Car Seats

V Australia accepts the carriage of car seats onboard when an additional seat is purchased, and under certain conditions related specifically to the configuration of the B777-300ER aircraft.

A car seat must first meet the following requirements prior to being accepted for travel:

• Be designed so it can be secured with a fastened lap belt only.
• Be fitted to aircraft seat by parent/guardian
• Not exceed a width of 40.6cm (16 inches)
• Must be in good condition, showing no signs of damage
• Be approved for carriage onboard aircraft and must have a label indicating this.
• Have a single release harness that secures your child’s lap belt, and torso and shoulder straps. It cannot be unreasonably easy for children to undo.
• Be quick and easy to secure or remove your child.
• Not be assigned to an emergency exit row
• Not impede guest access to aisle or exit routes (this includes protrusion over the seat cushion edging).

Under guidance of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and as outlined in CAAP 235-2(1), V Australia acknowledges that car seats acceptable in Australia are:

United States

Seats accepted by the United States Federal Aviation Administration as meeting the Technical Standard Order TSO-C100b or seats which have two markings: “This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft” in red lettering and “This seat conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards”;

United Kingdom

Seats accepted by United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

Europe

Seats meeting European Standard requirements of Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Regulation 44.

Canada

Seats must be manufactured after Jan. 1, 1981 Models manufactured after January 1, 1981 must bear a label stating that "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).", or that the seat has been certified to CMVSS 213 or 213.1;

Infant / Child Weight Guide

Approved seats will be accepted for inf/chd up to 5 years of age
Rear Facing Restraint – inf/chd = 9kg or less
Forward Facing Restraint – inf/chd = 18kg or less

Talk To Us

In order to avoid delay and disappointment at the Airport, we strongly encourage passengers to advise V Australia of their intention to carry a car seat at least 24 hrs prior to your flight. Please contact our Guest Contact Centre to discuss your needs. 

At The Airport

Furthermore, a visual assessment of all devices will be conducted at check-in therefore all labels / supporting paperwork / operating instructions must be clearly visible and available for inspection by V Australia staff at all times.

Our priority is the safety of you, your family, our guests and crew and if it is determined that a particular device does not meet our requirements it will be checked in as baggage.

If this is the case, infants and children up to the age of three will need to be nursed on the adults lap and restrained whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated with an infant/extension seatbelt for take-off, landing and turbulence.

If an infant/child aged 2 years and over is able to sit upright unassisted, they can occupy the seat that was booked for the car seat. If this is the case, the infant/child needs to be restrained by the aircraft seatbelt whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated.

IMPORTANT

Seats complying with Australian design standard AS/NZS 1754 are currently unsuitable for carriage on V Australia aircraft as they require a 3-point attachment and a top tether, in addition to the fastened lap belt.

Australia is one of a few countries with the requirement for a three point attachment & compulsory bolt/anchorage in vehicles to attach seats too. These bolts are not part of an aircraft configuration therefore without an approved modification; Australian designed car seats currently cannot be secured to V Australia seats. 

CARES Child Restraint

V Australia doesn't provide but accepts the CARES Child Restraint in certain locations. This device must be labelled and used in accordance with the operating instructions.

Guests wishing to use a CARES Restraint onboard are required to contact the Guest Contact Centre to reserve a seat next to the accompanying adult. Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-in, first-served basis.

The CARES restraint is approved for use on aircraft and is manufactured by leading aviation restraint manufacturer AMSAFE. This restraint attaches to a regular aircraft seat to become a safe and comfortable 5 point harness for children and weighs only 500 grams making it ideal for travel.

The restraint is designed for use by toddlers aged between 1 - 4 years and 10 - 20 kilos who are up to 1 metre tall and is the perfect alternative to car seat usage.

For more information visit http://www.kidsflysafe.com/ & to purchase in Australia visit http://www.littlegulliver.com.au/.