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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Easyjet charging £22 each way for an infant is pretty outrageous...?!

89 replies

TurquoiseDress · 05/05/2014 15:29

We're in the middle of booking our holiday for this summer, our LO will be barely 6 months old.

The flights we need are with easyjet- just seen that there will be a charge of £22 each way for our LO who will be sat on our lap the whole way.

When did this come in? I naively assumed that infants don't pay to fly...and more to the point, what exactly is the charge for..?!

OP posts:
OwlCapone · 05/05/2014 15:30

Infants pay to fly on every flight.

OwlCapone · 05/05/2014 15:30

Oh, and the fee will be for the weight of the infant and their luggage.

DrankSangriaInThePark · 05/05/2014 15:31

I expect it's to compensate the other passengers having to listen to them shrieking for 2 hours solid.

beershuffle · 05/05/2014 15:31

Infants have been charged for for years. He might not have aseat but Im guessing you are bringing pram or buggy, car seat, luggage for him...? Why wouldthis all befor free?

HappyMummyOfOne · 05/05/2014 15:31

Maybe the charge is for taking them and the paperwork Hmm

MuttonCadet · 05/05/2014 15:31

You'd pay as much for a bag on a lot of discount airlines.

Original poster
TurquoiseDress · 05/05/2014 15:31

I don't think so- we booked with British Airways a couple of months ago and there was no charge for our LO.

OP posts:
Original poster
TurquoiseDress · 05/05/2014 15:32

I think that's my answer- Easyjet versus British Airways!

OP posts:
Lonecatwithkitten · 05/05/2014 15:32

15 month old to South Africa £100 9 years ago, so £22 is a token amount. You do get a baggage allowance and the airline have to pay the airport to process the infant through security and immigration so they have costs for the infant.

Theodorous · 05/05/2014 15:32

If you buy shit you get flies. What do you expect? Use a proper airline if you want a proper experience.

Original poster
TurquoiseDress · 05/05/2014 15:34

Mutton
That's it though- you're paying to put your bag in the hold.

We're paying to bring our baby with us on the flight, they won't take up extra space eg their own seat.

Seems quite wrong to me

OP posts:
AreYouFeelingLucky · 05/05/2014 15:34

British Airways isn't a budget airline.

You'll pay for an infant on any budget flight.

AnyFucker · 05/05/2014 15:34

Don't use a no frills airline then

It's pretty well documented that they have lots of "hidden" costs

Buyer beware and all that...

CrohnicallyHungry · 05/05/2014 15:35

BA will have a bigger profit margin, so can absorb the additional costs more easily. I bet your easy jet flights cost less than the equivalent ba flight, even after paying for your LO!

PotteringAlong · 05/05/2014 15:36

But you still need to pay tax for that infant I think. And I'm assuming you want oxygen / life vest for them in the event of an accident?

Original poster
TurquoiseDress · 05/05/2014 15:36

Ha ha I think I've answered my own question!

We're not looking for a 'flight experience' just not wanting to be charged for holding our baby on the flight.

Thanks all Grin

OP posts:
Darksideofthemoon88 · 05/05/2014 15:37

Well where are you going? I don't think £22 is a lot for anyone... I'm sure you can save in other ways if you shop around carefully, but ultimately, if you can't afford to go, then don't.

CrohnicallyHungry · 05/05/2014 15:37

Oh, and you get a 10kg baggage allowance and one baby item (eg car seat, pushchair, travel cot) included for your £22 so it's not just a case of baby sits on your knee and takes up no extra room.

ilovepowerhoop · 05/05/2014 15:38

we've always been charged a token fee for the children to travel when they were under the age of 2. £22 each way is cheap imo.

Theodorous · 05/05/2014 15:39

I have had to pay far more to have my dog in the cabin and she had to sit under the seat in a bag. And she was probably quiter and had less weighty baggage.

ilovepowerhoop · 05/05/2014 15:42

and for that £22 you get to take 2 free items such as pushchair, car seat, travel cot, etc

magimedi · 05/05/2014 15:45

Have just booked 2x 4 hour flights for December. Total cost with Easy Jet - £234.70p

This includes 2 x cases, surcharge for using credit card & allocated seating (DH is very tall so need the leg room).

Same journey, same days with BA = £780!

No brainer.

And the airline stil lhas to do the paperwork for your child, transport the pushchair etc etc. £22 is a bargain.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 05/05/2014 15:45

I don't travel but I don't think that's bad at all

ChunkyPickle · 05/05/2014 15:45

I've always had a fee on national airlines too - generally 10% for babes in arms (Air Canada, Iberia).

The extra luggage allowance was worth it in each case though!

TarkaTheOtter · 05/05/2014 15:51

It's the taxes/fees the airline has to pay for the baby. BA will make so much extra on your flights that they can swallow the cost. Easyjet flights are cheaper so they can't. Your choice who you fly with but I expect easyjet would still be cheaper with the extra charge.
BA also now charge for seat assignment which pisses me off a lot more than having to pay a nominal amount for under 2s.