Should I pay extra for a seat for my toddler on the plane?

[BeautyAndTheBump1]

Single mum travelling with a 6 year old and almost 2 year old.

My almost 2 year old is currently booked on as a lap infant with her being under 2...however, should I spend the additional £325 to get her own seat for outbound and return? (So 162.50 per flight)

The flight is 2hr50

If I buy her own seat, we'll have the whole row of 3 to ourselves...if not we'll be sharing the row with a stranger.

However even if I did buy her her own seat, she would still have to be on my lap during takeoff, landing & any time the seatbelt signs may turn on.

My biggest concern is being squished up next to the window (won't let us book an aisle seat) and be anxious the entire flight that I'm annoying the stranger sat next to us. I'm already anxious as it is taking them both on holiday by myself.

I would. It’ll be incredibly cramped

Absolutely! I can't imagine spending nearly 3 hours with a toddler wriggling on my knee. You'll be so squished and it will be much less stressful having a whole row.

Did a 2 hour flight with 2 adults, two 20 month old kiddos and a four year old. Buy the extra seat.

Definitely. You’d all be so uncomfortable

I definitely do it because you’re travelling on your own.

If you can afford it, absolutely buy the extra seat.

We tried to do this once. It was during covid so our main concern was not to have anyone else next to us (me, husband + toddler) in a 3. Couldn't do it online because the system wouldn't let us book a seat for an under 2. Tried to do it on the phone, spent probably 2 hours trying to do it (systems kept cutting off, people on the other end obtuse and unhelpful). After explaining multiple times what we wanted and why, we eventually got to the point of payment when the operator happened to mention that it was actually a 2x2 seater plane, not a 3. So that was all a huge waste of time (but at least our problem was solved).
This is to say that it's might be a bit of a faff booking it! But if you have the money then go for it.

I would, sit her in middle inbetween the sitting on lap parts; honestly it'll be a godsend. I think you'd be overly monitoring her behaviour with a stranger in a row too op. Get the extra seat, if you can afford it.

If you can afford to, I would.

it’s doable to manage with them on your knee, but will be very difficult to

• eat
• reach into your bag to get things in and out
• reach things for the 6 year old
• not have your legs go dead!

Thankyou everyone! Can confirm I've taken all of your advice and booked the additional seat!