A YOUNG mother has suggested the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) should amend its child travel regulations after she complained that safety standards on American Airlines were lacking compared to those on British Airways.

The woman, travelling on a New York-bound flight last month, was told by an airline stewardess to use her arms as a safety harness for her infant.

Although the practice is accepted by the FAA, the woman questioned the practicality and safety of such a measure in the instance of extreme turbulence or an accident.

And she pointed out that on a recent British Airways flight, when she had also checked her child's restraint seat through, one had been provided for her by the airline.

"Some people prefer to bring their own car seats on the plane; that's fine as long as they are on the (approved safety list)," said BA spokesperson Sallie Singleton.

"On British Airways, we provide bassinet cots for babies and infant seats - in limited supply - for infants between the ages of six months and two years old.''

Mrs. Singleton said BA decided to move beyond the industry-set standards to ensure that each passenger safely and comfortably reached his destination. To that end, the company's engineers devised a special travel seat for infants with the aid of Britax - the leading provider of children's car seats in the United Kingdom.

"(They) make it much easier and safer for parents to take care and look after our tiny passengers and, hopefully, makes the parents' journey that much more comfortable,'' she added.

"The seats, however, do take up space and are in limited supply so we usually ask that parents request for them in advance. If there is no room on the plane, however, or if the parents have not booked prior to their journey, we can provide straps which go around the mother and the baby to keep (the infant) secure."

The initiative was praised by Sheilagh Cooper, head of the Coalition for the Protection of Children, who agreed it was an issue that should be brought forward for public attention.

"I think British Airways is quite exemplary and unique in the fact that it offers that,'' she said. "It doesn't mean it doesn't exist on other airways but there seems to have been very little notice taken of a situation that could be quite dangerous.

"I think part of it is that many parents are so happy to have their children travel for free on their lap, that they don't want to complain that much in case (that privilege) is removed. It has always surprised me that the regulation hasn't been mandated to make changes.''

As they stand, industry regulations require that all passengers travelling on a US-registered aircraft must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness, properly secured about him or her during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing.

Exempted are infants under the age of two, not occupying or using a restraining device and who are held by an adult occupying an approved seat or berth.The regulation also does not apply to those infants flying while secured in an approved child restraint system furnished by the airline provided that the child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or attendant designated by the child's parent or guardian to attend to the safety of the child during the flight.

Approved child restraint systems for US-registered craft include the following:

1. Seats manufactured to US standards between January 1, 1981, and February 25, 1985, bearing the label: "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards."

2. Seats manufactured to US standards on or after February 26, 1985, bearing two labels - "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards"; and "THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT" in red lettering.

Also accepted are seats which bear either a label showing approval of a foreign government or a label showing that the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations.

The above restraints may only be used, however, if properly secured to an approved forward facing seat or berth and the child is properly secured in the restraint system and does not exceed its specified weight limit.

Booster-type child restraint systems, vest, and harness-type child restraint systems, and lap-held child restraints are not approved for use in aircraft.

A spokesman for American Airlines, Carlo Bergolini, agreed that this was the policy but stressed that the airline worked hard to ensure that, at the very minimum, it complied with every single safety standard set by the industry.

"I am not aware of any complaints, but obviously we're going to comply with or exceed whatever the standards are," he said. "As of 1997, for domestic flights, American has offered a 50 per cent discount for infants travelling under the age of two for passengers who wish to reserve a seat for their child.

"We guarantee them a confirmed seat and (their parents) may bring approved safety seats or restraint seats on the plane as long as they conform with all the applicable federal motor vehicle safety conditions. And, if a parent reserves a seat for the child and is not able to use the (child restraint) for whatever reason, it will be taken on as free baggage. On international flights, infants are given a discounted fare, and the same benefits apply.

"If a person prefers not to take advantage of the 50 per cent discount they can hold the infant on their laps and secure them with their arms. For children of toddler age, we offer a restraint belt that goes through the seating device and we always do our best to work with parents (who haven't paid for an extra seat) to find adjacent seats that are open on which they can place their approved safety seat and strap their child in.''

Passengers travelling on Delta Air Lines can expect to be greeted with a similar safety policy, according to Katie Connell, senior manager in its media relations department.

Infants under the age of two may sit on laps during takeoff and landing while children up to the age of 12 may be eligible to fly on a discounted fare.

"All children, regardless of age, must have a ticket," she said. "The price of the ticket varies according to whether you hold the child or purchase a seat. The fare for a lap child is approximately ten per cent of the adult fare.

"If you choose to purchase a seat, the per cent discount off the standard adult fare varies by country of origin, destination, season and fare type.

"In some cases, no child discount is offered. Travelling with infants and small children can be fun and challenging and we do want to make it as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.

"Infants and children under five must be accompanied by an individual who is at least 18 years old or a parent/legal guardian, and travelling in the same cabin.

"If the seat next to you remains unoccupied, you may place your infant in the seat using an FAA approved child restraint. Delta cannot, however, guarantee a seat will remain open. You must pay for the seat to assure its availability."