Anyone ever use the Baby B'air Flight Vests?

[Tink n Poohbear]

We're flying with our 20 month old twins. They're pretty active and don't like to sit completely still. Will they still be able to move around a little bit when they are attached to our seatbelts? Or will they be forced to face front?

Thanks!

 

[WDWNicole]

The airline (United) wouldn't let us use ours when we flew with our 5 month old. They gave us a child-size seatbelt with a loop on it that hooked into my seatbelt.

 

[Tink n Poohbear]

Good to know! We're flying American, so I;ll check with them. No sense in buying 2 of them if we can't use them!

Thanks!!

 

[SaraMc]

What exactly is this? DS will be 5 1/2 months old when we fly.

 

[wdwfamilyinIL]

My youngest was two when he went on his first flight, we just used his regular carseat. It was something that he was used to, so that worked out great. You just have to make sure that the carseat is approved for air travel.

 

[all4fun]

According to the FAA site (here) belly belts and "supplemental lap restraints" are not approved for use during take off, landing, or taxi :

While booster seats and harness vests enhance safety in vehicles, FAA prohibits passengers from bringing these types of devices on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off and landing. These devices should be checked as baggage. Also, supplemental lap restraints or "belly belts" are not approved for use in both airplanes and vehicles in the United States.

This site Airplane travel and child safety also offers some insights into the Baby B'aire if you're interested.

Hth.

 

[NotUrsula]

The airline (United) wouldn't let us use ours when we flew with our 5 month old. They gave us a child-size seatbelt with a loop on it that hooked into my seatbelt.

I'm EXTREMELY surprised to hear this, unless the baby in question is now a grownup. That child-sized seatbelt is called a belly belt, and they have been specifically banned aboard US-licensed commercial aircraft since at least 1989, because they have been shown to contribute to internal injuries in sudden stop situations, such as a hard landing.

Belly belts are still used by many overseas flag carriers, but if United is handing them out they are flagrantly breaking US Federal law.

As to a Baby B'Air; most airlines won't let you use them at any time, and they are within their rights to do so, on the grounds that an FA might not be able to get to you in an emergency landing situation to insure that you removed it. The only truly FAA-approved harness system is the Cares harness, which requires the child to be sitting in his/her own seat.