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We have flown a lot, and it's inconsistently enforced - some airlines said they weren't supposed to let us, but let us anyway, and some made us take her out of it. They always gave the same rule - that the carriers weren't tested or rated like seatbelts - so I assume that it really isn't allowed. It was only for take-off and landing though.

I don't think it's all the time when the seat belt sign is lit, but during take off and landing I've heard of people being asked (inconsistently) to remove the baby.

@getjazzy: ditto
I was told during take-off and landing

Sometimes we've been able to use it, and sometimes we've been told we have to hold LO for take off and landing.

@Baby Boy Mom: I think in major turbulence the force of your body could crush the baby, same thing as belting them to your lap in a car.

We’ve flown a lot with LO and it’s been our experience that we only got hassled to take her out of the carrier during takeoff and landing and then only inconsistently.

Keep in mind too that if you wear a baby through security, they can (and for me, always did at bigger airports) test your hands for bomb/whatever residue. Not a big deal, but annoying.

The rationale is that your lap child is safer as a projectile if there were an emergency. If you think about the forward thrust, you would squash the baby if it were strapped to you and you were strapped into your seat.

I've been told to take LO out of the baby carrier during takeoff and landing before. But a couple times they just looked at me (LO was sleeping) and didn't bother to tell me. I think that is the correct rule though.

@ineebee: The rule I've been told is that baby cannot be tethered to you via a carrier. So you can hold baby with your hands (on your lap), just not be joined via a strap.

I've always been told to hold the baby for takeoff and landing. I was once told that in an emergency if they need to help either of you that they don't have time to figure out how to unwrap/unbuckle a carrier.
Also, the forward thrust projectile baby theory.

I was told I would have to take her out for take off and landing. I generally didn't keep her in it durig the flight anyway just for comfort. I have heard several different reasons for it so I don't think the flight attendants really know why.

If you are flying with a nursing infant, I found the travel Boppy to be really helpful and worth the extra thing to carry.