Traveling with young children can be an adventure, but ensuring their safety is always the top priority. When it comes to air travel, many parents grapple with the question of child restraints. Car seats, while familiar, are bulky and cumbersome to lug through airports. This is where the CARES child aviation restraint system steps in as a game-changer, offering a lightweight, convenient, and FAA-certified alternative that functions as the ideal “Booster Seat For Traveling” on airplanes.
The Story Behind CARES: Innovation Born from a Grandmother’s Concern
The CARES story is deeply personal and rooted in a grandmother’s genuine concern for her family’s well-being. Dr. Louise Stoll, a former Assistant Secretary at the US Department of Transportation, witnessed firsthand the struggles of traveling parents. As she recounts, the inspiration struck when her daughter Miriam visited her, laden with a toddler, a heavy car seat, and a diaper bag while pregnant. This scene sparked a crucial question: “There has to be a better way!”
Driven by this thought, Dr. Stoll envisioned a child restraint system specifically designed for air travel. It needed to be the antithesis of a car seat – lightweight, portable, quick to install, and equally effective in ensuring a child’s safety during all phases of flight, from smooth cruising to unexpected turbulence. This vision wasn’t just about convenience; it was about uncompromising safety for every child in the air.
From Sketch to Sky: Developing a Revolutionary Child Aviation Restraint
Dr. Stoll’s initial sketches laid the groundwork for a patented invention. Recognizing the complexities of aviation regulations and the need for expert partnership, she collaborated with AmSafe, a global leader in aircraft seatbelt manufacturing with extensive experience working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
AmSafe embraced Dr. Stoll’s concept, leading to four years of rigorous development, testing, and regulatory reviews. This comprehensive process included stringent crash tests with instrumented dummies, public feedback periods, and the establishment of new FAA regulations to accommodate this novel harness-type restraint. The FAA’s ultimate determination was that CARES provided an “Equivalent Level Of Safety” (ELOS) to a car seat for children on airplanes – a monumental endorsement of its effectiveness.
FAA Certification and Global Recognition: CARES Takes Flight
In September 2006, the FAA officially certified CARES, marking a pivotal moment for family air travel safety. It became the first and only alternative to car seats permitted on all US airlines, across all flight phases. This certification empowered parents to confidently use CARES, backed by the FAA’s explicit clarification that airlines could not prohibit its use. The news resonated globally, capturing national and international media attention and featuring on prominent platforms like the Today show.
Since its inception, Kids Fly Safe, the company behind CARES, has sold over 300,000 units. CARES’s safety and convenience have earned international certifications from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It is now a trusted child restraint on major airlines throughout Europe and Asia, solidifying its position as a leading solution for safe family air travel.
Why CARES is the Smart “Booster Seat for Traveling” Alternative
While booster seats are essential for car safety as children grow, they are not designed or certified for airplane use. Car seats, though certified, are often impractical for air travel. CARES bridges this gap, acting as the ideal “booster seat for traveling” in the context of air travel because:
- Lightweight and Portable: Unlike bulky car seats, CARES weighs just 1 pound and packs into a compact stuff sack, making it incredibly easy to carry in your hand luggage.
- FAA Certified Safety: CARES meets stringent FAA safety standards and provides the same level of safety as a car seat in an airplane environment.
- Easy Installation: CARES is quick and simple to install on any airplane seat in under 2 minutes.
- Versatile and Adjustable: Designed for children weighing 22-44 pounds (10-20 kg) and up to 40 inches tall, CARES adapts to growing children, offering extended usability.
- Airline Approved: CARES is approved for use on all US airlines and many international carriers, eliminating uncertainty and hassle at the gate.
Alt Text: A toddler sits comfortably and safely secured in an airplane seat using the CARES child aviation restraint system, demonstrating its ease of use and secure fit.
Ensuring Every Child Flies Safely: The CARES Mission
The core mission of CARES and Kids Fly Safe remains unwavering: to ensure that every child has a safe seat when flying. By providing a practical, safe, and certified child restraint system, CARES empowers parents to travel with peace of mind, knowing their children are securely protected throughout their journey. Choosing CARES is choosing safety, convenience, and a smoother travel experience for the whole family.
For families prioritizing child safety and ease of travel, CARES stands out as the intelligent and effective “booster seat for traveling” – specifically designed for the unique environment of air travel. Embrace safer skies and happier travels with CARES.
