Help me choose a plane ticket!!!!

[dis-happy]

Ugh, I'm at such a loss. We have plans to go to CA for Christmas this year and are splitting up due to my dd's college schedule. I'm taking the 13 yr. old ds and a newborn baby (due anytime now, will be about 3 mos. old when we travel). I have 100,000 FF points in one account to play with for my trip. It will be a non-stop flight coast to coast, about 5.5 hours in the air. Baby will be nursing.

Choice A:
2 first class tickets, one for me, one for my ds, baby in lap

cost: 100,000 pts.

benefits: easier check-in using the first class line, especially nice when it's crowded going home on 12/31; might actually get some food; bottled water; better bathroom situation during the flight


Choice B:
3 coach seats, 3 across, for ds, me, baby and room to put carseat between us

cost: 75,000 points

benefits: I'll still be able to pre-board, my legs are short so coach doesn't bother me all that much but it may be hard to hold the baby when necessary with the seat in front of me reclined



Some of you may cringe, so don't flame me, but having a lap child doesn't bother me, while the car seat may be safer, I'll have my sling and the baby will probably spend most of it's time in there.

SO----which should I book?????

 

[Honeymooner04]

First of all if you are seriously planning on the coach option you will not be able to put the carseat between you. FAA regulations stipulate that carseats MUST be in the window seat. Personally I would go with the first class option. The seats are bigger and you'll have more room and with a 3 month old you'll probably be holding the baby more than he/she would be in the carseat anyway. You should check however because SOME airlines have policies regarding infants and children in first class so you should check before you use your points. Good luck!

 

[tabrizia]

For DS' first plane ride we went first class/business class. It was so nice, we had enough room (it was me, my mom and DS) for the three of us. He did get a bit heavy when he slept, but it was just nice it gave us a lot more room then we had when travelling couch (me, DS and DH or me and DS), and the time it was just me and DS the plane was half empty so we had a row to ourselves. First class was still nicer and felt roomier for some reason.

 

[stacy6552]

Always Always buy a seat for the baby. There are too many stats to recommend doing anything else.

 

[GoofItUp]

Here we go again with the buying babies a seat debate!

My vote would be for 2 first-class seats if you're not trying to save miles for another trip. You 13 yo would probably think flying 1st-class was pretty neat, and it would be so nice to have the larger, more comfortable seat for you and the baby.

 

[bumbershoot]

choice B

 

[scrapquitler]

I would go with the three coach seats. I'd be happier with the baby in the carseat (easier for me), though the baby seat must go next to the window.

To me, one of the biggest perks of first class is that you get a decent meal, but how are you going to eat that meal with a baby on your lap? I'd think that with a lap baby you probably couldn't even put the tray down, so what would you do with the food? It is also possible, but I'm not sure of it, that the airlines might have some restrictions against children and/or lap babies in first.

Either way you can preboard, generally you can check in online before you even get to the airport, so check-in on first class might not be such a huge advantage.

For me, B hands down.

 

[fun4disney]

I would go with choice B....5.5 hours is a long time to hold a baby. It's safer and easier for you and the people around you to have the seat for the baby. Plus that will give you a break. Bring your own food and the bathroom isn't any bigger or nicer in first class....so I wouldn't use that to base my decision. You said you have a college student....why not use the extra points you'd be saving and get them a ticket too. then you get 4 seats for the price of 2.

let us know what you decide.

 

[my3disneygirls]

I'd go with A. A nursing infant that age is basically an appendage anyway. At 3 months the baby will probably spend more time in your arms anyway. This way at least you'll have more room.

 

[rrobin3051]

First of all if you are seriously planning on the coach option you will not be able to put the carseat between you. FAA regulations stipulate that carseats MUST be in the window seat. Personally I would go with the first class option. The seats are bigger and you'll have more room and with a 3 month old you'll probably be holding the baby more than he/she would be in the carseat anyway. You should check however because SOME airlines have policies regarding infants and children in first class so you should check before you use your points. Good luck!

I have read that carseats cant be between you and when we flew to florida(continental our was between us) I didnt know better at that time and nobody stopped or said anything to me.

 

[Honeymooner04]

I have read that carseats cant be between you and when we flew to florida(continental our was between us) I didnt know better at that time and nobody stopped or said anything to me.

I was just speaking as a former flight attendant. Sounds like your Continental flight had some rule ignoring flight attendants.

 

[eebadeeba]

The first trip I took with my baby (1 mo old at the time), we had a seat in coach booked for her, but decided to upgrade to first at the airport. I held her the whole way, and was able to recline and have her stay on my sholder while I slept, like in a rocking chiar. I have nice memories of that, because first class hasn't happened since. Also if your son likes looking out the window, that would be better for him. I am pretty sure you will have enough room for your food. I am able to eat over my daughter in the premiere class of coach, so you should be fine in first with that.

Have a great trip.