If less than 2 years old, don’t book a seat for your baby

As long as your baby is under 2 years old, you have the choice to take him as a lap child. In this case, he flies free of charge domestically within the US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. On an international flight (Canada and Mexico included), even if your baby is on your lap, you have to purchase a ticket. It costs about 10% of the price of the adult ticket (infant fares and taxes only)۰

We took our baby as a lap passenger, and we had never booked a seat for him. We have been lucky to always have an empty seat near us on long flights۰

Don’t forget to mention during the reservation that you are travelling with an infant, even if they will be seated on your lap. Also call the airline to confirm the registration of your child۰

Just make sure to have the appropriate identification of your infant۰

If only one parent is traveling with the child, some airlines request a notarized statement from the other parent (permission to travel with the kid)۰

You always have the choice to buy a full ticket (a separate seat) for your little one, but check the regulations of the airline first۰

Adapt the flight time with your child’s routine BUT

We traveled in different flight times: early in the morning, morning, noon, evening and at night۰

Usually, during the day, my son stays awake during short and direct flights, even if it’s his naptime because he would be very excited۰

During the night, he always sleeps for a long part of the flight. We get some sleep as well, or at least watch a movie without any interruption۰

You know your kid better than anyone. If you give your baby all his needs before the flight, you will have more chance that he sleeps۰

You don’t have to change everything to suit your baby’s routine, but you can try, and you won’t regret it۰

Pick the shortest direct flight or a stopover for a long flight

Book a non-stop flight when possible or a flight with few connections. Don’t choose a short layover for less than 1 hour to avoid running from gate to gate with your baby and his gear. Sometimes you have to change the terminal, or the gate is too far. In addition, if you have a baby stroller, you have to take it from the gate and install the baby۰

A long connection allows you to be well-prepared for your next flight: change diapers, stock up snacks, and play with your baby. You can also get to the gate early۰

If you only have the choice for a short connection time, check the stroller to your final destination and just keep the diaper bag and the carrier with you. In some airports, you can find a shuttle to take you to your gate if you are in a hurry (We saw this shuttle in Beijing airport in China, for example)۰

If you need any help to make a connecting flight, arrange with your airline before. Navigating a busy airport with a baby, a stroller, and a carry-on is challenging۰

Choose kid-friendly airlines

Search for airlines that allow you to check free items for your baby (stroller, car seat, one bag) even if they are on your lap۰

We loved Turkish airlines (our trip USA-Thailand). They gave us baby food, toys, blanket, and bassinet. We also liked the Japanese airlines (our flight from Tokyo to Hanoi)۰

Choose the airport with kid’s facilities

Try to travel from airports that are child-friendly or at least have a layover in an airport suitable for kids. Actually, many airports provide play areas for children, nursing rooms and many other facilities that make your trip easier۰

Book the best flight even if it’s not the cheapest

When traveling with kids, you should think first about your comfort and forget the extra money that you will spend. If you find a flight that fits your child’s schedule, just book it even if it wasn’t the cheapest one. No one would waste the vacation trying to catch up because of an uncomfortable cheap flight۰

Request a bassinet but it’s not always guaranteed

Just after buying your ticket, call the airline and request a bassinet (free of charge). It’s available on international flights and depends on the weight and the length of your baby۰

If you are lucky and you get one, you will absolutely be more flexible when your baby sleeps (going to the restrooms, stretching your legs and your arms, eating your meal…) especially if you’re traveling alone. The only issue with the bassinet is that it will be difficult to lift up the media screen to watch a well-deserved movie۰

The bassinet is only installed after takeoff and removed during turbulence and landing (for safety reasons)۰

Having a bassinet means that you will be seated in a bulkhead seat۰

If the bassinet isn’t available, don’t forget your baby carrier۰

Try to have a bulkhead seat

This seat is absolutely comfortable because you will have more room to stretch your leg and put all your stuff. During takeoff and landing, you have to place your bags in the overhead bin. That’s why don’t forget to keep handy all what you need (baby bottle, milk, water, toy, or book). Your little one can also sit and play on the floor instead of kicking the seat in front of them۰

The only issue is that you can’t lift up the armrests if the seat next to you is empty or if you want to sleep۰

Never choose the middle seat

If you’re traveling alone, choose the window or the aisle seat. The window seat is more comfortable to sleep with a baby in lap and looking through the window can distract him. The aisle seat is easier to go to the restrooms, to bring your bag from the overhead bin or to take a walk on the aisle

If you’re traveling with a partner, choose the window AND the aisle seats. Most of the time, we had the middle seat empty. You can also ask the agent at the counter when checking in if he can block the middle seat for you. If the airplane isn’t full, you will get the seat. In general, if there is already another passenger in the middle, the air hostess will ask him if he can change to another seat۰

Reserve the seats as soon as possible to get the best ones for your family. Not all seats are available to parents with a baby (exist seat for example) and for sure, you don’t want to sit far from your husband if you reserve the last minute۰

Sometimes we prefer to reserve the last row of the plane so that we do not bother people and to have more chance to get an empty seat nearby۰

Order your special meal at least 24 hours before the flight

If you need any special meals (vegetarian or gluten free for instance) for you or for your little one (a kid in their own seat), make sure to request it when booking your flight or maximum 24 hours before۰