Air fare for Infants

We're planning on flying after the baby is a few months old - what do airlines typically do as far as infants? Do they charge you for a seat? Is the fare cheaper?

Did you put the baby in the carseat while on the plane? I have no experience traveling with an infant!

Luckilly the flight we'll be taking is only a couple of hours, but I'd like to be prepared.

Re: Air fare for Infants

Just hold the baby in your lap. Its free

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If you pay for a seat you get to take on the carseat. Not sure what they charge. If not they are usually on your lap & I believe it's free.

When you go overseas you pay the tax for them to sit on your lap At least that's what the airline we take does.

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Lap is free
Car seat pays regular adult fare.

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I've flown twice with Nate and never purchased a seat for him. The last time we flew on the way home while checking in, the ticket agent told me that the plan wasn't full so I could bring the carseat on the plain instead of checking it in.

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Thats interesting. I have just paid for two trips and this was never offered. I guess its worth a phone call. As far as I know jet blue does not offer child fare at least for my nephew they never have but I will try United.

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I think you may have to check on it - I know it used to be that you could keep them on your lap. But I would have sworn that I heard recently that no matter what that a seat had to be bought for the child. We didn't get to watch the news that night, but I do remember seeing something.

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what you need to do is pay for a full price ticket for the baby and a couple days before or at the airport check to see if the plane is booked if not cancel her ticket and use it for another time and you can ask to have an empty seat next to you and put the baby there.

Re: Air fare for Infants

Posted by IrishTracy

If you pay for a seat you get to take on the carseat. Not sure what they charge. If not they are usually on your lap & I believe it's free.

When you go overseas you pay the tax for them to sit on your lap At least that's what the airline we take does.

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I just booked a trip for October...

I didnt get Ryan his own seat.... so he was free (well- you still have to pay tax on him)

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Flying in the US there is no discounts for kids, they pay the adult fare. Only flying out of the country do you get a discount for a child ages 2-11. Babies fly free.

Flying internationally the babies must pay tax if they are a lap child.

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We flew southwest with my 4 month old daughter last month and we didn't pay for a seat but when we were about to give them her carseat for them to check in (you take the carseat all the way to the gate with you and then they take it) they said that we could bring it on b/c the plane wasn't full so we were able to give her a seat! And thank goodness b/c it would have been a long flight.

In 2 weeks we will be flying Jetblue and it would of cost 600.00 to get her a seat so we are hoping they are like southwest and she will hopefully get a seat.

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Lauren is 2 and has flown more than 20 times. 90% of the time was on our lap, 6 flights she took was in her own seat (4 of which were in her car seat). We oly fly Delta and AirTran, both charge full price for a seat for a child under 2. there are some/rare airlines that give a discount.

It is best to put them in their seat, however not always economical. For the short flights she went on my lap, for the longer flights (more than 2 hours she went in her car seat.)

Message edited 3/28/2006 9:33:23 PM.

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I don't want to start a debate...but if the baby is on your lap...god forbid something should happen, the baby is not safe. You as an adult need to have a seatbelt on when flying...why would you just hold a baby on your lap? Isn't is safer for them to be in a seat, seatbelted in like you? Am I missing something?

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I bought Miranda her own seat for comfort not safety. I can not imagine holding her on my lap for 3-4 hours.

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Southwest has a child rate, but most of the time its more expensive than the adult rate b/c of their promos..

If the child is under 2 most airlines will offer a "lap" seat, meaning you hold your child during the flight, if its an empty flight, (Or hasn't been completely overbooked) there is usually a spare seat, and the attendants let you take the carseat on board, and keep you DC in it. Ask the attendant before boarding if the flight is full. If they say no.. you have a seat.

Call the airline you are most likely travelling with, they will give you the low down onthe flights and other information.

The good part is that you can take your stroller to the gate, and into the tunnel, and foild it right before you board and check it down there, so you can get on and off of the plane without juggling your child and your baby gear and your luggage.. lol.. Good luck!

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Just to chime in about safety- holding an infant on your lap is dangerous. During turbulance you may not be able to hold your child tight enough. SonicStef's husband works for the NTSB and said he would NEVER travel with a baby on his lap. He has seen too many injuries because of this practice. It would be similar to holding a child in a car while driving. It isn't only a major crash that is a problem- it is even the fender bender accident that they can get very hurt during.