Airline Question - Daughter turns 2 while on trip

[becky_AK]

Good morning,

We are traveling to WDW January 29-February. My daughter's 2nd birthday is 1/30. So on the way down to FL she would be considered a lap child and receive a free ticket on Southwest Airlines. My question is, do I need to purchase a ticket for her return flight or would she be a lapchild for the round-trip since the departure date was before her 2nd birthday? Probably a silly question but was hoping to find an answer here. Thank you!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Good morning,

We are traveling to WDW January 29-February. My daughter's 2nd birthday is 1/30. So on the way down to FL she would be considered a lap child and receive a free ticket on Southwest Airlines. My question is, do I need to purchase a ticket for her return flight or would she be a lapchild for the round-trip since the departure date was before her 2nd birthday? Probably a silly question but was hoping to find an answer here. Thank you!

Yes she will need a seat on the flight home. The FAA regulations are on the date of the flight.

Also, be sure to take your birth certificate if you plan to use the "lap child" seating on the way to Orlando. SW does check and child 1 day shy of two is probably going to catch the eye of a gate agent. If you don't have proof they very well may not let you on with her as a lap child. I have read screaming fits on Flyertalk where babies in arms were denied boarding without age proof.

Now, lets think about this... do you really want to fly to Orlando with a child one day short of 2 on your lap???? From Idaho that's a LONG flight.

 

[bumbershoot]

Now, lets think about this... do you really want to fly to Orlando with a child one day short of 2 on your lap???? From Idaho that's a LONG flight.

Good way of putting it, OCC.

I traveled with a 17 month old from Seattle to San Diego (and back). He's 9 years old now and I think my arms are STILL sore from that experience. Still holding out hope for more babies here, and if we do have more, there will be no further lap babies. Too possibly difficult, and you don't know IF it will be difficult or IF it will be a breeze until it's too late!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

My suggestion... take the child and sit in a dining room table chair about 10" from the wall with two full chairs on either side of you. Now realize that the dining room table chair is generally LARGER then the airline seat.... Can you do this for the entire flight? It's one thing with an infant, but the bigger they get.......

I have seen some miserable looking parents out there.