purchase 10 month old own plane seat?

[kylie&haley'smom]

we have never flown w/an infant before. my dd will be 10 months old when we go to wdw. should we purchase a seperate seat for her or fly with her on our laps.

 

[Rebecca12345]

It will be a much safer & enjoyable trip if you can.
(Especially if you have any other young children travelling with you. )
How long is the flight? If your flight is delayed, you might be holding her alot longer than you think.

You also don't want her to be in any danger in case of air turbulence, or any reason the plane makes a bad landing, etc. She is too precious !

You will be glad she is strapped in safely & she may even get in a nap.

Bring some of her fav toys & a few new ones, or something to entertain her. Also what ever she likes to drink from & of course food she is familiar with. Blankie, etc......

Talk to your dr abt what to give her for ears/pressure. I always gave my babies a sm dose of children's cough syrup & they never experienced earaches. (well, except the ONE time I forgot...) You'll both arrive not stressed out!

 

[beattyfamily]

We bought our DD (3) when she was 1 years old a seat (at a discount).

It worked out great. She felt like she was in the car and took a nap.

I wouldn't do any other way for the same reasons the previous poster said.

 

[jel0511]

I agree with both previous posters. The first time we flew with my first child, we didn't buy her a seat. What a mistake!!! It was a nightmare. She was 8 months old at the time and all she wanted to do was get down!!! It was a 3 1/2 hour flight, and with boarding, taxiing, etc. it ented up being more like 5 hours. COMPLETE NIGHTMARE!! So much so, that we bought her a ticket at the airport for our return flight. We had brought her car seat already, since we were renting a car at our destination. What a difference. She just sat in her car seat quietly, we played with her, and she did take a nap!! This flight was even worse, since we were circling due to bad weather, and were almost 2 hours late. She was happy in her own space, and it was MUCH more enjoyable for her and us. Since then we have always bought our under 2 children a seat. We are now out of that stage, since my youngest is now older than 2, but it makes for a more enjoyable flight for both parent and child. Also, it is truly the safest way for your child to fly. As someone explained to me, you wouldn't sit in the back of a car holding a baby, so why would you want to do that on a plane, that is also a mving vehicle?

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Here is what happen to me on our last trip. Maybe someone can help expalin to me what I should do if this happens again, but from my past experience, buying a seat for an infant, one you would want in a car seat, may be a waste of money and here is why.

All of my kids were over 2, so Ihad to buy them all a seat. I decided I wanted to keep them as safe as I would in a car, and brought along their car seats. I had a 2 year old and a 4 year old. The 6 year old was good in his own seat. We checked in early enough, but was told we did not have a window seat for the one of the car seats, and due to safety regulations ALL car seats have to be strapped to a window seat. ( the plane had 3 seats on either side of the aisle) I asked if they could just move someone to the aisle seat and assign my dd the window seat. No, they could not do that. But I could ASK someone to switch seats once we boarded. Well, what if they are not willing to switch seats? Then you can't use the car seat, you will need to have it stored with the strollers underneath. This BURNED me because on more than one occasion, I have gone to the airport with pre-assigned seating, only to find out at check in that those seats were given to someone else. So, why is this any different? I had been moved before, I was one of the first in line to check in, so I am sure they could of found a window seat for the car seat. ( should I have been more aggressive and demand a window seat?) Well, they flight down was OK, because when we got on the plane, the woman who had the wondow seat was already there, I explained how I needed the wondow seat for the car seat, she was more than willing to switch to the aisle seat. ON the flight back, same thing, I was not assigned to a window seat for the car seat. (dh, and 2 ds's had the 3 seats across the aisle, again they were all set) I started to strap the car seat to the window seat, and my dh asked why I was doing that, because the person the seat belonged to was not here yet, I said, geesh, who would NOT switch seats? The other lady switched no problem, what is the big deal? He convinced me to wait, and when the woman arrived, I didn't even have the full sentence out of my mouth to ask her when she cut me off and just said "no, I am not switching seats" I was speechless!!! There wasnothing I could do but to bring the carseat up to the front and have them store it with the strollers. SO, my dd sat in a big seat with her tiny body strapped to a BIG seatbelt. I was so upset. Who wouldn't switch??? The woman later explained to me that she is afraid of flying, and is supersticious, she will not change her seat once her seat has been assigned. I wanted to scream at her.."why??? because you are afriad that is we crash, the person in your original seat will survive and you will die in the newly assigned seat???" WELL, I have a huge problem with that because she was basically saying she would rather save her own butt than a 4 yo little girl's. Not to mention, she could survive in any seat, she was handing my dd a death sentence by not allowing her in a car seat. I wanted to tell her what the chances are of ANYONE surviving a plane crash, but I am not that mean. LOL

SO, BEFORE you get to the airport for check in...check on your seat assignments and MAKE SURE you have a window seat for the car seat. And make sure it is written in stone.

 

[Angel717]

I have always bought a seat for my kids when they were infants. As already mentioned, it is safer for them in case of turbulence and it allows you put them down when they nap or when you need a break. I cannot imagine trying to hold my squirming, mobile 11 month old for 2, 3, 4 hours in a confined space like that! Just make sure you have their ticket in case a nice flight attendant comes by and asks if you if you really bought them that seat (long story )

Disney1fan2000 - Either I've been given misinformation or never thought to ask, but I thought the only place on a plane car seats aren't allowed is the emergency seats. I've never been told I needed to strap the seat in a window seat; I've always put it in the middle seat without problem. I think I would have put up a fuss if I was told to ask another passenger to switch seats or stow the carseat and have my young child strapped by just a seatbelt. I would think that is just as dangerous as holding them on your lap.

 

[lindaso]

We always buy a seat for our infant. The emergency procedure is to put a lap infant on the floor between your legs. Everything else on the airplane needs to be stowed securely and our lap babies under 2 are on the floor!! That's all I need to cough up the extra $$.

Disney1fan2002- that is just terrible!! I have had different experiences with carseats too...some saying it had to be a window, others letting me put it anywhere in the row. Granted, a rear-facing seat has to be in a window but a forward facing seat with a toddler blocks the way a whole lot less than an adult does!!! I am flying JetBlue this time and had an extensive conversation with a supervisor there. Their general reference states an infant seat must be in a window or MIDDLE seat and not in an emergency exit. She marked my reservation with that information so hopefully they won't give me a hard time about putting one of my seats in the middle. If my 6 year old doesn't get a window, she'll freak out!! Last time, a very nice lady saved us and offered us her window. I can't believe no one would do that for you!!

 

[kylie&haley'smom]

thanks everyone.looks like i will buy a seat for dd10months if we decide to fly. it's more important for my kids to be safe then to save a couple of hundred $$. have a question? do you have to buy an infant,the infant fare,or can you buy a fare at a discounted price,like the same price of an adult fare? on swa,infant fare is 185.00 one way,if i read that info correctly.

 

[christinanapier]

Disney1fan2002 I dont blame you at all for being mad. I cant understand how airlines get away with what they do with babies. You dont have to pay for a sit, which they make up that rule, and if the plane is going to have to land for any kind of emergency they make you put your infant on the floor, which I never could understand.. its dangerous for all of us having a baby not held by its mother, as in any kind of turbulence that baby would be thrown up and back down. the baby could get hurt really bad, but she also could land on someone and hurt them too.. All babies need to be in a seat... they could just charge half price.
I know that just because a mother is holding it doesnt mean its going to be safe, but I would take my chances with that any day, then having the baby on the floor.
The airline securely secure every thing but babies, from a cup, plates, baggages, because they are afraid they could get loose and hit some one..
Well what do they think a baby would do...
I think I've heard every thing now.. that they dont have to put babies with a car seat safely before any ones esles.
I think the airline need to have some of the seats that have carseats made into them then, like they do in the carvans.
This really upsets me to think that lady would not give up her sit, if she is afraid to fly which I do understand. she shouldnt be flying....
So I dont fly...
but to think she just didnt care about your baby, that you had to put her into a seat without being in her carseat. I have only one thing to say, I cant believe that someones didnt step up and say you can have my sit, for your baby, and maybe have you and one of your baby move up a few rows. People just dont seem to care any more.
kylie&haley'smom, your're doing the right thing, by getting a sit for your baby. I believe that you will feel much more happier with her beside you, then on the floor.

 

[madison12]

When you do book a seat for your infant make sure you ask for the infant rate. Last year we flew with our 9 month old daughter. The customer service rep asked my daughters age but did not apply the discount. She stated that you had to ask for the discount they would not automatically apply it. This was with Delta, I'm not sure about other airlines. Also, delta states that the car seat needed to be in the window seat. That could just be airline preference.

 

[hayesmama]

Hi!
Just a little input about fare for an infant. We all paid 270 rt a ticket (me, dh, dd5 and dd7). The infant fare for ds1 was 140 rt included kid meal/strained baby food meal. I didn't think that was too bad at all (United Airlines). I have done it both ways before and prefer to get the extra seat because I can actually read or get up and walk around while they are napping (with dh nearby of course) and enjoy my meal (give them cheerios/a toy while I eat). I'm not sure about southwest though.
Disney1fan2000--so sorry to hear of your bad experience!

 

[Jenn]

We always fly on Southwest and we usually book the current special for all of us, since the infant fare is usually 1/2 of the full price fare - which always seems to be more than the current special. Southwest requires you put the car seat in the window seat, so be prepared for that. We have flown with kids in car seats about 7 or 8 times and they have always stayed in their carseat the entire flight (typically 3 hours) and always napped on and off. I bring snacks, a small blanket, their favorite toy/lovey, and for older kids crayons, books, stickers, etc. Last year we flew with 7 kids in our group ranging in age from 1-15. I brought a package of colored pipe cleaners and it kept all 7 kids busy!

 

[safetymom]

Disney1fan2002, I am sorry to hear that you had problems using your car seat. If you had asked me to move I would have refused you also. I travel a lot for business and I always request a window seat. If I had wanted an aisle seat I would have requested one. I have the right to sit where I made a request too. When the lady refused you should have called a flight attendant and asked if there was somewhere else you could have been seated. Before anyone decides to flame me my past career was an child safety seat expert so I know about and support proper car seat usage.

I also checked with my airline and found they don't have any requirement for carseats having to be in the window seat. I usually see them in the middle seat.

Seat assignments can be changed and they aren't written in stone.

Hopefully your next flight will be better.

 

[bnlbebes]

Just got back from our first plane trip from Philly to WDW with newly 1-year-old DS, and we did not purchase him his own seat. We planned ahead so that he would be ready for his nap following takeoff on both flights. Unfortunately, he got sick (because of bad milk, we think) on the flight back and threw up all over himself and me. Luckily we both had a change of clothing! If it weren't for the upset stomach, both flights would have been pain-free.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Disney1Fan2002, the airline was wrong in prohibiting you from using the car seat. Since 1992, FAA rules have guaranteed that you can use an approved car seat if you buy a ticket. This is set forth in FAA Advisory Circular 91-62A.

Also, per the same rules, “A window passenger seat is the preferred location [for the car seat]; however, other locations may be acceptable provided seats next to the child are occupied by attendants responsible for the child.”

So, they were entitled to tell you where the seat could be placed, but they then had to find a seat for you that met those requriements.

I know how hard it is to have to insist on what you know is right when someone in a position of authority is telling you the contrary. Maybe it will be a little easier next time for all of us now that we know our rights.

Happy flying -- Suzanne

 

[NotUrsula]

The carseat is supposed to go in a window seat is because it a) projects past the front of the aircraft seat, and b) once strapped into position, is difficult to remove. The reason for the seat placement rules has to do with evacuating the aircraft in the event of an emergency. You are not supposed to be allowed to put a seat in any position that will force another passenger to climb over it to get to their directed emergency exit. The way that the evacuation diagrams are laid out, that means either the window, or on a wide-body, the exact center seat of a middle section row. That's the FAA recommendation, and most US carriers have made it a rule.

In addition to being prohibited in the exit rows, carseats are also prohibited in the rows immediately in front of the exit rows. The reason for this is that the seatbacks of those seats are supposed to fold forward to make it easier to get through the emergency door, and if there is a carseat strapped in, they won't fold.

Regardless of what any passenger thinks about it, FA's on US carriers have the authority to force passengers to change seats if there is a safety problem. This means that if there is a paid-ticket carseat in a prohibited spot, the FA's can draft someone to give up a window seat in order to move it. Usually, they don't need to, because someone will volunteer if they post the question on the PA. Of course, some or all of the child's family may have to move, too; to accomodate the switch.

However, it is, IME, the height of foolishness to show up at the gate with carseats if you have not notified the airline in advance that you intend to use them. That causes unnecessary aggravation, and often may cause delays, as well. When you book the seats, tell them that you will be using carseats, so that they can put you in the proper seats from the beginning.

If any airline employee tells you that using a carseat or not doesn't make any difference re: seating, politely ask them to check the rules. I've had several ticket agents and gate agents try to tell me it doesn't matter, but all have backed down after looking it up. Most told me that it is still pretty rare for parents to buy a seat for an infant (not that that excuses their ignorance, but that was the excuse they offered.)

PS: On many carriers, esp. non-US carriers, buying the "infant fare" does NOT entitle the child to get his/her own seat. Child fare does, but if you are buying a discounted fare, that will usually be lower than the child fare that will be offered.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

However, it is, IME, the height of foolishness to show up at the gate with carseats if you have not notified the airline in advance that you intend to use them. That causes unnecessary aggravation, and often may cause delays, as well. When you book the seats, tell them that you will be using carseats, so that they can put you in the proper seats from the beginning.

Thanks for all the great advice I have gotten on this thread.Hindsight being 20/20, I now know to INSIST on getting the seats I need for a car seat.

NotUrsala, I did notify the airline more than once that two of my children would be using carseats. I am a fanatic when it comes to making sure everything is "all set" I called at least 3 times check to be sure they had my kids marked down as having carseats. That is why I was so mad when I checked in. I told them that they knew I was bringing carseats from the moment I ordered the tickets. Sorry...nothing they could do. I was so ticked off. because I could not figure out WHY they just did not assign my daughter and myself a window and middle seat. I have had my seat assignments changed many times, and actually complained once because my ticket said one seat and my boarding pass said another, and they said "oh, those seats on your ticket are not guaranteed" Well, if they could move my seat, why couldn't they move someone elses? I was the FIRST in line to check in as soon as the counter opened, so it was not like I was there 5 minutes before the plane was ready to take off. I suppose I could of asked two other people to switch seat with me, but at the time, I was so upset that I was not allowed to use the carseat, I was thinking properly. But, like I said, hindsight being 20/20...I will NOT allow this to happen again. I am not going to let the airline make me ask someone to change seats. They are going to assign me a seat where it belongs.

 

[NotUrsula]

Oh, I believe you. I just mentioned it to point out that the airlines are always going to assume that a child is NOT riding in a carseat unless told otherwise. Since they knew, the gate agent should have flagged the seats to be changed as soon as you arrived and found out that they were wrong. It wasn't your responsibility to get someone to change seats; that was for the airline to do.

However, there is one other thing to watch out for: flight cancellations. If the flight you originally booked is cancelled or rescheduled, the computer system will reassign the seats for the new flight. As far as I can tell, those systems do not have any coding for a passenger using a carseat, so the computer does not seem to have that info. Therefore, even if you have gotten proper legal seat assignments with a carseat, if the airline changes your flights, then call again as soon as you find out there has been a change.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Is there any fool-proof way of letting the airline know that one of the members of your party is a child in a car seat?

I understand that they can note this on your record, but that if new seats are assigend by the computer due to a schedule change or a change of aircraft, the computer can't read this information! As a result, the information won't be used in making the new seat assignments.

One the other hand, if you call the airline, the CSR can read the info in the record but may not have the authority to re-assign a seat already assigned to another passenger or to assign those remaining seats that are supposed to remain unassigned until check-in.

And, with more and more schedule and plane changes, I would guess that families are going to be confronting this problem more and more often. -- Suzanne

 

[BevS97]

PS: On many carriers, esp. non-US carriers, buying the "infant fare" does NOT entitle the child to get his/her own seat. Child fare does, but if you are buying a discounted fare, that will usually be lower than the child fare that will be offered.

THis is definitely true on UK based airlines, and infant fare is typically very low, £20 or £30 + tax, but that only gets the infant on a lap, for a seat you will have to pay the child fare which will be around 80% of the adults fare.

Also, on UK Based airlines, infant carriers are not allowed AT ALL. Only forward facing carseats maybe used, and only for babys over 6 months - this is the CAA ruling (the UK equivelent of the FAA) and is causing me a lot of trauma at the moment...

Bev