The safest way for baby to fly Infants weighing less than 20 pounds should be bucked into a rear-facing car seat during airplane travel. Children who weigh 20 to 40 pounds should be restrained in a car seat. They should not be switched to using just the airplane's lap belt until they reach at least 40 pounds.

While it is legal in 2026 to fly with a "lap infant" (under age 2), aviation safety experts and the FAA strongly recommend against it, stating that the safest way for a child to travel is in a government-approved car seat in their own purchased seat. During "extreme turbulence" or a sudden emergency landing, it is physically impossible for a parent to hold onto a baby securely; the child effectively becomes an "unrestrained projectile" in the cabin. This can lead to severe injury for the infant and other passengers. A high-value peer tip for 2026: if you cannot afford a separate seat, try to request a bulkhead seat with a bassinet (available on many international long-haul flights), which provides a more secure space for the baby to sleep. However, for maximum safety, the "extra expense" of a dedicated seat and a CARES harness or car seat is a high-value investment in your child's physical protection, ensuring they are braced for the unexpected just like every other passenger on the aircraft.