Question about child on lap on plane

[Roxie A]

How strict are they on the under 2 rule? My son will turn 2 a week before we fly and I hate to pay $200 for a ticket for a 1 hour flight. Do they ask for proof of age?

 

[SJCSuzy]

They have to be strict with the 2yo rule, its an FAA law. The airline can be fined if not in compliance. And if the agents do question you, you might be paying for a full fare ticket rather than a discount fare. But the real issue is how much is your childs life worth? I'm sorry to be so blunt but if you're in an accident or even severe turbulance your child could be injured or killed. I realize $200 is alot of money but I'm sure he's worth it. Children are the safest when traveling in an approved safety seat just like when in your car. Have a good trip.

 

[AZKathy]

We had to with SWA on our trip. I don't know about other airlines.

I am glad you only have a one hour trip! If hindsite was better than foresite, I doubt I would lap sit again (but we flew across country, too!). My just shy of 2 year old DD was difficult, so say the least. Make sure you bring lots of things to keep your DS busy.

Have a great trip!

 

[sgtdisney]

Our son flew a couple of times as a lap rider and they never asked us. He wasn't over the age of 2 though, but they didn't ask. The last time he was almost 2.

 

[Mskanga]

They didn't ask me because my DD2 was already 2 and had a ticket, however I saw a family with two children that were asked right at the gate and they made them go back outside and purchase a ticket otherwise they couldn't go. Trust me you will be glad your child gets her/his own seat , I know I was glad and for their safety I think it's worth the money.

 

[bicker]

I thought I read something about the FAA doing away with the lap-child arrangement (eventually? soon?) Does anyone know the status of that? I thought they were planning on requiring all children on US carriers to be in FAA approved car seats, and were planning on requiring airlines to offer tickets for children under 2 at half-price.

 

[sgtdisney]

I heard that too, about the FAA requiring all children to have a seat and a child safety seat regardless of age. I don't know if it has passed or when it will become a law.

 

[Mickeygolf]

I don't remember if they asked when my neice flew a couple of years ago, but we had bought a seat for her anyway. Doing the same for my DS this trip. Most airlines will sell the child under two seat for half price. I booked through Expedia and was able to get the half price seat.

It will be well worth it. We're leaving at 6 am, and it will be nice that my DS will have his own seat instead of sleeping on mom or dad's lap. Plus it fills up the row for our family.

 

[Lewisc]

From the SW website:

Although not recommended, if your child is under age two and you would prefer to hold him or her on your lap when traveling, you may do so on Southwest Airlines without charge, and we'll be glad to check your CRD for use at your destination. FAA regulation requires any child who has reached his or her second birthday to occupy his or her own seat during takeoff and landing. Please keep in mind that Southwest personnel must ensure compliance with this regulation, so be sure to bring along a copy of your baby's birth certificate for age verification

The reduced fare (1/2) might not be half of deeply discounted fare but half the regular fare. Sometimes airlines offer free child fare (if the adult buys a full priced fare) which may not always be the best deal.

 

[DonnaDavid]

I have also seen families forced to buy a full-price ticket when they didn't have proof of age. I have always purchased my kids a ticket as I read a horrible account of a baby killed during an emergency landing. It's just not worth it. I find it much more comfortable also. Not all airlines offer child fares though - we have actually been quoted a fare that was higher than the discounted adult fare!

 

[jjnb7709]

I took my 17mo DS on my lap for our 2 hour flight.

On the way down, the flight was not full so they put me next to an empty seat - so DS basically had his own seat.

Flight back was full, so I was out of luck. He was on my lap the whole way which was a real challenge (for me and the people all around me!)

I am the BIG MOMMA OF BUDGETING and I can not stand to spend money, but I've gotta tell you - it's worth your sanity to pay a couple hundred bucks for the extra seat!! And of course for added safety as well....

I am definitely forking over the dough to get my little guy his own space for all future flights!

 

[PatsMom]

I think the child is much safer in the seat. Hopefully soon regulations will pass madating this. You can't hold on to your child during a crash landing on an airplane any more than you can in a car. jI know its a lot of money, buy I do think that by child is priceless! Search the old Parent's magazine archives. There is a heartbreaking story of a mother who could not hold on to her child during a crash. I think she is instrumental in proposing the new rules. The odds of a crash are low, but why take a chance. JMHO.

 

[mom42860]

We bought our DD (who will be 12 months at travel time) a ticket. I researched thru' several websites and called many travel agencies. Found dicounted tickets for under 2 at Delta by phone and at a few travel agencies. We also wanted to purchase insurance. Finally found an agency that did not charge a fee, got us a rate lower than Delta's website, and charged 1/2 that rate for the baby's ticket. The insurance cost us about $25 extra per adult ticket but gives my DH much peace of mind. Hope this info. helps.

 

[Gillian]

I think for most airlines babies under 2 are half of whatever fare the adult pays, discounted or whatever. The problem is for kids over two. That's when it gets hard to find good child fares.

If you bought a half price infant ticket (for under 2), would they ask for proof of age? I'm not saying you should do this, just wondering. When I flew with DS 6 months, I bought a seat & they didn't look at him at all.

I hope you can find a good discount!

 

[Roxie A]

tHANKS EVERYONE .

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We took our childs car seat also. She was wonderful on the plane, and I really think having her seat had something to do with it. She understands that she has to sit in the carseat, and did not ask to get out once. Ther is no way she would have sat on our lap. I watched several parents trying to do the lap thing, and they, and their children were getting quite frazzeled. One of our landings was very ruff, and it took two parents holding one kid to keep him from bouncing all over the place. Even the flight attendants were commenting on how rough things were. My kid slept through it in her seat.

I is a pain to carry a seat, and strap it in, and out all the time. But the peace of mind is worth it.

Have a great trip.

 

[Roxie A]

Person I spoke with at USAir said there wasn't a reduced rate but on ITA Software it shows an infant fare of $99. So I don't think I can beat that.

 

[mom42860]

Sounds like a good price I spent $114 for an infant rate at Delta and at that time it was the cheapest I could find

 

[tinaluis]

We flew with our two girls (4 and 2 1/2) to LA recently. Of course, I had to buy a ticket for each of them, but as it became apparent that the flight was becoming full, the flight attendants came over and asked if my youngest daughter was a "lap child" or if I'd purchased a ticket for her. I told them I had a ticket and offered to retrieve it but they said it wasn't necessary. My daughter is very big for her age, sometimes people think she's 4, so I was surprised that I might have been able to pass her off as under 2.

I've flown with my girls many, many times before they were 2 and they've always flown as "lap children". Fortunately, we've never had a problem. Sure, they're a little easier to handle when they are in their own seats, but taking them along without a ticket was "doable" as well. I understand what you mean about paying for a ticket if your child has literally just turned 2 and I have to say, even though I'm sure it won't be a popular opinion here, that I would probably just try to get by without the ticket. Just my 2 cents!