My son will turn 2 years old 3 and 5 weeks before I have to fly to NY and MI. I don't think he's old enough to sit by himself, and unlike most children, he HATES his car seat (he not even as a newborn would sleep in the car, he screams when he sees it now). He flies really well on my lap and the other people always make comments about how good he is. The problem is I don't want to have to buy a seat on the spot. Has anyone used these airlines, are they going to ask for his birth certificate or can I just say he's not 2 yet? Thanks for the help.
I have not flown on those specific airlines, but I have on USAir, United and Delta with my daughter. Now granted she is well below the 2 year old limit, but they never ask for a birth certificate. It actually kind of made me nervous thinking that anyone could just fly off with her. Back to the point- I think you might be able to get away with it as long as he doesn't look well over 2 and he doesn't tell them himself :)
I flew with my daughter in August through Delta. The only thing I needed was a plane ticket that stated lap child on it. I bought my ticket online and called Delta customer service and told them I was flying with a child under 2. No one said anything, granted she was only 5 months old at the time. I'm pretty sure that the rule is 2 and under, so I would think that the lap child rule still applies until a child has actually turned 3. I think each airline varies a bit on their rules, maybe you should give them a call and ask! Couldn't hurt. Hope this helps!
I fly with my children all the time. Unless you are flying out of the country, you don't have to provide any identification for the children. The rules on all domestic airlines are if the child is under 2, they can sit in your lap. If you buy a seat for a child under 2, you have to put him in a carseat. If a child is over 2 or turns 2 anytime during your trip, you have to buy a seat, but you don't have to put him in a carseat. I learned this the hard way after carrying 2 giant, heavy Britax carseats and two kids through the airports during my connections. So if you don't want to buy a seat, just don't say anything about his age; and if asked, lie. Because you don't have to provide any id for your child, neither of these airlines are going to expect you to be carrying his birth certificate and they will have to take your word for it. Happy traveling.
We are planning a trip this summer, and while my son just turned 1, I still read the child policy. The airline we plan on using says we should still carry identification for the child. I would carry it just in case they ask. That way, you have it even if you don't need to use it. Good luck with your little boy on the flights!!
I have flown NWA with kids and never have they asked for a birth certificate.....but I'm not sure if this was before 9/11.....now security is so tight! They always asked me the age of my son or daughter....even when they were over 2, I would always say 22 months, and would always have a "lap child" on the flight.
I don't know about Jet Blue.
Pam
I had to respond to your request because I had a terrible experience flying with Southwest once with my son who was only 9 months old at the time. The gate agent obviously did not have children and accused me of trying to pass my "2-year old" off as a nine month old and demanded his birth certificate. Obviously, I did not think to bring it as he was so young. I blew up at her stating he could not talk, could not walk, and obviously was not 2 yet. She called another gate agent over who confirmed that by looking at him, clearly he was not two years old. I understand you are not flying this airline but be prepared to produce paperwork and possibly purchase a last minute ticket. My brother in law is a pilot for Jet Blue and I have asked him to try to find out their policy and I will let you know if I hear from him. Also, your child may be searched going through the metal detector - which upset me greatly so just beware!
Hi:
We flew with NWA when my son was 2 years old and they didn't ask for a birth certificate. We did buy him a seat at a reduce rate because we brought along his carseat because we were going to be using it later on in the trip. He sat on my lap the whole flight to and from and we basically wasted our money and the headache of carrying the carseat. (We later found out our carseat that worked in our car didn't meet airline regulations).
Hope this was helpful to you. Good luck and have fun on your trip!!
T.:0)
I would say that he is not 2 yet. They never asked me for a BC when i flew w/my boys. He is not too big for his size is he? If not then u will b fine. Good luck!
I was asked for identification for my then under 2-year old by NWA. Bring it, and just be prepared that you may have to buy a spot for him. Or you run the risk of it being full, and you won't be ale to fly.
Personally, it's MUCH safer for your son in a car seat on the airplane. Whether he likes it or not, he's counting on you to make the best decisions for him.
My car seat was fine on the airplane.
Bring the birth certificate in case. sometimes they won't question you and other times they will, they have a right to make you buy an extra ticket if they don't believe your child is under 2.
From my experience flying with my child, most airlines require a birth certificate or immunization record from your pediatrician confirming your child's birthdate. Hope this helps.
Hi,
We have flown quite a bit with our son, on many different airlines. He is not 2 yet, but we always bring our birth certificate just in case. Sometimes they ask and sometimes they don't. It is risky to lie and not bring the certificate because you may not be able to buy a seat on the spot if the plane is completely booked. Then you wouldn't be able to fly and it could ruin your trip. Sorry!
F.,
I have flown twice with my son (on my lap) and they have never asked me for a birth certificate. It's actually pretty scary.....Anybody could get on a plane with a child and not have to produce any form of identification for the child. I hope this helps!
Thanks,
S.
no one asked for id for my daughter when we flew. I rec. putting him in a back pack or sling when you check in. sneaky but it worked.
I fly with Jetblue ALL the time. They are so great with kids. I went to Boston with my son who was 23 months old. I was told that if there under 20 months they can be a lap rider. My son was a little over that, but they didn't ask for any birt cer. or anything. The only time you would have a BIG problem is if he isn't listed to ride and you show up with a kid. THen they do ask for proff he's yours. SInce They want to make sure you didn't kidnap him. So just make sure he is listed and you should be fine.
