Air travel to Europe with 18-month toddler

[Anonymous]

This summer, I need to travel with my 18-month DD to Europe on two occasions. The flight from Washington to Vienna is about 8-9 hours, if I remember correctly.

If anyone has done a similar trip with a toddler, would you recommend getting a separate seat for her? Or is this a waste of money?

[Anonymous]

I took my then-17-month-old to Alaska. Definitely get a seat. Not only is it safer but it gives you more space, more luggage you can check, a place to put the baby if she falls asleep, a place to put her so you can eat, sleep, pee, etc.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the airline. I flew on British Airways and there was a girl in the first row (the one with the wall in front of it, no other seats)with a 1-1 1/2 year old. They had a table like thing that folded out of the wall and had a bucket type carseat that the baby had to be in during take off and landing, but she could also leave him in it at times during the flight. It seemed like a great bonus becasue she didn't have to pay for a flight and she didn't haveto have the baby in her lap the whole time. I would call a couple potential airlines and see what they offer.

[Anonymous]

I would get a separate seat if you can afford it. I did a 12 hour flight with my then 16 month old as a lap baby. I got the bulkhead seats, but she was too long for the little bassinets they give you. It was all around a rough flight, and one flight got delayed on the runway for almost 3 hours, with her sleeping on my shoulder. She never woke up, but it could have been a disaster. It's doable, but plan well, especially for delays, spills, running out of snacks, fevers, tantrums, etc.

[Anonymous]

Don"t even think about it. GET A SEAT FOR DD. We flew home from Germany with a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old. Even caved and bought a portable DVD player- our kids aren't tv watchers but we thought if they watched for a few 15 min. periods then it was 15 min. that they were quiet. It actually went really well. Everyone had their own seat.
Good luck

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. We didn't get a seat for our toddler on a trip to Europe last year and regretted it. It made for a very uncomfortable flight for everyone. On the way back, there was a free seat for her and it was so much better. Prices to Europe have really dropped now, so it's much more affordable than it was last year.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for your responses! I bought our tickets yesterday and got a separate seat for DD. Now I have to figure out what to do about car/booster seat for the flight....

[Anonymous]

We've done the flight IAD-VIE 3 times with my daughter (at 12 months, 2 years, and almost 4). I'm glad you got a seat - you won't regret it.

If you are flying on the United/Austrian codeshare flight you might want to consider NOT bringing your car seat on the plane. I can tell you from personal experience, the flight attendants will look at you like you have three heads if you bring it on and intend to have your child sit in it. They will also not allow you child to sit in the carseat for takeoff and landing. Don't ask me why - they have some odd policy that they believe it's safer for the child to be attached to you by seatbelt than secured into their aircraft-approved carseat.

Feel free to ask if the policy has changed, but it drove me nuts - we'd get my daughter settled and then have to take her out and she would freak. Even worse if they have fallen asleep and you have to move them for the landing. I wrote letters to them and everything - couldn't understand why they would do this.

Also be prepared for very strict rule-enforcing as far as kids are concerned. We got very stern warnings about my daughter sitting/playing on the floor next to our seat (in the row, not even in the aisle) or standing on the seat with her shoes on.

You'll enjoy the food, but I never found Austrian very family-friendly.....