Flying With Kids

DH and I are planning a Disney trip with the kids for later this year. I'm a little torn on what to do with regards to the flight.

DD will be 6 and my DS will be 1.5 when we go. Technically, he can be a lap sitter on the plane but I'm not sure if that's the smartest way to fly.

Those who have flown with a little one, did you pay for them to have their own seat or did they just sit with you? Not sure what to do. TIA

Message edited 2/10/2014 10:01:48 PM.

Re: Flying With Kids

I didn't buy them a seat until I had to.

Flying With Kids

My DD was also 1.5 and she sat on my lap.

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Dh and I flew when the twins were 20 months old. I was 20 weeks pregnant. We didn't get them seats. We survived even with a 2 hour wait on the runway at JFK .

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We always bought DS a seat. He flew twice, at 17 months and again at 23 months, before he was required to have his own seat. We did it primarily for safety reasons but it also really helped make flying easier. We strapped DS into his car seat and that is where he stayed the entire flight. He was comfortable and slept for most of the flights. I can't imagine having to hold a child on your lap for a few hours.

Re: Flying With Kids

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by allIwant

Dh and I flew when the twins were 20 months old. I was 20 weeks pregnant. We didn't get them seats. We survived even with a 2 hour wait on the runway at JFK .

I'm impressed. If you could survive that hopefully I'll be fine!!

Message edited 2/10/2014 11:02:12 PM.

Re: Flying With Kids

Posted by allIwant

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by allIwant

Dh and I flew when the twins were 20 months old. I was 20 weeks pregnant. We didn't get them seats. We survived even with a 2 hour wait on the runway at JFK .

I'm impressed. If you could survive that hopefully I'll be fine!!

lolly pops & m&ms

Re: Flying With Kids

Re: Flying With Kids

My kids have been flying since 12 and 15 months. I always buy a seat. IMHO it is safer so if you afford it I would get the seat. If it was an hour flight ok I could see someone doing that. But think about your child will they sit for about 3 hours in your lap without running around of very fidgety. You will happier and so will they. Remember rows are pretty narrow and yo won't want them kicking or banging the seat in front. I think lap babies are easier when they are infants.

Re: Flying With Kids

We went last month with three kids, the 22mo didn't get his own seat. We saw several other families with kids about the same age who also kept them on their laps.
We took the two seats closer to the windows, leaving aisle seats open. Both flights I was seated next to a seasoned dad who said he'd rather be on the aisle than cramped in a middle seat with adults - I think that helped a lot - especially when the 5yo constantly had to pee.

Youngest DC played games, read stories, ate a lot and played with his sibling next to us. I brought lots of Dollar Tree toys in my carryon bag and my kids love the Boogie Board for doodling.

Flying With Kids

I have flown 4X with DS. Never got a seat. He sleeps so its fine. Plus your older one will not take up a full seat so you can lift the arms and have the whole row.

Flying With Kids

Since you will have at least a whole row - I wouldn't get a seat for DS.

I only got DS a seat 1x before 2 but, we were flying alone and it was on Spirit. He ended up on my lap for take off and landing anyway.

Re: Flying With Kids

Thanks everyone for the advice, I appreciate it.

We gave it some thought and I think we will probably skip getting him a seat. Like someone mentioned, we can flip the arm up and he can sit between us and he will be thrilled with that. Even if we got him a seat he would probably never be in it, he ALWAYS wants to be with his sister anyway and vice versa.

If it were a longer flight than NY to FL I would likely consider buying him a seat for everyone's comfort but the flight is relatively quick so I think we can manage.

Thanks again!!

Message edited 2/11/2014 8:44:42 AM.

Re: Flying With Kids

DS is 2 now and we got him a his first seat in Oct going to Disney. He spent most of the trip on our lap anyway or next to his brother sharing seat.
It'll be fine. Snacks, drinks, movies, games, etc. You'll be landing before you know it just as they're getting antsy anyway,

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at 1.5 i would probably go with a seat if you can afford it. I flew with Hailey in my lap twice already... the first time i was with a bunch of people and it was only to wisconsin so it was a breeze... second time i was alone and it was to Vegas... which was a PITA! On the way home it was ok because the people next to me were great.

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Weve flown when ds was 1 and 2 hes pretty active. The first time he was a lap child he was 1 so it wasnt too bad but he slept on me (not too comfy for me lol)
The second time he had his own seat and it was still a challange. He didnt like being in a small area abd wanted to run around lol

This summer we are flying 2 times and DS will be 4, he will have his own seat. Ds2 will be 1 and a lap child. This should be interesting 3 seats and 2 kids lol

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I pay for a seat so that they fall asleep.

It's worth the $$ by far (plus it's an easy way to bring a carseat).

Been doing that since less than a year old & it's been worth it EVERY time.

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Flying With Kids

I had to pay for her seat when she was 2. She was good. She slept most of the flight.

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We buy a seat. It's much safer even though it's not required. We bought the CARES airline seat belt for our kids. Granted, we don't fly all that much. Once when DS was 13 mos, and soon when our DD will be 14 mos. Both times we purchased seats for them.

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We flew last year with DS as a lap child and will again when he is 22 months. I think its okay as long as the flight is not long.

Flying With Kids

DD was 16 months when we took her to Disney and she was a lap infant. We took her on jet blue and on the way home we decided to get the extra room seats because she wanted to kick the seat in front of us.