First Time Flying as an Adult and with A(will Be Then) 20 Month Old

If money is not a huge deal, I would buy your baby a ticket. Just because you can hold them on your lap does not mean it is safe, comfortable, and in the case of my squirming daughter, possible. We just got back from Hawaii and my husband did not want to buy her a seat. If we go anywhere else, I think I now have him convince a ticket will be purchased.

Bring snacks, sippy cup and little toys and books for him. Be cheerful and extra nice to the flight crew. They will be your best friends if you treat them kindly. One stewardess took my daughter up to first class to pass out flowers. Not only did that give me a break, it changed the scenery for my daughter. Another airline employee gave us a whole row to ourselves on the trip home. These small 'favors' really helped us travel.

I would call the airline and let them know that you have a lap baby if you decide to hold on to him. I did that when we made our reservations and therefore they had the correct number of passengers. I would also bring a copy of his birth certificate. The airline, over the phone, said that I needed it but they never asked for it. At the same time, I was glad I had it so there was no confusion over the fact that she could be a lap baby.

Go to the airport extra early so you are not in a rush and can get through security without being frantic. Put his snacks and sippy cup in a clear plastic gallon sized baggy so that when you need to have it in a security bin, you are not having to collect small bags and pieces.

Good luck!

You need to buy a ticket if she will be 24 months or older when you fly. She can sit in your lap before then but when DS was 18 months and older, we bought him a seat because it was easier. He has always sits in his carseat so we don't check it. If you do not buy him a seat, when you get to the gate, let them know you have a 'lap child'. If there are empty seats on the plane, they will almost always let you have one for your son, but most flights are fully booked now, so not that likely. If you bring your carseat to the gate and DS does not get a seat, they will just check the car seat for you. You 'gate check' your stroller also (take it with you to the gate and generally down the jetway). If you buy DS a seat, you just enter him in the 2-17 category. You should bring proof of age but to be honest, DS flies all the time and we have never been asked for it. Put him in shoes that are easy on and easy off since you will all need to take of your shoes.

A child under 2 does not need a ticket but after 2 does. Your child will be 2 at the time of your trip so you need to get the ticket now to save on the cost. You can send a car seat in cargo and not have to pay for it. Just put a baggage tag on it so it goes to the correct airport. The baggage people will help you with it. Wear slip on shoes, they will ask you to remove your shoes as part ot the security check. Also don't wear a hoodie, my daughter go patted down because she was wearing a hoodie. Dress comfortably but conservatively, jeans and a tee shirt or blouse, and you will have less of a chance of being patted down. You can call the TSA info line and ask questions they are really quite helpful.

Only a few airlines allow for you to input the child on the website. Most of the time, I just do it when I check in at the airport with my lap baby. Sometimes, I call the airlines after I book online and add my daughter. Don't book over the phone if you can help it because most airlines now charge a fee to book over the phone. Be prepared to show proof of age. I know Southwest has asked me for it in the past, when my daughter was 4 months, I traveled Virgin America, American and USAirways and they have never asked for proof of age, but I always have it. You can check your stroller and your car seat at the ticket counter, or you can take them up to the gate and check them. Most if not all airlines do not charge for checking a carseat or a stroller and some airlines allow you to bring an extra carry on bag for your infant. I usually check my car seat at the ticket counter and check my stroller at the gate. When I travel without my husband, I only bring one bag on the plane with me, so I'm not dealing with carry on and my daughter. I found that a backpack works best for me on the airplane so I can keep my hands free as I get on and off the plane. Also, some airlines allow you to preboard with your child. If I fly an airline that has assigned seats, I get on last. I give my daughter as much time running around the airport as possible before getting on the plane. If I go Southwest, I send my husband on board and have him save seats.

Kids under two usually sit on the parent's lab and there is no extra charge.

any kid under 2 generally sits on a lap, and is not charged of course.

I've traveled with my son about the same age, and never bought an extra ticket (who wants to pay extra on already expensive tickets) The Airline I use most is Southwest. (Free bags!) At the airport I bring my stoller with me to the gate and check it there Just go up to the desk and they will put a tag on it for you. I also ask them if the flight is full to get an idea if there will be an extra seat. Then you just leave your stroller right outside the door before you board the plane, (at the end of the terminal) They will put it on the plane, and have it sitting outside the door for you when you land.

Next, Southwest (and probably other airlines) has prioity family seating, (no assigned seats) so you get to board after the first set of passengers. What I do is find an empty row, or one with atleast 2 seats (by the window is best), and sit in one, and claim the other with my diaper bag. Or my Son and see what happens. Most of the time people will find other seats and you'll be left with an extra seat for your son. If the plane gets full and you have to move over, oh-well at least your by the window so your son can look out.

As far as a car seat goes, the best would be if your family had one you can borrow when you get there. If not just check yours.

We travel a lot for business and pleasure. I do all the booking and steer away from the "deals". You can get great deals on Southwest and American Air. I only deal with those 2 airlines and specifically on their website.

We always purchased a seat for our daughter. It was just easier that way, everyone was more comfortable, it just made more sense for safety as well.

Relax! you'll be fine. Enjoy your trip.

When going through sites like Travelosity you need to call the airline you are going through and tell them you are traveling with a child. We've always done lap bwcause our daughter wouldn't sit there the whole time but even with a lap child they have a ticket or yours will say "child in arms" wiithout one of those the child can't travel. If you google flying with a child it will bring up airline policies. Safe traveling.

I would buy a ticket. It costs more, but it guarantees you will have a seat for him. It's also a lot safer in case of any sort of accident. Think of how much force there is when you have to break suddenly in your car and how hard it would be to hold on to him. It's more in a plane - it would be impossible to hold him, even in a minor incident. It's worth the cost to keep him safe, in my opinion (even though an accident or incident of any sort is extremely unlikely)

I just flew with my 6 month old in December. We gate checked her stroller and car seat (they will tag when you check in). We only traveled with carry-ons. The diaper bag was my purse, which is allowed. I also took my mei tai carrier, which I put her in so she was comfy (and I was comfy) during the ride. That did not interfere with my seat belt and the stewardess had no problem with it. The only thing that was a pain was shoes, etc., liquids in our carryons; be sure to put all in a ziploc and have at top of bag!