If you didn't purchase a seat for your child under 2?

[springsheri]

I was told there's a chance that if the seat's available they would give it to me for my daughter (16 months old when we go).

So, I'm planning on bringing the car seat, the question is When is it they would check the seat if it's not being used? Friend's told me to bring it with me to the gate.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Sheri

 

[ducklite]

If there are seats left, then they can try to move you to a row with an open window and center seat. They can't (and won't) force anyone to move. If you have booked a window for yourself, they might be able to get someone with a window to move to another window. Although a passenger in a window with an open center next to them being asked to move to a window with a passenger in the center will likely decline...

Also, they won't break up other families so you can have two seats together, which is understandable.

Best bet is to simply buy the two tickets and be done with it.

Most planes do fly at or very close to capacity these days, so the only way to be sure you'll be able to use that car seat, even if there are empty seats on the plane, is to buy a seat in advance.

Anne

 

[KarenP99]

I just called SWA to specifically ask about purchasing a seat for a child under two. They said that if you purchase the seat, and the filght is not FULL upon departure, once you return you can call and they willl refund the purchase price of that seat.

We normally had flown way off season (never paid for the seat in advance, and were always allowed to bring the car seat anyway due to 1/2 full flights).

Our next flight is in May and I don't want to risk it, so we're buying in advance. If we get the refund after, great. If not I'm thankful that we have the extra seat on a full flight!

 

[allonte]

The plane was not full so they let me have a seat. However, Next time, I'm checking the car seat because it was a Pain and a Half to deal with.

 

[jodifla]

We did this several times. We booked the aisle and window, leaving the middle seat. More than half the time, the middle seat was open and we could put DS in his car seat there. Other times, we just slid over one (no one WANTS the middle seat) and held him, and gate checked the car seat.