PSA: You can't (and shouldn't!) use a booster on a plane

[DopeyDame]

We just flew back from Florida and a mom was having a hissy-fit because the FA wouldn't let her child (I'm guessing 6 or 7 years old) use his booster seat on the plane. She even pointed out the "not for airplane use" and "not for use with lap belts only" and the mom was still upset.

As those who have been around for a while know, I'm a HUGE advocate for carseats in planes and hate that lap babies are legal.

But plane seats don't have shoulder belts! Boosters are designed to help a shoulder/lap belt combo fit a child correctly. Lap belts on planes fit without the use of boosters and the use of a booster will make the child less safe, not more safe.

So please, store the booster in the overhead bin and let the plane take off without issue.

 

[NotUrsula]

Absolutely .... but ... let's talk definitions.

What you are talking about here is a seat-positioning booster seat, the kind with no shoulder harness attached to it. So-called booster seats that DO have an integral shoulder harness in use ARE allowed to be used on aircraft, and even recommended.

There is a difference in how the FAA defines a booster seat and how the seat manufacturers define them, and this causes confusion quite often. For use on board an aircraft, the key is whether or not the seat has an integrated shoulder harness attached. If it does not, you cannot use it on board, but if it does, you may be able to if it has the approval notice on it.

Note that the approval sticker does NOT mention the FAA. The sticker will have RED lettering that reads: "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft"

 

[DopeyDame]

Thanks for the clarification, notursula!

The seat in question was a no-back booster. Basically just a glorified phone book No back or harnesses at all.