Did you know that car booster seats can NOT be used on airplanes?   The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that when flying, children should be securely fastened in approved child restraint systems (CRS) until they reach 40 lb.  After that, children should be secured with the airplane seat belts to help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence.  Children with disabilities, even though they may be older, may also travel with special FAA-approved restraint seats.  Always check the label (like the one shown above) to ensure the seat is approved by the FAA.  There are several other types of approved label, and you can look them up on the FAA’s website.

You can also consider using a restraint made only for use on airplanes and approved by the FAA.

It might seem a little counter-intuitive that an older child may not use a car booster seat on an airplane;  however, there is a sound reason for this:

A key concern for backless booster seats used in airplane seats is the combined effect of seat back breakover and impact of an adult seated behind the child. Booster seats may expose the child occupant to potential abdominal injury due to the combined effects of these forces.

Also, you may have noticed that the placement of airplane lap belts is a little different than in vehicles.  Even when children are quite small, these belts usually rest over their thighs, not their abdomen, the area likely to suffer internal injury in motor vehicle accidents.

So what should you do if you are taking your child’s booster seat on vacation?  Well, you have several options involving checking it in, which is what the FAA recommends;  however, we also suggest you call your airline before you leave on your trip, just to be aware of any unexpected rule changes or airport limitations:

• the airlines are usually quite accommodating towards families traveling with children and they recognize that they normally have a few more necessary items than other passengers.  Usually, the baggage rules are a little more relaxed.  For example, Southwest allows two items of travel equipment (walkers, child safety seats or collapsible playpens) to be checked and transported in substitution of one piece of the free baggage allowance for each fare-paying passenger at no charge.
• some compact booster seats may be small enough to fit inside your check-in luggage, reducing some of the stuff you have to keep track of.  This can be convenient if you are traveling with several children or if you have a lot of carry-on luggage.
• in some cases, it could be more convenient to gate-check your car seat, though you will have to carry it around the airport.
• you may check in your child seat separately.  If your child uses a booster seat to get to the airport, you can carry it to the check-in counter and ask for a plastic bag to put it in.  While these bags are usually made of tough plastic and you can strengthen them further by wrapping tape around them, you should be aware that your airline will not accept any responsibility for any damage  occurring en route.  If your journey involves several stops, you can expect your seat to experience a bumpy trip.  Typically, this kind of luggage is packed on the plane with other non-standard items (e.g. bicycles, musical instruments and skis), and depending on the airport, you may have to retrieve it in a separate area from the suitcases.

Do remember that however you decide to travel, your booster seat, as well as any strollers or other child items, are well labeled with your name and contact phone number.

Bon voyage!