Reply to Vacation with 16-month-old - would you buy a seat for him on plane?

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[quote=Anonymous]I would not buy a seat, and didn't on the many times we traveled with our son while under the age of two, throughout the US and internationally.

While it would be safer to have him strapped in at all times, I flew frequently for years and have never 1) encountered severe enough turbulence for it to be a problem or 2) been in a plane crash.  It's much more likely that he would be injured in the "shuttle" driving from one terminal to another than on the plane.  Life is full of risks and you need to weigh up your tolerance for them.  The risk on a plane is tiny.

That said, in all our travels with an under two year old, I don’t even remember a flight where we weren’t able to get an extra seat (without paying for it).  There are a few tricks that will help you increase your chances.  1) don’t fly at the busiest times or on the busiest flights 2) if you and your husband are flying too, book your seats as aisle and window with an empty middle seat in between you.  Even if that middle seat fills up the person in that seat will likely be very happy to move when faced with the option of sitting between a couple and a baby.  3) when you check in, when you arrive at the gate and when you get on the plane ask the check in/gate agent/flight attendant if there are any empty seats and if they can help you have one as you are traveling with a lap infant.   If there is a single empty seat on the plane, in my experience, they will help you get it, and will move people around to make sure it’s between you.  If the seat that needs to be switched is a middle seat (because you have aisle and window on the same row) then it makes it much easier for them to make the switch.  4) bring your car seat with you to the gate and only gate check it if you are certain that there is no empty seat.  If you have a seat for your toddler and no car seat it can be very difficult to keep them sitting down.

Good luck!
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