Air travel with 1yr8mth old - buy a seat?
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Topic: Air travel with 1yr8mth old - buy a seat?
Posted By: Stogglebox
Subject: Air travel with 1yr8mth old - buy a seat?
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 6:41am
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Hi
Anyone who has experience flying a longhaul flight with a nearly 2 year old - how was it? Was it okay with them just sitting on your lap? Do you think it would be better to actually buy a seat for them? Thanks ------------- Mother of Natsumi Sarah born on 23 January 2009 |
Replies:
Posted By: NikkiB
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 7:28am
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I would suggest a seat for your toddler. I haven't done a long haul flight with my son, but I have flown Wgtn to Akld with him sitting on my lap. It's hard on your legs and a bit uncomfortable at times (I could imagine it would be a lot worse on a long haul flight). ------------- A very lucky mummy to two gorgeous boys: RB 3/10/2008 JB 29/12/2009 |
Posted By: BugTeeny
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 7:35am
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It would be easier having a seat for her, that's for sure.
I've done a fair amount of domestic travel with Hannah. The few times we've had an empty seat next to us has been a godsend. She'll still have to sit on your lap during take-off and landing, and when the seatbelt sign is on (I think..) but even having another seat for all the crap involved in taking toddlers anywhere would be handy 
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Posted By: ShellyBR
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 7:40am
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If it is in the budget I would buy a seat for them. the airlines are usually good and if there is a spare seat they will allocate to you but you can't rely on it. i have flown long haul 30 hours each way with ds a few times and we either had the bassinette or he was just over 2 so had a seat. If you are going to have them on your lap try and get a bulk head seat as at least you have more room and don't have anyone putting there seat down on top off the two of you. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 10:42am
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I definitely agree with having a seat for her, we travelled long haul with DD1 when she was nearly 2yo and it was well worth the money as it meant she could sleep more comfortably.
We also took a domestic flight once we were overseas with her that was about 5 hours long and she didn't have a seat of her own, it was *awful*... she wouldn't sleep and cried / screamed almost the whole way. ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 12:45pm
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Awesome question. We are wondering exactly the same thing as about to book overseas flights. My gut feel has been to book the seat. I thought we would book it for the longer international flight but for the domestic ones once we were there just survive with him on our knee. Great to confirm that by reading your answers. Thanks.
Also does anybody know what age they can go in the bassinets up until? Or is it weight based? Also if you are taking your car seat, can you use that on the child's seat if you have paid for a seat? It wouldn't be a capsule but a safensound seat. We'd be taking it with us anyway and I just thought that he sleeps so well in that. Thanks in advance and sorry to thread jack! |
Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 2:01pm
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Personally if I was travelling alone with a toddler then I'd buy the seat. If i was travelling with my DH as well then I would probably just 'share the load'.
(But that's my thoughts after travelling with twins long haul )
As for the bassinets we had our DDs in them at 11months but they only just fit and I never felt 100% knowing that they could climb out if they wanted. Priority is normally given to babies under 6 months. I've used carseats on domestic flights before. I'm not sure what the policy is on long haul flights. |
Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 2:27pm
http://www.airnewzealand.com.au/before-you-fly/travel-support/travelling-with-children.htm#seatingforchildren - HERE is the info on flying with kids on air nz
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Posted By: katie1
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 5:02pm
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That's awesome info. Thanks heaps Amber-Lee.
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 12 January 2010 at 7:47pm
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bassinets are weight-based and priority is usually given to smaller babies, but sometimes it's just a matter of first-in first-served. We got the bassinet for both flights to the USA when Cian was 13 months and he JUST fit in, but it was awesome to have extra space to put stuff in, or sit him in to eat! doesn't hurt to request one anyway...
having them in their own seat would be ideal if you can afford it, but it is doable without it. If you're flying Air New Zealand or Singapore Airlines they have a system where you can pay for an extra seat at check-in (from memory its $100) which guarantees you a spare seat, but only if there is one available obviously. I'd ask your agent to check out how full the flight is and then base your decision on that. ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
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