child car seat airplane
Does American Airlines require a car seat or restraint device for 4 year olds?
I’m planning to travel to Texas this Christmas on American Airlines, and I have a 4 year old daughter. Obviously, she still sits in a child seat in the car, but is she required to in an airplane?
Car seats are never required but always a good idea.
I’m a former Flight Attendant and I bring my 5 year old’s car seat on the plane with us when we fly. Why? Checking a car seat is a bad idea. It can easily be lost and/or broken in transit. Children are also calmer and sleep better in their familiar seat.
If you use it on board, it will not count against your carry-on. It must be FAA approved but almost all 5 point harnessed seats sold in the U.S. are. The FAA also allows car seats to be used as long as the child still fits it (our seat goes to about age 6).
http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/media/2009/info09002.pdf
Booster seats, or any seats which need a shoulder belt, are not allowed, including seats which “convert”. Just to give an example, the Graco Nautilus is only approved when using the internal harness.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
There is a car seat alternative, the “restraint device” you may have been referring to. The CARES harness pictured above is useful is you do not need to bring your car seat with you (i.e. someone has one you can use in Texas). They can be bought or rented on Ebay and Craigslist. Again, this item makes the flight safer but is not required.
For more information, nine years ago I wrote an article on this subject. It’s based on both my personal and professional experience of flying with children. There’s a whole section on getting car seats through airports. It’s totally non-commercial and other parents from around the world have contributed;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com
She’s a good age to fly. They usually love it and are easy.
Have a good Xmas in Texas!
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