Do I have to wear my seatbelt?

Question

do I absoloutly have to wear a seatbelt on the plane when the seatbelt sign is on? Is it a law like when driving in a car?

Answer 1

Not only do you specifically have to wear your seatbelt as the previous posters said, but you must follow all directives given by air crew as not following them is a federal offense.

Here's the part 91 rules (because I know how to find them fast)

(2) No pilot may cause to be moved on the surface, take off, or land a U.S.-registered civil aircraft (except a free balloon that incorporates a basket or gondola, or an airship type certificated before November 2, 1987) unless the pilot in command of that aircraft ensures that each person on board has been notified to fasten his or her safety belt and, if installed, his or her shoulder harness.

And the part 121 (scheduled commercial service) rules are CFR 121.311 and 121.317:

(f) Each passenger required by §121.311(b) to occupy a seat or berth shall fasten his or her safety belt about him or her and keep it fastened while the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is lighted.

Answer 2

Car seatbelt laws are regulated by the states. On any domestic air carrier, it's a federal law that you must follow.

The rule is under 14 CFR parts 121, sections 311 & 317

Answer 3

Yes, you do. The previous posters are correct--it's a federal law.

It's also smart to keep it on whenever you're seated, regardless of whether or not the light is on. There are a number of instances where airliners have flown into clear-air turbulence, and passengers and flight attendants have been injured (and even a few killed) from being thrown around the cabin.

I've added several links below from the NTSB aircraft accident database where numerous flight attendants and some passengers have sustained injuries (including one fatality) from being thrown around the cabin due to turbulence.

So, assuming you'd rather not get hurt, or, by flying into the other folks on board, not hurt others, you need to keep your seat belt on. You're not in a car or a pickup, you're in an airplane that moves in three dimensions, not just two.

Answer 4

The law requires you wear your seatbelt during taxi, take-off and landing phases of flight only. However you are also required by law to follow any instruction issued to you by the flight crew. As such, if the crew advises you to put your seat belt on because they anticipate turbulance, you are required to do so. If you don't, you may run afoul of the law under a "Disrupting a Flight" charge which is a felony.

Answer 5

Even if it was not a law (and it is one in the US) I don't know why you wouldn't want to. I've seen people who were not wearing their seatbelts crack their heads pretty hard on the ceiling panel over the seat when we hit unexpected rough turbulence. Ouch!

Answer 6

it's not a law but it's just for safety
it's the fact that you're landing or taking off and if something goes wrong you're at least wearing your seatbelt

Answer 7

You don't HAVE to but it's much safer for you to wear one because if the plane hits a place with very low air friction there is a chance that the plane drops a certain amount of feet and you could hit your head on the ceiling and there is a chance of death...

Answer 8

Yes, unless you would prefer wearing handcuffs too. Newer Federal laws are quite strict about passengers who fail to cooperate with flight crews on airplanes.

Answer 9

Yea. The management don't want to be sued for people flying all around the plane cause they didn't wear their belts.

Answer 10

Yes, you do, it's federal law that you must follow the instructions of the crew.