3 year old=infant?

[Dis Lurker]

I've got a debate going regarding a 3 year old flying as an infant. I'm not trying to sneak my 2-1/2 year old in as a 23 month old(how undisney like) but are there any airlines that under 3 fly free?

We're trying to take advantage of the Disney visa package and child #3 is going to have to get packed in the really BIG trunk if she can't fly free.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I don't think there are any airlines that fly kids over two for free unless they are having some kind of special going on like sometimes here in Seattle we get kids fly and stay free packages to Disneyland. Also, kids only fly free two and under if they are in the lap of their parent. Airlines generally charge half price for a seat for them, although some charge full price.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Dis Lurker
I've got a debate going regarding a 3 year old flying as an infant. I'm not trying to sneak my 2-1/2 year old in as a 23 month old(how undisney like) but are there any airlines that under 3 fly free?

We're trying to take advantage of the Disney visa package and child #3 is going to have to get packed in the really BIG trunk if she can't fly free.

Nope, unfortunately not and you will need a birth certificate for any child 2 and under. You might try calling the airline to see if they offer a youth fare.

 

[zurgswife]

All the airlines I've flown it has been 2 and under not 3 and under...

 

[NotUrsula]

It is an FAA regulation that any child who has passed his/her second birthday must have his/her own seat on the aircraft.
(http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/...ocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2003/14cfr91.107.htm)

The only way you are going to get a free seat for anyone over age 2 is if the airline has a "friends fly free" sale. However, for most sales of that type, the fare you must purchase to qualify is considerably more expensive than the cheapest advertised fare. Usually the lowest sale-priced seats are excluded from those offers. Occasionally it is a better deal than buying 2 seats at the lowest sale fare, but not too often.

 

[sgtdisney]

In a word, No. All children over the age of 2 must have their own seat, and unless as others have said the airline has a special, it will not very likely be free.

 

[Dis Lurker]

Thanks for the responses. I can now set the person I was debating with straight!

Any ideas where I can buy a large ventilated suitcase?
She's a pretty quite girl who could fit in the overhead rack.
hmmm a carry-on?

Actually SWA can get us there for around $1000 so that's not bad with the free passes for the parks. It's just a short trip over MLK birthday weekend. So we're still under 2 grand before food & gifts. The trip shouldn't cost more than 5 grand.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Dis Lurker
Thanks for the responses. I can now set the person I was debating with straight!

Any ideas where I can buy a large ventilated suitcase?
She's a pretty quite girl who could fit in the overhead rack.
hmmm a carry-on?

Actually SWA can get us there for around $1000 so that's not bad with the free passes for the parks. It's just a short trip over MLK birthday weekend. So we're still under 2 grand before food & gifts. The trip shouldn't cost more than 5 grand.

When are your dates? Dee and I are flying the end of Jan. and the cost is 176.50 each r/t, n/s. This is with SWA out of Bradley.
I would check their website again and perhaps call and see if a child fare is less expensive.

 

[Dis Lurker]

We're going the 16th-20th, 206 r/t(w/taxes), we got the a 73.50 fare coming back with a stop in baltimore & 109 going down n/s. Unfortunatly w/ 3 under 7 we couldn't do the 8pm flights.
I checked w/ swa & the special fares are cheaper than childrens fare.
Now we'll see if something comes out next tuesday that's cheaper.

 

[ducklite]

Actually the 8:00pm flight might work out well. The kids will likely crash out and sleep the entire way home.

Anne

 

[seashoreCM]

As far as a pure debate goes,

Q: Is a 3 year old an infant?

A: No.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Parents who have good reason to birth children in a hospital as opposed to at home should have just as much good reason to buy their children their own airplane seats regardless of age.

(way off topic) Speaking of hospitals, some years ago someone commented to me that one should avoid general anesthesia if at all possible. I concluded that the chances of not coming back after general anesthesia are about equal to the chances of dying in a commercial airplane crash.