An airbag (50) for side impact protection has an inflatable first chamber (50a) formed of two joined-together first (52a) and second (52b) panels of fabric. The first chamber includes a forward part and an opposite rear part (60). An inflator (26) has exit ports (26a) which channel inflation gas into the first chamber in a determinable direction. The airbag also has a flow diverter (70, 90) positioned to receive inflation gas and to divert at least a component of the inflation gas to flow generally perpendicular to the first direction. In one embodiment the flow diverter is an open topped tube. In another embodiment the flow diverter includes a plurality of vent openings in the side of the tube. In a third embodiment of the invention the diverter is a permeable fabric.
