Child safety seats are not required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, both the FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly encourage the use of a car seat or other child restraint system when flying with babies or young children less than 40 pounds.
Are Child Safety Seats Required on Airplanes?
2 min read
Reviewed ByAlina BradfordWhy you can trust SafeWise
products considered
250+
research hours in 25+ in-home tests
10k+
years of combined experience
176+
homes and people protected
10M+
For over 12 years, SafeWise has conducted independent research and testing to write unbiased, human reviews (not robots). Read our methodology.
Cathy, a Safe Sleep Ambassador, specializes in family safety, simplifying complex topics for trusted sites like Safety.com with 8+ years of writing experience.
Keep your little owlets safe with our weekly newsletter
Sign up to get the latest family safety tips and reviews on products like kids' smartwatches and car seats.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Check the airline's rules!
Each airline has different rules about child safety seats. So, make sure you know those rules before heading to the airport. For example, American Airlines states that all seats must, "have a solid back and seat, restraint straps installed to securely hold the child and a label indicating approval for use on an aircraft."
FAA-approved child seats are safer than laps
SafeWise Recommends
CARES Airplane Safety Travel Harness For Kids
1 year and older up to 40 inch high and weighing 22 to 44 pounds (9-18kg)
Weighs 11 oz.
Fits in backpack or purse Unfortunately, your lap isn't the safest place for a child during a flight. Your arms aren't strong enough to securely hold a baby during turbulence or other unexpected events. Plus, you need your hands free to put on your oxygen mask if it's deployed.
A child seat is much safer. To help parents with babies and small children travel safely, the FAA provides a guide to airline-approved car seats. Here's a quick summary:
- Front-facing car seats with a "certified for aircraft" label are the best option.
- Seats less than 16 inches wide fit most airplane seats.
- Car seats must be installed in forward-facing airplane seats, preferably in a window seat.
In addition, the FAA has approved a child safety harness that is specifically designed for air travel. Called the Child Aviation Restraint System or CARES, these harnesses can be affixed directly to the airplane seat but are not approved for use in motor vehicles.
Why the FAA doesn't require child safety seats
The FAA chose not to mandate the use of an airplane car seat because it would force parents to purchase an additional ticket for their child, which could make air travel cost-prohibitive for some families. The additional ticket would be required to reserve a seat in which an airline-approved car seat could be installed.
Currently, airlines allow children under the age of 2 to fly without a ticket, permitting them to sit on a parent or guardian’s lap. Because flying is statistically safer than car travel, the FAA has been reluctant to add barriers to air travel for families.
Compare the best kid safety products
Product | Best for | Price | Specs | Standout feature | Learn more |
| Best kids GPS tracker | $12.99/mo.* | Two-way calling and listen-in function | GPS tracking with transit alerts + location history | View on AngelSense | |
| Best kids phone | $29.00/mo. | Unlimited talk and text | Built-in parental controls | View on Bark | |
| Best kids smartwatch | $12.99† | Unlimited talk and text, live location tracking, 100 contacts | SOS button, closed network | View on Angel Watch | |
| Best parental control app | $99.99/yr | Requires iOS 11 or Android 5 and up | Monitors 24 social networks | View on Bark | |
| Best booster seat | $329.99 | For kids up to 120 lbs. | 2-in-1 design lasts through toddler years | View on Amazon | |
| Best budget kids bike helmet | $25.02 | 53–57 cm. head circumference | Excellent impact absorption | View on Amazon |
Amazon.com price as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
*Annual price, paid in full.
†With 2-year contract
Absolutely. Small children are too heavy to hold on your lap for the duration of a flight. Most airlines allow children under 2 to fly for free, but they'll need a seat of their own for a harness or safety seat.
Children aged 2 or older need to have their own seat on a plane.
They can, but it's not recommended. Infants and little ones are still heavy and in the event of turbulence or an emergency, you might not be able to hold onto them securely enough.
Yes, if it's approved for air travel. Before it's time for your trip, check your child's carseat label. If it's certified for use in aircraft, you should be able to use it on the plane.
Recent Articles
Best ADT Competitor Alternatives for 2025
Our 4k+ hours of testing 25+ security systems shows that Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Frontpoint are...
Bark Watch Review
A kids smartwatch can be a safe way to introduce kids to texting. The Bark...
Best Smartwatches for Kids | Tested by Parents and Kids in 2025
We researched and tested to find the best kids smartwatches that are actually worth your...
SimpliSafe Has a New Way to Keep You Safe
SimpliSafe’s new Smoke & CO Alarm Listener connects your existing detectors to its system for...
