Infant Restraint Question for RTW Trip

[Durin's Bane]

Hello fellow AFFs,

My wife and I were undertaking a RTW trip in three weeks, which we've done a few times in the past, however this will be the first with a six month old infant.

One of the legs I have is on AA44 from JFK to CDG, and whilst reviewing the child seating/baggage information I noticed that AA don't have infant seat belts for children under 2 years of age. What seat belt/harness do people recommend we purchase for our six month old? I was also hoping to use this item in regular cabs in lieu of having to specifically call for cabs with baby seats.

We are also on QF, CX, BA and IB on the journey, and we are travelling in business class.

Thanks,
DB.

 

[thewinchester]

In your case, you should only be purchasing a harness or seat which is CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) certified. This can be used on pretty much any airline around the globe, and being pre-approved they do not require you to seek approval from each airline before travel.

Boarding Area blogger Mommy Points recently did a review on a CARES harness, which you can read here. Shame you didn't ask this a little while back, because she also held a competition to give one away to a lucky reader.

You can find a list of CARES stockists on their Australian website.

 

[Durin's Bane]

In your case, you should only be purchasing a harness or seat which is CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) certified. This can be used on pretty much any airline around the globe, and being pre-approved they do not require you to seek approval from each airline before travel.

Boarding Area blogger Mommy Points recently did a review on a CARES harness, which you can read here. Shame you didn't ask this a little while back, because she also held a competition to give one away to a lucky reader.

You can find a list of CARES stockists on their Australian website.

Thanks for the information mate. I just reviewed but it looks like this system is for 1 year olds and older?

The CARES stockists include one here in Perth (!) so my wife will check it out this weekend.

 

[Durin's Bane]

We checked out the CARES stockist here in Perth and they've advised our six month old is too young (and petite for her age to boot).

Have any AFF's travelled with infants on AA internationally?

Worst case, we will get to the USA on QF and CX (both have bassinets on the planes), so are planning to ask once we're in the USA about the requirements for the upcoming AA flight.

 

[Durin's Bane]

Fellow AFF’s,

I can report after having taken AA44 between JFK and CDG in December during my DONE4 that American Airlines do not provide a child restraint device, nor do they expect the passengers to provide one! The AA staff at the First Class check-in at JFK were even more confused than my wife and I!

This is completely different to QF, CX, IB and BA where child restraint devices were provided on the DONE4.

Regards,
DB.

 

[jamesatfish]

Just to revive this thread - has anyone travelled with a CARES harness in premium cabins on QF/BA/AA?

Now that our daughter is old enough to require her own seat we're looking at the best restraint option, and from what I've read the CARES harness is a much better option logistically than carrying a carseat around the world.

The only problem I can see is the back strap of the harness which appears to have been designed to strap around a standard Y seat, and I can't see how far this strap extends to know if it will be suitable for premium cabin seats.

BA's website states that the CARES harness can't be used in their F cabin, but I don't know the reasoning behind that statement. Club Europe seems to be okay. Neither AA nor QF state any restrictions on use of the CARES harness in various cabins.

Does anyone have any experience as to whether these harnesses can be used in premium cabin seating? The main seats of concern are QF J (A380 style on the retrofitted 747s), AA's 777 F and BA's 747 New F.