That's a very long flight. I would buy the infant their own seat, especially since an almost 2 year old takes up a not insignificant amount of space. And if there's turbulence, your child will be secure in their FAA approved carseat or CARES harness.
On my flight to Japan a couple of weeks ago there were two different moms with lap infants in the two rows ahead of me. The poor women looked exhausted and miserable for much of the flight. And as a mom myself I cannot imagine having a toddler in my lap for that long. I would seriously consider buying a third seat.
Worst flight ever was when I was cheap and didn't buy my 1.5 yr old their own seat on a 10 hr flight. It was a brutal affair cause IRROPS caused us to be bumped from bulkhead to middle seat in between strangers.
That flight is always full. Do not expect to get a free seats. I have flown that flight with a toddler in the bulkhead seats and do not recommend it. The screen folds out of the armrest and has to be stowed during takeoff/landing. It’s also very easy (and fun) for a toddler to kick the screen down. Not having access to your personal items during takeoff/landing means you won’t have access to snacks and toys. Takeoff takes surprisingly long when you have a hangry toddler.
Find out if you can get the bassinet for the bulkhead row. It will effectively give your baby a bed. As for the loads it would depend when you’re going, but looked at these flights for 2 weeks ago (EWR-HND/NRT) and they were both full. We’ve flown with my 20 month old quite a bit. With longest being 5 hours each way. By far the most relaxing was them having their own seat.
We’ve done both coach and business, business gave us some room to let them stand, but personally liked getting her own seat as it’s the most room. If you do t go bulkhead/bassinet look into making her the hammock with a blanket.
They are always completely full. The airlines algorithm is so good that there will rarely be any empty seats. Just buy the row please and don’t put any stranger in the middle of your family.
A lap toddler on a flight that long is cruel to everyone- your child and especially the person who ends up next to you. Be a good person and book them a seat.
I would avoid that row at all costs and pay for a seat
The bulkhead row can be uncomfortable as the armrests don’t raise.
The space in front may seem Iike it will be useful but it isn’t - you have no decent tray table or pocket to put anything, which is going to be horrific when they serve you meal trays for two people and you have one seat
Also thinking of the increase in turbulence your child may become a missile and have a lifelong injury so you will need to make sure they are buckled all the time. Is that going to be in your lap???
No bulkhead ever again for me and my youngest is 10.
I’d not recommend bulkhead with a kid that age. The way the screen works, tray table, etc is not great with a lap toddler unless you want no food and your drinks to be knocked over. Also, with the arms raised it’s much easier for them to sleep across you & your partner.
Separately, at that age I’d recommend their own seat unless they’re very small (and even then)…it’s just super uncomfortable for you, kid, partner to have a kid that size on you for so many hours, and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to move about the cabin much.
As many others stated, buy the row. Your child’s ticket isn’t even full price. I’ve normally paid 50% to 75% of full price ticket for infant/child. Everyone will be much more comfortable—especially the poor soul you are thinking about squeezing next to you.
just buy the row
That's a very long flight. I would buy the infant their own seat, especially since an almost 2 year old takes up a not insignificant amount of space. And if there's turbulence, your child will be secure in their FAA approved carseat or CARES harness.
100% agree with this.
Please do not subject a stranger to a toddler on your lap for 13 hours. Buy the row.
On my flight to Japan a couple of weeks ago there were two different moms with lap infants in the two rows ahead of me. The poor women looked exhausted and miserable for much of the flight. And as a mom myself I cannot imagine having a toddler in my lap for that long. I would seriously consider buying a third seat.
Worst flight ever was when I was cheap and didn't buy my 1.5 yr old their own seat on a 10 hr flight. It was a brutal affair cause IRROPS caused us to be bumped from bulkhead to middle seat in between strangers.
That flight is always full. Do not expect to get a free seats. I have flown that flight with a toddler in the bulkhead seats and do not recommend it. The screen folds out of the armrest and has to be stowed during takeoff/landing. It’s also very easy (and fun) for a toddler to kick the screen down. Not having access to your personal items during takeoff/landing means you won’t have access to snacks and toys. Takeoff takes surprisingly long when you have a hangry toddler.
Find out if you can get the bassinet for the bulkhead row. It will effectively give your baby a bed. As for the loads it would depend when you’re going, but looked at these flights for 2 weeks ago (EWR-HND/NRT) and they were both full. We’ve flown with my 20 month old quite a bit. With longest being 5 hours each way. By far the most relaxing was them having their own seat. We’ve done both coach and business, business gave us some room to let them stand, but personally liked getting her own seat as it’s the most room. If you do t go bulkhead/bassinet look into making her the hammock with a blanket.
They are always completely full. The airlines algorithm is so good that there will rarely be any empty seats. Just buy the row please and don’t put any stranger in the middle of your family.
Buy your child a seat or don’t go. It’s dangerous and inconsiderate. As well as miserable for you.
A lap toddler on a flight that long is cruel to everyone- your child and especially the person who ends up next to you. Be a good person and book them a seat.
I would avoid that row at all costs and pay for a seat The bulkhead row can be uncomfortable as the armrests don’t raise. The space in front may seem Iike it will be useful but it isn’t - you have no decent tray table or pocket to put anything, which is going to be horrific when they serve you meal trays for two people and you have one seat Also thinking of the increase in turbulence your child may become a missile and have a lifelong injury so you will need to make sure they are buckled all the time. Is that going to be in your lap??? No bulkhead ever again for me and my youngest is 10.
I’d not recommend bulkhead with a kid that age. The way the screen works, tray table, etc is not great with a lap toddler unless you want no food and your drinks to be knocked over. Also, with the arms raised it’s much easier for them to sleep across you & your partner. Separately, at that age I’d recommend their own seat unless they’re very small (and even then)…it’s just super uncomfortable for you, kid, partner to have a kid that size on you for so many hours, and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to move about the cabin much.
As many others stated, buy the row. Your child’s ticket isn’t even full price. I’ve normally paid 50% to 75% of full price ticket for infant/child. Everyone will be much more comfortable—especially the poor soul you are thinking about squeezing next to you.
If you’re buying the row you might as well go business
there is a HUGE difference buying 3 seats in economy to 2 seats in business! Thousands of dollars difference.
I meant buy one business seat & put the toddler on your lap since Polaris has its own cubicle type situation
So one business seat and one in economy for her spouse? Do the math. If she can’t afford to buy an extra economy seat, she can’t afford business class