Rear facing car seats
We don’t give our approval for rear-facing car seats as they usually inhibit the seat in front from reclining. Australian designed rear-facing seats also have top restraint points that are often too far for the straps to reach.
However, we can approve your rear-facing car seat if the straps are acceptable and a family member or friend sits in the seat in front and is happy for their seat to remain upright.
Booster seats
Booster seats can’t be used during our flights. It isn’t safe for infants and small children to sit on booster seats or cushions during take-off and landing. The rapid shifts in speed can cause these items to slip out from under them and make the seatbelts ineffective.
They can be carried free of charge as checked baggage.
CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) restraint
Jetstar accepts the use of Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) restraints on flights operated in Australia. The product has been endorsed by the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the NTSB (National Transport Safety Bureau) for carriage on aircraft and is the only commercial restraint device to be certified by the FAA as an alternative to a car seat.
We cannot assist with fitting the restraint in-flight. We’ll ask you to ensure the restraint is used in line with its original operating manual. We also ask that the restraint remains in its original manufactured condition, including all labels.
CARES is designed specifically for aviation use for children age one and older who weigh between 10kg (22 pounds) and 20kg (44 pounds). It is a belt-and-buckle device that works in conjunction with regular aircraft seat belts without interfering with the tray table behind.
CASA does not approve or endorse the CARES restraint but rather accepts the FAA approval under CASR 21.305(d) and 21.502.
For more information see the family travel page.