Airline Ages for Children

[Snickals]

Am 'thinking' of celebrating my Baby Girl's second birthday at Disney. When I book the flight tickets, do I book her as an infant going over and a 2+yr old coming back? There is no option for that on the airline (am looking at VAus) website. Or can I get away with booking a return trip for her as an infant?

 

[battymum]

I thought they were infants until three!

Depends if you are happy to have her on your lap the whole time?

 

[aussie shaz]

I believe that the age of the child on the outbound flight is the age they take for the ticket. Even if they become a 'child' before they come home, they can still travel on their infant ticket on the way home.

I agree with Battymums query about having her on your knee for the whole flight. Just remember, 14 hours is a long time, even with no child on your knee!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I think you should check directly with the airline. It could be a legal, safety thing that 2 year olds need a seat. I wasn't allowed to seat my hysterical crying toddler on my lap during landing because he was over two.

Worst case scenario - the plane on the way home is full and you are refused boarding because your two year old doesn't have a seat booked. Unlikely, but not worth the risk IMO.

 

[aussie shaz]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I think you should check directly with the airline. It could be a legal, safety thing that 2 year olds need a seat. I wasn't allowed to seat my hysterical crying toddler on my lap during landing because he was over two.

Worst case scenario - the plane on the way home is full and you are refused boarding because your two year old doesn't have a seat booked. Unlikely, but not worth the risk IMO.

Yes, check with the airline. I am going by what I know from when I was a travel agent, but things may have changed.

 

[Jade+3]

I thought it was the age on the outbound flight.

I can't believe baby girl is nearing 2.

 

[Snickals]

I can't believe it either!
The last trip we were lucky and had a spare seat next to us going there and back. Had a bassinet booked both times but coming home our was given away but we were moved next to a spare. I know that is a big chance. The previous trip when she was 8months there was no spare seat and she was on our laps the whole time (translation - she slept heavily on MY lap the whole time lol).
Thanks for all the advice Was just playing around looking at prices for around her birthday (not until August) and they are so cheap so I guess if we have to buy another seat we will

 

[Jade+3]

We didn't buy a seat for one of our kids when they were 18 months. We were lucky to get spare seats next to us - on the way back we got the only spare seat on the plane. The check in agent at Qantas told me that there is a much better chance of getting a spare seat if you do not fly on the weekend.

Enjoy being able to travel away from school holidays while you can.

 

[Marlea98]

I flew to Brisbane when my son was 1 and my daughter was 3 - she had a seat and I had him on my lap. Never again! I should have coughed up for an extra seat for him. It was the most depressing flight I'd ever had with him fidgeting on my lap and wanting to move about.