Europe Travel Answers

sorry - CHILD on the plane

Standard rule is that a child under 2 sits on your lap for the flight, unless you buy a ticket for the child; in which they get an a regular seat except for take off and landing, where you get to hold him / her. Car seats are for cars, not planes. The part that the child may find uncomfortable is the ascent and decent portions of the flight, where the changing air presure will hurt his / her ears. We would always give our children a bottle to drink during this part of the flight as this helps equalize their ears.

You will be issued with a small seat belt that attaches to yours and then loops around your child for takeoff and landing. Generally, that's the bit that causes the small person to complain as they have to sit still! We flew quite a lot with our daughter at that age. It was only in the last 6 months up until 2 years old that it really became more difficult as she was quite tall for her age and didn't really fit. If you have a stroller (foldable pushchair) often you will be allowed to use that as far as the aircraft's steps. The ground crew will put it into the hold and if you're lucky it will be given back at the bottom of the steps on landing. If not, it will arrive back with the rest of your luggage.

What airline are you flying? Most of them post some information on flying with children. Grumpy is correct that most children under two fly on a parent's lap, and that child will fly free in some cases (usually domestic flights) or for a percentage or so of the adult rate in others (international flights): it depends on the airline you choose. He's also right about carseats BUT they do have some FAA-approved models (although I read that even some of those don't fit well.) Chat out there from parents with wee are ones is split: some always fly with their under-2 aged children in their laps and others wouldn't dream of it without buying the child their own seat and bringing a carseat. It may depend on how well the child will tolerate lap-sitting for a long period of time: some very squirmy children appear to do better strapped into the carseat - or so I hear from some of the parents who have a very active child. Other are concerned about safety during air turbulence so they buy a seat/bring a carseat. In my experience flying, I've seen more under-age-2 children on laps than I have seen in carseats.

Be sure to take lots of things to amuse/keep the child occupied during the flight. This makes it easier for yourselves and also for your fellow passengers.

maybe you can take your own car-seat as hold luggage for travlling in a car in switzerland - saves having to ensure any rental company will provide one - we took my grnd-daughters own car seat to morocco last year -

I suggest that you contact the airline where they will be able to advise you. I know if you check in early you can request seats where there is extra leg room.

Last year when traveled to South East Asia, we managed to get the baby bassinet for our then 11-months daughter. That was very comfortable indeed. In one stretch, the crew did not give us the bassinet citing that she was above the prescribed criteria. Whether or not you get the bassinet in the aircraft, make sure you get the front seat (with the wall to hold the bassinet) while check-in. Even if you don't get the bassinet the front seat means more space which your kid will enjoy during the off-seatbelt periods. In case you get the bassinet, you may still need to take the baby in your lap during seat-belt period for which you will be provided with an extension to your belt. The crew will help you in that, so no worries. Child seat does not sound like an idea at all.

If you are able to check your seats on the airline you are usings seat selector, check the night before and see if you are near empty seats-if you are already planning to take your seat with you, for example you will be in a private car at your destination, I would take the car seat on board, as it is nice to set your baby down and give your arms a break while you are flying. But the length of time you are on board may not be a big deal, it is more helpful on the transatlantic potions of our trips.