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Original poster

Lap seat flying for nearly two year old

31 replies

Misty9 · 23/06/2015 21:12

We're currently planning a road trip to California for next spring (yey!) and need to decide whether to squeeze it in before dd turns two in mid April so that we can avoid full fare on flights for her seat.

Is it feasible to fly long haul with an almost two year old as a lap passenger? We will also have ds, 4.5, so they can share that seat during the flight for some of the time.

And relatedly, are we better off doing the trip in April/May for better weather etc anyway? There's about £500 saving if we travel before dd is two...

OP posts:
Magicalmrmistofeles · 23/06/2015 21:15

It'll be horrendous, I would book the seat.

Anaffaquine · 23/06/2015 21:19

We just did a short haul flight - 2 hrs with dd1(4) in a seat and dd2(1) on my lap. There isn't much room at all for them to share a seat. It would be awful on a long haul flight, I'd think.
I would book a seat.

lexb14 · 23/06/2015 21:20

I did a 3 leg trip to Australia with an 18month old on my lap - horrendous - wish I'd booked a seat!!

chocomochi · 23/06/2015 21:21

I'd book a seat too. It will be difficult when drinks/meals are served with DC on your lap.

Only1scoop · 23/06/2015 21:22

I've always booked a seat even when dc was tiny to put her carrier in for flight. I wouldn't fancy it myself.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 23/06/2015 21:42

I would book a seat for your youngest child in any case and particularly for the return journey (which is an overnight flight arriving into the UK the following lunchtime/afternoon).

Hassled · 23/06/2015 21:44

Book the seat. I didn't book the seat with a 22 month old on a flight to Hong Kong - it was a very bad move. Unless that £500 is going to cripple you, book the seat.

HermioneWeasley · 23/06/2015 21:49

Agree with the seat bookers! Did a short haul flight with an 18 month old and vowed never again

QueefOfTheSporned · 23/06/2015 21:51

DD was a week off her 2nd birthday when I did just a 3hr flight with her on my lap and I wished I'd booked a seat for her. Horrendous with a wriggly toddler and uncomfortable for everyone.

I did fly long haul with her at 16 months when she had no seat but it was a night flight and she slept for most of it in a Sky Cot (BA flight) and the wonderful BA had given us the bulkhead seats and not assigned the middle one of 3 so we had the row to ourselves.

tocmrpouce · 23/06/2015 21:55

I'd just go for it knowing that it will probably be awful but that you'll survive it and have £500 extra spending money for your holiday!

I have travelled long haul alone with my 1 year old on my knee and it's always been ok. And in one instance United even gave her a seat anyway as the flight wasn't full so that may also happen for you!

tellmemore1982 · 23/06/2015 21:59

No

Just no.

Alanna1 · 23/06/2015 22:01

I've done it with a 1 y.o. (to the caribbean), an 18m (to India) and a nearly 2 y.o. (to NYC). I thought it was fine.

FuckitFay · 23/06/2015 22:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Artandco · 23/06/2015 22:07

No. I only fly with small babies on laps only, who just feed and sleep. Otherwise book a seat. Actually usually longhaul I bought seat from tiny as they went in car seat then when sleeping so we can sleep and eat hands free

Laquila · 23/06/2015 22:07

We did a 4-hr flight and return with a 20-month old - it was OK (mainly because we were well-prepared) but I remember telling myself I wouldn't do it again past that age!

justaweeone · 23/06/2015 22:09

I wouldn't, we follow to Goa with Dd 18 mths over 15 years ago( got funny looks as at that stage know one seemed to take kids there). All was fine, had an isle seat so passed her between us so the other got a proper break.
Imagine if you booked an extra seat and she wouldn't sit on it? - skin Flint

justaweeone · 23/06/2015 22:11

Sorry I would, we went
Trying to multitask

Waggamamma · 23/06/2015 22:14

book a seat! we did 4hrs with DS one week after his second birthday, it would have been horrendous with him on our laps. I couldn't imagine doing it long haul Shock .

YonicScrewdriver · 23/06/2015 22:15

I would look into booking a flight with BA where you could take the first leg before she turned two (possibly making this leg an internal flight in the UK) and the rest after. At the very least I'd have the return transatlantic night flight after she turned two.

I wouldn't take a road trip with kids that age though!

Eminado · 23/06/2015 22:16

Dont do it! Bookma seat!

Original poster
Misty9 · 23/06/2015 22:34

Okay, maybe we'll book her a seat Grin

We've got a lap flight to majorca in september when she will be 17 months, so will see how that goes! Might need to book us flights before then though... i know screwdriver , we're mad aren't we?! Not sure what you mean about booking flight legs etc with ba though??

OP posts:
YonicScrewdriver · 24/06/2015 07:28

If you start a flight with BA before your child is 2 but have further flights on the same ticket after your child is 2, you get the seat for free.

specialsubject · 24/06/2015 17:13

I'm also thinking that a road trip is perhaps not the best idea...

Heels99 · 25/06/2015 08:49

My kids would have made a road trip rather a challenge at the age of two, it wouldn't have been fun for any of us

Artandco · 25/06/2015 09:37

Road trip is fine. They are in car, contained!

We did a 'road trip' using trains/ boats/ buses through Vietnam for 2 months with x2 under 18 months. Was amazing.

2 is a good age for travelling imo. The plane is fine with own seat as they can eat/ sleep/ watch films back to back not allowed at home. Road trip with car you can stop as frequently as needed. 2 year old can be put in back sling or pram where needed and you get on with whatever you like

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