Question about seat on plane for infant

[NotUrsula]

The FAA's official guidance:

A window seat is the preferred location; however, other locations may be acceptable, provided the [child restraint system] does not block the egress of any passenger, including the child’s parent or guardian, to the aisle used to evacuate the aircraft.​

See http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC 120-87B.pdf#page=11.

I think what the PP was generally referring to is that on a widebody, it's common to put carseats in the center seat of a center section row, often because a family will want those 5 seats in a row, rather that the 2-3 in a row that are in the side section rows.

Of course, Spirit doesn't fly widebodies, so in the OP's case, that wouldn't matter.

IME (which is rather considerable, FWIW), the only US-based carrier that will allow a carseat to NOT be in the window position on a single-aisle aircraft is Delta. They interpret the rule a bit differently for forward-facing seats, but only if the passenger seated at the window is in the same party as the child.

BTW, not only will airlilnes tell you that you cannot use a carseat on board; they will often also tell you that no carseat may be installed rear-facing. This is also not true; the rules say that carseat in a paid-for seat should be strapped in according to mfr. recommendations. If the child would use it rear-facing in a car, it can be installed rearfacing in the aircraft. Do expect pushback from some FA's over this, especially on legacy carriers, because they are worried that the passenger seated in front of the child will complain about not being able to recline.

 

[seashoreCM]

Classic!! Well wasn't that nice of them! .

No problem. Just feel free to do it again and again and expect them to yet again say they will make an exception this one time.

Yes, the child must have a seat booked in his own name and the car seat has to be FAA approved.