CARES Child Aviation Restraint System — FAA & CASA Approved Toddler Airplane Harness

Australia's Trusted Source for the Only FAA & CASA-Approved Child Airplane Safety Harness

The safest, lightest, and most trusted way to fly with a toddler — backed by the world's leading aviation regulators.

The CARES Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES harness) is designed and manufactured by AmSafe Aviation — the company whose seatbelts are fitted to commercial aircraft flown by billions of passengers every year. It is the first and only harness-type child restraint certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and accepted by CASA (Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority) as an alternative to a car seat on aircraft.

Travel Gear Australia is a trusted Australian retailer supplying genuine, brand-new AmSafe CARES harnesses — the same product sold directly by the manufacturer at KidsFlySafe.com.

Watch the Official Installation Video — Under 60 Seconds

Step-by-step demonstration from the manufacturer, AmSafe:

Why Australian Families Choose the CARES Harness

• FAA Certified & CASA Accepted — Dual Regulatory Approval
  CARES carries official FAA certification under 14 CFR 21.8(d) and is accepted by CASA for use on Australian-registered and international airlines. The FAA certification label is printed directly on the harness webbing — show it to any crew member if asked. No separate paperwork required.
• Equivalent Safety to a Car Seat — Tested in FAA Dynamic Crash Testing
  The FAA certified CARES to an Equivalent Level of Safety (ELOS) to a hard-backed car seat after rigorous dynamic crash testing. This is the same standard used to certify aircraft seatbelts. The webbing is manufactured to the same grade as commercial aviation seatbelts.
• Installs in Under 60 Seconds — No Tools, No Fuss
  Fits virtually all economy, business, and first-class seats on Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, Cathay Pacific, and most major international carriers.
• Under 500g — Fits in Your Handbag
  Weighs less than a paperback book. Packs into the included 15cm stuff sack. No checking in, no baggage fees, no airport trolley required.
• Children 10–20kg (22–44 lbs) Who Sit in Their Own Seat
  Designed for toddlers and young children approximately 1–5 years old, up to 100cm tall. Weight is the determining factor, not age. Your child must be able to sit upright independently and have their own purchased seat.

Australian Regulatory Approval — What Aussie Parents Need to Know

CARES is accepted for use on Australian flights under CASA's child restraint framework. CASA aligns with FAA standards for approved child restraint devices on aircraft, meaning the FAA certification label on your CARES harness is the recognised proof of approval on both domestic Australian routes (Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar) and international routes departing Australia.

Key regulatory facts for Australian travellers:

• CARES is accepted on Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar domestic routes.
• For international flights, CARES is accepted by most major carriers including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Malaysia Airlines — though we always recommend confirming with your specific airline before travel.
• Under Australian aviation regulations, no airline may prohibit the use of an approved child restraint system when a seat has been purchased for the child.
• The FAA certification label printed on the harness webbing is the required and sufficient proof of approval. No 8130 tag, no additional certificate, no letter from the airline is needed.

Source: FAA Kids Corner — Child Restraint Guidelines | AmSafe KidsFlySafe.com — Manufacturer

Is My CARES Harness Genuine? How to Prove It to Airline Staff

The FAA has officially warned Australian and global consumers about counterfeit CARES harnesses being sold by disreputable online retailers — particularly on eBay and Amazon third-party listings. These fakes look similar to the genuine product but are not manufactured to aviation-grade standards and will not pass inspection by trained airline crew.

All CARES harnesses sold by Travel Gear Australia are brand new, genuine AmSafe products sourced directly through authorised supply channels.

3 ways to verify authenticity on the spot:

1. The FAA label on the webbing — Look for one of these two exact phrases printed on the harness itself:
   ▸ "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"
   Show this label to the flight attendant. It is legally sufficient proof — no other document is required.
2. The manufacturer name: AmSafe — The genuine CARES is made exclusively by AmSafe Aviation, Inc. Any product not bearing the AmSafe name is not genuine.
3. The quality of construction — Genuine CARES uses the same grade of webbing as commercial aircraft seatbelts. Counterfeit versions typically feel lighter, have cheaper buckles, and lack the precise stitching of the genuine product.

About the FAA 8130 Tag: Retail CARES harnesses do not include an FAA 8130 tag — and they are not required to. The 8130 is an airline bulk-purchase procurement document only. The FAA approval label on the harness itself is the correct and complete certification for retail customers worldwide. This is confirmed on the FAA's official website.

Approved for All Phases of Flight — Including Turbulence

Many child travel accessories are only permitted during cruise phase. CARES is different — it is certified for use during taxi, take-off, landing, and turbulence. This means your child is protected during the highest-risk phases of flight, not just when the seatbelt sign is off.

Unrestrained children in aircraft are at greatest risk during sudden turbulence and emergency braking. The FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics both strongly recommend that children under 40kg use an approved restraint during all phases of flight — not just sit on a parent's lap.

About the Manufacturer — AmSafe Aviation

AmSafe is the world's largest manufacturer of aviation restraints — their seatbelts are fitted to virtually every commercial aircraft in operation globally, including Qantas, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines fleets. AmSafe has been manufacturing aviation-grade restraints for over 40 years.

CARES was developed by AmSafe specifically in response to FAA research showing that standard aircraft lap belts do not adequately protect children under 18kg during turbulence or emergency deceleration. After rigorous FAA dynamic testing, CARES became the only harness-type child safety device ever certified by the FAA for aircraft use — a certification it has held exclusively since its introduction.

🇦🇺 Why Buy from Travel Gear Australia

• Genuine AmSafe product — not a copy, not a "similar" item. The real CARES.
• Same-day dispatch — orders placed before 2:00 PM (Mon–Fri) ship the same day via tracked eParcel Post.
• Australian-based customer support — real people who know this product and can help you prepare for your flight.
• Australian Consumer Law protection — all purchases are covered by ACL, including your right to a remedy if the product is faulty.
• Secure checkout — SSL-encrypted, with Afterpay and major credit cards accepted.

What's in the Box

• 1 × Genuine AmSafe CARES Child Aviation Restraint System
• 1 × Compact 15cm stuff sack
• Printed installation instructions

Full Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions — CARES Harness Australia

Q: Is the CARES harness CASA approved for Australian flights?
A: Yes. CARES is accepted by CASA (Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority) on Australian-registered aircraft. The FAA certification — printed on the harness itself — is the recognised proof of approval on both domestic routes (Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar) and international flights departing Australia.

Q: Will Qantas or Virgin Australia accept my CARES harness?
A: Yes. Both Qantas and Virgin Australia accept the CARES harness for children who meet the weight and age requirements and have their own purchased seat. Show the flight attendant the FAA approval label on the harness webbing. If you encounter any hesitation, you can reference CASA's acceptance of FAA-certified child restraints.

Q: How do I prove to airline staff it's genuine and not a cheap copy?
A: Show the label sewn onto the harness reading "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.8(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only." This is the official FAA certification marking. No separate certificate is required for retail customers — this label is the complete and legally sufficient proof.

Q: Why doesn't it come with an FAA 8130 tag?
A: The 8130 is an airline procurement document — it applies only to airlines purchasing CARES in bulk. Retail customers receive their certification via the approval label printed on the harness. This is confirmed by the FAA and AmSafe directly, and applies to all genuine CARES units sold to consumers worldwide.

Q: What's the difference between CARES and bringing a car seat on the plane?
A: Both are FAA-approved options. A car seat offers slightly more head and lateral support for sleeping, but is heavy, bulky, and difficult to install correctly on an aircraft seat. CARES weighs under 500g, fits in your handbag, installs in 60 seconds, and provides the same FAA-certified level of safety. For families who don't need a car seat at their destination, CARES is the clear practical choice.

Q: Is CARES suitable for long-haul flights?
A: Yes. CARES works on long-haul flights and is suitable for all phases including overnight or red-eye flights. Some parents find toddlers sleep better in a car seat than a harness — this is a personal preference. For children who fall asleep easily in their seat, CARES works well on long flights. Note: CARES is not compatible with lie-flat or airbag-equipped seats — check with your premium cabin airline if travelling in business class.

Q: Can I use CARES on international airlines flying from Australia?
A: Most major international airlines accept CARES, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Malaysia Airlines. We always recommend confirming with your specific carrier before travel, as policies can vary. The FAA certification label on the harness is the standard documentation accepted globally.

Q: Does my child need their own seat to use CARES?
A: Yes. CARES requires the child to be seated in their own purchased aircraft seat and to be able to sit upright independently. Children under 2 can legally fly as lap infants in Australia, but CARES cannot be used without a purchased seat for the child.

Q: Can I use CARES in the car?
A: No — under no circumstances. CARES is certified for aircraft use only. The design does not include a crotch strap and is not compatible with a three-point vehicle seatbelt. Using CARES in a car is unsafe and illegal in Australia.

Q: My child is close to the weight limit — can they still use CARES?
A: The upper weight limit is 20kg (44 lbs) and 100cm tall. If your child is close to this limit, they can continue to use CARES until they exceed both thresholds. Once they do, they will be old enough and large enough to use the aircraft lap belt alone, which is the next appropriate stage of restraint.