infant under 2 flying

[warpig3]

Why do airlines have a set charge for an infant under 2 flying when they will be sitting in their parents lap and not using a seat?

I have booked for a shorthaul flight (30mins) and was astounded to see that easyjet were charging me �22 for the privilege of having a smelly noisey 14 month old, sitting on my lap, poking her fingers up my nose and generally kicking me half to death, lol.

Now if I had to pay �22 to have her sitting elsewhere........................

[mrs_overall]

Oh the joy of it!

The last time I did this my youngest was a strapping, hefty 18month old. The guy in the seat in front kept his seat reclined for the full (4 hour) flight.
It was torture!
I feel for you, I really do.

[Pottyone]

Its called fleecing you! When we went away with our little one we invested in paying for his own seat. Granted we had to have him on our lap for take off and landing but it made the flight so much more bearable. Probably only an option if the seats are cheap, as they were in our case. But especially if they are charging you �22 anyway, an extra few quid may be worth it. We had a 4 hour flight and to be able to eat our meal with out a kid on our laps was fab! He actaully lay down on his seat between us and went to sleep. Well worth the money.

[redcrx]

Im facing a 4 hour flight with mine on my lap :( wish i had bought her a ticket now, but she does go free.

[warpig3]

Well if it was a longer flight I would pay for the extra seat, pottyone, but as it is only 30 mins I thought I could endure it (we will see).

I have e-mailed easyjet but as yet they have not responded. I have flown with her a few times but the last time the infant charge was only �5 (I am almost certain of that), robbing barstewards.

[warpig3]

lol red, I think you should invest in shin guards!

[redcrx]

shin guards for the whole plane i think. All she wants to do is walk around, i have no chance of a decent flight. Thank god flight home is at night and i still have some medised in cupboard :)

[Hawkwalk]

you may find the �22 is the airport tax and security charge which may not be the choice of Easyjet.

If you are only flying for 30 mins then perhaps the train would be a cheaper and more comfortable alternative?

[warpig3]

LOL hawkwalk, I guarantee when they do a train across the irish sea I will be the first one on it!

Got a reply from Easy jet, they say the �22 is to take into consideration the weight of the baby and additional items required for baby, which is fair enough but I still feel �22 is OTT. They charge �16 return to take a 20kg bag in the hold yet charge �22 to take a 10kg infant in the cabin, also if you fly with an infant you are not given any extra baggage allowance (the 20kg still stands). Fair enough they dont charge for buggies , folding prams etc (YET) but when they do will they reduce the�22 charge, I doubt it.

A

[Hawkwalk]

yes, they must think babies are very heavy!!

Have a good flight