No seatbelts for infants! [Comair]
#16
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,508
About 15 years ago I flew Air Berlin out of Stanstrd and was shocked and alarmed that my infant did not get a lap belt. The crew explained they did not offer them. Till then having only ever see lap belts this was really strange. Never flew AB again!
#17
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,332
The best method in practice is for the child to have their own seat. Its not exactly Rocket science. Are there any countries that REQUIRE each pax to have a seat? In my opinion THEY would be the ones who were "right".
#19
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
As far as what to do on scene for accident... Helmets protect the head, not the (c-)spine. They can also block access to the airway. There isn't a hard and fast rule about whether or not the helmet comes off.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws...orcyclehelmets
#23
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,023
Instead EU and US airlines use a completely opposite method, with one saying the other is wrong. Hence my "question".
P.S.
Many years ago, in Italy, I volunteered on ambulances (paramedics didn't exist there and then) and during training I was taught to remove full helmets.
Last edited by Lefly; Dec 5, 2017 at 1:06 pm Reason: ETA
#24
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 131
It seems clear that the safest option is to have an infant secured in an airline approved car seat in their own seat so why do BA make this impossible?
A number of UK car seats (including the very popular Maxi Cosi Pebble) are approved for aircraft use and designed to be able to be secured with the lap belt. However, they are designed to be fitted rear facing (the same way they are used in the car) but BA only permits forward facing seats to be used on its flights. Given new EU car seat regulations require children to rear face until at least 15 months (and recommend it for as long as possible), BAs position practically makes it near impossible to use a car seat for most infants. BA also apparently require than any seat has a 5 point harness - another requirement that doesnt match car seat requirements as most use a 3 point design.
Have any of the posters that recommend the separate seat option for under twos managed this successfully on BA with a modern car seat?
A number of UK car seats (including the very popular Maxi Cosi Pebble) are approved for aircraft use and designed to be able to be secured with the lap belt. However, they are designed to be fitted rear facing (the same way they are used in the car) but BA only permits forward facing seats to be used on its flights. Given new EU car seat regulations require children to rear face until at least 15 months (and recommend it for as long as possible), BAs position practically makes it near impossible to use a car seat for most infants. BA also apparently require than any seat has a 5 point harness - another requirement that doesnt match car seat requirements as most use a 3 point design.
Have any of the posters that recommend the separate seat option for under twos managed this successfully on BA with a modern car seat?
#25
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,731
It seems clear that the safest option is to have an infant secured in an airline approved car seat in their own seat so why do BA make this impossible?
A number of UK car seats (including the very popular Maxi Cosi Pebble) are approved for aircraft use and designed to be able to be secured with the lap belt. However, they are designed to be fitted rear facing (the same way they are used in the car) but BA only permits forward facing seats to be used on its flights. Given new EU car seat regulations require children to rear face until at least 15 months (and recommend it for as long as possible), BAs position practically makes it near impossible to use a car seat for most infants. BA also apparently require than any seat has a 5 point harness - another requirement that doesnt match car seat requirements as most use a 3 point design.
Have any of the posters that recommend the separate seat option for under twos managed this successfully on BA with a modern car seat?
A number of UK car seats (including the very popular Maxi Cosi Pebble) are approved for aircraft use and designed to be able to be secured with the lap belt. However, they are designed to be fitted rear facing (the same way they are used in the car) but BA only permits forward facing seats to be used on its flights. Given new EU car seat regulations require children to rear face until at least 15 months (and recommend it for as long as possible), BAs position practically makes it near impossible to use a car seat for most infants. BA also apparently require than any seat has a 5 point harness - another requirement that doesnt match car seat requirements as most use a 3 point design.
Have any of the posters that recommend the separate seat option for under twos managed this successfully on BA with a modern car seat?
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Life Miles, Miles and more
Posts: 518
The assumption with a seat belt extender is that you will crush your child during a severe accident, but the child will not fly through the cabin to injure someone else. Those incidents are rare, but that's the general gist of it.
You have already decided against safety if you fly with a child in your lap, so I'm not really interested in the totally irrelevant opinions you may have on how that is safe.
You have already decided against safety if you fly with a child in your lap, so I'm not really interested in the totally irrelevant opinions you may have on how that is safe.
#27
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 131
A US seat would resolve the BA issue but they cant be used in the UK (to/from the airport) or EU so this is not really a practical option for most parents especially given the low risk associated with having a lap child. Would it not be more sensible for BA to permit the use of UK/EU approved seats that are designed for use on aircraft? It is very counter intuitive to have to purchase a US seat to secure a child on a UK carrier to a destination that may well not be in the US.
#28
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brisbane
Programs: BAEC Blue/Bronze, Krisflyer, Qantas
Posts: 415
Trying to be objective about it, babies bounce a lot and have a much higher survival rate in crashes than adults. It seems right to me that the biggest risk might actually be the adult crushing the baby. Not sure where else you'd put the seat belt for a baby, if only there were compartments above your head where a baby could be stored. JOKE, don't do that.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 140
We have a trip booked in first on BA in February when the lad will be 6 months and that seems like a big mistake in terms of bassinet positioning . At least the food and wine will be better than main cabin!