flying with 2 year old

[mtimal]

I am taking my son to disney in September. He turned 2 in June. Can he sit on my lap on the airline or do I need to buy him a seat? All the website state to travel with an infant they have to be 24 months or younger. Do the airlines ask for id or proof of age? thanks.

 

[CarolA]

This is going to sound rude, but what part of "under two" did you not understand?

He is too old to sit in your lap you need to buy him a seat.

Yes, if they think your child is too old they may ask for proof. I have seen it done.

However, more imporatant is the reason the 24 month cutoff is that while it's NOT safe to put a 6 month old on your lap, it's possible you could hang on to them in the event of an emergency (I am not a believer, but that's the theory) It is NOT safe for your child over the age of 2 to sit on your lap! If you can't afford a seat I would suggest you not go. (I saw a Delta agent deny a woman boarding once.)

 

[SnackyStacky]

I know it's a huge chunk of money to shell out (I just had to fork over an extra $200 to get my baby a seat - and she's still old enough to be a lap baby!) BUT...

Think about it. A plane is cramped enough as it is. Do you think that child who is over 24 months of age is going to be ANY kind of comfortable on your lap? I know I wouldn't be. That's why I got my girl her own seat for our upcoming August flight to Arizona. I think it's not a matter of whether or not it's allowable - but rather a matter of whether or not you AND your kid will be comfortable.

 

[HelenePA]

My 23.899999 month old had a seat yet sat on my lap anyway... I wasted money on that seat! and yes I think they ask for a birth certificate when the child flies on your lap I dont know because mine had a seat which he didn't use...

 

[123SA]

I guess every child is different...my 18mos would never sit on my lap for the whole flight. It would be a nightmare for me and those around me. I think the car seat, besides being safer, makes the child think he/she is in the car. He knows how to behave and what to expect in the car (even at this young age). Thus, he behaves appropriately in his carseat. Since I never expect him to sit on my lap for two hours, I really don't thinkhe would handle it well.

Also, I have never seen a child over 1 behave well on their parent's lap in an airplane (I don't even expect them too)

 

[HelenePA]

Also, I have never seen a child over 1 behave well on their parent's lap in an airplane (I don't even expect them too)

Well mine did better on my lap than his carseat!

 

[PinkTink63]

The first time my son flew he was 13 months old and I had just seen a program a couple of weeks prior on airline safety. It showed a simulation of an airplane still on the runway and it having to slow back down to stop and it not being even close to full speed. They showed an infant being held on a lap flying through the air. Least case scenario smashing into the seat in front of you.
Well, that is all I needed to see, so I bought him a seat and strapped him into his car seat. I'm so thankful that I did that trip, because we hit really, really, really bad turbulence coming out of Denver and the plane dropped like I have never felt before! We were in the very last seats too! Trays were crashing! The arms on the seats flew up and I raised out of my seat, because my belt wasn't tight. People were gasping and crying out, because it was incredibly scary! The flight attendant told us she had been flying for six years and never hit anything that bad!
Sorry, to be so long, but my point to this story is...Please buy your child a ticket, if at all possible. I know it is expensive! When we flew that trip, we really couldn't afford to buy any tickets, but we had to go see my SIL due to illness. If I had not just seen that show, I would have been holding my son on my lap also and he would have absolutely been injured, if not worse! You just never know!

 

[mika911]

I now have nightmares of a baby next to me on a 5 hour flight. ( Thanks.

Kids are great, but airplanes sure are tiny!

 

[PinkTink63]

I now have nightmares of a baby next to me on a 5 hour flight. ( Thanks.

Kids are great, but airplanes sure are tiny!

I know and I'm sorry! How do you think I feel every time I fly and see kids and toddlers not belted in their seat?! I cringe! My son is now 13 and he wears his belt at all times, except for using the restroom! As a matter of fact, so do I and I no longer leave it loose!
By the way, on our very scary flight, as we were dropping thousands of feet, my son was laughing like crazy! Of course, he was the only one doing so! He didn't know we were in any danger. It must have felt like a ride to him!

 

[tjmw2727]

I am taking my son to disney in September. He turned 2 in June. Can he sit on my lap on the airline or do I need to buy him a seat? All the website state to travel with an infant they have to be 24 months or younger. Do the airlines ask for id or proof of age? thanks.

You need to buy him a seat, all airlines require a ticket and seat for passengers 2 and over. Most require a birth certificate for an under two lap child even for an infant. Its not an airline rule but an FAA rule. I know that every time my sil flew with my neice as a lap child she had to provide the birth certificate. If you can't provide the BC the airline can require you to purchase a full fare ticket if seats are available and if not you won't be allowed on the flight.

Best bet is to shop around for a good affordable fare for everyone.

TJ

 

[123SA]

Well mine did better on my lap than his carseat!

You know, I probably just don't notice the kids that are not having a problem. When they do have a problem sitting still though, everyone notices!!

 

[HelenePA]

I now have nightmares of a baby next to me on a 5 hour flight. ( Thanks.

Kids are great, but airplanes sure are tiny!

Our flight down to MCO was almost full... NO ONE sat next to me and my almost 2 yr old It was great!!!!!! I said to the lady in the next row they are all thinking "oh no way am I sitting next to her and that baby!" I was SOOOOOOOOO right! It was awesome! The rest of my family was in the next row down...