How much do plane seats cost for your baby?

Your baby or toddler may still be relatively small, but the cost of flying with them can end up being huge due to the various fees charged by airlines.

We've taken a look at what it costs to fly with your baby on airlines, including easyJet, Ryanair and Tui, plus find out how to avoid baby holiday essentials costing you an arm and a leg in excess baggage fees.

For ways to keep your family living costs down, and kids of all ages happy, 

Do I need to pay for a plane seat for my baby or toddler?

When travelling with a little one under the age of two (referred to in the travel industry as an 'infant' and a 'child' after that) it's likely you'll pay something, even if they're a 'lap infant' rather than having their own seat.

One lap infant is allowed per adult lap An additional seat for an infant might cost you the same as an adult fare Some domestic flights are free for lap infantsInternational flights for lap infants may be discounted check these airline restrictions and see our latest reviews of ideal buggies for taking abroad

Which airlines charge to fly with a baby on your lap?

When we looked, we found there isn't a one-size-fits-all policy when you're flying with a baby. 

What you get for free and what you're charged for varies considerably between one airline and the next.

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What baby essentials and equipment can I take on a flight? 

Pushchairs and baby car seatsFoldable travel cots Baby changing bag Baby food and baby milk 

Policies and pricing for travelling with baby equipment vary from one airline to the next and also between routes, so check before you jet off to avoid any surprises, including extra charges.

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What happens if my baby's luggage goes over the allowance?

The free luggage allowance for baby equipment in the hold varies from one airline to the next (see the table above), with some airlines allowing just 10kg combined to take a pushchair and car seat/travel cot.

Our research shows that, on average, pushchairs weigh about 8-10kg, car seats weigh 4-7kg and travel cots weigh 5-9kg, so it wouldn't be difficult to exceed this and end up in excess baggage territory.

To avoid excess baggage fees, try:

Making your baby's bag your carry-on luggageCheck if you can take a handbag, too Pre-purchase an additional baggage allowanceBuy for baby at the airport, even if it is a bit more expensiveUse in-flight and destination baby essentials where available

How do I book a bassinet for my baby?

A bassinet – an airline cot that fixes to the bulkhead seat wall – can be a lifesaver on long-haul flights, especially if travelling with a lap infant.

To be in the running, book a bulkhead seat as early as you can because although airlines may try to prioritise passengers with infants, these seats are also popular with other passengers because of their legroom.

Seek advice from your airline or agent when booking because some bulkhead seats might not have bassinet fittings or it might not be indicated on the seat plan when you're booking. 

Also, don't just book and hope for the best. Call again 48 hours before departure to make sure your request is definitely in the system, then get to the airport early on the day because airlines often allocate bassinets at check-in on a first-come-first-served basis.

Finally, if you haven't managed to book a bulkhead seat or requested a bassinet, don't assume that you won't get one – you may be lucky enough on the day to get both if you turn up and check in early enough.

: passengers told us about more than 10,000 flights so we can tell you who is a pain and who is a pleasure to fly withundefined

source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-much-do-plane-seats-cost-for-your-baby-anXZ47K192iW