CARES Airplane Harness Size Guide

Standard vs. Special Needs CARES Harness

The standard CARES harness

  • CARES Harness Weight Limit: Designed for children weighing between 22 to 44 lbs.
  • Age Requirement: Children must be at least 1 year old and able to sit upright independently.
  • Fit within the harness dimension

The special CARES harness is designed for:

  • Special Needs Support: Older children, teenagers, and adult flyers who need extra upper-body torso stabilization during a flight.
  • Extended Sizing: Accommodates passengers up to 6 feet tall.
  • Longer Straps: Features vertical tracking straps engineered with an extra 10 inches of length to fit comfortably around larger individuals.
  • Standard Seating: Designed exclusively for use in a forward-facing airplane seat.

Important FAA Regulatory Note for Special CARES: If the flyer is over 44 lbs or 40 inches tall, airlines require an official FAA Exemption Letter to use this harness during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Please apply via regulations.gov at least 4 to 6 weeks before flying!

How to Install the CARES Flight Safety Harness: Step-by-Step Instructions

Installing your rented CARES airplane harness takes less than two minutes and requires no special tools. Follow these simple steps once you board the aircraft to secure your toddler or child comfortably:

  1. Lower the Passenger Tray Table: Ask the passenger seated directly behind your child to temporarily lower their tray table.
  2. Slide the Red Strap On: Loop the adjustable red tracking strap over the back of your child’s airplane seat. Slide it down until it sits just above or level with your child’s shoulders, then pull the strap tight to anchor it.
  3. Close the Tray Table: Have the passenger behind you latch their tray table back up. The red safety strap fits completely flat against the seat back, so it will not obstruct or bother the passenger behind you.
  4. Thread the Airplane Lap Belt: Thread the regular airplane lap belt through the two loops at the bottom of the CARES harness webbing.
  5. Buckle and Adjust: Sit your child down, buckle the airplane lap belt securely across their lap, and fasten the black chest clip at mid-chest level. Pull the shoulder straps snug for a comfortable, secure fit.

Note: The CARES flight restraint is only approved for forward-facing airplane seats and cannot be used in emergency exit rows. Always make sure the official AmSafe FAA certification label is visible on the webbing during takeoff and landing.

 Watch the Official Manufacturer’s Instruction Video