The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made significant updates to its webpage that supports caregivers flying with children.
A most welcome change is to recommendations for the type of CR to use. The FAA’s previous guidance suggested using a CR based on a child’s weight. Since the guidance hadn’t been revised for many years, it had fallen out of step with best practice (for instance, by suggesting children ride forward facing once they weigh 20 pounds and in a seat belt at 40 pounds).
The new guidance no longer specifies selecting a CR based on the child’s weight; instead, it advises caregivers to use a CR that fits the child, following manufacturer instructions. As in the past, the guidance is very clear: “The safest place on an airplane for children under 2 years is in an approved child car seat or device based on the child’s weight.”
The site also prominently features three animated videos that urge caregivers to use their child’s CR when flying. The first is a two-minute video that emphasizes that children under age 2 are safest in an approved CR, not on a lap, saying, “Your arms can’t hold your infant or child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence.”
The video goes on to provide the following tips for caregivers:
- For safety, consider purchasing a ticket for a child under age 2.
- Check the CR to make sure it is approved for use on aircraft.
- Use a CR that’s appropriate for the child based on their height and weight.
- If a child rides on an adult’s lap, understand that harness-type or lap-held devices are not allowed during take-off, landing, or while taxiing.
- CARES is the only FAA-approved vest-type device (non-CR).
- Check the airline’s website for its child and family policies.
The other two animated videos demonstrate installing a rear-facing and a forward-facing CR. These videos provide welcome reinforcement for normalizing the use of CRs on airplanes (though they gloss over the most challenging aspects of real-life CR installation in that setting).
SRN thanks CPST Lia Tuso for her assistance with this article. Tuso specializes in travel safety for families and champions global standards for safe air travel for children. Learn more about the resources she offers here.