Is it safe to have a baby in your lap on a plane?

Question

I am going away in the fall, with my 7 1/2 month old baby ( he will be 10 months then ) I was just wondering if anyone has had a good experience/bad experience taking their baby on a plane, Esp if he/she was on your lap for the plane ride? I just need too know if I should book another ticket for him, so he can have his own seat. ( which is full adult price ) which I think is B***S***

Answer 1

Well, the price isn't really "adult", it is more "full seat". The airlines charge per seat, and with fuel prices, the cost to fly is rising.

Nevertheless, I fly very often, and I've seen good and bad when it comes to kids on planes. Is it safe? Well, relatively speaking, yes. If the aircraft has to come to a quick stop during the take-off run, or has a rough landing or bad turbulence while flying, there is more risk. Considering most flights are without any difficulty, these aren't as much of a concern (not to be completely dismissed, however).

Some children are just better travelers when in their car-seat, however. Your baby may want to get out and move around, be fidgety in your lap, or otherwise just not want to settle down; but for some reason, some children will fall right asleep once the plane starts moving, if they are in a car seat.

This said, I would base my decision on the length of the flight. If it were an hour or two, then I'd be more apt to have a "lap baby". They do make a safety harness for these children, which you should look into.

If the flight were three hours or more, then I'd be inclined to have a seat just for baby; and I'd try to make it a bulkhead so I could setup a play area for him to "stretch" out and move.

Remember to pack a few favorite toys, clothes (for you and him, you would be surprised how many parents have stained clothing after a flight), food, diapers, etc.; and look into methods for "ear pain" control during ascent and descent (the latter being more difficult to control).

There is almost a science to flying with small children. It helps to do the research and learn what other parents have done to make the trips comfortable for the kids, other passengers, and of course, those parents. Have a great trip!

Answer 2

If you book him his own seat, be sure you take his car seat onto the plane.  Airplane seats aren't made for babies or toddlers and there is no way to restrain him.

We took our grandson on an airplane trip last fall, a couple of weeks before his first birthday.  We DIDN'T book the extra seat, and we DID have extra adults (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa).  By the time the 2 1/2 hour flight was over, all 4 of the grownups were exhausted and baby boy was wound up and ready to go.  We tried to get him a seat for the flight home a few days later, but there were no empty seats to be had.  And the airline wasn't going to charge us the full adult fare.

That's another thing.  If you buy the child's ticket online, some airlines won't show you that they actually DO have a special price for kids under 2.  You have to book all of your party's tickets through the airline's call center or at their ticket counter at your airport to get the child's price.  Believe me, the phone call to ask about a child's price is worth it.

Bottom line - if you're taking a SHORT flight and you have a child who is content to sit still for periods of time, you might be okay.  But if you have a LONG flight, or if you child is the original wiggle-worm, get him his own ticket and bring the car seat.  Everybody will be a LOT happier.

Answer 3

If you can afford it, get him his own ticket. He'll be safer strapped into his car seat in case you hit turbulence. If not, he'll probably be OK on your lap. Have a great trip.

Answer 4

A car seat is MUCH safer than having your baby on your lap, same as in a car. It will probably be more comfortable for both of you as well, if you want to nap while he's napping and what not. Also depends on the length of the flight I guess, but the car seat is definitely the safest route.

Answer 5

well you have to understand the ticket is adult price b.c no matter how big or old the person is sitting there it still is a seat.it depends on your baby some babies just sleep the whole time and others cry and cry it also depends on the flight length if its an hour Id say just hold him if its a 17 or 18 hour flight you might be better off spending the extra money

Answer 6

I just flew to Florida last month with my then 5 month old on my lap. He was a great baby both ways I feed him in flight and he only got fussy the last 10-15 mins of the flight. It was a 2 hour flight. I flew southwest and they offer infant fares that are cheaper and you get a seat. Call the airline or look on the web site. To order it with south west I had to call a 800 #  

Answer 7

Well its safe, but you might want to consider the lenght of the flight.  If its a few hours, then it should not be a big deal.  But if its going to be awhile, it might be best for both of you to have your own seat.

Answer 8

There would be no way I would get the baby his own seat.  Plane staff have an "extention belt" that connects the baby to their parent while in flight.  The baby should be in your lap

Answer 9

Most mothers I have known haven't had too much problem.

Depends on your baby and the length of the flight.

Why shouldn't the seat cost the full price?  It is still a seat that they are giving up!