Planes and children

[sherrardk]

Can anyone tell me what the current deal is with children on planes - our youngest children are twins who will be 2 years old when we plan to go on holiday. Do they get their own seats, do we need to take car seats on the plane for them (proper full size ones or bumper seats), etc? The other children will be fine in ordinary seats but as we haven't flown with them before I want to know what we might be letting ourselves in for (5 kids = a lot of planning!). Thanks

[lardhelmet]

When I flew with mine when she was that age with BA, she sat on my lap with a safety belt attached to my safety belt (if you see what I mean), so was strapped to me. Not sure that's still the way they do it tho'

[KARL]

Unless something has changed, you pay half fare for children aged two or older up to twelve (I think) and they get a seat and baggage allowance, but below that age you pay around 10% (or 10pc if you are a Daily Telegraph reader) and they get neither. In either case they are strapped in with airline belts, normal in the first case, one as described in the previous answer.

[KARL]

...in the latter.

[Buenchico]

Contrary to Karl's post, very few airlines (and certainly none of the budget ones) offer child fares. Children, from the age of 2, pay the full adult fare. Consequently they're allocated their own seats, together with the adult baggage allowance.

Because aircraft seat belts are only waist restraints (rather than the waist and chest restraints used in cars), they're just as suitable for small children as they are for adults.

Airlines normally carry pushchairs free of charge (in addition to normal baggage allowances).

Chris

[joannie10]

dont know about cost but was on a ryanair flight at new year and heard that children of age 2 and upwards have to have seat purchased for them and be in that seat for take off and landing.

[B00]

And make sure you book seats together, just because they're your children, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll all be booked on ajoining seats especially if they have their own seats.

[bushbaby_de]

Also check the airlines rules on number of adults to number of children in your party... some airlines may not allow 5 children with only 2 adults

[auntiebertie]

Under 2s pay a nominal sum to fly and sit on the lap. 2-12 pay a reduced fare, certainly on transAtlantics etc, and then over 12 pay the full rate.