cm / kg in / lbs
AmSafe CARES: Airline & Country Compatibility
0.45 kg
Harness FAA
The CARES harness is in a category of its own. At just 450 grams, it is not a car seat at all but an FAA-approved harness that straps to the airplane seat. No lugging a heavy seat through the airport, no worrying about width. If your child is between 10 and 0.45 kg and you fly a lot, this is the simplest solution.
How It Ranks
See full rankings →Traveling with the AmSafe CARES
Getting through the airport
At just 0.45 kg (0.45 kg), the CARES harness is the lightest FAA-approved child restraint you can buy. It rolls up to about the size of a water bottle and fits in a purse or carry-on. No lugging a bulky car seat through the terminal. Parents consistently say this is the single best thing about it: you barely notice you are carrying it.
Using it on board
The CARES harness loops around the aircraft seatback and adds an extra belt across your childs chest, supplementing the lap belt. Installation takes about a minute once you get the hang of it. It only works forward-facing for children 10-0.45 kg (22-0.45 kg). Flight attendants occasionally need to see the FAA approval sticker, so keep it visible.
Good to know
This is FAA-certified but not approved for use in cars. It is purely a flying device. You will still need a separate car seat at your destination. The CARES harness fills a specific niche: toddlers and preschoolers who have outgrown an infant seat but are too small to use just the airplane lap belt safely. For that use case, nothing else comes close on convenience.
One of the 10 lightest travel car seats we track. See the AmSafe CARES on Amazon.
Check price on AmazonAirline Compatibility
45 approved 3 not approved
cm / kg in / lbs Tap an airline to see details
Approved (45) 45
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Restrictions: Forward-facing only, rear-facing prohibited. No car seats on regional flights. Standards: Must have 5-point harness with FAA or CE sticker.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must meet CMVSS (Canadian) or FAA (US). Age rules: Children under 2 may travel on lap. Only 1 infant per passenger. Gate check: 2 free items per child (1 stroller + 1 car seat/booster).
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: FAA and EASA certification required. Max seat width 44 cm (42 cm in first row Economy). Both forward and rear-facing accepted (rear-facing permitted at takeoff/landing, forward required at cruise).
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must display certification label for aircraft use (FAA or EASA accepted). Age rules: Infants under 2 must use car seat if occupying their own seat. Children over 2 may optionally bring one.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: No published standard certifications (no FAA/EASA requirement). Must have proper plastic shell with securely attached under-structure showing no damage. Age/weight: 6 months to 3 years, up to 18 kg. Forward-facing only. Booster seats prohibited. Extra seat must be purchased for the child restraint device.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear FAA label "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft." Window seat preferred. Both forward and rear-facing accepted. 737-700 max width 17 in (43 cm), 737-800/900 max 17.5 in (44.4 cm). CARES harness also accepted for children 22-44 lbs.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear FAA approval label. Window seats only. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear label "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft". Gate check: Only 1 item gate-checked — if stroller also carried, one must go at counter.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Accepts Japanese MLIT, UN/ECE, US FMVSS, and CARES harness (10-20 kg). Booster seats, harness/vest types (except CARES), and ISOFIX not accepted. Must be secured with aircraft seat belt at all times. May not work in premium cabins due to wider seats.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Free car seat use for infants under 2 without seat purchase. FAA-approved seats accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must be suitable for aircraft use. Max width 43 cm. Forward-facing only — must face the same direction as the aircraft seat. Restrictions: Two-part car seats (seat + separate base) not permitted. Not allowed in Club Suite. Gate check: Counts as 1 of 2 free essential extras per child.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Age/weight: 0-36 months, under 100cm and 20kg. Standards: Accepts EASA ETSO-C100b, FAA TSO-C100/C100a/C100b/C100c, ECE R44, FMVSS 213, AS/NZS 1754. Installation: Must have plastic shell, harness min 25mm width, single-release button. Booking: Contact Customer Care 48hrs before departure. Restrictions: Boosters prohibited. CARES harness also accepted for children over 3. Not available in most Business Class cabins.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Onboard use: Can use on purchased seat or adjacent empty seat if available at door close. Gate check: If no seat purchased and no open seat available, must gate-check.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Onboard use: Required for infants in own seat during takeoff/landing. Installation: Must be securable by crew. CARES harness approved ages 1-4 (10-20kg). Restrictions: No rear-facing. Customer responsible for ensuring suitability.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FMVSS 213, CMVSS 213/213.1, ECE R44-03/04, ECE R129, TUV Doc.TUV/958-01/2001, AS/NZS 1754. Must have approved label. Three-point belt seats not accepted. Restriction: If car seat onboard, cannot also bring stroller as cabin baggage.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Age limit: Up to 3 years. Standards: Accepts FMVSS 213, CMVSS 213, ECE-44, TUV. Installation: Single-release harness button required. Seating: Adult must sit in adjacent seat.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Not allowed in Royal Laurel class on 777.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear FAA approval label. CARES harness also accepted. Booster seats allowed during cruise only, not during takeoff or landing. Window seats recommended. Seat widths: A319/A320 17.4 in, A321 16.5 in.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA-approved and UN ECE R44/R129 marked car seats. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Both forward and rear-facing accepted. Gate check conditions may vary.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Free rental car seats at select airports with 96-hour advance reservation. Max seat width 42 cm.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Manufactured after Feb 26 1985 must bear FAA label. Seat width: Most JetBlue seats ~46cm (18in) wide. Boarding: Families with car seats eligible for early courtesy boarding.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must meet AS1754, US FMVSS213 with FAA sticker, ECE44, or NZ 5411. Restrictions: Booster seats not allowed. Rear-facing generally not approved. Booking: Limited number per flight — must call Jetstar to arrange. Not available on Jetstar Japan.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts ECE R44, FMVSS 213, CMVSS, FAA, JAA certifications. Max seat width 42 cm. Rear-facing allowed at takeoff/landing, forward-facing required at cruise. Booster seats not allowed. CARES harness also accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Not allowed in business or first class. Accepts FMVSS/FAA, Transport Canada, JAA (EU), and ECE R44-03 certified seats in economy only.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. CRS must display aircraft-use approval label. CARES harness approved for 10-20 kg in Economy and Premium Economy. Booster seats not permitted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Max seat width 40 cm. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts JAA member state approved, FAA, Transport Canada, ECE R44/03 or later, TUV Reinland "For use in Aircraft". Must be secured with seat built-in belt and faced according to instruction. Some seat width limitations by aircraft type.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Booking: Must pre-approve 24hrs before departure (7 days recommended). Weight limits: Forward-facing 9-18kg, rear-facing under 9kg. CARES harness approved 10-20kg. Restrictions: Booster seats prohibited. Aircraft: QantasLink Dash-8/Fokker cannot accommodate top-tether seats.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Age/weight: 6-36 months, up to 20kg. Standards: Must have approved regulatory label (FMVSS 213, foreign govt standards, UN standards, FAA, JAA, or Transport Canada). Booking: Request must be made minimum 48 hours before flight. Accompanying adult must sit adjacent. Car seat must have solid back and seat with internal restraint straps, in good condition.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must have 5-point harness, approved for motor vehicles and aircraft. Booking: Must book extra seat for infant under 2 if using car seat.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Age limit: Under 3 with purchased seat. Standards: Accepts UK CAA, US FAA, UN ECE, or equivalent. Installation: Secured with aircraft lap belt (two-point only). Restrictions: Booster seats, vests, harness devices, and 3-point harness seats NOT allowed. Max width by class: Economy 17in (43cm), Premium Economy 18in (46cm), Business 19in (48cm).
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear FAA label. Restrictions: Backless booster seats banned. Any device tying child to another person banned.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear FAA approval label. Must purchase a seat for the child. Both forward and rear-facing accepted. Rear-facing limited to 25 inches height. CARES harness also accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Must bear FAA approval label. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Max seat width 40 cm. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Max seat width 40 cm. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Max seat width 40 cm. Forward-facing only per official policy: baby must face the front of the aircraft.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Onboard use: Required if you purchase a separate seat for infant. Possible to use empty adjacent seat at door close. Gate check: 1 free per child.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA, EASA, and equivalent certifications. Max seat width 43 cm. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Weight limits: Rear-facing up to 9kg, forward-facing up to 18kg. Installation: Must be securable with aircraft seatbelt only. Parent/guardian must install the seat themselves.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Requires FAA
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat.
- Status
- Approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's approved
- Meets certification, width, and facing requirements
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: Accepts FAA-approved and Transport Canada-approved (CMVSS 213) car seats. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
Not Approved (3) 3
- Status
- Not approved
- Requirement
- Requires EASA
- Why it's not approved
- This airline requires EASA certification but this seat only has FAA
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: EASA certification required. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Not approved
- Requirement
- Requires EASA
- Why it's not approved
- This airline requires EASA certification but this seat only has FAA
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Standards: EASA certification required. Both forward and rear-facing accepted.
- Status
- Not approved
- Requirement
- Any approved certification
- Why it's not approved
- This airline only allows rear-facing seats but this seat is forward-facing
- Notes
- Must purchase a seat. Restriction: Rear-facing car seats only. This is unusual among airlines. Forward-facing seats are not permitted onboard. Car seat must have latch to fasten using passenger seat belt. Loop belt must be used during takeoff, landing, and when seat belt sign is on.
Country Compatibility
The AmSafe CARES meets certification requirements for use in 17 of 78 countries with car seat laws.
17 compatible 61 not compatible
Tap a country to see details
Compatible (17) 17
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, FMVSS 213
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129, FMVSS 213
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213, ECE R44
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129, FMVSS 213
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213
- Status
- Compatible
- Required Standards
- FMVSS 213
Not Compatible (61) 61
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- AS/NZS 1754
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- Not specified
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- CMVSS 213
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- CCC (GB 27887)
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- Not specified
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- AS/NZS 1754, ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129, Japanese JIS standards
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129, UN R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- Not specified
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- Not specified
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- AS/NZS 1754, ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129, SABS standards
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129, Korean KC standards
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- Not specified
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- ECE R44, ECE R129
- Status
- Not compatible
- Required Standards
- Not specified
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Product data verified March 2026