Airplane Safety Harness

[JacLynne]

I am trying to avoid bringing my 3 year olds (36" 30 lbs) car seat. We plan on using Minnie Vans if necessary, or other Disney transportation. But I am concerned about our flight. I know I have personally experienced really heavy turbulence and I don't feel that an airplane seatbelt alone is enough. Does anyone have any experience with the airplane safety harnesses? They range in price on Amazon from $20-$75! Any info would be great.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

I used them for several overseas trips when mine were 2-4. Easily installed and the ease of carrying them was unbeatable. There is no crotch strap on the one we had (cares harness) and both of mine would slide down and have to be periodically readjusted. My 4 year old did the best. She did need to be lap belt only when napping. 3 year old was at the bottom limit of weight and height and for that flight it was more trouble than help. She could also escape it in under a minute. On a few flights we brought car seats (Diono radian) and it was a difficult 3 minutes getting boarded and the seat installed but was a much easier flight. Especially when younger. I would rent vs buy a harness. We bought because of the amount of travel offset the cost but if you are only traveling once or twice when they are that age renting is the way to go. Another thing to keep in mind is whichever route you take that kid cannot have anyone not in a harness who needs to exit across them so they automatically have to be in a window seat or the middle of the center aisle on larger aircraft and never seated in the exit rows.

 

[Starwind]

Per the FAA website, there is only ONE FAA-Approved Child Harness Device: CARES

https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children/
QUOTE

The CARES Child Safety Device is the only FAA-approved harness-type restraint for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. This type of device provides an alternative to using a hard-backed seat and is approved only for use on aircraft. The CARES Child Safety Device is not approved for use in motor vehicles. Learn more about CARES. [http://kidsflysafe.com/]

If you're using a CARES child safety device, make sure it has "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only" or "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d), Amd 21.50 6-9-1980, Approved for Aircraft Use Only" on it.

END QUOTE

Most of the ones you see on Amazon are knockoffs and NOT approved by the FAA, therefore not actually allowed to be used.

From the CARES website they are $74.95. There are some legit retailors who sell them, e.g. Bed Bath and Beyond and BuybuyBaby [$74.99]. There are also some places that rent them.

SW

 

[unrequited23]

The CARES harness was very easy to travel with and seemed perfect for my almost 3 yr DS. The only downfall is if you think your child will fall asleep on the plane. They will be slumping everywhere and you could get a backache trying to contort yourself to hold them in place.

We borrowed the one we flew with from a friend who got it from her SIL whose kids sized out of it. I would ask around your friend group before purchasing.

 

[JacLynne]

Thanks y'all! I got a Cares harness from someone on FB marketplace for $25 ❤

 

[wendlle]

Thanks y'all! I got a Cares harness from someone on FB marketplace for $25 ❤

Great news, the CARES harness is great. We did encounter some Flight Attendants who had never seen nor heard of it before so just in case be sure to make sure yours has the FAA approved tag still attached.

 

[JacLynne]

Great news, the CARES harness is great. We did encounter some Flight Attendants who had never seen nor heard of it before so just in case be sure to make sure yours has the FAA approved tag still attached.

I just checked and it does! The original owner used it once. It looks brand new! Thanks for the heads up though, that would have been frustrating if I made it all the way onto the plane and found that it didn't. We are practicing with a dining chair so we can be quick with installing it once we get on the plane.

 

[JacLynne]

We borrowed the one we flew with from a friend who got it from her SIL whose kids sized out of it. I would ask around your friend group before purchasing.

I wouldn't have thought to get a used one, thanks for posting! It saved me $50!

 

[wendlle]

I just checked and it does! The original owner used it once. It looks brand new! Thanks for the heads up though, that would have been frustrating if I made it all the way onto the plane and found that it didn't. We are practicing with a dining chair so we can be quick with installing it once we get on the plane.

Wonderful. We also got ours used and it was pretty much brand new. it's not like they can get damaged much for how often they get used unless you're a very frequent flyer.

 

[luvmy2babies]

You'll love the CARES harness. We don't fly often; but I rented one when my son was 2. After 2 flights with a car seat strapped to my back it was like heaven. A tip: if you fly on Southwest or another airline that has leather type seats, have some cabinet shelf paper or something similar to put in the seat. Makes it harder for them to slide out.

 

[JacLynne]

BRILLIANT! Thanks! We are flying southwest!