travelling with a toddler

In April we are planning on going to Sydney to visit DH family (will be the first time they have met Ella). Ella will around 22 months then, so can still pay for an infant fare.....however that means she won't get a seat.

Is it worth us paying a bit extra (I think it is around 1/2 the adult fare) for Ella to get a seat? or just take a chance that the plane won't be full and see if we can get her an extra seat when we get to the airport (we will be leaving the weekend before school hols start)? What have other people done?

Also if we dont' get her a seat will she still get allocated a meal or do we have to bring food on the plane for her? I remember reading somewhere on the AirNZ website that they won't heat up food for us? is that correct? seems a bit mean if she doesn't get allocated a meal and they won't heat up any food (I could have read it wrong through).

Thanks

most flight usually leave you the spare seat if the plane isn't fully booked so you can have her sitting there. But you won't be able to have her sitting there for take off or landing.

Don't forget the fluid restrictions with water for Ella. And the best person to ask about AirNZ and food is Paws - she knows alot about AirNZ.