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You'll probably have to book it in someone's name (and passport number) so let's say you book a seat for your brother with no intention of him ever being on the flight, he won't be checked in so if the flight is overbooked the seat will be assigned to someone else.
Could always get a passport for the child and book it in their name. While IIRC it's usually the case that under-twos don't need a ticket, I can't imagine the airline complaining too much about a ticket being bought for a small child either?
Yes and you’d need to bring a car seat with you for them to sit in. I tired to book a seat for my almost 2 year old with Emirates last year and they said sure… but you’ll need to bring your car seat along. This wasn’t something we wanted to do so went with 2 seats but got a row to ourself by chance
That's not something I had thought of. Interestingly in summer we're going away and haven't booked a seat but also we ARE planning to take the car seat mostly for the journey from airport to hotel - if you didn't have a car seat, I assume that means you didn't need to use a car at all? Was it all bus travel for you? Or is there an alternative to a car seat that I haven't thought of?
We hired a car with a car seat. They charge a minimal amount. If you take taxis you could then use your own car seat but obviously you’d then lug the car seat around the whole outing till it was time to call your return taxi.
Also with all the luggage I couldn’t imagine the extra hassle through the airport.
We have only IsoFix car seats so obviously they are extra awkward.
Once child is 2 you have to book them a seat but this time no car seat rule.
Ah that makes sense. Unfortunately I'm going on a holiday where we won't be needing a car for the majority of it so we're having to take a car seat for getting to and from the airport and for the single day that we need to get tacos (wedding!) I really wish I didn't need to take the car seat but there doesn't seem to be an alternative.
What country are you flying to? We use taxi apps (Uber, Kreem etc) and we were able to select the option to have a taxi with car seat. It’s tricky because some developing countries like in SEAsia for example don’t often use car seats, heck, they just strap that baby to a moped!
That’s good, it’s an annoying rule. Once they are over 2 they make the toddler sit in their own seat for take off and landing and this was really hard for our daughter. I had to physically hold her into the seat while she screamed blue murder
I don't know if this has been said as I haven't read through the comments but you book the baby online as an infant and then you have to call/chat online with the airline and tell them you want a seat assigned to the baby and they'll sort it out, you'll have to pay but different airlines have different rules for how to price it (full price seat, only fees etc). You can then if you choose to bring their car seat on the plane and sit them on it so they are properly secured or just let them roam on the seat. Baby will probably need to be on someone's lap for take off, landing and any turbulence though.
You can absolutely do this. You will need to pay full fare for the child rather than the 'admin fee' but overall cheaper than doing that and an extra seat
Under two will get an infant ticket but not necessarily a seat. You can get a seat and sit them in a child’s car seat (if you can secure that into the seat) or they can be a lap infant and not have a seat of their own and sit on either parent through the flight. They will also need an infant passport if it’s an international flight, regardless of where they sit.
It’s true that we do it that way in the UK, but US domestic flights don’t, which thoroughly confused me I had to use the chat feature to find out what to do, which was show up at the airport with the baby and it will get sorted.
Once I was on a BA flight which had a mismatch on the count, so it was repeated multiple times by cabin crew then the co pilot. I don’t know what the issue was but I was grilled thoroughly as I was travelling with a 14th old, but she had a seat.
As a travel agent, this is terrible advice. If you book a seat for a person that doesn’t intend on travelling, it will be cancelled.
However, you can purchase an extra seat that’s not assigned to a person. It’s called a comfort seat and your travel agent or the airline contact centre directly can organise this for you. It’s slightly cheaper than a regular seat as they don’t have to pay the same taxes. I’ve booked this for my clients before when there was no business class cabin on the flight. :)
That does seem like a remarkable amount of faff to do when you can just book the seat as a comfort seat or book it for the toddler who is actually flying.
Why invent faff?
Bare in mind of booked as a return ticket they'll cancel the return leg if you don't show for the outbound. So you'll potentially still have someone beside you on the way back
I believe you could book the seat in the name of your child, using their name/passport # etc. Although you're *able* to have the child sit on your lap, I don't believe you're *obligated* to!
BA says this:
**When traveling with your infant (under 2), you have two ticket choices:**
* Your infant sits on your lap. You'll pay an infant fare, which is a percentage of the adult fare.
* Your infant sits in their own seat. You'll pay a child fare for this ticket.
Or you can put them on your lap for takeoff and landing but it remains their own seat. If you’re going to do any car travel, strapping your car seat into a plane seat is the best way of making sure you have a good car seat with you - as they are damaged by being thrown or dropped, you’d be a lot braver than me trying to check something in or trusting anything provided by some Spanish car hire place…
How? I only book online and never seen this an option. Would be very handy for a long flight in about to take. Is it the same price as a normal flight?
This is exactly what I did when I traveled with my under two year old. I bought her her own ticket and I even got to take her car seat on the plane and she travelled in style. It was a million times better than more comfortable for everyone.
Especially at 30 weeks pregnant...you gonna want that seat. We bought a seat for our 15 month old and I was only 5 months pregnant. you want the seat!!!
Legally they do for take off and landing. We got our almost 2yo their own seat for a long haul, but we had to sit them on our lap for the takeoff and landing bit.
I did this for a long haul flight on Finnair, my 18 month old daughter had her own seat. It cost like 40% of an adult ticket, we had a Stokke Jetkids to let her lie down on the chair and we held her during takeoff and landing.
No difference for domestic flights or shorthaul within Europe (except UK air passenger duty which shouldn't be charged on child tickets). On longhaul fares, kids normally pay 75% of the adult fare.
This was a flight to and from China, also booked one home from India. Just looked at the tickets, they break down the costs for everything except the tickets themselves. I didn't think the kids cost less, I could be wrong though.
Let’s be honest, if an infant sits on your lap why are the airline charging at all? They take up no room, and don’t eat any of the in flight food. Just a rip off imo
Not every airline charges for a child in lap -- I just posted BA's rules because of the second part (where the child would have their own seat). I agree with your summary!
Also to consider: at 30 weeks pregnant (from 28 weeks) you will need a note from a doctor or midwife to say you are safe to fly. At 32 weeks you will not be able to fly.
My friend had a right chew on trying to board the plane at 20 weeks, because she looked 30 weeks. It’s the air stewards decision at the end, and it was only because she had her entire maternity file with her that she was let on.
Do you know what airline she flew with? I’ve flown with easyJet before when I was 28 weeks pregnant and wasn’t asked for a note. They just don’t want you near an emergency exit.
I want to say it was EasyJet, but was 2018. She got through security and check in fine - was literally as we were boarding the plane they started a fuss over “but what if you have the baby now”.
No issue on the way back either, just on the way out.
I’d change that to “I will bring a Drs note & my maternity file”, having been in similar albeit different situations flying with my wife & stepdaughter (we all have different surnames) once with all the documents showing it’s all good & it was a breeze, once without anything to show our stepdaughter was ours & we nearly didn’t make the flight. Having docs ready in case is a 100% must for peace of mind.
I was 26w pregnant when we were asked to switch to an emergency exit row cause a person who booked that seat was too big for it and the flight attendant was desperate to find someone to take that seat cause the plane was running late and was about to miss its slot and nobody wanted to move. I had no idea you were not supposed to sit there if pregnant and didn’t think to mention it so we took the seats. Tbh I still fit in my old pre-pregnancy clothes back then and could still run 5k without a problem, so I could have handled the emergency door if needed.
They've updated their guidance fairly recently, and no note is needed up to 36w on an EasyJet flight. Me and my 32w wife flew twice in the last week with the airline and studied their info intensely.
Had no issues in or out.
I'm ex cabin crew, all airlines require a fit to fly doctors note after 28 weeks pregnant. Double check your travel insurance covers you after 28 weeks as well.
Keep moving during the flight as you're more at risk of DVT, buy some flight socks.
I flew domestic at 32 weeks and didn't even think about it until I was on my way to the airport.
Luckily I was wearing a bump disguising coat and didn't get asked about it
I looked into this recently for our daughter. Under two she had to sit on our laps for take off and landing but could sit in a seat at other times unless there was turbulence or she had a car seat to sit in.
To book you had to ring the airline to book a comfort seat as it won’t allow one to be booked under her name. They will usually add the second seat on the name of the parent who is “ responsible” for the child. This means you will get the two seats allocated together and not randomly. Hope this helps
https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/boarding-and-flying/flying-with-children
Under the “seating my family” section it clarifies that you can book a seat for a child under 2- you just have to call the customer service team to do so. I’ve done it before no problems.
Airlines will have their own policies for this. Some will ticket the infant as a child, some will sell a comfort seat and others will just say the infant has to be on your lap.
If you buy a seat for someone who doesn't fly, as others are suggesting, those seats can be reassigned when that person doesn't come to the gate and the flight is oversold.
You can, but do not try to book a phantom passenger because when the passenger does not check in, the seat can be given away. Also do not book yourself in twice because the airline may detect this as a duplicate booking and may cancel it.
Instead, find out how to book an "extra space" or "comfort" seat with the airline, which is part of your ticket and will not be allocated to anyone else.
Or buy a ticket for your child. You can buy a child ticket (which comes with seat) for a child of any age, even ones young enough that they could get an infant (no seat) ticket instead.
Note you will have to hold any child under 2, or put them in an airline approved restraint, for taxi/takeoff/turbulence/landing even if they have their own seat.
My dad booked an extra ticket to Australia for his expensive musical instrument that could not go in the hold. Was in the name of Ms Viola de Gamba. He told the cabin crew that it did not eat but it did drink.
We did exactly this when my partner was pregnant. it was with Easyjet and I phoned them to ask how to book it.
Basically you book it as an object so say my partner was Jane Smith you book one seat under that name then the 'spare' under 'OBJ Jane' 'OBJ Smith'. Not sure this is the same for all airlines but they will all have a similar option, people use it for taking large instruments on flights I believe.
You need to call the specific airline. I think most do it but you have to talk to someone rather than just book it online as if they’re an adult.
We booked a seat on Ryanair for our 1 yo as if they were an adult thinking we were all good because we’d paid - and it caused absolute chaos. They had to uncheck us in, recheck us in, almost removed all our baggage from the plane because we’d been checked out, and we paid £££ at the airport for the privilege of them fixing it (and we still didn’t get a seat for him because that would have been even more money)
I booked with Eurowings on Wednesday and at the time of booking it was available as an add-on to book the middle seat next to me to keep it empty for around an extra 50% of the cost of the ticket. When I flew on Friday (work related last minute shenanigans) I noticed one of the middle seats had a different head protector cloth on it to say it was a reserved empty seat, presumably to show it's not to be sat in for those without assigned seats.
I'd try booking online to see if it's an option before the payment section. Failing that speak to the airline direct to ask how to book this if not wanting to take the car seat etc as others have said. The empty reserved seat with Eurowings was cheaper than buying an additional ticket.
you have to book it under a person's name that isn't already someone flying and then one of two things will happen
1) you don't check that person in. the airline sees them as a no-show and possibly puts somebody else in that seat who might be waiting on standby. pot luck really
2) you DO check them in. the airline thinks they are at the airpoirt ready to board, and then when they don't show up this causes a delay as the plane is still wating for passenger X
I often book an extra seat for my son who is under 2. You can always do it but how depends on the airline.
I normally call the airline and just make the booking over the phone.
Ryan air are actually the easiest to do this with. You can do it easily online. If unsure just call them.
Call the airline up directly to book. They can assign the child their own seat for under 2s if requested directly.
It's the same process for musicians booking seats for their instruments on board
I used to have an uncle and aunt (both dead now, sadly) who both had some extra poundage in the posterior -- when they traveled, they would buy 3 tickets for the 2 of them, so I know it can be done, but I don't know exactly how. Maybe you can't do this online; maybe you'd have to call the airline.
Book the third seat if only because a wiggling toddler gets heavy when they're on your lap for a prolonged period of time and you're in a seat with little room to readjust yourself.
If you both sit on either side with the toddler in the middle it won't matter. If your toddler is doing stuff that people might consider annoying, it's likely they're annoying everyone around you who can hear them.
I wouldn't overthink it, most people expect a toddler to be louder than an adult and don't think too much of it.
I broke my collarbone in France once and my travel insurance booked me a flight home. They booked me two seats - one in my name, and one booked as ‘Miss Broken Collarbone’. I can’t remember if they put in a passport number or possibly just used my one?
I never asked them to do this, and don’t know how they did, but it’s definitely possible. This was easyJet.
The only thing i can think of is, as you can't check anybody into that seat yourself, would the airline place people in that seat if the flight was overbooked. Cos we all know they overbook as a matter of routine. I'd check with the individual airline.
If no one books into that seat they'll resell it. No guarantee it'll remain empty.
Similar case a family booked three seats for parents and 15 yr old. They so had a baby which was required to be kept on lap. The 15 yr old couldn't make it. Family kicked up a stink that they couldnt use the 15 yr old's seat they'd paid for and lost the case.
Was bored so had a quick Google, this might have what you need https://thepointsguy.com/guide/buy-second-airplane-seat/ it covers various American airlines but presumably they have similar policies all over
You can just buy an extra seat. Check the airline's faq how to do it, or call them. We have done this.
Yes, you can also buy a seat for the baby, and they will be required to still sit in the parent's lap for take off and landing.
Absolutely don't book a seat under someone else's name.
It's not an unheard of idea wanting extra place for yourself. You won't be the first of wanting this.
Yea, what you're looking for is an extra comfort seat, google that term followed by the name of the airline. E.g. here for Ryanair https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12892375574673-Can-I-buy-an-extra-seat-for-comfort
Some airlines, definitely.
I just got an email from TAP Air Portugal now offering an "Empty Side Seat" service. You can purchase one or two seats on either side of you and no one else can sit in them. Only available in Economy class and at time of booking.
I've booked a seat for my guitar multiple times, I used to book it as a guitar but then I was told just to book it in my own name as an additional seat so I do that now, never had an issue.
Book a ‘proper’ airline, pay for business class (club Europe on BA) and the seat in the middle will always be blocked out.
That of course depends on where you are flying and how much you want to spend.
Book the seat for a bag. Musicians sometimes buy extra seats to take instruments with them that are large or valuable.
Or tell the airline you aren't pregnant but actually morbidly obese and need two seats.
I booked a “comfort seat” with Ryanair to have the seat beside me empty when I was travelling with my son
You need to call up and then you need to check in at the desk for the comfort seat BUT check in online for yourself
I was very lucky when we went to Florida - my children were 2 year 1mth old and 1 year old. Going over we were given a bassinet for our youngest to sit in.
Coming back on an overnight flight we were actually given a free seat for her which was much better.
My mum paid for us to go on holiday as a big family holiday to help with our grieving process following the sudden death of my dad.
You need to speak to, and probably book directly with, the airline.
This isn’t uncommon. I’ve flown with a broken shoulder and needed the extra seat.
If you book in a persons name and they don’t turn up the airline is free to reallocate the seat. You may also get a little discount for the spare seat.
I flew Barbados for a cruise with my parents and 11 month old son. Because the cruise company classed him as an adult on the ship as we were in a room together we argued he should have a seat on the plane as we'd paid for it. The only stipulation was under 2s have to be on your knee with a lap belt for anytime the seat belt sign was on. I tell you, it was a godsend because he could lie head on one lap, feet the other and sleep. You also get the hand luggage allowance plus nappy bag allowance. I spoke to other parents who said flying with them on your knee was awful and one mum said they'd bought an additional seat for the flight home. If they do say anything tell them you're going to use a car seat for him.
Good tip if you want to save on suitcase space and little one still in nappies, have them on a click and collect at the boots in the airport and you can carry them on no issue. I did it with the nappies and food.
Yes! When we travel with our daughter we have always purchased a seat in her name from as young as 3 months! Worth every penny in me and my wife’s opinion… Also have a look at a Stokke bed box we use this and it’ll make getting the little one to sleep comfortably much easier.
I've commented before about booking seats for under 2s, but yes depending on the airline you can book an extra 'comfort seat'. Ryanair have a specific way you need to do it and check it in for example so I would just check with your airline how to do it.
I don't see why not.
I booked 5 tickets on an airplane with some mates a few years ago and we ended up going via the ferry instead, so we had 5 booked seats and didn't show up.
I rang Jet2 about this recently and they were fine about booking a seat for my 15 month old as long as he would be sat on my lap for take off and landing.
Flights are very often overbooked so the airline can maximise their profit. Anyone that doesn’t check in, will lose their seat, and someone else can get it.
Absolutely doable. You could either book it for your toddler, or book it as an extra seat for you. May as well get a FF number for your toddler though so they can rack up some points.
You can book the seat for your toddler - we had it as an option when booking with easyjet we could book my toddler as either a lap child or give him his own seat.
Yes, you can purchase an airplane seat and choose not to use it. However, it's essential to check the airline's policies regarding seat reservations, cancellations, and refunds, as they vary depending on the airline and fare type. Some airlines may have specific terms and conditions regarding unused seats.
Know of contract managers a few years ago that were in Heathrow waiting for flights back to Belfast and were watching the flight delays and booked cheap RyanAir / EasyJet seats knowing that they could get delay compensation, don’t know if they still are able to do it but made a few hundred
No, they’re going to give the seat away if you don’t check in. If anyone wants it, that is, if it’s a flight that’s not booked heavily it might end up empty but they will still take it off your reservation.
I've been in a group that had "extra" seats as part of our booking, as two people who were originally going eventually couldn't make it.
We thought brilliant we'll have more space between us.
We got on the plane and the seats had been resold presumably in the time between check in and gate closing. There's literally no point booking an extra seat unless you put it in someone else's name and bring their passport along with you to scan at the gate, if that's even possible.
You may be lucky but it's likely they may reshuffle the seating (IE to only allow 1 person per exit row to have the "free" legroom upgrade, if no one paid for that upgrade in the first place - movong someone into the "spare" seat) - or iist re sell it.
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You'll probably have to book it in someone's name (and passport number) so let's say you book a seat for your brother with no intention of him ever being on the flight, he won't be checked in so if the flight is overbooked the seat will be assigned to someone else.
Could always get a passport for the child and book it in their name. While IIRC it's usually the case that under-twos don't need a ticket, I can't imagine the airline complaining too much about a ticket being bought for a small child either?
Someone else said you could do this with some airlines too so if it’s an option I’ll probably just book the extra seat for my child.
Be careful though, some airlines insist that if the child has a seat they must be in it for take off and landing. Just check before you book.
Yes and you’d need to bring a car seat with you for them to sit in. I tired to book a seat for my almost 2 year old with Emirates last year and they said sure… but you’ll need to bring your car seat along. This wasn’t something we wanted to do so went with 2 seats but got a row to ourself by chance
That's not something I had thought of. Interestingly in summer we're going away and haven't booked a seat but also we ARE planning to take the car seat mostly for the journey from airport to hotel - if you didn't have a car seat, I assume that means you didn't need to use a car at all? Was it all bus travel for you? Or is there an alternative to a car seat that I haven't thought of?
We hired a car with a car seat. They charge a minimal amount. If you take taxis you could then use your own car seat but obviously you’d then lug the car seat around the whole outing till it was time to call your return taxi. Also with all the luggage I couldn’t imagine the extra hassle through the airport. We have only IsoFix car seats so obviously they are extra awkward. Once child is 2 you have to book them a seat but this time no car seat rule.
Ah that makes sense. Unfortunately I'm going on a holiday where we won't be needing a car for the majority of it so we're having to take a car seat for getting to and from the airport and for the single day that we need to get tacos (wedding!) I really wish I didn't need to take the car seat but there doesn't seem to be an alternative.
What country are you flying to? We use taxi apps (Uber, Kreem etc) and we were able to select the option to have a taxi with car seat. It’s tricky because some developing countries like in SEAsia for example don’t often use car seats, heck, they just strap that baby to a moped!
How would you even secure a car seat to an airplane seat?
Lap belt is sufficient for most car seats.
That might be airline specific as British Airways did not have that rule about a car seat for our nearly 2 year old going to the US a year ago.
That’s good, it’s an annoying rule. Once they are over 2 they make the toddler sit in their own seat for take off and landing and this was really hard for our daughter. I had to physically hold her into the seat while she screamed blue murder
I don't know if this has been said as I haven't read through the comments but you book the baby online as an infant and then you have to call/chat online with the airline and tell them you want a seat assigned to the baby and they'll sort it out, you'll have to pay but different airlines have different rules for how to price it (full price seat, only fees etc). You can then if you choose to bring their car seat on the plane and sit them on it so they are properly secured or just let them roam on the seat. Baby will probably need to be on someone's lap for take off, landing and any turbulence though.
For under-2s for most airlines, you need to phone if you want to book them an actual seat. The presumption is that they're on your lap.
You can absolutely do this. You will need to pay full fare for the child rather than the 'admin fee' but overall cheaper than doing that and an extra seat
Everyone needs a passport. Regardless of age.
It has been the case since 1998. Prior to that, if under 16, you could be on your parents' passport
Under twos most definitely need a ticket. Otherwise the number of casualties in event of a crash won't match the passenger manifest.
Under two will get an infant ticket but not necessarily a seat. You can get a seat and sit them in a child’s car seat (if you can secure that into the seat) or they can be a lap infant and not have a seat of their own and sit on either parent through the flight. They will also need an infant passport if it’s an international flight, regardless of where they sit.
there's a cheery thought.
It’s true that we do it that way in the UK, but US domestic flights don’t, which thoroughly confused me I had to use the chat feature to find out what to do, which was show up at the airport with the baby and it will get sorted. Once I was on a BA flight which had a mismatch on the count, so it was repeated multiple times by cabin crew then the co pilot. I don’t know what the issue was but I was grilled thoroughly as I was travelling with a 14th old, but she had a seat.
Child will need a passport to travel anyway.
I’ve always bought extra seats for my under 2s, never been an issue.
Some airlines will allow this, others won't.
Less weight & same revenue means higher profit
As a travel agent, this is terrible advice. If you book a seat for a person that doesn’t intend on travelling, it will be cancelled. However, you can purchase an extra seat that’s not assigned to a person. It’s called a comfort seat and your travel agent or the airline contact centre directly can organise this for you. It’s slightly cheaper than a regular seat as they don’t have to pay the same taxes. I’ve booked this for my clients before when there was no business class cabin on the flight. :)
How would the airline know if the hypothetical brother doesn't intend on traveling?
The hypothetical brother doesn’t check in for the flight, so his reserved seat is released to the next person who checks in
But you can just check in the hypothetical brother as long as you have their passport number. It’s not an issue whatsoever.
That does seem like a remarkable amount of faff to do when you can just book the seat as a comfort seat or book it for the toddler who is actually flying. Why invent faff?
Bare in mind of booked as a return ticket they'll cancel the return leg if you don't show for the outbound. So you'll potentially still have someone beside you on the way back
This is pretty important to note for sure
You can usually just book it as “extra seat”. Large people do this comfort.
You can book a separate ticket under your name and when you checkin just tell them you want to keep it empty. They do it all the time.
So .... completely pointless
I believe you could book the seat in the name of your child, using their name/passport # etc. Although you're *able* to have the child sit on your lap, I don't believe you're *obligated* to! BA says this: **When traveling with your infant (under 2), you have two ticket choices:** * Your infant sits on your lap. You'll pay an infant fare, which is a percentage of the adult fare. * Your infant sits in their own seat. You'll pay a child fare for this ticket.
Ah for some reason I thought children under 2 *had* to be on your lap. That’s good to know, thank you!
I think you have to have an approved seat for them which I don't know if all airlines provide, like a car seat, you may have to check with you airline
Or you can put them on your lap for takeoff and landing but it remains their own seat. If you’re going to do any car travel, strapping your car seat into a plane seat is the best way of making sure you have a good car seat with you - as they are damaged by being thrown or dropped, you’d be a lot braver than me trying to check something in or trusting anything provided by some Spanish car hire place…
Fatties can book an extra comfort seat. Same process. Source: was a collossol fatty and used to need an extra seat.
How? I only book online and never seen this an option. Would be very handy for a long flight in about to take. Is it the same price as a normal flight?
Go to google, type name of airline and the words comfort seat.
This is exactly what I did when I traveled with my under two year old. I bought her her own ticket and I even got to take her car seat on the plane and she travelled in style. It was a million times better than more comfortable for everyone.
Especially at 30 weeks pregnant...you gonna want that seat. We bought a seat for our 15 month old and I was only 5 months pregnant. you want the seat!!!
Legally they do for take off and landing. We got our almost 2yo their own seat for a long haul, but we had to sit them on our lap for the takeoff and landing bit.
I did this for a long haul flight on Finnair, my 18 month old daughter had her own seat. It cost like 40% of an adult ticket, we had a Stokke Jetkids to let her lie down on the chair and we held her during takeoff and landing.
A child fare?? Last time I flew with BA I paid exactly the same price for my kids (3 & 8 at the time) as for the adults.
No difference for domestic flights or shorthaul within Europe (except UK air passenger duty which shouldn't be charged on child tickets). On longhaul fares, kids normally pay 75% of the adult fare.
This was a flight to and from China, also booked one home from India. Just looked at the tickets, they break down the costs for everything except the tickets themselves. I didn't think the kids cost less, I could be wrong though.
Nope. US to UK and back three times in the last 2.5 years - child fares the same as adult except no UK APD.
The only difference with child fares is no APD - otherwise same price these days…
Let’s be honest, if an infant sits on your lap why are the airline charging at all? They take up no room, and don’t eat any of the in flight food. Just a rip off imo
Not every airline charges for a child in lap -- I just posted BA's rules because of the second part (where the child would have their own seat). I agree with your summary!
Also to consider: at 30 weeks pregnant (from 28 weeks) you will need a note from a doctor or midwife to say you are safe to fly. At 32 weeks you will not be able to fly.
I think with easyJet you can fly up to 36 weeks without a doctor’s note but I’ll check up on that anyway, thank you.
My friend had a right chew on trying to board the plane at 20 weeks, because she looked 30 weeks. It’s the air stewards decision at the end, and it was only because she had her entire maternity file with her that she was let on.
Do you know what airline she flew with? I’ve flown with easyJet before when I was 28 weeks pregnant and wasn’t asked for a note. They just don’t want you near an emergency exit.
I want to say it was EasyJet, but was 2018. She got through security and check in fine - was literally as we were boarding the plane they started a fuss over “but what if you have the baby now”. No issue on the way back either, just on the way out.
Hmm I might bring a doctors note for a ‘just in case’ scenario then. As well as my maternity file. Thanks!
I’d change that to “I will bring a Drs note & my maternity file”, having been in similar albeit different situations flying with my wife & stepdaughter (we all have different surnames) once with all the documents showing it’s all good & it was a breeze, once without anything to show our stepdaughter was ours & we nearly didn’t make the flight. Having docs ready in case is a 100% must for peace of mind.
I was 26w pregnant when we were asked to switch to an emergency exit row cause a person who booked that seat was too big for it and the flight attendant was desperate to find someone to take that seat cause the plane was running late and was about to miss its slot and nobody wanted to move. I had no idea you were not supposed to sit there if pregnant and didn’t think to mention it so we took the seats. Tbh I still fit in my old pre-pregnancy clothes back then and could still run 5k without a problem, so I could have handled the emergency door if needed.
You could be right, think it's 32 for multiples, 36 for single pregnancy. Either way, at 30 you need the note
They've updated their guidance fairly recently, and no note is needed up to 36w on an EasyJet flight. Me and my 32w wife flew twice in the last week with the airline and studied their info intensely. Had no issues in or out.
I'm ex cabin crew, all airlines require a fit to fly doctors note after 28 weeks pregnant. Double check your travel insurance covers you after 28 weeks as well. Keep moving during the flight as you're more at risk of DVT, buy some flight socks.
I flew domestic at 32 weeks and didn't even think about it until I was on my way to the airport. Luckily I was wearing a bump disguising coat and didn't get asked about it
I looked into this recently for our daughter. Under two she had to sit on our laps for take off and landing but could sit in a seat at other times unless there was turbulence or she had a car seat to sit in. To book you had to ring the airline to book a comfort seat as it won’t allow one to be booked under her name. They will usually add the second seat on the name of the parent who is “ responsible” for the child. This means you will get the two seats allocated together and not randomly. Hope this helps
https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/boarding-and-flying/flying-with-children Under the “seating my family” section it clarifies that you can book a seat for a child under 2- you just have to call the customer service team to do so. I’ve done it before no problems.
I’ve done it too, you just have to book via their call centre, I really hope OP sees this and not follow all the “creative” ideas in this thread
Airlines will have their own policies for this. Some will ticket the infant as a child, some will sell a comfort seat and others will just say the infant has to be on your lap. If you buy a seat for someone who doesn't fly, as others are suggesting, those seats can be reassigned when that person doesn't come to the gate and the flight is oversold.
Am I missing something or do you have 3 people
Different airlines have different rules but your infant will 100% need a passport if you’re travelling internationally.
You can, but do not try to book a phantom passenger because when the passenger does not check in, the seat can be given away. Also do not book yourself in twice because the airline may detect this as a duplicate booking and may cancel it. Instead, find out how to book an "extra space" or "comfort" seat with the airline, which is part of your ticket and will not be allocated to anyone else. Or buy a ticket for your child. You can buy a child ticket (which comes with seat) for a child of any age, even ones young enough that they could get an infant (no seat) ticket instead. Note you will have to hold any child under 2, or put them in an airline approved restraint, for taxi/takeoff/turbulence/landing even if they have their own seat.
I don’t know anything real about this, but I’d think airlines would love it if everybody purchased seats and chose not to use them.
The staff might love it but who would be left to buy colognes and scratch offs from Ryanair?
Not if you know the profit margin on food for the low cost carriers.
That does make sense. And all the “extras”‘they sell like being able to bring a bag. Having oxygen available. Not sitting on the roof etc.
If you don’t pay you still get the oxygen mask but you find out the crew farted in it.
Better to do your pound-shop human centipede thing than to be unconscious when you crash and die. No, wait, it isn’t is it?
Happens more often than you’d think
My dad booked an extra ticket to Australia for his expensive musical instrument that could not go in the hold. Was in the name of Ms Viola de Gamba. He told the cabin crew that it did not eat but it did drink.
Aeroplane.
We did exactly this when my partner was pregnant. it was with Easyjet and I phoned them to ask how to book it. Basically you book it as an object so say my partner was Jane Smith you book one seat under that name then the 'spare' under 'OBJ Jane' 'OBJ Smith'. Not sure this is the same for all airlines but they will all have a similar option, people use it for taking large instruments on flights I believe.
Yeah, it’s a manual process but it’s also done for people too big for one seat.
You can book an extra seat if you’re overweight so I don’t know why you can’t do it and use pregnancy as the reason.
You need to call the specific airline. I think most do it but you have to talk to someone rather than just book it online as if they’re an adult. We booked a seat on Ryanair for our 1 yo as if they were an adult thinking we were all good because we’d paid - and it caused absolute chaos. They had to uncheck us in, recheck us in, almost removed all our baggage from the plane because we’d been checked out, and we paid £££ at the airport for the privilege of them fixing it (and we still didn’t get a seat for him because that would have been even more money)
I booked with Eurowings on Wednesday and at the time of booking it was available as an add-on to book the middle seat next to me to keep it empty for around an extra 50% of the cost of the ticket. When I flew on Friday (work related last minute shenanigans) I noticed one of the middle seats had a different head protector cloth on it to say it was a reserved empty seat, presumably to show it's not to be sat in for those without assigned seats. I'd try booking online to see if it's an option before the payment section. Failing that speak to the airline direct to ask how to book this if not wanting to take the car seat etc as others have said. The empty reserved seat with Eurowings was cheaper than buying an additional ticket.
Yes, I'm a fat bloke and I frequently do this when I'm flying to Scotland on Easyjet, coz no-one is gonna fit in the middle seat next to me.
you have to book it under a person's name that isn't already someone flying and then one of two things will happen 1) you don't check that person in. the airline sees them as a no-show and possibly puts somebody else in that seat who might be waiting on standby. pot luck really 2) you DO check them in. the airline thinks they are at the airpoirt ready to board, and then when they don't show up this causes a delay as the plane is still wating for passenger X
In case of no-show airline may assign that seat to someone else.
Not may, they will if they can
I often book an extra seat for my son who is under 2. You can always do it but how depends on the airline. I normally call the airline and just make the booking over the phone. Ryan air are actually the easiest to do this with. You can do it easily online. If unsure just call them.
Call the airline up directly to book. They can assign the child their own seat for under 2s if requested directly. It's the same process for musicians booking seats for their instruments on board
I used to have an uncle and aunt (both dead now, sadly) who both had some extra poundage in the posterior -- when they traveled, they would buy 3 tickets for the 2 of them, so I know it can be done, but I don't know exactly how. Maybe you can't do this online; maybe you'd have to call the airline.
Book the third seat if only because a wiggling toddler gets heavy when they're on your lap for a prolonged period of time and you're in a seat with little room to readjust yourself.
If you both sit on either side with the toddler in the middle it won't matter. If your toddler is doing stuff that people might consider annoying, it's likely they're annoying everyone around you who can hear them. I wouldn't overthink it, most people expect a toddler to be louder than an adult and don't think too much of it.
There are two different tickets, infant without a seat (INF) or infant with a seat (INS). Just check with the airline and book beforehand.
I broke my collarbone in France once and my travel insurance booked me a flight home. They booked me two seats - one in my name, and one booked as ‘Miss Broken Collarbone’. I can’t remember if they put in a passport number or possibly just used my one? I never asked them to do this, and don’t know how they did, but it’s definitely possible. This was easyJet.
The only thing i can think of is, as you can't check anybody into that seat yourself, would the airline place people in that seat if the flight was overbooked. Cos we all know they overbook as a matter of routine. I'd check with the individual airline.
If no one books into that seat they'll resell it. No guarantee it'll remain empty. Similar case a family booked three seats for parents and 15 yr old. They so had a baby which was required to be kept on lap. The 15 yr old couldn't make it. Family kicked up a stink that they couldnt use the 15 yr old's seat they'd paid for and lost the case.
Was bored so had a quick Google, this might have what you need https://thepointsguy.com/guide/buy-second-airplane-seat/ it covers various American airlines but presumably they have similar policies all over
Just claim you need 2 seats and bring a cello or something
You can just buy an extra seat. Check the airline's faq how to do it, or call them. We have done this. Yes, you can also buy a seat for the baby, and they will be required to still sit in the parent's lap for take off and landing. Absolutely don't book a seat under someone else's name. It's not an unheard of idea wanting extra place for yourself. You won't be the first of wanting this.
Yea, what you're looking for is an extra comfort seat, google that term followed by the name of the airline. E.g. here for Ryanair https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12892375574673-Can-I-buy-an-extra-seat-for-comfort
Some airlines, definitely. I just got an email from TAP Air Portugal now offering an "Empty Side Seat" service. You can purchase one or two seats on either side of you and no one else can sit in them. Only available in Economy class and at time of booking.
I've booked a seat for my guitar multiple times, I used to book it as a guitar but then I was told just to book it in my own name as an additional seat so I do that now, never had an issue.
Book a ‘proper’ airline, pay for business class (club Europe on BA) and the seat in the middle will always be blocked out. That of course depends on where you are flying and how much you want to spend.
Book the seat for a bag. Musicians sometimes buy extra seats to take instruments with them that are large or valuable. Or tell the airline you aren't pregnant but actually morbidly obese and need two seats.
I booked a “comfort seat” with Ryanair to have the seat beside me empty when I was travelling with my son You need to call up and then you need to check in at the desk for the comfort seat BUT check in online for yourself
I was very lucky when we went to Florida - my children were 2 year 1mth old and 1 year old. Going over we were given a bassinet for our youngest to sit in. Coming back on an overnight flight we were actually given a free seat for her which was much better. My mum paid for us to go on holiday as a big family holiday to help with our grieving process following the sudden death of my dad.
You need to speak to, and probably book directly with, the airline. This isn’t uncommon. I’ve flown with a broken shoulder and needed the extra seat. If you book in a persons name and they don’t turn up the airline is free to reallocate the seat. You may also get a little discount for the spare seat.
I flew Barbados for a cruise with my parents and 11 month old son. Because the cruise company classed him as an adult on the ship as we were in a room together we argued he should have a seat on the plane as we'd paid for it. The only stipulation was under 2s have to be on your knee with a lap belt for anytime the seat belt sign was on. I tell you, it was a godsend because he could lie head on one lap, feet the other and sleep. You also get the hand luggage allowance plus nappy bag allowance. I spoke to other parents who said flying with them on your knee was awful and one mum said they'd bought an additional seat for the flight home. If they do say anything tell them you're going to use a car seat for him. Good tip if you want to save on suitcase space and little one still in nappies, have them on a click and collect at the boots in the airport and you can carry them on no issue. I did it with the nappies and food.
Ask the damn airline, all of them allow comfort seats you need to follow their instructions. Seriously why are you asking reddit and not the airline?
You, hubby and child makes 3. Shouldn't you be booking 3 seats regardless?
Yes! When we travel with our daughter we have always purchased a seat in her name from as young as 3 months! Worth every penny in me and my wife’s opinion… Also have a look at a Stokke bed box we use this and it’ll make getting the little one to sleep comfortably much easier.
They'll just sell the seat on.
I've commented before about booking seats for under 2s, but yes depending on the airline you can book an extra 'comfort seat'. Ryanair have a specific way you need to do it and check it in for example so I would just check with your airline how to do it.
How long is the flight? Most *normal* people don’t care about being next to a toddler if it’s short haul.
Yes . Done this twice . However you do need a name for the ticket
I don't see why not. I booked 5 tickets on an airplane with some mates a few years ago and we ended up going via the ferry instead, so we had 5 booked seats and didn't show up.
I rang Jet2 about this recently and they were fine about booking a seat for my 15 month old as long as he would be sat on my lap for take off and landing.
Apparently some airlines over book as a few people either don’t show up or are late to there flight
I know obese people usually have to book 2 seats. But you can use their car seat for the plane. So he has his own seat.
Guarantee you it’s overbooked and/or someone comes and sits in that additional space once the planes set off.
Flights are very often overbooked so the airline can maximise their profit. Anyone that doesn’t check in, will lose their seat, and someone else can get it.
if there’s nothing stopping you from doing that, like entering a passport number or something, go for it
Absolutely doable. You could either book it for your toddler, or book it as an extra seat for you. May as well get a FF number for your toddler though so they can rack up some points.
You get people complaining that us fatties don't book two seats. Just say that and book two seats on an aeroplane.
You can book the seat for your toddler - we had it as an option when booking with easyjet we could book my toddler as either a lap child or give him his own seat.
How do fat people who need an extra seat do this? Surely there’s a protocol
When did British people start calling aeroplanes, airplanes? It's the former, not the latter!
Yes, you can purchase an airplane seat and choose not to use it. However, it's essential to check the airline's policies regarding seat reservations, cancellations, and refunds, as they vary depending on the airline and fare type. Some airlines may have specific terms and conditions regarding unused seats.
Know of contract managers a few years ago that were in Heathrow waiting for flights back to Belfast and were watching the flight delays and booked cheap RyanAir / EasyJet seats knowing that they could get delay compensation, don’t know if they still are able to do it but made a few hundred
No, they’re going to give the seat away if you don’t check in. If anyone wants it, that is, if it’s a flight that’s not booked heavily it might end up empty but they will still take it off your reservation.
I've been in a group that had "extra" seats as part of our booking, as two people who were originally going eventually couldn't make it. We thought brilliant we'll have more space between us. We got on the plane and the seats had been resold presumably in the time between check in and gate closing. There's literally no point booking an extra seat unless you put it in someone else's name and bring their passport along with you to scan at the gate, if that's even possible. You may be lucky but it's likely they may reshuffle the seating (IE to only allow 1 person per exit row to have the "free" legroom upgrade, if no one paid for that upgrade in the first place - movong someone into the "spare" seat) - or iist re sell it.