Distributed by: AFS-200 OPR: AFS-220

 InFO Information for Operators

U.S. Department InFO 11007

of Transportation DATE: XX/XX/XX

Federal Aviation

Administration Flight Standards Service

Washington, DC

http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info

An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or 

operational requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.

Subject: Regulatory Requirements Regarding Accommodation of Child Restraint Systems - Update

Purpose: This InFO clarifies regulations regarding accommodation of Child Restraint Systems (CRS),

and provides updated information regarding the requirement for part 121 air carriers to make available on 

their websites the width of the widest passenger seat for each airplane used in passenger-carrying 

operations. This rule provides greater information to caregivers to help them determine whether a 

particular CRS will fit in an airplane seat. If an air carrier does not have a website, the air carrier is not 

required to establish a website in order to comply with this regulation.

Discussion: No operator may prohibit a child (an individual who has not reached his or her 18th birthday) 

from using an approved CRS when a seat is purchased for the child, the child is accompanied by a parent 

or guardian and the child is within the weight limits for the CRS. [14CFR §§ 121.311 (b)(2)(i), 

125.211(b)(2)(i), 135.128(a)(2)(i)]. If an approved CRS, for which a ticket has been purchased, does not 

fit in a particular seat on the aircraft, it is the responsibility of the aircraft operator to accommodate the 

CRS in another seat. The following are examples of design variations where accommodation is required. 

1) A CRS with a base that is too wide to fit properly in a seat with rigid armrests can be moved to a 

seat with moveable armrests that can be raised to accommodate the CRS.

2) An aft-facing CRS that cannot be installed properly because of minimal pitch (distance between 

seats) between rows can be moved to a bulkhead seat or a seat in a row with additional pitch.

3) A harness type CRS (approved under 14 CFR part 21, § 21.305(d)) with an upper strap that is not 

able to encircle some sleeper seats or very large first class seats can be moved to another seat that 

can accommodate the strap.

4) There are some aft facing CRS that have a detachable base that may keep the CRS from fitting 

properly in the seat. The following visual cues will assist the passenger and the aircraft operator to 

determine if the detachable base is necessary.

a) If there is no belt path on the aft facing CRS, then it must be used with the detachable base on 

aircraft. 
Distributed by: AFS-200 OPR: AFS-220

b) If there is a belt path on the aft facing CRS and the CRS is properly labeled, then it does not 

need to be used with the detachable base on aircraft. 

c) FMVSS-213 labeling standards do not require labeling on the detachable base.

Consistent with the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that requires the FAA to initiate

rulemaking to enable passengers to determine which CRS can be used in an airplane seat, air carriers 

conducting domestic, flag, and supplemental operations are required to make available on their websites 

the width of the widest passenger seat in each class of service for each make, model and series of airplane 

used in passenger-carrying operations. [§ 121.311(k)]

An operator may have policies, based on safe operating practices that establish certain seat locations for 

passengers who use a CRS on a specific aircraft. However, prohibiting the use of a CRS (if a ticket has 

been purchased) when there are seats on the aircraft, in the same class of service, where the CRS could be 

used safely is not consistent with the requirements stated in parts 121, 125 and 135.

Recommended Action: Directors of safety, directors of operations, directors of marketing and customer 

service, training managers and crewmembers should understand regulations in part 121, 125 and 135 

regarding the use of approved CRS and should revise their procedures, manuals, websites and training 

programs accordingly. 

Contact: Questions or comments regarding this InFO should be directed to AFS-200, Air Transportation 

Division, at 202-267-8166.