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Original poster

Flying BA business with toddler - can they sit on lap for take off?

47 replies

Eviemum06 · 31/01/2023 11:06

We are planning to fly from London to Chicago (to visit my family) with our daughter and will be flying business (using our vouchers). Our daughter will be under two when we leave but on the way back she will have turned 2 and will therefore, be given her own seat. I can't imagine my two year old would be ok sitting on her own for take off and landing - I'm particularly worried as some of the BA seat configurations would mean she wouldn't even be in arms reach. Is there any flexibility on the requirement for my 2 year old to be in her own seat - would she be able to sit on my lap (belted in) for take off and landing? Does anyone have any experience with this?

OP posts:

FrownedUpon · 31/01/2023 12:13

I’d fly in economy so you’re next to her. A screaming toddler in business class never goes down well.

HermioneWeasley · 31/01/2023 12:20

Agree with the poster who said it’s not just take off and landing, if you’re in the new club world cabin then they are separate pods and it will be a bloody nightmare. Go business on the way out where she can share your pod and then fly back premium economy.

roarfeckingroarr · 31/01/2023 12:31

I think the PP's idea to ask if there are economy seats for take off.

I wouldn't fly economy long haul. It's pretty normal to have small children in business. It also depends on the age of your 2 year old - a 24 month old will handle it very differently to a 35 month old.

FlounderingFruitcake · 31/01/2023 12:32

A child does not become magically unsafe at 2 year old on a lap, when they weren't the day before. But there are people who are very strict with rules.
They’re not that safe on laps under 2. The FAA in the US strongly considered banning lap infants (in the aftermath of a United airlines crash in 1989) but ultimately it was decided that if forced into buying seats families would be more likely to drive and that would result in more child deaths and injuries because of how much safer air travel is versus car travel. So lap infants remain and the rule is 2, and that’s not going to change any time soon, so OP’s child will have to be in a seat.

Rudens · 31/01/2023 12:32

We flew business when our DD had just turned 2 a few days ago. I also thought it will be very difficult to keep her still during take off, as we had flown 2 months before and she wanted to be cuddled all the time. But she really surprised me, the crew kept giving her lots of juice and sweets even before takeoff and she was so happy to be sitting in her big girl seat. But we did fly with Ethiad and the seat plan was in a way that allowed me to hold her hand on takeoff

LINABE · 31/01/2023 12:45

loopyloutoo · 31/01/2023 11:52

It's literally a legality that a child has to be secured in their own seat from two years old. Even if the day before you flew and the child was one year and 364 days old it was ok, the next day it's not.
If you find a cabin crew member who allows you, they're not doing their job correctly. Sorry - that's the way it is. And don't ask them do allow it either - because it's not allowed.

This. It's a CAA rule and there is not negotiable I'm afraid.

Eastereggsboxedupready · 31/01/2023 13:15

In a crash does anyone really believe a seat belt will save them anyway?
All a bit nuts imo.

HoldingTheDoor · 31/01/2023 13:18

In a crash does anyone really believe a seat belt will save them anyway?
All a bit nuts imo.*

People can survive plane crashes. It isn't just about crashes either. Turbulence can be incredibly violent and it makes sense to have everyone strapped in. No one wants taken out by someone's flying toddler.

Pythonesque · 31/01/2023 13:23

I was sure I'd seen something within the last few years that at least one or two airlines would sell a return flight priced for the age of the outward leg when a child crossed charging boundaries at 2 and 12 during a trip. Maybe it was only for 11-12s.

notimagain · 31/01/2023 13:25

Eastereggsboxedupready · 31/01/2023 13:15

In a crash does anyone really believe a seat belt will save them anyway?
All a bit nuts imo.

They've certainly reduced injuries and maybe saved people in some circumstances (e.g runway excursions and more serious accidents such as Kegworth and the 777 at Heathrow a few years back) and as @HoldingTheDoor points out they're definitely reduced the number injured when it comes to turbulence...

WombatBombat · 31/01/2023 13:25

I travelled with DS recently in Business when he was 2 years and 2 days. He absolutely had to sit in his seat, it was absolutely non-negotiable.

We had the same issue with the seat configuration & I just had to really talk and explain to DS what was happening and him sitting in his chair was important etc. I also stuck on a film on the in-flight screen and said he had to stay still, which worked.

He did three takeoffs and landings & was absolutely fine.

Honeyroar · 31/01/2023 13:31

You’ve got a bit of time to get her used to it. Will she manage to sit in the seat all through the flight? So why will landing be a problem? Could you keep a new toy or something back until she has to have her seatbelt fastened? Something she can investigate that will distract her?

TizerorFizz · 31/01/2023 17:36

I’ve rarely seen toddlers in business when it’s not a standard holiday destination. Chicago is more of a work destination. It’s impossible to hold hands in the pods.

kindlekeeper · 31/01/2023 17:46

BA business no longer works for small children as the seats are too separate. Some of the older models and A380 have the “love seats” which are ideal. We took our children often in old style business but wouldn’t in the newer configurations.

Princessglittery · 31/01/2023 18:58

Eastereggsboxedupready · 31/01/2023 11:59

Jesus imagine flying business class and see a toddler in the queue....

@Eviemum06 google seat guru, they show the seat configuration for flights by flight number and date. Obviously aircraft can change but I have found it very useful.

@Eastereggsboxedupready try a family of 6, 3 adults, babe in arms and two children about 6 & 8 and finding they are not in a block but seated all around your seat. Spent the whole flight talking over my seat, even when I was trying to sleep, bumping into my seat etc. Except the 8 year old who quietly sat in their seat, watched TV and slept and basically was a pleasure to travel with. 😂

piggijg · 31/01/2023 19:04

I'd bring a car seat. She's more likely to settle in it and sleep in it. The old style BA loveseats were perfect. There are always plenty of children and babies in business. Lots of expats flying back and forth (including us!).

Cantstandbullshitanymore · 31/01/2023 19:36

Others have confirmed baby needs her own seat for take off and landing.

Anyway when are you planning to fly over to Chicago? After a mild winter it’s starting to get pretty cold.

It eases up later this week but heading into February isn’t fun so hopefully your trip is after winter.

Flying BA business with toddler - can they sit on lap for take off?

Abraxan · 31/01/2023 19:39

Eastereggsboxedupready · 31/01/2023 11:59

Jesus imagine flying business class and see a toddler in the queue....

There are usually at least one or two children of various ages in business and first class.

Business class on a plane does not mean child free. You'll need to book your own private jet for that I'm afraid.

gogohmm · 31/01/2023 19:39

If you haven't booked yet I would opt for premium economy and prebook the front of the cabin, lots of room and traditional seats

CrispAppleStrudels · 31/01/2023 19:47

I'd get a cabin approved carseat and strap them in to be honest.

allfurcoatnoknickers · 31/01/2023 21:53

Seconding the cabin approved car seat suggestion. We have one we used for DS and it's great and very lightweight.

OP - you could pick up a Cosco Scenera Next at Walmart for $50 and solve all your problems.

loopyloutoo · 31/01/2023 23:58

allfurcoatnoknickers · 31/01/2023 21:53

Seconding the cabin approved car seat suggestion. We have one we used for DS and it's great and very lightweight.

OP - you could pick up a Cosco Scenera Next at Walmart for $50 and solve all your problems.

Again, I can't speak for BA as I don't work for them, but some European airlines (one I work for for example) do not allow the use of car seats onboard. Best to double check in advance, if it works, great.

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