High Back Boosters~Are they allowed or not??

[BrittnTylersMom]

I've heard conflicting information as to whether or not High Back Booster seats are allowed to be used on airplanes. Ours has the 5 point harness straps if that matters.

Any of you Moms or Dads use a high back booster when flying recently? Were you told you could not use it? Does it depend on which airline it is? We're flying on Song.

We'll be on our way pretty soon and I'm trying to figure out what to do!

Heeeeelp??!!!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Call Song, but, according to Delta's website ( the company that operates Song), they are not allowed.

http://www.delta.com/travel/special_services/services_for_children/infant_seating/index.jsp

Approved Child Restraints
Delta does not permit the following types of car seats:
booster seats - even if they bear labels indicating they meet US, UN, or foreign government standards.
vest and harness-type child restraint devices. Do not confuse these with approved child safety seats having a harness-type closure for securing the child in the seat.

 

[mobetsy]

Boosters being used as boosters are never allowed on any airline. That's because they are designed to be used with a seat belt that has a shoulder belt, and no airplane has that. If you use it as a car seat, with the 5 point harness, you should have no problem (then the airplane lap belt is holding the whole seat, like in your car, and the harness is providing the restraint for the child). Same thing goes in a car: you should never be using a booster with a lap-only belt!

 

[NotUrsula]

The 5-pt harness matters, a LOT. In the US, it is the crux of the whole issue.

You see, when an airline says that a "booster seat" cannot be used on an aircraft, the airline is making reference to what the FAA defines as a booster seat. In the context of US air travel, it does not matter what the mfr. of the seat chooses to call that seat. What counts is whether or not it has an integrated shoulder harness attached.

Under the FAA definition, a "booster seat" is a carseat that lacks integral upper-body restraints. Therefore, if your carseat has integral upper-body restraints attached and in use, it is NOT a booster seat as defined by the FAA.

Check the frame of your carseat for an FAA aircraft approval label. If it has one (and it should, if it was mfr'd after 1985) it can be used for aircraft travel if you comply with the conditions specified on the label. For a seat with a removable harness, that label usually specifies that the seat is only approved for use on aircraft if the 5-pt. harness is used to restrain the child.

References: US Code of Federal Regulations, 14CFR135.28 and 49CFR571.213. You can read the definitions for yourself by going to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/retrieve.html and plugging in the citations.

 

[sarahsmom73]

We just used our booster with the 5 pt harness on United with no problems... DD, 2.5 never offered to get out! It was wonderful!

 

[tjmw2727]

If you are using it as a carseat with the integrated harness then it is considered a carseat and can be used on board if it has the FAA approval sticker. If your using it as a booster with the harness removed then no it can not. IIRC the FAA sticker on the back clearly states that when used with the harness it IS FAA approved and when used without it is not FAA approved.

The term "booster" confuses many especially the airline staff. If I were you I would just refer to it as a carseat since you mentioned you are using the 5 point harness. It dosen't become a "booster" seat until you remove the harness. We used our Century Breverra with the 5 point on the aircraft many times. It fit well and wasn't as cumbersome as some others.

I wish they would change the name of these seats to convertable or something as they are really carseats for 20-40lbs that convert to a booster for 40-60lbs.

HTH
TJ

 

[cepmom]

I also used a booster seat for my DD (2 1/2 at the time) with a 5 point harness with no problem last year. We flew AA. As most everyone already pointed out, it can not be used as a regular booster seat; that is without the 5 point harness. As long as you are using the 5 point harness you should be fine. It was kind of a pain to bring it on and buckle it up and all, but was well worth it because we told DD she could not unbuckle to get up, just like in the car. She was still in diapers at the time so there was no need to get up for the bathroom and was so much easier to keep her occupied in her seat rather than chasing her up and down the aisles!!!

 

[stacy6552]

yes just check your seat for the FAA approval. If its got one, youre good to go. If not swap with a friend for your trip.

 

[BrittnTylersMom]

Thank You..Thank You...Thank You!!!

I have already checked the sticker on my 'carseat' , it is indeed FAA approved.

wooohooo!!