Aircraft approval for child seats: Why it matters | my junior

Aircraft seats and lap belts are designed for adults. Approved infant carriers have long been available for babies, and can be safely secured in both cars and aircraft. But what about children from 100 cm tall? This is precisely where a gap has existed for years – one that many parents only notice at the gate or in the middle of a flight.

This guide explains why genuine aircraft approval for a child car seat is more than just a marketing term, what actually happens during turbulence and emergency landings – and how my junior closes this safety gap across all age groups with the AURA ergo² and the ELYO.

The safety gap on aircraft: what many parents do not know

For most parents, things are clear in the car: a child seat compliant with i-Size, correctly installed, and that’s it. On an aircraft, however, there is often uncertainty – and this uncertainty is the real problem.

Babies: well catered for

There are already established solutions for newborns and babies: an approved infant carrier such as the my junior AURA ergo² can be secured with the aircraft seat belt, provided the airline permits this and the carrier is certified accordingly. Parents of babies generally have a clear option here.

Children from 100 cm: the gap

The situation is different for children who have outgrown their infant carrier but are not yet tall enough for a standard adult seat belt. The aircraft lap belt is designed for adults – on smaller children, it often runs across the abdomen rather than the pelvis. In turbulence or an emergency landing, this can lead to serious internal injuries instead of providing protection.

According to the manufacturer, there has previously been no approved restraint system with international aircraft approval for this age group (100–150 cm) – leaving parents with nothing but an unsuitable adult seat belt or no additional restraint at all. This is precisely the gap that the my junior ELYO closes.

Why this matters: figures that make the risk tangible.

Flying is statistically one of the safest modes of transport. This is not a cliché – it is broadly supported by data. That is precisely why it is worth looking at the situations in which incidents occur: emergency landings, turbulence and technical problems. In these rare but real moments, the right restraint determines the severity of potential injuries.

3–4 days

One emergency landing worldwide every 3–4 days on scheduled flights

Source: WingTalkers 2023

up to 16 g

Forces during emergency landings – up to 6 g in severe turbulence

Source: TÜV Rheinland

approx. 95%

Survival rate in Part 121 airline accidents (1983–2000)

Source: NTSB

90%

90% of all aircraft accidents are considered technically survivable

Source: TÜV Rheinland

What these figures mean.

According to the 2023 WingTalkers study, an emergency landing involving a commercial aircraft occurs somewhere in the world approximately every 3–4 days. This may initially sound alarming – but considering that more than 100,000 flights take place worldwide every day, it is comparatively rare. The crucial point is this: when it happens, every second counts, as does every correctly positioned seat belt.

TÜV Rheinland cites forces of up to 16 g during emergency landings and up to 6 g in severe turbulence. By comparison: a car impact at 50 km/h generates comparable forces. A child secured only with an incorrectly fitted adult seat belt cannot withstand these forces adequately.

NTSB data shows that around 95% of occupants involved in Part 121 airline accidents between 1983 and 2000 survived. And according to TÜV Rheinland, 90% of all aircraft accidents are technically considered survivable. However, this high survival rate is not an automatic guarantee of safety in every situation – it depends directly on how well passengers, particularly children, are secured during the incident.

What the ELYO’s aircraft certification means in concrete terms.

According to the manufacturer, the my junior ELYO is the first and only child seat in the world with international aircraft certification for children from 100 to 150 cm (excluding the USA). In concrete terms, this means:

•i-Size car safety (ECE R-129/04) and aircraft suitability in a single, compact product

•Correct 3-point seat belt routing even in an aircraft seat – instead of an unsuitable adult seat belt

•Foldable and easy to transport: 5.8 kg, up to one third less storage space when folded, practical carrying handle

•One continuous solution – from infant carrier to age 12, my junior now covers every travel situation

MY Junior Product Recommendation Closes the safety gap

my junior ELYO – The solution for the safety gap

The world’s first child car seat with international aircraft approval for children measuring 100–150 cm (excluding the USA).

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Approved for children measuring 100–150 cm – i-Size booster seat according to ECE R-129/04
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International aircraft approval – car seat and aircraft seat in one system
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5.8 kg – foldable, up to 1/3 less storage space, practical carry handle
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Can be used with ISOFIX + 3-point seat belt or with 3-point seat belt only
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Side panels adapt to accommodate growing shoulder width
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Headrest adjustable to shoulder height in seconds
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Air Ventilation System, 3D mesh, Active/Memory Foam – comfort on long journeys
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Removable and washable cover | Cup holder | Sunshade
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Colours: Black, Green, Hazel

Discover ELYO now →

AURA ergo²: Safety from the very beginning – even when travelling

While ELYO fills the gap for older children, safety for babies is covered from birth with the my junior AURA ergo². As an i-Size infant carrier approved under UN R129/04, it offers the same uncompromising approach to safety – but for the youngest age group.

•Approved according to UN R129/04 i-Size – the latest safety standard, with the same high standards as ELYO

•3-stage recline function up to 165° – important for newborns’ airways and spine, even on long journeys

•Compatible with the Smart-Base Capsule 360° – secure ISOFIX installation in the car

•XXL sun canopy with UV50+ – protection on the go, even at the airport or holiday destination

Together, AURA ergo² and ELYO provide complete travel safety from birth to the age of twelve – with no gaps and no compromise between car and air travel safety.

Frequently asked questions and objections – answered briefly and honestly

Parents hearing about aircraft approval for a child car seat for the first time have valid questions. Here are the honest, brief answers:

“Do you really need this?”

Yes – especially during take-off, landing and turbulence, the correct belt positioning can make all the difference to your child’s safety.

“Will it fit in the car too?”

Yes. ELYO is i-Size / UN R129 approved and can be used universally in cars – check the vehicle list beforehand.

“Isn’t it too bulky for travelling?”

No. ELYO is foldable, weighs 5.8 kg and has a practical carrying handle for the car, public transport and holidays.

“Does the approval apply to every airline?”

The international aircraft approval is valid worldwide (excluding the USA). Its specific implementation at the gate is determined by the respective airline. Check in advance.

Why the my junior LIYO stands out in this category

The my junior LIYO is the only pushchair in the world with IATA approval – and that as a complete system including carrycot. What this means in practice: for the first time, parents with newborns no longer have to choose between ‘Cabin Size’ and a carrycot. They can have both at the same time.

The patented EvoOne™ technology folds the pushchair and carrycot together as one system – without removing anything, without separate parts and without conversion. The result fits in the cabin. Naturally, the baby is taken out before folding.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Aircraft Certification

It means that the child seat is officially approved for attachment to an aircraft seat – analogous to its approval for use in a car. The my junior According to the manufacturer, ELYO is the world’s first child seat with this approval for children measuring 100–150 cm (excluding the USA). Before each flight, we recommend checking the current regulations of the respective airline.

The aircraft lap belt is designed for the body size of adults. On smaller children, it often lies across the abdomen rather than the pelvis – in the event of turbulence or an emergency landing, this can lead to internal injuries. Correct 3-point belt positioning across the shoulder and pelvis, as provided by ELYO, significantly reduces this risk.

Yes. According to TÜV Rheinland, around 90% of all aircraft accidents are technically considered survivable, and NTSB data show a survival rate of approximately 95% in the airline accidents examined. Statistically, flying is one of the safest forms of transport. An appropriate child restraint increases safety further, so it is not a cause for concern but a sensible addition.

Yes, without restriction. The ELYO is primarily an i-Size booster seat in accordance with ECE R-129/04 for use in cars – aircraft approval is an additional feature, not a substitute. Installation in the car is carried out using ISOFIX + a three-point seat belt or only with the three-point automatic seat belt.

The ELYO weighs 5.8 kg and is foldable – when folded, it requires up to one third less storage space than when unfolded. The integrated carrying handle makes transporting it through airports, in cars and on public transport significantly easier than with many other child seats in this size category.

The ELYO’s international aircraft certification is valid worldwide, with the exception of the USA. Ultimately, implementation at the gate and on board is determined by the respective airline—we recommend checking with your specific airline before departure.

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