Will my little boy be able to sit on my knee on the plane?

[Imthekingsmummy]

It's his first time on a plane and although I've booked him a seat, I think the noise will scare him so im pretty sure he will want to sit on my knee. Will they allow it on take off?
He's only 3

If it's the noise you think he'll be scared of, maybe try preparing him with a few You Tube videos of planes taking off - kids at that age love to re-watch things, so play the same video a few times, through the TV if possible, increasing the volume each time.

Skip to 3:30 in this one -

This is all very useful to read.

Related question for small children flying in their own seat if that's ok - has anyone tried the CARES harness (child aviation restraint system)? It seems to be an additional seatbelt you can buy for them to strap them in better to help in turbulence etc. anyone got one? I've read something that suggests if there is turbulence and they aren't in one of these you need to have them on your knee. But that doesn't sound right from all the answers on this?

In Australia lots of short flights don’t have screens (and by short I mean I regularly did a 1 hour 40 min one that didn’t). My understanding is those systems add quite a bit of weight to the aircraft which is always a consideration with fuel, and it’s not worth it for the airlines on short flight when people have devices anyway and customers don’t see it as an added value. This isn’t on Ryanair/easy jet type airlines either, so it’s definitely not about what you pay for.

Agree with everyone else.I’ve seen loads of little kids his age on planes and they find it very exciting. Read some story books beforehand and then you can point out all things he can remember from them. If you’re frightened, hide it. And he’s safest in his seat with the belt on. Even during the flight.

It’ll be fine, he’ll be excitedly telling everyone about it for ages.

@prisscalledwanda the lap advice is for children under two with their own seat. Opposite for a two year old, they have to be in own seat whenever seatbelt light on.

@beautifulandslightlymad please don't suggest a lolly to suck on. Massive choking risk. If it was up to me they would be banned for children especially the likes of chupa chup lollies! Perfect windpipe size x

That's only for under twos.

Any child over the age of two has to have their own seat, and they must be sitting it during take-off, landing and while the seatbelt signs are switched on.

@prisscalledwanda I’d never heard of that CARES harness but I think it looks good. Having babies on laps isn’t safe, in sudden turbulence the person can’t trust they’d hold them. So anything that avoids that sounds good to me.

Plus it’s nice to feel secure in the seat. I used to regularly take a three hour coach trip that had the standard over the shoulder seat belts you get in cars and it was brilliant for napping because it stopped our bodies moving with the vehicle. I bet kids in those harnesses sleep better too.

The harness @prisscalledwanda mentioned is for use when the child has their own seat.

Fingers crossed he will be OK - we first flew when my son was two. At the time he was terrified of loud noises and I was quite worried - but he was absolutely fine. 'Mommy we are up in the air!!' I'm not a good flyer myself but actually found it easier trying to stay calm for my little boy. (See also thunder storms and spiders ...)

It’s not about you get what you pay for in this case. Flew with Norwegian to the UK this week, no screens. And there is no business class so you can’t pay for extra. It’s not like first class flying with Emirates to Dubai..then you get what you pay for. Frequent flyer here.

He needs to be in his seat with seatbelt on. What do you think would happen if there was a big sudden drop. He will be fine, as long as you are fine.

Out of interest what makes you think your child will be scared on the plane? If you make it fun and exciting for him and explain what the noises mean he will be excited too!

I was on a flight once where a mother refused to strap her child (and herself) in during turbulence, when the seat belt sign came on; instead she insisted on carrying him round the cabin! She was verbally warned by the Purser, still didn't comply. Then a written warning from the Captain was read out, in front of the whole cabin, telling her if she didn't comply at once, the plane would have to divert to the nearest suitable airport, she & her party would be thrown off the plane, they'd be liable for all airport costs incurred, would also be detained by local Police and her party would have to find their own way to their destination.

Serious stuff. Sorry, but you'll have to strap your son in.

If they can sit in a seat on a train, bus or in a car seat without screaming the place down, there's no difference between that and a plane - unless you make it a big deal beforehand.

Honestly, what is the matter with some people?!

I’ve had a three year old on my lap. He had his own seat but became very distressed during landing so the flight attendant gave us a seat belt attachment so he could be cuddled up to me.

I guess somebody has to be the party pooper and point out that whilst it may have been a pragmatic course of action on the day it would actually be illegal in most jurisdictions..

Thanks everyone

Not in the uk you didn't.

1. We're not called flight attendants
2. That just wouldn't happen, it's more than our license is worth.

I was wondering about that too! I thought flight attendant was the American term but they don’t use the infant lap belts there so it can’t have been in the US either.

Not on BA short haul
or jet 2

Well if that is correct for BA that means they have recently changed (back to the old system).

For several years at BA passenger use of iPads certainly was certainly OK for take-off and landings, only exception being in v poor weather (specifically low visibility) when they and other passenger hand held devices had to be off to ensure minimum risk of anything in the cabin interfering with some specific elements of the aircraft electronics.

When mine were little we called it blast off. They loved it and thought it was exciting. Something to suck or chew can also be useful for take off and landing.. Maybe keep some lollipops in reserve or something sucks. Helps with ear popping.