The Hidden Dangers of Flying with Young Children on Your Lap

Flying with young children can be a challenging yet magical experience, but it also comes with risks that many parents may not fully understand. The recent crash landing of a Delta Air Lines flight in Toronto brought these risks into sharp focus, highlighting the potential dangers of allowing young children to sit on an adult’s lap during a flight. While the crash itself was rare, it underscored a critical safety issue: the vulnerability of lap-held children in the event of turbulence, hard landings, or other emergencies.

The incident in Toronto injured an 18-month-old child, though it’s unclear whether the child was sitting on a parent’s lap at the time. What’s certain, however, is that similar situations in the past have led to devastating consequences. Young children are particularly at risk in such scenarios because they cannot be securely restrained in the same way as adults.When a plane experiences unexpected movements, holding onto a squirming baby or toddler becomes nearly impossible, placing them in grave danger.

Expert Recommendations: Why Car Seats Are Safer for Young Children

Aviation safety experts agree that the safest way for children under the age of 2 to fly is in their own seat, secured by an approved car seat. This recommendation is supported by major organizations, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the American Academy of Pediatrics. These groups argue that car seats provide the necessary protection for young children during turbulence, sudden drops, or crashes.

Despite these recommendations, many families choose not to use car seats for their young children, often citing cost and convenience as reasons. While it’s true that buying an extra ticket for a child’s seat can be expensive, advocates argue that the risk of injury or worse far outweighs the financial burden. Former flight attendant Jan Brown, who became a child seat advocate after a tragic crash in 1989, remembers a mother who lost her 22-month-old son in the accident. The mother had followed the flight crew’s advice to place her child on the floor, which ultimately led to his death. Brown’s story is a haunting reminder of the importance of proper restraints for young children.

Real-Life Tragedies: Lessons from Past Crashes

History is filled with heartbreaking examples of why lap-held children are at greater risk during flights. In 1989, a United Airlines flight crashed near Sioux City, Iowa, killing 112 people, including a 22-month-old boy who was sitting on his mother’s lap. Of the four lap children on board, three were injured, and the young boy lost his life. Similarly, in 2012, a 6-month-old boy traveling on his parent’s lap was killed when a plane overshot a runway in Nunavut, Canada.

These tragedies highlight the potential consequences of not securing young children properly during flights. Even in less severe incidents, lap-held children can be vulnerable. For example, in 2022, three infants on Alaska Airlines narrowly escaped disaster when a plane door Plug flew off midflight. While none of the children were sucked out of the plane, the incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers of not restraining them properly.

Parental Perspectives: Balancing Safety and Cost

Parents are divided on the issue of using car seats for young children during flights. Some, like Meredith Tobitsch of Connecticut, swear by the safety and convenience of securing their children in car seats. Tobitsch explains that during turbulence, it’s easy for parents to lose their grip on their children, and having them restrained provides peace of mind. She also notes that her children sleep better in their car seats, making long flights more enjoyable for the whole family.

On the other hand, some parents, like Clare Ronning, are skeptical of the need for car seats on planes. Ronning, who recently flew with her 5-month-old daughter, believes that the risks are minimal and that requiring car seats feels like an unnecessary expense. “I don’t really see the difference, personally,” she said. “It just seems like another money grab.” Her perspective reflects the views of many families who struggle to balance safety concerns with the high costs of air travel.

Why Car Seats Aren’t Required: Policy and Practicality

Despite the overwhelming evidence that car seats improve safety for young children, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not require families to purchase extra tickets for children under 2. The agency relies on a decades-old study to justify this policy, arguing that requiring families to buy additional tickets might lead them to opt for driving instead of flying. Since driving is statistically more dangerous than flying, the FAA fears that more children could die in car accidents if families choose to drive to avoid the extra cost of airplane tickets.

However, critics argue that this reasoning is outdated and flawed. NTSB member Tom Chapman points out that airline tickets are far more affordable today than they were in the 1990s, when the study was conducted. He believes the study should be revisited to reflect current realities and to prioritize child safety over economic concerns. Meanwhile, some parents, like Andrea Arredondo, admit that requiring car seats and extra tickets might deter them from flying altogether. As a mother of three, Arredondo says she would “decrease plane travel” if forced to bring car seats for her youngest child, given the already overwhelming logistical challenges of traveling with multiple kids.

Conclusion: Protecting the Most Vulnerable Passengers

The debate over lap children and car seats on planes is a complex one, involving questions of safety, cost, and practicality. While some families believe the risks of lap seating are minimal, the stories of parents who have lost their children in preventable accidents are a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of proper restraints. For advocates like Jan Brown and Michelle Pratt, the message is clear: families should prioritize their children’s safety by investing in car seats and extra tickets, even if it adds to the cost of air travel.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it’s time for policymakers to reexamine outdated regulations and prioritize the safety of the most vulnerable passengers—our children. By requiring car seats and ensuring that young children are properly restrained during flights, we can reduce the risks associated with air travel and prevent future tragedies. For parents, the choice to secure their children in approved car seats may be a difficult one, but it’s one that could save lives and bring peace of mind to families as they take to the skies.