Question about seat on plane for infant

[Grandmatoniko]

I have a question and hope someone can help. We are traveling with 7 people and a lap child (19 months)...one of the people cant go so I called the airline to change to seat to the baby's name so we can put him in his carseat and hopefully he (and us) will be more comfortable for the flight. They told me that if a child is under 2 they can't have their own seat, they HAVE to be a lap child. I have never heard this before...this is Spirit air. Anyway, after speaking with a supervisor they said that they would allow is to do it. I thought you were able to choose if you wanted a seat for a younger child or not? Anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Maybe the person was confused as to the transfer of the ticket transfer. There may be a cancellation and rebook under the baby, not just transfer so the counter person needed assistance to book the child to a seat.

 

[Grandmatoniko]

Not sure, they told me that there was a 35 dollar fee to transfer names on the seat but then when they asked the age and I said 19 months they said the child has to be a lap child....well they put him in a seat anyway so I hope I dont have a problem.

 

[letsgoreds]

Um no, guessing the person was not understanding the difference between 'not required' and not allowed? We have always purchased a seat for our >2 crew (Delta and Airtran), and used a carseat. It is what is recommended by the FAA, so I would bet pretty much anything that no such policy exists at Spirit. Weird!

 

[kaytieeldr]

That person was wrong. From Spirit's page about lap children:

A child over seven days old until their second birthday (younger than 24 months) is considered a lap child and does not need to pay for a seat; however, customers may opt to buy a seat for infant if they prefer.

 

[Gracie09]

The person is wrong. I have flown multiple times with an infant. Every time we brought them their own seat.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The real issue is Spirit. Three won't allow the name change OP wants. ( actually most airlines won't).

But Spirit's customer service is known for saying anything to get you off the phone without doing anything. So the agent just lied

 

[Mayhem1976]

I would bring a copy of the policy from their site just in case. I've never had a problem, but I have heard of FA giving people a hard time also.

 

[Grandmatoniko]

Thank you, the rep said she spoke with her supervisor and they will make an exception "this one time"....so he does have a seat. I started reading too and it did say it is much safer in a car seat. I just hope we dont have a problem at the airport.

 

[JoanneDisFan]

Phone reps have no idea what they are talking about. Once I was flying with DS in his own seat and had a phone rep tell me I would have to hold him during take off and landing and he couldn't be strapped into his seat. I asked to see the policy in writing. (email) Suddenly when they went to find the info, it changed to oh yeah he can sit in the seat if he was in an approved car seat. Some people are just not up on current policies and laws. If in doubt ask to see it in writing.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

make sure the carseat has an FAA approved sticker or you can be refused at the plane. most carseats have but not all

 

[NotUrsula]

Just so that you don't go crazy looking for it, there is no such thing as an "FAA Approved" sticker, exactly.

There is a sticker, but it doesn't say that. What it says (in RED text) is: "This restraint is Certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft."
Normally this sticker is located on the side of the outer shell of the seat, in an area not covered by the upholstery. Be sure that you know where it is before you board, because the FA may ask to see it.

US Federal Law requires that you be allowed to use a certified CRS on board a commercial aircraft IF you have purchased an airline "berth" to place it in. If you don't actually pay for the seat, then the airline is allowed to refuse the right to use a carseat in it.

Be aware that FAA regulations *do* limit legal placement of carseats on aircraft. They cannot be installed in any position where they might "block passenger egress" in the event of an emergency. On almost all US-based airlines, this is interpreted to mean that the carseat must be installed in the window position. Seats also may not be installed in the rows directly in front of, or directly behind, the exit row.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Phone reps have no idea what they are talking about. Once I was flying with DS in his own seat and had a phone rep tell me I would have to hold him during take off and landing and he couldn't be strapped into his seat. I asked to see the policy in writing. (email) Suddenly when they went to find the info, it changed to oh yeah he can sit in the seat if he was in an approved car seat. Some people are just not up on current policies and laws. If in doubt ask to see it in writing.

This is actually true for some European airlines.

 

[wmcyip]

we have always bought a ticket for our son when he was under 2 years old and brought his carseat along (most carseat will be usable in an aircraft as well).

personally if you can afford it, i just feel it is safer for the child.

we will do so again when we travel with our 3 month old.

The issue with the airline is with security (TSA/CBC) as each passenger (by name) has go thru some sort of pre-clearance/check at time of booking to actual travel date, at least this is what i have been told by the Jetblue.

Just remember that now that your child has a seat to BRING the proper identification (passport/birthcertificate) as the child will be reclassified as passenger and needs to be cleared by TSA at entry check point.

Another thing is the carseat has to be placed in the window seat, so make sure someone in your group has that seat and is willing to give it up for the carseat.

 

[Gracie09]

we have always bought a ticket for our son when he was under 2 years old and brought his carseat along (most carseat will be usable in an aircraft as well).

personally if you can afford it, i just feel it is safer for the child.

we will do so again when we travel with our 3 month old.

The issue with the airline is with security (TSA/CBC) as each passenger (by name) has go thru some sort of pre-clearance/check at time of booking to actual travel date, at least this is what i have been told by the Jetblue.

Just remember that now that your child has a seat to BRING the proper identification (passport/birthcertificate) as the child will be reclassified as passenger and needs to be cleared by TSA at entry check point.

Another thing is the carseat has to be placed in the window seat, so make sure someone in your group has that seat and is willing to give it up for the carseat.

This is incorrect. Unless you are flying from another country you do not need identification for a child. I have flown with a bunch of kids, some of whom are not mine and dont look like me at all, and have never been asked for identification for them. If you have a lap baby or a special child fare (rare) you need to show proof of their age.

 

[Mayhem1976]

Kids don't need ID, unless traveling overseas or like PP said it's a good idea if they are under 2 and Do Not have a seat. If they look close to 2 they may question it.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids

 

[bumbershoot]

Kids don't need ID, unless traveling overseas or like PP said it's a good idea if they are under 2 and Do Not have a seat. If they look close to 2 they may question it.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids

If a child is traveling on an age-based fare, like being a free lap baby, then you need to bring ID for the airline. With a ticket, that's not needed. It's not an age-based fare (well, unless it is, but child fares are rarely any sort of savings). A fare based on being senior citizen would also need proof shown to the airline.

TSA, however, doesn't need ID for children.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

...
Just remember that now that your child has a seat to BRING the proper identification (passport/birthcertificate) as the child will be reclassified as passenger and needs to be cleared by TSA at entry check point.

Another thing is the carseat has to be placed in the window seat, so make sure someone in your group has that seat and is willing to give it up for the carseat.

As noted, no id needed for under age 18 for domestic travel, except for lap babies. You've apparently flown with a child who had a seat; were you asked for an id?

As for a car seat having to be at the window; not always true, depends on the plane configuration.

 

[jsilvers]

As for a car seat having to be at the window; not always true, depends on the plane configuration.

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.

 

[MaleficentRN]

Thank you, the rep said she spoke with her supervisor and they will make an exception "this one time".....

Classic!! Well wasn't that nice of them!
I've been flying with my kids since they were three months old. Always bought them a seat and they were strapped in unless I was feeding them or changing them.