Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

okay, how do I book a flight for my son who will be just over a year

I started the process online via southwest, but there was nothing about booking a seat for a 1 yr old, it was age 2 or above

A 1 yr old needs his own seat, right?

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

At one they don't need their own seat, but you can book it. I find its better to book right with the airline to ensure that you pay the right price. I find Expedia doesn't give me accurate kids prices. Its going to be easier for him to have his own seat, but its not necessary from my own experiences.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

Yup.... At 1 they don't need a seat... You can hold him.

It's up to you if you want to or not.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

No, he does not need a seat. My DS flew at 3 months, 8 months and 15 months and we have yet to buy him a seat.

THey don't need a seat until 2.

But with Southwest, if you don't buy them a seat, you have to call themand tell them about DC b/c the baby has to be on the master list for the flight. HTH!

ETA: And I think it depends on the child as to whether it is easier for them to have their own seat or not. I know at 12 months, Christopher would have wanted to be held and sit on our laps.

At the same token, if there is a seat available, then DC can use that seat, which is what happened to us both ways on our flight last July.

Message edited 1/20/2009 7:30:32 AM.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

For safety reasons, I would definitely get him his own seat. There are way too many stories of DC getting injured because they were in someone's lap during takeoff, landing, or turbulence. Odds are, DC will be fine, but I am not one to gamble with DC's safety.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

I booked our tickets when we flew in September for basically 3 adults (2 years and up). DD was 15 months when we flew. You do not need to buy a ticket for a child under 2 but for a 1 year old I highly recommend it. When they are small babies it is easier to get away with not buying one - but for us we would buy one anyway b.c I feel it is safer to fly if they are buckled into their own seat. There are a few flight attendants on here who say that they don't think it is safe to fly on laps even if it is allowed by the FAA.

DD sat in her car seat (you don't need to bring one btw if they have their own seat) b.c we thought she would be more comfortable (and we rented a car down in WDW). Honestly there was NO way my 15 month old was going to sit in either of our laps for 3 hours she would have been running all over the plane. The car seat (there is also something called CARES which attaches to the seat and much smaller than a car seat) kept her strapped in, and b.c she was comfortable she was able to nap and play etc without wanting to run around.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

Flying next month to FL with my 21mth old and she is free and sitting on my lap.

I didnt purchase a seat for her esp since its a 2 hr flight and 1st thing in am, hoping she will be sleeping.

I was just asked to bring her birth certificate to prove she is still under 2.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

You don't need a seat for DC if they are under 2.

In my experience though, it's much easier if they have their own seat after they turn 1 year old. DD would fight me to get up and run around when she was on my lap but when we had the car seat in her own seat, she'd pass right out like it was a long car ride.

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

1 year old do not NEED their own seat...if you want DC on your lap you do not need to buy one

I tokk DS when he was 1 on a flight and we bought him a seat for convenience purposes but it was not required

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

we just flew southwest down to FL and were lucky enough that the flight was not full and we could put her in her car seat - We were so happy! DD was much more comfortable and actually fell asleep during the descent and so was asleep at landing - I don't think she would have slept in my arms.

FYI You have to bring the birth certificate to prove that she is actually your child (as well as age verification) and I didn't call the airline before hand, just showed her birth certificate at the baggage check counter.

Also, fyi - you should wait in the special needs line rather than the long line at baggage check. We waited in the long line b/c we didn't want to take advantage and then they sent us to special needs counter anyway....

Re: Booking a flight for my dh, myself and a 1 yr old

I personally suggest not getting DC a seat and booking the window and aisle of a 3 person row. Most people will not book that middle seat unless the flight is full. When you check in the day of the flight they will let you know if that seat is available or offer you another row if they can. And then you can bring your carseat right on the plane. We did it when DS was 10 months and 20 months. Our trip in june is the first time we've had to buy him his own seat.