Child car seat and restraint systems

When travelling with children there are a number of conditions, exceptions and steps for families to organise before boarding. If you’re planning to take your own car seat or child restraint system onboard, find out the requirements below and what is prohibited as carry-on before flying with children or infants.

Child car seats can be carried onboard most Qantas and QantasLink flights and secured to an aircraft seat if approved by Qantas prior to travel. Approval can't be obtained at the airport. Infants will need to be booked with a seat by contacting your local Qantas office to make the booking (infants booked online are booked as lap infants without a seat).

Child car seats must have at least one the following relevant certifications:

For any other overseas designed car seats, please contact us.

The following information can be used as a guide:

• Forward facing child restraint systems for infants and children weighing between 9 and 18 kgs (20lbs and 40lbs).
• Rear facing child restraint systems for infants weighing under 9kgs (20lbs) (although some seats may be certified to carry children of greater weight). Rear facing seats are generally large and may not fit in Economy seats or only selected seats. Rear facing seats are permitted without an attachment base only if certified by the manufacturer as suitable for installation in aircraft seats without the base. You will need to contact your local Qantas office to make arrangements for the seat.

For children over the age of four or over 18kgs (40lbs) and/or over 100cm tall - an aircraft seat is recommended.

All restraints must be in good condition, show no signs of damage and be fitted to the aircraft seat in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by the responsible adult travelling with the child.

Booster seats are prohibited on our aircraft. A booster could be simple cushion or a shell base, back with side wings, and does'nt contain a built in harness. It only enhances the positioning of the seat's harness on the child.

Seat allocation for use of car seats and child restraint systems is restricted, and availability may vary by aircraft type. Not all aircraft and all cabins are able to accommodate car seats and child restraint systems, particularly those that require the use of a top tether point. Please call us to check before you book.

Car seats can't be located in an aisle seat or in an exit row. If there are two responsible adults travelling with a child, and the allocated child car seat is in the centre aisle, then the two responsible adults must be seated on either side, adjacent to the child car seat.

While we make every effort to carry passengers in pre-assigned seating, seating is subject to change for operational, safety or security reasons, even after boarding.

QantasLink flights (QF1400 - 2899) operated by Dash-8 aircraft or Fokker aircraft can't accommodate a child car seat that is only certified for use if a top tether point is used to secure it. Please be aware that this includes some Australian certified car seats.

The Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) is an approved alternative to car seats. This harness style restraint device is suitable for a child weighing 10-20kg (22-44lb) whose height is 100cm (40 in) or less and who is capable of sitting upright alone. It's required to be fitted to the aircraft seat by the responsible adult travelling with the child. Find out more about the CARES system.

Customers are responsible for supplying their own car seat or child restraint system. Pre-approval for the use of a child seat can be organised with your local Qantas office. We recommend you contact us to make your booking at least 7 days prior to your intended travel date, as pre-approval must be finalised at least 24 hours before departure. You’ll also need to show your device to our airport staff on the day of travel, including at check-in.

If any of your flights are operated by an airline other than Qantas, you must obtain approval for the car seat or child restraint system from that airline.