Infant 22 months in j - is it practical? - also turning 2yo on trip

[kempvet]

I know that you can take an infant without a seat as long as they are under 2yo. However, when does this become impractical? Although possible to book a 22 month old infant in J, is it practical? We are looking at a long haul flight situation, over 12 hours at least.

Also I read somewhere that BA must provide a seat for an infant if they turn 2yo on the journey. Does this apply to J as well? and if so, which OW airlines?

Finally, I am platinum, the other half Gold, if we were to book three seats in Y, (assuming the flight is not completely full), what are the chances of getting a row of 4 with one vacant seat and the toddler (apprentice SWMBO) sleeping on a couple of centre seats with the armrest raised?

 

[medhead]

My understanding is it is the age at the time of the flight that counts and it doesn't matter when the "trip" starts. So once they hit 24months+1 day then you would have to buy a child's fare. As it is long haul, I assume passports are involved so you can't really fake it. I'm not sure if it is practical, that would really depend on your willingness to share a seat with you child.

 

[simongr]

We did it in J with a nine month old who was a little mobile - I wouldn't even think about it with a 22 month old - unless you had a cage and a leash.

 

[kempvet]

We did it in J with a nine month old who was a little mobile - I wouldn't even think about it with a 22 month old - unless you had a cage and a leash.

Sort of the way I think also, I have only flown PE a couple of times, can someone give me an idea as to how the older infants will settle into a seat such as that offered in the PE, is the seat recline comfortable for them when they sleep after placing a few pillows in the right place?

 

[Boris spatsky]

Took ms 1.98 years to Europe a few years back in Y. It was hell on earth as she could not sleep, and even with me standing up for 10 hours and her trying to sleep in my seat it was no better. Unless you have to go, i would avoid it at all costs, even in PE or J. Then there is the jet lag issue too...

 

[dli51]

First post!

I cannot help out with the specific questions, but may be able to be of some general assistance.

Last year in the space of three weeks we did SYD-SIN-CMB-SIN-SYD-BNE-SYD with our (then 22mth old) in a combination of F, J and Y.
He is a rather 'spirited' fellow' so I was pretty worried about how it would all go beforehand (read "dreading it"), only to find out it was totally worth it and no where near as bad as I had feared.

Depends on a lot of factors of course, but three big lessons I learnt:
1. Try and plan for night flights, or at least those at nap time. You might get issues from a tired cranky child in the terminal , but they will then be more likely to sleep at the most important time - in the air!
Beats trying to keep them entertained/restrained inflight. No, we didn't use any drugs either.

2. Have a bag of tricks to allow for a frequent rotation of new toys, books etc. For us this included some things he'd never seen before for the "Wow" factor (like small glow sticks) along with old favourites like "Mr Men" books.

3. If your toddler doesn't current use headphones, then get them used to them before the trip. I learnt this from another parent flyer and it was a godsend - meant he would actually wear them and therfore be that much more entertained by the IFE.

Hope these help and good luck

 

[SeatBackForward]

Thats a pain Boris!. If you do get seats in Y, and *if* they do fall asleep, you can always raise the armrests and spread them across seats, something you wont be able to do in J.

 

[kempvet]

Thats a pain Boris!. If you do get seats in Y, and *if* they do fall asleep, you can always raise the armrests and spread them across seats, something you wont be able to do in J.

I am sure our toddler will be able to sleep in the plane, a couple of days ago, went whale watching at Rendondo Beach CA, and guess what, the apprentice SWMBO fell asleep for most of the three hour trip, God knows how, with the wind and the pitch of the boat.

Getting back to paying for three Y fares, just wonder again, if me being platinum and SHMBO gold what are the chances of scoring a free seat out of the 4 seats in the middle of the plane (if the flight is not that full), and the apprentice can sleep in the middle 2 seats with the armrest raised, is this something that ticketing may consider, given the preference for platinum to often get a spare seat next to them, and often at the bulkhead.

and dli51 thanks of the comments, good first post, gave me ideas that I never thought of, our apprentice is not that lively, rather, just over friendly, so that the passengers around us may get a bit of a workout with attention seeking.

 

[amaroo]

We've done it with a 21 month old & 3+ year old. BA J SYD-SIN-SYD & it wasn't a problem.....that may be due to the fact that BA gave us the 4 seats (both flights) in the middle & it's a short, mainly night flight.

For a family of 4 I highly recommend BA J middle seat layouts - two middle seats face backwards & the two end seats face forward.....perfect for parents each end and the ankle bitters snug as a bug stuck in the middle.

IMO, dont hesitate to do it - another couple of months & the same ride will cost you many more $$$$$

 

[11sjw]

Did J around the world with a 22-23 month old in 2008. Little bugger hardly slept (except on our last long leg ) but she wasn't constantly crying either so it just meant one of us had to entertain her. Makes for a longish trip but to have some elderly relatives of Mrs 11 get to meet Jnr was the ultimate reward as a few of them passed away soon after.

 

[strance]

Getting back to paying for three Y fares, just wonder again, if me being platinum and SHMBO gold what are the chances of scoring a free seat out of the 4 seats in the middle of the plane (if the flight is not that full), and the apprentice can sleep in the middle 2 seats with the armrest raised, is this something that ticketing may consider, given the preference for platinum to often get a spare seat next to them, and often at the bulkhead.

you'd hope the chances would be good but there are so many factors that might change this outcome .... maybe just pay for an extra seat for comfort in your name - you get the miles/sc and don't have to pay taxes.

 

[Joy6328]

I have read this thread with interest - we are relocating to Calgary in November with a then 18m old... We have booked 2 JASA's in 3E/3F but considering being a horrible human being and selecting 5F/5D and hoping no one would be crazy enough to choose our middle seat... effectively giving us a seat each... or making for a very awkward trip with a stranger otherwise!

Poppy has done 17 domestic flights - the longest BNE-CNS, but doing BNE-AKL next month... nothing on the SYD-DFW but still good practice for all of us!

I definitely agree with tiring them out at the airport, not too much sugar, preservatives etc, getting them used to colouring in books, toys, headphones... ipads/touchscreen tablet if you have one? Then having special surprises packed for the trip - new books, toys, presents to be unwrapped - maybe a small thank you present for an especially nice FA/CSM that you can make a big deal out of presenting...

And then hoping like hell that they sleep??? I'm not into drugging kids - and luckily Poppy loves to sleep on planes... so fingers crossed it will go well, but in the end - if it is hell - it's over in 24hrs and you can start to recover at the other end

We are mainly doing J for the baggage allowance (and comfort) but also so at least 2 of us can sleep at any one time... fingers crossed again.

Good luck with it

 

[Princess Fiona]

Agree with all the comments about night flights, toys and trinkets and would also add in BYO Lollies ( even toddlers will do anything for contraband )
We have travelled on numerous occasions between here and the UK, initially with 2 then 3 and finally 4 kids at various ages and stages ( now all at school thankfully).
Do not underestimate the fold-up armrest, toddler beside you combo, when arranged correctly it's almost as good as having purchased a "comfort " seat.

 

[amaroo]

I have read this thread with interest - we are relocating to Calgary in November with a then 18m old... We have booked 2 JASA's in 3E/3F but considering being a horrible human being and selecting 5F/5D and hoping no one would be crazy enough to choose our middle seat... effectively giving us a seat each... or making for a very awkward trip with a stranger otherwise!

Poppy has done 17 domestic flights - the longest BNE-CNS, but doing BNE-AKL next month... nothing on the SYD-DFW but still good practice for all of us!

I definitely agree with tiring them out at the airport, not too much sugar, preservatives etc, getting them used to colouring in books, toys, headphones... ipads/touchscreen tablet if you have one? Then having special surprises packed for the trip - new books, toys, presents to be unwrapped - maybe a small thank you present for an especially nice FA/CSM that you can make a big deal out of presenting...

And then hoping like hell that they sleep??? I'm not into drugging kids - and luckily Poppy loves to sleep on planes... so fingers crossed it will go well, but in the end - if it is hell - it's over in 24hrs and you can start to recover at the other end

We are mainly doing J for the baggage allowance (and comfort) but also so at least 2 of us can sleep at any one time... fingers crossed again.

Good luck with it

Relax - our two have never received training or drugs, they have been LH in whY, J & F......the youngest was 4 when she first went F. Making it a big issue will most likely turn it into a big issue.

Enjoy the flight, family & Canada.

 

[kempvet]

I have read this thread with interest - we are relocating to Calgary in November with a then 18m old... We have booked 2 JASA's in 3E/3F but considering being a horrible human being and selecting 5F/5D and hoping no one would be crazy enough to choose our middle seat... effectively giving us a seat each... or making for a very awkward trip with a stranger otherwise!

I would book 5F/5D, if there is a person in the middle seat, likely they will take up an offer to move to the aisle, rather than want to sit between the both of you, but then again, if they prefer to sit between the two of you and junior, it would be a strange flight.

 

[Flying Fox]

We did it with 18mth twins from SYD-HNL. They were fine. Bit of crying (10mins overall) but we brought enough toys and ensured that they slept well on the flights. We also had the bassinets so that was a great help.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Be very careful of the bassinets with a 22 mth old. We thought we would be ok, ms spatsky was 11kgs ( limit is 11or 12 depending on carrier And aircraft type),but refused on QF and JAL because 'your child looks too big', which is rubbish. She fitted fine in the CX bassinet.

 

[Katie]

We flew BNE-SIN-LHR with Little Miss when she was ~18mths old. The night before departure we went out for MIL's bday. Mr Katie orders snails for the first time in his life & gets food poisoning. Little Miss wears a brand new onesie to bed (already washed!) and breaks out in hives or something at ~11pm. Cue after hours doctor's visit & cranky husband. SO glad we fibbed about Little Miss's age & got phenergan - gave it to her, as well as undressing, etc, and by the time doctor got there after midnight, her skin had settled down. The Mr Katie spent the rest of the night familiarising himself with our loo.

Upshot:3 of us in Y, only with QP, maybe PS status. Little Miss & I get two seats in 2-4-2 config together & Mr Katie lucks out with 4 seats. He sleeps all the way BNE-SIN. Little Miss & I walk the aisles. She cleans the galley floor. We greet all aisle passengers. Eventually, she gets in the way of an FA one too many times, and we have to sit down. The IFE screens are too high for her, she needs to dtand on her seat to see them.
SIN-LHR it so bad, as she's exhausted. We are in Y on a 747, 3 seats by the window. Little Miss stretches out between us. All good til I get motion sick and need to swap with Mr Katie for the aisle seat.
On the whole, a better flight, but be prepared for lots of action from a kid between 6mths-3yrs. May be too young for IFE/won't be able to see it easily. Your own DVD player may help (did for us HNL-SYD with 2.5yo).

Also, even if in a bassinet or on your lap, a child under two frequently pays 10% of the seat price, with limited luggae allowance, that could be $1000 in J to/from Europe, with no bassinet, food, or perhaps luggage allowance. Liggage allowance can ome in handy for interconnecting flights, We only got a seat for Little Miss on the big flights to/from lHR, and not our internal EU flights. Ended up paying Euro200 in excess baggage with LH from Venice to Germany due to the stroller & bag we had, plus our two bags. Oh well, bit wuld have been worse if BA and AF had charged us as well!

 

[oz_mark]

Also I read somewhere that BA must provide a seat for an infant if they turn 2yo on the journey. Does this apply to J as well? and if so, which OW airlines?

My understanding was that if the child turns 2 during the trip, then they are classed as a child, and must be booked as a child for the whole trip. I do understand though, that enforcement is not uniform.