If not, at what age do they start to charge a child?
2007-11-11 07:34:32 · 10 answers · asked by Dana D 3 in Travel ➔ Air Travel
Check with your airline but usually it's free on domestic flights and a small fee for international.
While children under age 2 are allowed to fly on the parents' laps, it's not safe. If anything happens, they're not protected. The only way to fly safely is to have a seat for the baby and to use an approved carseat.
If you are flying a U.S. carrier and you buy a seat for your child, it's your right to put your child in a FAA approved carseat. Most U.S. carseats are FAA approved. Check out this site for more details;
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
If you are with a non-U.S. company, check with the airline and/or their aviation authority.
Having your carseat means it's almost guarenteed to reach your destination in one piece. No risk of it getting lost or damaged in baggage and you might need it right away to leave the airport.
Having said that, there is very little chance of anything happening. Commercial air travel in the industrailized world is safe. If the baby is in your lap, make sure he or she is totally loose and not connected to you in any way.
Either way, make an informed decision.
Just as a note, I do recommend sitting in bulkhead seats. These are not necessarily in the front of the aircraft. Please note FLIGHT ATTENDANTS DO NOT HANDLE SEATING. You must book these well in advance with the airline or travel agent. Please don't expect to simply sit in them when you board.
I was a Flight Attendant for 13 years, 10 of that before I had my own kids. Now I fly with my three between Europe and California about every six months. About seven years ago, I wrote an article for a local newletter which I later put on a blog and expanded with great feedback from other flying parents.
For more information on the subject, from someone who actually worked in the industry, please visit;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
Have a good trip!
2007-11-11 23:19:17 · answer #1 · answered by Eclipsepearl 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Depends how old the child is. Under 2, generally not. However, you will not have a seat for the little tyke! (Unless the flight is pretty empty and you are lucky enough to have a space next to you!!)
If you specifically want to have the child in a carrier, the carrier will need its own seat, so, you would have to purchase another seat, maybe at the full price, but you would need to dicuss that with the company uou are booking with.
Once over two years of age, you will be charged for the child. Some do say full price, but a lot do a precentage of the adult ticket. Again you will need to check with the company.
Just a note, you will need to have the child on your lap for take off and when landing, but this will all be explained when you board. hope this helps!
2007-11-11 07:58:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they use a seat, they pay the fare. If you hold them on your lap, no, for many airlines. You'd need to check with the airline to find the age they require purchase of a seat for.
BTW - If you do decide to hold the baby on your lap, try to get a bulkhead seat. They have a little more leg room and you can put the baby on a blanket on the floor under your feet for a little while.
2007-11-11 07:59:14 · answer #3 · answered by MomSezNo 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
as long as your child is under 2 years of age, and rides on your lap,there is no charge. you may also ask if there is an empty seat next to you, if there is a vacant seat then you will be able to seat your child through the flight without having to hold it all the time.
2007-11-11 07:56:42 · answer #4 · answered by flygirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ofcourse it is safer to have them in their own seat but it costs too much money. I think only 2 infants have died in the last 30 years of aviation as a result of not being in their own seat. 2 out of billions of travelers..seems like not worth it to me. Chances are higher that your kid will be eaten by a mutant land shark then surviving a plane crash due to the difference of being in their own seat vs. a parent's lap
2015-12-14 07:13:32 · answer #5 · answered by James 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some do charge a very low fee as long as they don't use a seat and you transport your infant on your lap. (Not very safe though)
2007-11-11 07:41:12 · answer #6 · answered by pollito 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they fly for free if they are under 2 years
2016-03-13 22:28:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
domestic USA: under 2 for free, on your lap.
Internationally: usually 10% of adult fare (even if on your lap)
2007-11-11 08:24:56 · answer #8 · answered by silentnonrev 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wanted to ask this question too this morning
2016-07-30 06:57:43 · answer #9 · answered by Katrina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋