By the Travel Gear Australia Team | Updated June 2026 | 15+ years supplying genuine travel safety gear to Australian families | Sources: FAA Child Restraint Guidelines, AmSafe KidsFlySafe.com
What Is the CARES Harness?
The CARES Child Aviation Restraint System — designed and manufactured by AmSafe Aviation, the company whose seatbelts are fitted to virtually every commercial aircraft in the world — is the first and only harness-type child safety device ever certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat on aircraft.
Unlike a car seat, CARES weighs under 500g and packs into a 15cm stuff sack. Unlike a lap belt alone, it provides car-seat-equivalent upper body protection — certified to FAA Equivalent Level of Safety (ELOS) standard — during taxi, take-off, turbulence, and landing.
For Australian families, it is accepted by CASA (Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority) on domestic and international routes, meaning it works on Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and most major international carriers.
Watch It Install in Under 60 Seconds
Official installation demonstration from AmSafe, the manufacturer:
Who Is CARES For?
CARES is designed for toddlers and young children who have their own purchased aircraft seat and can sit upright independently.
- Weight: 10–20 kg (22–44 lbs)
- Height: Up to 100 cm (40 inches)
- Age: Approximately 1–5 years (weight is the determining factor, not age)
- Seat requirement: Child must have their own purchased forward-facing airline seat
- Not suitable for: Lap infants, exit row seats, or airbag-equipped seats
Children who can fly as lap infants (under 2, on a parent's lap) cannot use CARES — a separate seat purchase is required. Once your child has their own seat, CARES is the lightest and most practical FAA-approved safety option available.
FAA & CASA Approval — What It Actually Means
This is the section most CARES guides get wrong, so let's be precise.
CARES is certified under FAA regulation 14 CFR 21.8(d) — the same regulatory framework used to certify aircraft seatbelts. The FAA certified CARES to an Equivalent Level of Safety (ELOS) to a hard-backed car seat after rigorous dynamic crash testing. This is not a marketing claim — it is a formal FAA certification that CARES has held exclusively since its introduction.
For Australian travellers, CASA aligns with FAA standards for approved child restraints on aircraft. The FAA certification on your CARES harness is therefore recognised as proof of approval on:
- All Qantas domestic and international routes
- All Virgin Australia domestic routes
- All Jetstar domestic and Trans-Tasman routes
- Most major international carriers departing Australia including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Malaysia Airlines
Under Australian aviation regulations, no airline may prohibit a child from using an approved child restraint system when a seat has been purchased for the child. If CARES doesn't fit your assigned seat, the airline is required to move you to an equivalent seat in the same class.
Source: FAA.gov — Flying with Children
Is My CARES Genuine? How to Prove It to Airline Staff
The FAA has officially warned consumers about counterfeit CARES harnesses sold online — particularly through third-party sellers on eBay and Amazon. These fakes look similar to the genuine product but are not manufactured to aviation safety standards and will be rejected by trained airline crew.
How to verify your CARES harness is genuine — on the spot:
-
Check the label on the harness webbing. The genuine CARES has one of these exact phrases printed directly on the strap:
▸ "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only"
▸ "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d), Amd 21.50 6-9-1980, Approved for Aircraft Use Only"
This label is your proof. Show it to the flight attendant. It is legally sufficient — no other document is needed. - The manufacturer name: AmSafe. Genuine CARES is made exclusively by AmSafe Aviation, Inc. No other company is authorised to manufacture it.
- Construction quality. Genuine CARES uses aviation-grade webbing — the same material used in commercial aircraft seatbelts. Fakes typically feel lighter, have cheaper plastic buckles, and lack precise stitching.
All CARES harnesses sold by Travel Gear Australia are genuine, brand-new AmSafe products.
How to Install CARES — Step by Step
- Loop the red anchor strap around the top of the aircraft seat back (headrest area), threading it through itself so it sits horizontally across the seat back.
- Pull the two black shoulder straps forward over the seat — one over each side of the headrest.
- Adjust the height so the shoulder straps sit at your child's shoulder level when seated.
- Thread the aircraft lap belt through the two lower loops on the CARES harness and buckle as normal.
- Seat your child, place the shoulder straps over their shoulders, and clip the chest clip at chest height. Tighten until firm but comfortable.
Total install time: under 60 seconds once you've done it once. Watch the manufacturer's video above for a live demonstration.
CARES vs Car Seat on a Plane — Which Is Better?
Both are FAA-approved options. Here's an honest comparison:
| Factor | CARES Harness | Car Seat on Plane |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Under 500g | 4–10kg |
| Pack size | Fits in a handbag | Bulky, gate-checked |
| Install time | 60 seconds | 5–15 minutes |
| Safety rating | FAA ELOS (equivalent to car seat) | FAA approved |
| Head support | Limited lateral support | Better for sleeping |
| Best for | Families without car at destination | Families hiring a car on arrival |
Bottom line: If you don't need a car seat at your destination, CARES is the clear practical choice. Same certified safety level, a fraction of the weight and hassle.
CARES for Special Needs Children
CARES has been used successfully by many families of children with special needs, including those with hypotonia, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, and sensory processing differences. The structured shoulder harness provides upper body stability that a standard lap belt cannot.
AmSafe strongly recommends consulting your child's paediatrician, physiotherapist, or occupational therapist before travel to confirm CARES provides sufficient support for your child's specific needs.
For children over the standard 20kg (44 lb) weight limit who still require upper body support, an FAA Exemption Letter is available for children up to 34kg (75 lbs) and no taller than 148cm. Allow up to 6 weeks to receive. Apply via KidsFlySafe.com.
👉 View the CARES Special Needs version
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the CARES harness legal on Australian domestic flights?
A: Yes. CARES is accepted on Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar domestic routes. Show the flight attendant the FAA approval label on the harness webbing. No additional documentation is required.
Q: Will the airline try to stop me using CARES?
A: Occasionally an untrained crew member may be unfamiliar with CARES. Simply show them the FAA approval label on the harness and calmly explain it is FAA-certified under 14 CFR 21.8(d) and accepted by CASA. Under Australian aviation regulations, no airline may prohibit an approved child restraint system when a seat is purchased for the child.
Q: How do I know my CARES isn't a fake?
A: Check the label printed on the harness webbing. Genuine CARES reads: "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only." If the label doesn't say this exactly, the product is not genuine. All CARES units from Travel Gear Australia are genuine AmSafe products.
Q: My CARES didn't come with an FAA 8130 tag — is it real?
A: Yes. The 8130 tag is an airline bulk-purchase document — it is not issued to retail customers. Your certification is the FAA approval label on the harness itself. This is confirmed by the FAA and AmSafe directly.
Q: Can I use CARES on international flights from Australia?
A: Yes. Most major carriers accept CARES including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Malaysia Airlines. Always confirm with your specific airline before travel as policies can vary.
Q: Does my child need their own seat?
A: Yes. CARES requires a purchased seat. Children flying as lap infants cannot use CARES.
Q: Can CARES be used in the car?
A: No — never. CARES is certified for aircraft use only and must not be used in any motor vehicle.
Q: What if CARES doesn't fit my assigned seat?
A: The airline is legally required to move you to an equivalent seat in the same class where CARES can be used. Request this at the gate before boarding.
Where to Buy Genuine CARES in Australia
Travel Gear Australia has been supplying genuine travel safety gear to Australian families for over 20 years. All CARES units are genuine AmSafe products, dispatched same-day from Newcastle, NSW, with full Australian Consumer Law protection.