September 14, 2024, 12:15 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Air travel with children can be stressful – but it doesn’t have to be. Choosing the right seat in advance plays a crucial role. It’s better not to let chance decide, as an analysis by an air passenger rights platform shows. TRAVELBOOK summarizes the most important tips.
While some passengers are absolutely annoyed by babies and children on board, a flight is a real balancing act for parents: on the one hand, many children look forward to the unfamiliar adventure on the plane and are excited. On the other hand, this can lead to tension, hyperactivity and discomfort, especially on long journeys. The result: restless and fussy children.
Overview
Parents can prevent the latter when booking their flight – by following a few simple tips when reserving a seat. This is what experts from the online passenger rights portal AirAdvisor found out in a recent analysis.
Flying with children: These are the best seats
According to the portal, the most suitable seats for flying with babies or small children are the seats on the partition walls of the aircraft, also known as “bulkhead seats”. This has several advantages: It’s easier to get on during boarding and off when disembarking. You also have more legroom at the bulkhead seats. You also don’t have to walk as far to the toilet – a real blessing for children.
What’s more, many children love the window seat: they can watch the hustle and bustle at the airport during take-off and landing. During the flight, they can look outside and observe the fascinating expanse of the sky.
On many airlines, the partition wall seats offer another decisive advantage for travelers with babies. On long-haul flights, they offer the option of attaching a baby crib. The baby can then be laid down to sleep in this during the flight. Some airlines refer to this special baby crib as a Skycot. Important: It must be requested before the flight.
Flying with a baby: how to get a baby crib
The exact regulations vary from airline to airline. Lufthansa, for example, writes on its homepage: “In our entire long-haul fleet, we have special baby cribs that are perfect for babies under eleven kilograms in weight and 67 centimeters in height. The number of baby cribs on board is limited. A baby crib can be reserved up to 52 hours before departure. Please note that a reservation fee may apply for the seat with a baby crib, depending on the booking class.”
Bulkhead seats are located in the first row of each flight class on each aircraft type and separate passengers from the crew and aircraft supplies. So check the exact seat configuration of the aircraft type with your booked airline and reserve the seats accordingly.
By the way: On most airlines, children up to the age of two do not need their own seat and can travel on their parents’ lap. However, the recommended seats on the partition wall are still particularly suitable.
Better not to book: These are definitely not the best seats for flying with children
The AirAdvisor experts also recommend avoiding seats at the back of the plane to ensure a relaxed flight with children. If disembarking only takes place via the front doors, it will take a long time before you can leave the plane. You should also avoid sitting near the galley and right next to the toilet. The reason: it often gets restless there, with many passengers going back and forth. This can affect the mood of your child. This can make it more difficult for them to fall asleep.
For family bookings, many airlines automatically ensure that parents with travelers under the age of 13 are seated next to each other if they have not reserved seats in advance for a fee. However, to make sure that the family stays together and does not get an unloved seat near the toilets or galley, it is advisable to reserve seats in advance.
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Flying with children: What else you should consider when choosing a seat
If you like extra comfort, you should consider booking an extra seat at the children’s fare for an infant or baby under the age of two. This affords you more space and the flexibility to decide if your baby will sit on your lap or be cradled in your arms throughout the trip.
In addition, many airlines recommend a child seat for children up to the age of seven for safety reasons. Lufthansa writes: “To increase the passive safety of babies and children up to around seven years of age, a child restraint system, a child car seat, or an infant carrier can be used on board. Their use is voluntary.”
Children under the age of 15 are also prohibited from occupying seats in the emergency exit rows. In an emergency, they are less likely to be able to act quickly and open the door in the event of an evacuation. The advantage of extra legroom therefore does not apply here. With the partition seats, it should also be noted that the armrests are usually fixed and cannot be raised. In addition, hand luggage may not be stowed on the floor under the seat in front. Hand luggage with toys must therefore always be placed in the overhead compartment.
In conclusion, the ideal seat for flying with children varies based on personal needs and preferences. Nonetheless, reserving your seats early is always a smart move.