When traveling by plane with a child younger than two?

Question

I know you don't have to pay for the child, but do you still have to specify that a child under two will be traveling with you when you buy the online ticket?

Answer 1

It's always good to specify that you have a child under the age of 2 with you. You never know what complictaions might arise, it is air travel after all.

Answer 2

Yes!!

Usually the websites have a drop down menu of some sort, how many adults, children under/over 2, etc. One site (Air France) has a little box you check if you have an infant with you. They want to know!

If you've already booked, call them. I'm sure the child can be added.

Sometimes you do have to pay a fee, albeit a small one, especially on international. You mentioned a passport so bring that whether it's international or domestic. Usually a certified copy of his birth certificate will do but if you have the passport, that's even better. They may not even ask, especially if it's a small baby.

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I really recommend bringing a car seat and try to use it onboard. Babies under 2 are allowed in laps for commercial reasons, and because air travel is so safe. But if anything goes wrong, a lap baby has no protection. We were instructed for a prepared emergency landing to have the parent wrap the baby in a blanket and hold him or her to the floor. Most Flight Attendants retire without ever being in one of those but still...

The real advantage is that children are more comfortable and sleep better when they are in their familar car seat. Less likely of disturbing other passengers too. You can also get up and attend to your own needs better without a sleeping child draped over you.

Make sure your car seat is approved for use on aircraft. If you're flying on a U.S. company, see the below link for information on if it's approved. Most car seats, including infant buckets, sold in the U.S. are.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

If you are flying a non-U.S. company, see the information for your airline. If you search with the name of the airline, followed by "children", that will usually give you the right page.

This way, the seat will get to your destination without risking it being damaged or lost in luggage. On my last transatlantic with my kids, three of our four bags didn't make it but since we had the car seat with us, my daughter was safe for the 2 hour drive home (the bags arrived 2 days later). I saw at least two other seats while looking for our luggage. Wonder how they got home?

If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.

Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.

About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.

Feel free to visit;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Good luck getting an extra seat and have a good flight!

Answer 3

Do the other passengers a favor and leave the screaming infant at home.

I somehow doubt that a child under the age of 2 would be well behaved on a plane.  I've never seen it, and I've spent about as much time in the air as this kid has spent on earth.

Answer 4

Hi,

I am the CTO of vayama.com and can probably answer your question.

Children under two that will not occupy a seat (lap child) are normally free for all domestic travel (in the US).

However, lap children do normally have a cost when flying internationally.  When booking an international trip with a lap child, you should make sure you get a price for the child and not assume that they will be free.  Normally it is like 10% of the normal fare.

You may need to show proof of the child age at the airport.  This is normally a passport or birth certificate.

Enjoy your trip.  I have two children (1 mon and 19mon) and know what its like to travel with lap children!

Answer 5

I'm not sure of the requirements today. But, when I took my son on a plane back in 2003, he was under 2 years of age. They just made me bring his birth certificate to verify his age so he could ride for free. I think they do ask that you let them know when you make the reservation.