Flying with a 25mth old?

[boomba]

Ds will be 2 on the 3rd of November and we will be travelling to Cairns on the 27th December. He will just be sitting om my knee and wont need a seat...will I still have to pay for him? He will be just over the 24mth rule? I know they have never checked Ds1 birth certificate when we flew to Melbourne?
Will I really have to pay a full fare for a child who sits on my knee?

[Maruschke]

The last thing you want to happen is to get up there, but not be able to get back without buying him a last minute ticket. At that time of year it will cost you an arm and a leg.

[boomba]

Maybe I should go see Flight centre or something? I just think it is ridiculous pay $200 plus for a child to sit on your lap????

[feeb]

I would be booking a ticket as $$$ if they do ask to see birth cert and he is older.

We flew in June DS1 was 35 months and DS2 was 17 months, we were not asked for certs BUT if your child looks nearly 2 size and high wise they might.

[boomba]

Yeah I guess I better then! Maybe I will take their car seats and strap them in?

[Maruschke]

Car seat is a good idea. Who are you flying through?

[feeb]

Not sure if you can do that or not. You would need to check, before hand.

Enjoy trip!!

[boomba]

Not sure yet Maushke....cant see why we couldn't strap them in wouldn't it be safer?

[Heaven]

I wouldn't buy one. How can they ask for a birth certificate? It's not like it's something you just carry around. I don't even have one for DD2 yet, lol, oops!

[Maruschke]

Here is what VA says:

Special safety measures are taken to ensure that children and infants are safe and comfortable before and during the flight.

Any child less than two years of age, is classed as an Infant, and must be nursed in the arm of a parent or guardian (at least 15 years of age) unless occupying a seat on their own ticket, in an approved child restraint system. Any child two or over, is classified as a child, and must occupy a seat on their own ticket.

When checking in with children or infants, please allow 60 minutes for domestic travel, and 2 hours for international travel. Airport staff may request proof of Date of Birth for children and infants. Extracts or copies of birth certificates are acceptable, as are Immunisation books.

Please be aware that your own bassinets cannot be taken on board Virgin Australia flights. Infant restraint belts are available on all aircraft and must be worn by infants on take-off, landing, during turbulence and whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated, unless occupying a seat on their own ticket, in an approved child restraint system.

[feeb]

I wouldn't buy one. How can they ask for a birth certificate? It's not like it's something you just carry around. I don't even have one for DD2 yet, lol, oops!

It is actually on info on virgin page stating may be asked for birth cert for children. Like you must have ID on you.

[Heaven]

Oh no, what a PITA then! Bugger!

[boomba]

Yup we lugged DS1s around Melbourne with us and they never asked for id!But wont risk it!

[Ozstar]

We have done loads of domestic flying with both kids and never been asked but I wouldn't risk it.

[~Kim~]

I've never been asked either but I've travelled a lot with 2yos and I certainly wouldn't want my only option for a fidgety wriggly 2yo to be on my knee Boomba. They're unpredictable and there's not much room between those seats.

[Livinthedream]

If you pay for your child, they dont sit on your knee, they get their own seat (that is what you are paying for )
AFAIK,a carseat ia a no go, it would be considered to be a risk in event of an emergency.
We are about to fly for the first time with DS as a full fare payer with his own seat, TBH, I was kinda happy to pay for his own seat, last time we flew with him on my knee was a nighmare LOL

[leckert]

we just did a trip Adelaide - Brisbane and Cairns - Adelaide. DS would have just been 2yrs old. I'm so glad we got him a seat and not on my lap - we did that when he was about 13mths old and that was bad enough with the wiggling around and stuff. Although this time at one point I did have him on my lap for a feed and a sleep - it was the only way to settle him down at one point - rather excited about being on the plane and all the other people behind us.

[MummyNaomi]

Yep, they may ask you for a birth cert if your LO looks close to 2 (and they have every right too)

Our DS has flown heaps with us prior to him being 2 - From Adelaide to Perth twice, Gold Coast, Cairns and Melbourne twice. We were only asked for his birth certificate once when he was closer to 2 and looked a bit older.
We are about to go on our first flight since he turned 2 - the the Gold Coast, and frankly I am very glad he has his own seat now, he will happily sit with seat belt on and watch his DVD player, and with paying for an extra fare, you also get more luggage allowance (we had to pay excess luggage on one of our flights - Boo Hoo)

I wouldn't risk it as if they make you pay, there is no guarantee there will be a spare seat on the plane for you to purchase anyway, so it may end up being very costly

I believe there are restraints you can use for LO rather then relying on the standard seat belt, but you would be best checking with your airline