Flying with Kids

OK, so you’ve decided to take a family vacation, and you don’t want to spend days inside of a car. You’ve booked your flights, purchased your travel insurance, and even planned out your itinerary. You’re all ready for a break, and your older kids are thrilled to be spending a few days away from school.

Of course, then, there’s the baby. Even if your baby is more of a toddler, there are some things you need to think about when you’re getting ready to fly. No, I’m not talking about having a long talk with your 18 month old about not crying during the flight and annoying everyone within a 15-row radius. Those other travelers can deal. It’s just a two-hour flight, and your baby’s screams don’t tend to actually shatter glass, so it’ll be OK.

No, we’re talking about flying safety. If you’re going to be traveling with your child, here are some safety things to keep in mind:

  • The safest way for your baby to fly is to use a car seat that’s approved as a flight seat. The base of the seat should have a sticker that says it’s FAA approved. If it doesn’t have one, you can check with the manufacturer to see if it’s approved for airplane use.
  • The FAA has a brochure called Childproof your Flight. Make sure you read it carefully, and maybe even print it out and take it with you when you fly.
  • If you don’t have an approved car seat, you’re going to be asked to hold your child on your lap if she is younger than 2. There are specific rules, usually, for securing your child during take-off and landing. Make sure you check with the airline ahead of time so you know what to do.
  • You can also consider the use of a flight harness. There are a number of child flight harnesses on the market. They are designed to attach to an airplane seat and its lap belt. They’re usually designed for children between about 20 and 45 pounds.

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