Questions re seat for infant on easy jet flight

[lizardqueenie]

Hoping I can get some advice from someone who has been there done that and got the t-shirt.

Thinking of booking some easy jet flights for hols with DD who will be 18 months at the time, DH and myself. They are still cheapest by a smidgen.

As I understand it DD could sit on my or DH's lap with a lap belt as she is under the age of 2. However, I am wondering whether to get her her own seat, it will only be a shortish flight just over 2 hours but am wondering as its our first time and given her age if its just best to giver her her own space. So, if she has her own seat that we pay for (as I understand it this can't be booked online and we have to give them a call because she is under the age of 2) then what does she sit in? Do we need to take a car seat for her or do they have something special to strap her in? Not really sure if we will be hiring a car on hols so haven't thought of just taking it anyway so would like to know if its needed or not.

Thank you :)

I think you can take a car seat for a baby, but not sure about an 18 month old - I'd ask them. They don't have anything for them on the planes I'm pretty sure. 2 year olds just use the lap belts like everyone else.

Depends what kind of child she is as to whether it's easier - if she's a good "lap baby" who likes sitting on your lap, looking at books, etc then you'd be fine. If she's a real wriggler then you might find it better with her own seat.

Some care hire companies charge crazy amounts for child seats, so you might actually be better off paying for a seat on the plane and taking her car seat with you, if that's an option.

No special seat, they still have to sit on your lap for take off and landing with the infant extension belt but can use the seat in between as it is. Your choice whether to take an appropriate car seat but that can be a hassle tbh as it is very specific size wise and has to be usable with just a lap belt.

i wouldnt bother with a seat for that length of flight time.they are on your lap for take off and landing anyway. only booked a seat on long haul for dds when under 2, even then they were on laps most of the time.

Thanks everyone.

Yes she is quite a squirmer but given the hassle of the seat I do wonder if its best to just sit her on our laps for take off landing & then try to amuse her for the rest of the flight. I guess there will be lots to see, going on. plan to take the iPad and entertain her with that & I guess hope that its not a packed flight and that she could sit between myself & DH whilst we are "cursing" is that the correct term?

Also our car seat it would appear can't be used on fights as its one that has a big cushion in front which is secured with the seat belt across the front and thats it. They seem to specify that you have to have a seat that has shoulder, waist restraints and the one that goes between their legs so we'd have to get another seat from somewhere!

I think that's right - unless the plane is completely full (rare) you usually can get an extra seat at no cost. tbh most passengers do all they can to avoid sitting next to parent with young toddler, so I think you'll have no problem keeping the seat next to you free :)

When i used to fly up to Glasgow with DD at that age I would ask the steward(ess) when I got on board if the flight was full (they very rarely were). If it wasn't I would then sit in a middle seat and put DD in the window seat. Surprisingly enough, quite often people wouldn't choose to sit in the empty aisle seat . . .! It meant DD could look out the window whilst we were on the ground, I would take her into my lap for take off and landing, but she had her own seat for free. Result all round.

Seating towards the back often fills up last so more space.