Flying With a Car Seat: FAA Rules, Lap Infants, CARES Harness and Airport Tips for Parents • Living Life as Moms | Mom Hacks, Toddler Snacks, and Kids Activities

Quick answer: the FAA strongly recommends that every child, including babies, fly in their own seat secured in an approved car seat or the CARES harness instead of on a parent’s lap. Look for a label on your car seat that says it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. Car seats usually go in a window seat and cannot be placed in an exit row. Booster seats and harness vests cannot be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. Children under 2 may fly as lap children, but the FAA notes that your arms are not able to hold a child securely during unexpected turbulence.

Planning a holiday trip or family vacation by air raises a lot of questions about car seats. Do you need to buy a seat for the baby? Will your car seat fit? Should you check it or bring it on board? This guide is part of our family safety guide, and it explains the rules and recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) along with practical tips for getting through the airport with a car seat and a child.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidance on child safety on airplanes and child restraint systems; Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR 121.311; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) car seat guidance; American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) HealthyChildren.org guidance on air travel with children. Airline policies vary, so check with your airline before you fly.

Why the FAA Recommends a Car Seat on Planes

The FAA allows children under 2 to fly on a parent’s lap, but it strongly urges parents to secure children in their own seat using an approved child restraint system (CRS) or an approved device. The reason is turbulence. Unexpected turbulence can happen without warning, even in clear skies, and a parent’s arms may not be able to hold a child securely during strong jolts.

A car seat that is correctly installed in an airplane seat keeps your child in place the same way it does in a car. It also gives babies and toddlers a familiar, comfortable place to sit and sleep during the flight.

Buying an extra ticket for a child under 2 costs money, and many families choose to fly with a lap infant, especially on short flights. That choice is legal. Knowing the FAA’s recommendation helps you make an informed decision, and some airlines offer discounted fares for infants who fly in their own seat. Ask when booking.

How to Tell If Your Car Seat Is Approved

Not every car seat is approved for aircraft. Look for a label, often printed in red, that says:

“This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

The label is usually on the side or back of the seat. If your seat does not have this statement, it may not be used on the plane. Seats made outside the United States may have different labels, and the FAA lists certain approvals that are accepted.

Before your trip:

Find the label and take a photo of it in case a crew member asks.
Check the seat’s expiration date and make sure it has not been in a crash.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the seat with a lap belt only, since airplanes do not have shoulder belts or LATCH anchors.

Will Your Car Seat Fit?

Airplane seats vary in width. The FAA notes that a car seat no wider than 16 inches will fit in most coach seats. Wider seats may not fit, especially on smaller regional jets. If you are unsure, check your airline’s website for seat width or call the airline.

Lighter, narrower car seats are popular for travel because they are easier to carry and install. If you travel often, a dedicated travel car seat may be worth considering. Whatever you use, make sure it is the right seat for your child’s age and size. Our guide to car seat stages by age and size explains what fits at each stage.

Where Car Seats Can Go on the Plane

Airlines have rules about seat placement so a car seat does not block other passengers in an emergency.

Window seats are usually required or preferred, so the car seat does not block anyone’s path to the aisle.
Exit rows are not allowed. The FAA also says a car seat should not be placed in the rows directly in front of or behind an exit row.
Some airlines allow a car seat in a middle seat if it does not block a passenger in the window seat. Check your airline’s policy.
Seats with airbags in the seat belt, which are found in some premium cabins, may not be compatible with car seats.

Under federal rules, if you buy a ticket for your child and bring an approved car seat that is correctly labeled and fits, U.S. airlines generally must let you use it.

Rear-Facing or Forward-Facing on the Plane

Follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and the same height and weight limits you use in your car. If your child rides rear-facing in the car, the seat can usually be installed rear-facing on the plane, though space can be tight and the passenger in front may not be able to recline fully. Infant seats designed only for rear-facing use must be installed rear-facing.

How to Install a Car Seat on a Plane

Board early. Many airlines offer preboarding for families with young children.
Place the car seat on the airplane seat in the direction the manufacturer specifies.
Thread the airplane lap belt through the correct belt path. Check the instructions or the seat’s labels, which often show the rear-facing and forward-facing belt paths in different colors.
Buckle the lap belt and press down firmly on the car seat while tightening the belt.
Check that the seat does not move more than about an inch side to side at the belt path.
Buckle your child into the harness as you would in the car.

Some airplane belt buckles sit right in the belt path, which makes tightening harder. Flight attendants may be able to provide a belt extender, which can help position the buckle.

The CARES Harness

The CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) harness is the only harness-type device the FAA has approved for use on aircraft. It is designed for children who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds, who can sit upright in their own seat. It attaches around the seat back and works with the airplane lap belt.

The CARES harness is lightweight and easy to carry, which makes it a popular alternative to bringing a full car seat on board. It is not approved for use in cars, so you would still need a car seat at your destination if you plan to drive.

Booster Seats and Vests

Booster seats and harness vests are not allowed during taxi, takeoff and landing. Booster seats are designed to work with a lap and shoulder belt, and airplane seats only have lap belts. Some airlines allow a booster to be stowed and used as a cushion during cruise, but many do not. Check with your airline, or plan to check the booster.

Supplemental “belly belts,” which attach a lap child to a parent’s seat belt, are not allowed on U.S. airlines.

Do You Need a Car Seat at Your Destination?

If you plan to ride in a car, taxi or rideshare at your destination, your child still needs the right car seat for their age and size. NHTSA recommends that children ride in an appropriate car seat or booster on every trip. Options include:

Bringing your own car seat on the plane or checking it
Renting one from a car rental company, though quality and availability vary
Using a car seat service at your destination
Borrowing from family, after checking the seat’s age, history and recall status

Bringing your own seat means you know its history and how to install it.

Checking a Car Seat Versus Bringing It On Board

Many airlines let parents check a car seat for free, either at the ticket counter or at the gate. Gate-checking is often preferred because the seat is handled less. Still, checked seats can be damaged in transit, and damage is not always visible. Some car seat manufacturers recommend replacing a seat after it has been checked as baggage if you suspect it was damaged.

Using the car seat on the plane avoids that risk and gives your child the safety benefit during the flight. If you check it, consider a padded travel bag.

Planning Ahead When You Book

A little planning at the booking stage makes flying with a car seat much smoother.

Book seats together. Choose a window seat for the car seat and the seat next to it for an adult. If seat selection costs extra on your fare, consider whether it is worth it to guarantee you sit together.
Tell the airline. Some airlines ask you to note that you are traveling with a car seat or a lap infant when you book. A lap infant usually needs to be added to your reservation, even if there is no fare.
Bring proof of age. Airlines may ask for a birth certificate or passport to confirm a lap child is under 2.
Check aircraft type. Smaller regional planes have narrower seats and smaller overhead bins.
Plan connections. Allow extra time between flights so you are not rushing with a car seat, stroller and carry-on bags.
Practice at home. Try installing the car seat with only a lap belt, such as in the middle seat of your car if it has a lap-only belt, or by following the manual’s diagrams.

On international trips, rules can differ by airline and country. Foreign airlines may have their own requirements for car seats, so check before you fly.

Getting Through the Airport

A car seat can be awkward to carry. These tips can help:

Use a car seat travel cart or strap that attaches the seat to a rolling suitcase.
Use a stroller that holds the car seat if you have an infant seat and a compatible travel system.
Allow extra time at security. Car seats go through the X-ray machine and may need extra screening.
Preboard so you have time to install the seat without holding up the line.
Bring the manual or save a digital copy on your phone.

More ideas for family trips are in our guide on how to travel with kids hassle-free.

Comfort Tips for the Flight

Offer a bottle, breast or pacifier during takeoff and landing, which may help with ear pressure.
Bring familiar items, like a small blanket or favorite toy.
Pack snacks, wipes, extra clothes and diapers in your carry-on.
Dress your child in layers, since cabin temperatures vary.
Walk the aisle with your child when the seat belt sign is off and it is safe to do so.

Lap Infant Safety Tips

If your child flies on your lap:

Follow the crew’s instructions for holding a lap child, and keep your own seat belt fastened.
Keep your child secured in your arms whenever the seat belt sign is on.
Expect to take your baby out of a wearable carrier during taxi, takeoff and landing, since airlines generally require lap children to be held.
Bring an approved car seat anyway, in case an empty seat is available. Some airlines will let you use it if there is an open seat, at no extra cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any car seat on a plane?

No. The car seat must have a label stating it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft, and it must fit in the airplane seat.

At what age does a child need their own seat?

Children 2 and older must have their own seat. Children under 2 may fly on a parent’s lap, though the FAA recommends their own seat with an approved restraint.

Can I bring a booster seat on the plane?

You can usually bring it on board, but it cannot be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. Many families check it instead.

Is the CARES harness worth it?

For children between 22 and 44 pounds who can sit upright, the CARES harness is a lightweight, FAA-approved option. It does not replace a car seat for car travel.