20 month old - seat on plane?

[GreyCh]

We are planning a holiday for later in the year when DD will be around 20 months. She has never been a contact napper and may be very difficult on our laps for the entire flight.

Has anyone bought their own seat for a child under two? And any tips on how to make the seat comfy for her to lie down and sleep on? Or do we have to take a car seat?

Yes we did to fly to Antigua and Dubai. I contacted customer services and they told me to give DS a birthday over the age of two then they amended it but I would speak to them first. It was worth it as he’s a 90th centile child.

How long is the flight would determine it for me then I would price 3 in economy vs 2 in business + the lap infant charge as you may be pleasantly surprised. There are no airline approved toddler car seats currently for sale in the UK so unless you’re US based it probably isn’t an option. If you’re going with BA they have a bassinet option for older babies, it looks like giant baby bjorn bouncer, and a 20MO if they’re on the smaller side might still fit. Otherwise buy the extra seat, lift up the armrests (this is a reason not to book bulkhead row or premium economy on most airlines because you can’t move them) and they use your lap as a pillow. You do get inflatable thingys but a lot of airlines don’t allow them and I’ve never found them necessary- the kids always sleep great, me on the other hand is another story!

If not in an approved car seat, they have to be on your lap whenever the seat belt light is on. (So landing and take off, turbulence etc)..

Easiest way to make it comfy is raising g arm rest and letting them use you as a pillow.

Great tip about lifting up the arm rests! We’ll be going to either Dubai or Abu Dhabi so it’ll be emirates or Etihad. Also loving the business class idea!

I know that’s the case for European based airlines but in case it’s helpful to anyone it doesn’t apply to US based airlines eg United, American etc. and they typically allow any infant that can sit independently to occupy their own seat for the whole flight including when seatbelt signs are on. I’ve done it many times. I have no idea about Emirates though sorry OP! The other option is a CARES harness which would allow them to be in their own seat the whole time even on the airlines that don’t normally allow it but it’s not going to be a comfy sleeping position and sometimes there are rules about what seats you can use them in so probably more hassle than it’s worth. Personally, I would just get a row of 3 in economy and accept they have to be on my lap for take off/landing/turbulence or 2 seats in business class if it’s not much more expensive.