[ran27]

Hi all,

we are flying to europe next year when DS will be 20 months old. Too old for the bassinet but still under 2. If we have him on our laps it is 10% the cost of an adult ticket, if we want his own seat it will cost 75% (which ends up being alot of $$). What do you travellers recomend we do? If he gets his own seat do we have to get special seat belts or put him in a carseat or something? He is a pretty active boy already so not sure how we will go with him on our lap for 24 hours, but not sure if we will get a full benefit from having him in his own seat anyway. Help?!

thanks

[boatiebabe]

I my opinion you should get him a seat.

A 20 month old is a big kid and to have them on your lap for 24 hours would be my idea of torture.

I sat next to a lady on a trip from Sydney to LA. Her child was about the same age and she had him on her lap the WHOLE time. It was excruciating for her and the rest of us. In particular the lady in the seat in front of them was literally kicked the whole way. The child basically encroached on everyone's space (which is limited at the best of times!).

For a short three hour flight etc I wouldn't but for that long haul I definately would. For your own sanity mainly!

[Escapin]

We're going (only to fiji so shorter trip) with the 'pay for 2, hope like hell that the flight isn't full and we get a spare seat' approach. I think we'd probably do the same with the longer flight.

[bandbub]

we are flying to bali with our dd who will be 16mths old we are paying for a seat for her i couldnt have her on my lap for 6 hours let alone 24hrs id say get him a seat



This post has been edited by bandbub: 19/11/2012, 11:19 AM

[kh79]

We flew a lot (including twice to Europe) when our son was under 2. I'd recommend Booking a mid week flight where it's likely to be less busy and get to the airport very early. Ask the check in staff to block the seat next to you.

I have had this done many many times and they have always obliged provided there is a spare seat.

I'd never pay for an extra seat because unless the flight is completely full (which sometimes does happen) you are likely to have a seat assigned on the day

Best of luck

[bakesgirls]

We flew to Singapore and Malaysia when DD2 was 18 months old. Shs sat on DH's lap or mine the whole way and it was absolute torture. Never again will I ever do that.

Our trip was no where near as far as you are planning, and not as long a trip, but was still awful. On the return trip the seat next to me was vacant so she sat there on the way home. It was wonderful for us all to have our own space and she could sleep on her seat without being disturbed if one of us had to go to the toilet, when meals came around, and so on.

Get the extra seat.

[bikingbubs]

To europe - a seat. We went to Thailand with a 15mth old and even that was hard enough! Honestly, I would prefer not to go at all than have to go all the way to Europe without a seat for him (even at 15mths...). He is now 20mths and flying on our lap around xmas and even dreading that 2 1/2 hrs *shudder*

[Anemonefish]

I would buy an extra seat. We did this when we flew to Europe when DD was 22 months. It seems a shame to pay a couple of thousand dollars when you can get it for a couple of hundred, but we felt it was worth it for our sanity. We ended up with an extra seat on only one of the 4 long flights of the trip, which was great as DD was able to lie down across 2 seats to sleep, but the other 3 flights were all full.

For take-off, landing and turbulence, I had DD on my lap with an infant seat belt, and she sat in her seat the rest of the time.

[lizzie04]

I did 4 x 7 hr flights with a very active 18 month old, but none were consecutive. All on our lap - and it was hard - we spent most of the flight chasing him around the plane probably to the horror of everyone else. I also did a 2x7 hour flights when he was 30 months old with a separate seat. I have to say he was on my lap mostly anyway but it was easier for him to sleep across the seat and my lap. I also think the space is completely necessary, especially if you have people next to you.

If it was me, the short flight i could do on lap, and if he sleeps for the long flight you could just manage on lap too - i would get an afternoon flight to asia and then the connecting night fight to Europe and it might - might - just work. You will arrive shattered though without having slept though! Good luck.

[lsolaBella]

We went with 20 mo DD. we didn't get a seat for her. We were lucky and had a spare seat on 3/4 flights.

When we went back 5 days before she turned 2 we purchased a seat as Singapore alrlines required us to purchase a seat for her for return journey so return flight was better then a one way flight.