The NTSB is drawing awareness to in-flight child safety and at their urging, FAA provides new child seat safety tips for airplanes. What's next? Your car.

More than a decade ago, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conference in Washington D.C. showcased many of the complicated issues surrounding our tiniest flyers, who cannot safely be accommodated in regular airplane seats. Back then, the Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson reiterated two points the FAA had advocated since 1998:

• * Child restraints should be mandatory in aircraft
• * CRS (Child Restraint Systems) should be certified to function both in automobiles and airplanes

Several parents who testified at the hearings complained about the difficulty of installing different models of carseats in aircraft. Resolution of the issue required a standardized CRS; wouldn't that be a relief to those who struggle with new child seats every time they rent a car? Any new type of aircraft seat modification also required additional flight staff training. 

Unrestrained Children Up in the Air

But the debate was also about why our tiniest travelers -- infants under 2 -- were able to fly free of charge as lap children, without a seat at all?

Since children traveling by car have a statistically higher injury rate than those traveling by plane, the FAA has long avoided requiring infants to purchase a seat. As FAA Administrator Garvey noted at that time, "We don't want an aviation safety rule to have an unintended consequence that puts families at greater risk on the road."

In the current economy, others say safety is taking a backseat to frugality because so many more families -- afraid of the increased costs -- are driving rather than flying to a destination.

As an option for parents who are willing to pay to guarantee their babies a seat, however, some airlines have made infant seats available at a 50% discount.

Is a Lap Child Fare in Your Future?

On December 9, 2010, the NTSB hosted the first Child Passenger Safety in the Air and in Automobiles Forum to review these issues. In introducing the forum, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said, "American families are on the go, and children today are frequent travelers almost from the time they are born."

We agree with Hersman, who added, "Much more should be done to reduce fatalities and injuries of our smallest travelers, whether they are in a jumbo jet or their family's car." The outcome of the Forum and recommendations to the FAA will not be known for months, but many believe the FAA is still avoiding a showdown with the airlines about charging for infant seats.

In the meanwhile, the FAA has published a new Child Safety Seats on Airplanes brochure so that parents will be fully informed about their choices.

Alternate Child Restraint Options

Today, there is consensus that parents who can afford to purchase an airline seat should, and that infants should be properly restrained. Fortunately, innovation has made restraining a child in flight easier than ever.

The CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) safety device that ensures the protection of young children during take-off, landing, and taxi was awarded the Good Housekeeping 2008 Good Buy Award. Designed by a Vermont grandmother as an example of necessity being the (grand)mother of invention, the AmSafe Aviation system is designated for children ages 1 to 4-years-old who weigh 22-44 pounds, and who are no taller than 40". Simple to install, the device uses an additional belt and shoulder harness around the seat back that attaches to the passenger lap belt and restrains the upper part of the body.  Easy to transport (the device weighs only a pound and fits into a 6" sack), it is also usable in any airplane seat, except for exit row seats (where children are not permitted to be seated.)

Another option for parents is the lightweight, foldable Baby B'Air Infant Vest, which parents can tuck into their bags and use, like a fortified bib, to contain squirmy toddlers and strap them into an airplane seat.

Both are convenient alternatives to FAA-certified car seats (which were never designed for air travel), and can be a smart investment for frequent traveling families, because they offer greater protection for young ones than a parent's lap.

Before you plan your next flight with baby, consider the consequences of saving the cost of that plane ticket.