flying USAIR with infant in lap?

Question

My daughter and I will be flying to Germany and I wasn't able to purchase her individual seat fo her. So therefore, I am hoping that there is an adjoining seat that is available. Does anyone know if it is required to have a car seat if there happens to be an aviable seat. I don't want to have to carry it with me if I am not goign to be able to use it. If i don't take a car seat and there are aviable seat can I just sit her in the adjoinign seat with out a car seat. Any advice would be appreciated. I will be flying from a small airport to Philadelphia and then to frankfurt. I assume that if the small plane is full, i will have to check the car seat and will not be able to use the car seta even if the flight from PHL to FRA has available seat. is this correct?

Answer 1

Don't listen to sallymarlyn, she's out of her mind. Do not take your car seat on the plane because unless you have a ticketed seat for your child, they won't let you bring it on. So yes (and I do this all the time) you have to hope to get to get lucky and have an open seat next to you. During landing and takeoff, you will have to hold your child on your lap and I believe USAir wants you to put the seatbelt over her as well, not sure it's been awhile. But once the plane is 30,000feet or once the seatbelt sign is off, you can sit your child or lay or child down in that open seat, just make sure her seatbelt is on.

I would also check the car seat at the gate, because you don't want to be stuck with arriving in Germany with no carseat. If you check it at the gate, you then have the piece of mind knowing that it got on the plane, just make sure the tag has the correct destination on it.

Answer 2

Don't take your car seat as it will just be put in the holding section of the plan as luggage. You might luck out and there will be a spare seat beside you but, more than likely, the plane will be full and you'll be require to keep your child on your lap. They'll give you a seatbelt that attached to your own that will keep the child secured during take-off and landing.

How old is your daughter? If she is under a year, enquire now if you can have a carry cot during flight for her to sleep in. Email the company now in plenty of time because to have a carry cot will require notice as it will also mean you'll have to be seated near the front of the plane.

Take a light-weight pushchair/stroller to push the child around and some companies will allow you to store it as hand luggage. Again, you'll have to find out. Barring that, consider buying a child sling for the baby so you can carry her in it, leaving you hands-free when you're walking between flights.

Answer 3

I really hope that you do have a seat for your infant. We flew back from Germany a year ago. And I had a ONE year old and the flight was FULL! Usually flight too and from Germany are pretty full during the summer and fall months. (we flew in late June)

You will become so tired of your infant being on your lap. It is over a 11 hour flight there.

I wouldn't take the car seat aboard the plain. But do check it so you will have it at your destination.

Answer 4

You do not have to have a seat for a child. Most airlines do not charge a fee for having a child under 2, because they are more than likely going to be sitting on Mom or Dad's lap. You should have a car seat if they are still unable to hold their head up. If you were unable to purchase a ticket for her because there weren't any left.. there isn't going to be a seat. If you were unable to because of finances, there may be..

I have flown with my boys MANY times.. and here's what works best.. Under 6 months, IN a car seat on your lap. It may be uncomfortable for you, but that's the way it works. Airlines do not provide car seats. If over 6 months, on your lap recommended.

Answer 5

car seat on a plane? thats a first. I dont think that is allowed without purchasing the seat. The car seat is too big to carry as carryon luggage and would be checked.
First of all, I dont think the airlines will let you hold your child in your lap. Second, did you talk to the airline to see what your options were? why didn't you buy your daughter a ticket? you need to talk to the airline.

Answer 6

I have been flying with my now 22 month old son since he was 3 weeks old and I've also seen how other parents have to deal with airlines first hand...

- All U.S. airlines DO NOT require you to buy a ticket for your child as long as they are under the age of two... If your child "looks" older, carry their birth certificate or other form of ID with you so they don't give you a hard time (I had to do that once)

- That I know of, ALL (or most) U.S. airlines will NOT allow you to use a child seat or attachment vest while in flight. The reason is that if something were to happen and your child is injured by a device NOT allowed or manufactured by the airline, THEY are liable for any injuries or (sadly) deaths... so, in an effort to save their hides, you have to use their restraints or hold your infant in your lap. I know this because it happened to a couple, and they were pissed as hell cause they paid money for a seat that was "supposedly" air line approved, yet the pilot wouldn't allow it on his plane.

- Some, but not all airlines are VERY accomodating and sensitive to the needs of parents with smaller children. For example, we had to change seats to a row that had extra oxygen masks in case of problems (that's why it's VERY important to let an airline in ADVANCE if your infant will be traveling on your lap); and some will give you a safety belt that attaches to both of you in case of an emergency (although , that's only been offered once to us). Another thing is that if you ask if there will be extra seats or missed flights, they will be happy to help you change seats so that you can get that extra seat for your child.

The key is to let them know in advance and to ask for help once you get there... some people will be hard to deal with and more often thatn not, the passengers themselves are more willing to help than you think. I was flying on a flight with an empty seat and the man sitting next to us offered to move to it so that I could have the window seat for my son... Aisle seats are a pain with an overactive toddler!!! Anyway, be sure to call your airline just in case there are any restrictions or special accomodations... and also ask if they know anything about your flight's pilot and his/ her personal restrictions. I'm not sure about international flights, but I assume they are very family oriented, as are most things in European countries... If you do decide to take a car seat and are unable to use it, don't worry... the airline will check it at the gate of the plane and have the guy put it in the luggage part of the plane, or (It's rare but it happened to us) the pilot will offer to put it in his personal locker behind the cock pit if their in a real hurry... It's the same thing they do when passengers decide to take strollers or wheelchairs up to the gate. Other than your two bags to check and the carry-ons, all airlines have no problem about checking in any other child item at no charge, such as safety seats, car seats, or strollers... So, good luck to you both and best wishes in your travels!!!

(The only reason we have our son on our lap is because we're taking advantage of the free offer... it's hard cause I often have to fly alone when my husband deploys, and I have no one to help with his shennanegans... he-he)

Answer 7

http://www.usair.com/awa/content/travelplanning/ticketingpolicies/children.aspx

Check with that link. It might help you out a little bit. If not, try contacting the airline directly, I'm sure they can give you the information needed.
Good Luck and have a safe flight!

Car seats are allowed on planes, in fact are required when the child has a seperate seat from the adult.

Answer 8

if there is a seat available you will be able to lay her down on it duringteh flight. However you will need to hold her during take off and landing.

Answer 9

Any child under 2 can ride with you without his own seat as long as they sit on your lap.

Answer 10

Call the airline