Using booster seats on airplane

[UConnJack]

As is indicated on the instructions, I know that booster seats (bottom only or belt repositioning) are "not certified for airplane use" because there is only a lap belt. However, on an airplane I don't really see the difference between having them in a booster with only a lap belt, or on the airplane seat itself with only a lap belt. I like the idea of them being a booster though, because 1) it keeps them from sliding around so much, and 2) you can bring it on the plane rather than checking it.

Has anyone heard of airlines not allowing boosters on the plane or whether there is some good reason not to use it (safety or otherwise)?

 

[n2mm]

You need to check the sticker on your booster. The one we just bought for grand daugther (Graco) specifically says on a sticker that this device CAN NOT be used on aircraft. Unless you have a sticker on your booster telling you that you CAN use it and it is approved, the FA will not let you use it no matter what. Over the past year we have flown 10 times and each time on the flights (FLYi and United/TED) the FA have checked each and every seats that comes on the plane. Just check your seat for the infamous approved or not approved sticker, that should answer your question. I would be curious to know if there is a booster that does indeed say it's Aircraft approved.

 

[tbrenk]

As is indicated on the instructions, I know that booster seats (bottom only or belt repositioning) are "not certified for airplane use" because there is only a lap belt. However, on an airplane I don't really see the difference between having them in a booster with only a lap belt, or on the airplane seat itself with only a lap belt. I like the idea of them being a booster though, because 1) it keeps them from sliding around so much, and 2) you can bring it on the plane rather than checking it.

Has anyone heard of airlines not allowing boosters on the plane or whether there is some good reason not to use it (safety or otherwise)?

Most cannot be used on an airplane. If you child isn't big enough and old enough for a booster do you really think they will slide around on an air plane seat? Most likely they are toddler age and are big enough to sit properly.

 

[UConnJack]

You need to check the sticker on your booster. The one we just bought for grand daugther (Graco) specifically says on a sticker that this device CAN NOT be used on aircraft. Unless you have a sticker on your booster telling you that you CAN use it and it is approved, the FA will not let you use it no matter what. Over the past year we have flown 10 times and each time on the flights (FLYi and United/TED) the FA have checked each and every seats that comes on the plane. Just check your seat for the infamous approved or not approved sticker, that should answer your question. I would be curious to know if there is a booster that does indeed say it's Aircraft approved.

Thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for. I never had a FA check the infant/toddler 5-pt carseats, so i wasn't sure if they did for boosters. It does specifically say not for airplane use, but I wasn't sure if that was for liability reasons, or if there was a real safety reason not to use them. I know a lap belt only doesn't offer the protection a booster is meant to, but I just don't see why it would be restricted since it isn't any more/less safe than using the airplane seat and lap belt itself. But if they don't allow them on the plane, I won't try.

Most cannot be used on an airplane. If you child isn't big enough and old enough for a booster do you really think they will slide around on an air plane seat? Most likely they are toddler age and are big enough to sit properly.

When I say slide, I actually mean squirm. She is 4 years old and obviously does sit properly, but a booster would just help keep her in one spot when she starts getting bored and restless. It wouldn't be for safety reasons as I know they don't provide that with only a lap belt.

 

[crzy4dsny]

As is indicated on the instructions, I know that booster seats (bottom only or belt repositioning) are "not certified for airplane use" because there is only a lap belt. However, on an airplane I don't really see the difference between having them in a booster with only a lap belt, or on the airplane seat itself with only a lap belt. I like the idea of them being a booster though, because 1) it keeps them from sliding around so much, and 2) you can bring it on the plane rather than checking it.

Has anyone heard of airlines not allowing boosters on the plane or whether there is some good reason not to use it (safety or otherwise)?

I see your point. What does it matter if they are sitting on a seat with lap belt only, or sitting on a booster with the lap belt only? I guess they are not authorized because they are designed to "boost", or lift a child up so the child could utilize a shoulder belt safely. Since planes are not equipped with shoulder belts I guess they are deemed not necessary.

 

[gw_lit]

I travel quite frequently on several different airlines, and as others have said, I've never seen a flight attendant allow the use of a booster on a plane.

I'm sure there's some safety reason, but I'm not sure what it is.

 

[NotUrsula]

Has anyone heard of airlines not allowing boosters on the plane or whether there is some good reason not to use it (safety or otherwise)?

The good reason is the hefty fine that would have to be paid if a federal officer saw it allowed, because it is a violation of federal safety law.

The FAA defines a "booster seat" as any child restraint system that does NOT have an integral upper-body harness. Thus defined, the use of booster seats on commercial aircraft is specifically forbidden by 14CFR121.311

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I have heard two things about this --

One is that it's never safe for a child to sit in a booster with a lap belt only --that it somehow makes the child more likely to come out of their seatbelt in a crash.

The other is that it has to do with how the back of the airplane seat flexes forward in a crash and the child being crushed between the back of the seat and the booster. I'm not sure why this would happen in a high back booster with a rigid back, but that's what I've heard.

To be honest I don't know where I heard these things, so I wouldn't say they are definitely true, but that's what I've heard.

 

[renda460]

We tried to bring our seat on, not even realizing it was'nt approved and they wouldnt let us on the plane with it. This was on Southwest.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I worked with the Trauma Center at the Children's Hospital here and they did a day long thing for car seats, etc. with the State Troopers and EMS.

I remember from that someone saying that a lap belt is meant to be worn low on your hips, in order to distribute the pressure in a crash across your pelvis, a strong point in your body.

A booster seat with a lap belt would hold the belt high, more across the area above the pelvis, which is a weak point.

In a crash, this would put immense pressure on your abdomen, which could cause massive internal injury.

I think the FAA looks at the more minor accidents, like the Jet Blue flight where the landing gear did not come down correctly. In an incident such as that, a child could have been seriously injured with a lap belt high on the waist. KWIM?

Seats that cannot be used the way they were intended are actually more dangerous than not using one at all.

I know what you mean about the squirming, though. My kids love airplane seatbelts, because they are easy for them to take off. We always have the big "if you undo the belt, we are not going to Disney World" discussion before we board.

 

[Kitzer]

We got on the airplane with one at Southwest but they made us put it in the overhead. We used the planes seatbelt which worked fine. Most airline require you to put the child in the window seat, which is very difficult with a regular car seat because there so little room to work with against the plane wall when your trying to take slack out the belt. Sorry, I digress. No, you can't use boosters on airplanes.