FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - AF – Whole PE Cabin restricted if Infant?

Dec 16, 2020 | 3:57 pm

#3

vinnyc

Join Date: Feb 2006

Location: NYC

Programs: BA BAEC Gold (oW Emerald), AF/KLM FB Plat (ST E+), *Alliance Nada

Posts: 362

Quote:

Originally Posted by pascalgr

Hello
The AF PE seat belt are different than the one in Y ; They have an Inflatable seatbelt, it was a requirement for the certification;
I believe that the First row doesn't have this type of seat belt as there is no seat in front of you; look this link https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia.../InFO11006.pdf
"To support compliance with these 14 CFR sections regarding the use of inflatable seat belts, assigned crewmembers should conduct briefings about the inflatable seat belt and /or direct passengers to the briefing card for additional information. Important information that should be relayed includes:
A. Inflatable seat belts are deactivated when the seat belt is unbuckled, or:
When the seat occupant uses a seat belt extender or When a seat belt extender is used in conjunction with a child safety seat"
B.The inflatable seat belt is not operationally restricted by passengers with lap-held children. However, the manufacturer of the inflatable seat belt does not recommend allowing lap-held children with any type of restraint system. Any restrictions on lap-held children are strictly the responsibility of the aircraft operator.

With an infant you need to hold your child during takeoff and landing and it may by that in case the inflatable seatbelt kick off it may hurt badly your child, therefore they prohibit the use of the seat with inflatable seat belt to passagers with infants

So it seems possible to use the inflatable seatbelt with some specific seatbelt extension but it means the passenger would be less protected in case of crash and AF has probably make the choice to allow only passenger witohut infant to seat on the seat equipped with inflatable seatbelt;
I will be interesting to have an official answer from Plat Line on the subject;

https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia.../InFO11006.pdf

Hello pascalgr!

As we are flying out very soon, I eventually got the answer. An agent on the Platinum Service Line dove further in the documentation of the Premium Economy and she spotted what you said: that only the first row seats in the middle section are allowed to be assigned to passengers with infants on their laps, due to those seats not having the "airbag" (inflatable) seatbelts.

That was only for booking on the GDS though. The PSL agent was able to enter the DCS and was able to allocate my husband and I the two seats on the side. So it seems that the restrictions only apply before departure. Once loaded in the departure control system, you can get those seats.

Cheers,
vinnyc

Reply