Information You Should Know When Flying With Your Infant of Toddler
Traveling with precious cargo
If you're traveling with an infant or small child, you should know that proper use of an approved child restraint system (CRS) enhances child safety on an aircraft. For this reason, Island Air and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly recommend that infants and small children who weigh under 40 lbs. be secured in an appropriate restraint device when traveling by air.
What special rules apply to infants?
- For one child less than 2 years old, accompanied by an adult fare-paying passenger and not occupying a seat, there is no charge. Infants occupying a seat will pay the applicable adult fare when traveling within the state of Hawaii. A maximum of one infant is permitted for each fare-paying adult. The child must be placed in an approved infant safety seat.
- Island Air reserves the right to request proof of age at anytime. If passenger is unable to provide proof of age, WP will charge the applicable fare and require the child to occupy a seat.
Does my infant need a boarding pass?
If you choose to purchase a seat so that your infant may travel in his or her restraint system, you will need to obtain a boarding pass for the infant prior to proceeding to the security checkpoint.
If you choose to travel with your infant on your lap (at no additional charge), the infant will not need a boarding pass; however, you will need to advise the check-in agent that you are traveling with an infant as a lap child.
What is an appropriate CRS?
Many child safety seats that are designed for use in automobiles are also appropriate for use on aircraft. Appropriate restraint devices should have hard sides and backs, include integrated shoulder straps, and secure to a passenger seat via channels through which the seatbelt is threaded and attached. They should also carry two labels stating:
- "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards"; and
- "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" in red lettering.
Although one might think that any type of restraint system would provide at least some degree of flight safety enhancement, this is not the case. Some child restraints may do a good job of protecting children in automobiles or in other situations, but are not appropriate for aviation use. Recent testing and research have led the FAA to ban the use on aircraft of certain types of child restraints that may be harmful to a child in the event of an aviation emergency. Booster seats, vest and harness type child restraint systems and lap held child restraints (including belly belts) are not approved for use in aircraft.
Although some that were manufactured before the FAA's ban may carry an insignia and/or language indicating they are approved for aircraft use, please understand that they are no longer permitted.
Are strollers or infant carriers permitted beyond security?
You may choose to bring your infant to the departure gate in a stroller or infant carrier.
Most infant carriers are designed simply to provide convenience in carrying babies. With the exception of a few recently manufactured automobile safety seats that convert to carriers, they do not provide sufficient protection to qualify as CRSs. While you may carry your baby on and off the aircraft in an infant carrier (provided it does not exceed the size limitations for carryon items), it must be properly stowed either underneath a seat or in an overhead bin for taxi, takeoff, and landing.
If the stroller or infant carrier exceeds the size limitations for carryon items, the Customer Service Agent will “gate-check” the item (at no additional charge) to your final destination, and the item will be placed in the cargo compartment for transportation. When you reach your destination the item will be returned to you at the arrival gate.
How should a CRS be used?
The CRS should be secured to a window seat. It should not be installed in aisles seats, in the same row of an emergency exit nor in the rows forward of aft of an emergency exit. The recommended location on Island Air is in Row 6 and back.