Evenflo SecureKid LX: FAA Accepted Combination Seat with a Critical Catch

The SecureKid LX is FAA accepted for aircraft use, but only when installed in 5-point harness mode. The harness mode covers children weighing 22–65 lb forward-facing. The approval is evidenced by the red-letter label on the seat shell stating 'This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft.' The booster mode — where the vehicle's lap-and-shoulder belt routes through the seat's belt guides — is NOT approved for aircraft use and is prohibited during taxi, takeoff, and landing.

No. Per 14 CFR 121.311(b)(2)(ii), belt-positioning booster seats cannot be used during taxi, takeoff, or landing on US commercial flights. This applies to the SecureKid LX's booster mode regardless of the seat's overall FAA acceptance. Belt-positioning boosters require a lap-and-shoulder belt combination for upper-body restraint, which commercial aircraft seats do not provide — only a 2-point lap belt is installed. The FAA certification on the SecureKid LX applies exclusively to its 5-point harness mode.

The SecureKid LX harness mode covers children weighing 22–65 lb with a height range of 28–57 inches in forward-facing position. For aircraft use, both limits apply: the child must weigh at least 22 lb and no more than 65 lb while also fitting within the height limit. Children who exceed 65 lb cannot use the SecureKid LX in its FAA accepted harness configuration.

Watch the Velivolo Installation video for further instructions. Install the SecureKid LX on aircraft via the following method: first, ensure the seat is in 5-point harness mode with the harness set to the correct shoulder-height slot for your child. Second, thread the aircraft lap belt through the forward-facing belt path on the seat. Third, buckle the lap belt and ensure it is routed correctly. Then tighten the belt by pulling on the excess webbing. Fourth, place the child in the seat, close and tighten the harness, and perform the pinch test at the collar bone to verify snugness. The seat must be in a forward-facing aircraft seat; do not install in exit rows or at bulkhead rows with inflatable seatbelts where safety requirements restrict child restraint systems.

The SecureKid LX in forward-facing harness mode fits in standard US economy seats on most major carriers, especially with the armrest raised. Reserve a window seat when booking.

Per each carrier's published policy, all eight major US carriers — American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Spirit, and Frontier — gate-check one car seat per ticketed child free of charge. If the child still fits appropriately in the five-point harness mode per the manufacturer instructions, Velivolo strongly encourages all children to use their car seat onboard the aircraft.

The SecureKid LX expires 10 years from the date of manufacture. The date of manufacture is printed on the label affixed to the underside or back of the seat shell. A 10-year expiration is among the longer lifespans available on combination seats and is consistent with Evenflo's published policy for its combination and all-in-one seat lines. Families purchasing from third-party sellers or resale markets should verify the manufacture date label before use to confirm the seat has not expired. Using an expired car seat on an aircraft is the same as using an expired car seat in a vehicle — the structural integrity and strap webbing may have degraded beyond tested parameters.

Per WAYB's published documentation, the Pico is an 8 lb FAA accepted forward-facing harness seat covering children 26.5–65 lb (post-June-2025 specification) that folds into an 11.6 × 14.5 × 18.9 in backpack and fits in some overhead bins. The SecureKid LX at $120 and 14 lb is dramatically cheaper and wider in combined coverage (22–110 lb across modes) but does not fold, weighs nearly twice as much, and requires gate-checking. For families who fly frequently and want a purpose-built travel seat, the Pico at $379–399 is the superior aviation tool. For families who fly occasionally and primarily drive, the SecureKid LX's lower price and wider booster coverage make more practical sense.