The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges you to secure your child in a CRS or device for the duration of your flight. It's the smart and right thing to do so everyone in your family arrives safely at your destination. The FAA has specific tips for helping families be safe in the air such as:

• Measure the width of your CRS. It should fit in most airplane seats if it is no wider than 16 inches.
• Ask your airline for a discounted fare. Buying a ticket for your child is the only way to guarantee that you will be able to use a CRS.
• Reserve adjoining seats. A CRS should be placed in a window seat so it will not block the escape path in an emergency. Do not place a CRS in an exit row.
• If you do not buy a ticket for your child, ask if your airline will allow you to use an empty seat. If your airline's policy allows this, avoid the busiest days and times to increase the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to you. 

The full list of tips and information can be found at: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/

If a car seat is safe for the road, is it safe in the air?

The FAA has specific testing criteria for car seats and safety devices that differ from crash testing required for use on the road. Look for the sticker on your car seat or in your car seat owner’s manual telling you that it is “FAA Approved for use on aircraft.”

Find out how car seats are tested for inflight safety here:

http://www.jetwithkids.com/faa-approved-car-seats-that-dont-fit/

Always do your research on an airlines policies, air craft types and seat sizes to make sure your car seat will fit BEFORE YOU BOOK YOUR TICKETS!  Airlines should accommodate FAA approved car seats, but with shrinking leg room on planes, not all car seats fit all types of aircrafts.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/airline-discounts-children-62340.html

If you have other questions about traveling with car seats please contact the Car Seat Team at McKay-Dee Hospital
Call 801-387-7800. They also offer free car seat checks.