If your child is big enough to do so (around 4 years and 40 lbs), you can have them sit buckled on the airplane seat. Bring a belt positioning device such as the RideSafer Travel Vest or BubbleBum in your carry-on bag for your car travels once you land.

Yes, a 5-year-old can sit on a plane, but they must have their own purchased seat and be accompanied by an adult, unless they are traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor (UM). Children who have reached their 2nd birthday are legally required to have their own seat and cannot travel as "lap infants." For a 5-year-old, airlines generally recommend (or require) that they sit in a standard passenger seat with a regular seatbelt. While not mandatory on most airlines, the FAA strongly recommends the use of a government-approved Child Restraint System (CRS) or a car seat for children under 40 pounds to provide maximum safety during turbulence. If a 5-year-old is traveling alone, most major airlines (like Delta, United, or Air India) allow them to use their "Unaccompanied Minor" service for a fee. This service ensures a staff member escorts the child from check-in to the gate, monitors them during the flight, and hands them over directly to the authorized guardian at the destination.