Kids in Airplanes?

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Wondering if anyone has an opinion / advice on the logistics of taking kids flying? My kids
are 3 years old and 17 months old? Do I need a carseat (aviation approved) for both? Can the
3 year old sit in the front without a carseat with my wife and 17 month old in the back (in a
carseat)? Other suggestions for "who sits where and in what type of seat?" Looking for
comments on both legal and safety aspects of this. Thanks in advance!

-- Taylor Grant, June 9, 2012

Answers

There are no requirements for car seats. A car seat may protect a young child from an accident, though. For the 3-year-old a booster seat is good just so that he or she enjoys the view. The main FAA regulations are that you can't use a car seat in a rear-facing airplane seat (e.g., Bonanza with club seating) and the car seat has to be approved for use in airplanes (all of the newer ones are).

-- Philip Greenspun, November 6, 2012