with using cares harness make sure you have a copy of their birth certifs in case they get out of harness and you need to lap for landing or take off
what happens when cares doesnt hold child mid flight not safe if child will not stay seated no matter what policyIf you purchase a seat your child has to be properly secured in their own seat for takeoff and landing as well as when the seatbelt sign is on. You cannot change your mind midflight even for an under 2-year-old.
The CARES harness isn’t appropriate for 13 month olds. It doesn’t reposition the lap belt for kids that small and they will just slip right out. They really need their car seats for the plane and any other car/van transportation (Cosco Scenera Nexts are great lightweight, inexpensive options for travel seats that fit under-2 kids well. They’re also easy enough to bungee to an umbrella stroller and have the child ride in.). It’s a pain, yes, but the only safe way for them to travel (trust me, we’ve dragged 2 car seats, stroller, carryons, etc, through the airport on more than one occasion). This article has great advice for airplane travel with kids.
https://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-...o-safe-air-travel-with-children/#caresharness
I second the birth certificate as you might need to prove that they don’t need to wear masks.
Wow! What airline is that? That’s great that they would offer car seats on an international flight.so I did read on the cares website I think it was that its suitable for 12 months on But slightly better from the age off 2
the airline says they have a limited amount of car seats so we are going to ask for one of them but then use the cares as a back up if need be
what happens when cares doesnt hold child mid flight not safe if child will not stay seated no matter what policy
Wow! What airline is that? That’s great that they would offer car seats on an international flight.
Thats why airlines recommend a car seat when purchasing a seat for an under 2, as CARES has a minimum weight of 22lbs and should not be used if the child isn't ready.
How far a FA will go to enforce this is up to the individual crew, but I think it's helpful know the policy in advance in order to best plan for any scenario.
From AA for example:
Reserved seat
If your infant will travel in their own seat, you must buy a ticket. The infant must either travel in a safety seat approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or be able to sit upright in their seat without assistance and have their seatbelt securely fastened during taxi, takeoff, landing and whenever the 'fasten seatbelt' sign is on.
Traveling with children − Travel information − American Airlines (aa.com)