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”<\/strong>\u00a0or something like this. Some car seats have this sticker on the bottom of the seat.<\/p>

Below is an example of the FAA-approved car seat sticker from this seat. The label is located inconveniently on the bottom of the seat. It’s better to make sure you locate yours before you get to the airport; Some international flights need you to show it at the check-in counter to avoid sending it along with the baggage. In other cases, you’ll probably be asked to show it before installing it on the plane.<\/p>

You may have found that the content on the stickers has two separate sentences about airplane use, displaying one more sentence that also says that “This restraint is Not certified for use in the aircraft ”. It’s correct as well.<\/p>

For example, all-in-one car seats and<\/a> harnessed booster seats<\/a>, these two types of car seats can be used on airplanes in the harness mode. While it’s not allowed if turn them into booster mode, which requires a lap-shoulder belt for tight and proper installation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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If you don’t see this label, find the car seat manual or contact the manufacturer to confirm that the car seat is approved for use on airplanes.<\/p>

There is a direct and fast way for your reference – check if the car seat has a harness<\/strong>. If the car seat has an internal harness, the car seat probably is approved for air travel. The car seat laws on aircraft usage in most states may require using a harnessed car seat on airplanes.<\/p>

Check our recommendations for the best car seats for air travel<\/a> in the later section.<\/p>

Like the safest position to place a car seat<\/a> in the back row in a motor vehicle. When using a car seat on an airplane, it must be installed in a forward-facing position and secured with the airplane seatbelt. The car seat must also be placed in a window seat so that it doesn’t block the escape path in case of an emergency.<\/p>

Additionally, during takeoff, landing, and turbulence, the car seat must be secured with an additional strap provided by the flight attendant.<\/p>

The FAA recommends that parents or caregivers contact the airline ahead of time to ensure that the car seat will fit in the airplane seat and to determine any specific policies or procedures that the airline may have.<\/p>

After all, airlines have their policies regarding the use of car seats on airplanes. So it’s also recommended to arrive early at the airport to allow time for installation and to inform the flight attendants that you’ll be using a car seat on the plane.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Tips to use a car seat on airplane<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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First of all, you should always contact the airlines before carrying a car seat on board to confirm if your purchased travel car seat is acceptable or not. To avoid any unpleasant encounters, you may have these tips to keep in mind.<\/p>