Your Trip - Tips for Flights
» Child Safety Seats
Guide Sections ...   • Introduction   • What Not To Pack   • Carry-On Baggage   • Airport Security Issues   • Passenger Safety   • Turbulence   • Child Safety Seats   • Exit Row Seating   • Electronics Onboard   • Unruly Passengers   • Fire or Smoke   • Evacuation FAA strongly recommends the use child safety seats for children under 40 lbs. It is important to check with the airline to see if the child seat will fit the width of the airline seat. While airline seats vary in width, a safety seat no wider than 16" in width should fit most coach seats. Ask about discount fares for children under two traveling in a safety seat. Purchasing a discounted seat for your child is the only way to guarantee you will be able use a safety seat. Ask about the airlines busiest travel times. Avoiding these times make it more likely you will have an empty seat next to you. In many cases, airlines will allow you to place your child infant/toddler in an empty seat next to you. Children under 20 lbs should be in a rear-facing seat. From 20-40 lbs use a forward-facing seat. Place the infant seat in the window seat. Ask airlines to arrange for assistance in making connections when traveling with children and a child safety seat. Infant seats should not be placed in an aisle seat.