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BeLoved 
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 Topic: Domestic air travel with toddler under 2
Posted: 14 July 2010 at 1:59pm |
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Anyone done this? I just rang Air NZ as I wondered how I would prove DD's age because under 2's are free and she will be under 2 for some of the flights but over 2 for the rest. And they informed me there is no way of really proving her age unless I carry her birth certificate, so really saying I could say she was under 2 even when she wasn't and they have no way of actually knowing. Anyone flown with an over 2 but not paid and been questioned?
Of course when she is under 2 and flies free she has to sit on my knee for the whole flight. I really don't know how this would go she despises being restricted and will probably scream the whole 1.5 hours. Anyone have experience with flying with a toddler on your knee? Is it worth just paying the extra for a seat?
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kiwisj
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 2:06pm |
If you can get grabaseat fares (or depending on how much child fares are) I would just pay for the seat myself.
Do you not have to show any ID for H at all? I can't remember now whether we had to with C in NZ but in Aussie they ask to see a birth certificate (we showed C's passport) for domestic flights, that was with Jetstar though.
Our most recent "short" trip was 1.5hrs (I think?) Sydney to Melbourne. C was on DH's knee but we had a spare seat in our row so after takeoff we put C in the seat between us. He's not a huge fan of being restricted either but it wasn't so bad, being on a plane is pretty interesting so there's plenty to keep them entertained and a drink/snack for takeoff and then lots more and some fun toys (stickers, drawing on the sick bags etc) should work for a short trip 
HTH
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littlestar
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 3:28pm |
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She will have to be strapped to your lap - they give you an extender belt thing to go onto your seatbelt.
Domestically they don't ask for ID anymore (well they didn't when we flew AirNZ) - but I guess if your child is larger than average you might want to carry some just in case.
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kiwi2
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 3:30pm |
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If you have the funds definately get a seat. Just having the space around you even if she sits on your knee is worth it as you don't have to worry about someone right next to you getting bumped etc. Also somewhere to put the neverending baby stuff that you manage to take everywhere you go. These are only if you don't manage to have your DD sit in the seat so even if she doesn't you get your moneys worth.
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fire_engine
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 3:47pm |
We've flown with every domestic airline with Dan under 2 so their records will have his DOB - means I couldn't get away with trying it for free if I wanted. At two, I'd get a seat. The last few times have been pretty hard esp when seated in a window seat next to a very large person who encroached on our space. Just be aware that if you're flying PB or JS, you'll need to purcase luggage allowance with the seat as they no longer get free allowance.
Being slightly OT, I'm  that 2-11 year olds are now full price.
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lilfatty
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 4:01pm |
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Yeah we flew with Issy at 18months and she got a seat, but only because we were in a row of three and they couldnt have DH, I, 2 kids and another random in the third seat because there were not enough oxygen masks.
So we they had to move the random to another seat on the plane.
Now she is over two we just pay for a seat.
I will say it was more annoying for the person in front of us to have a kid on the knee because they tend to kick the back of the seat (but only because thats where there feet go too, not for fun as such).
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Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months)
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BeLoved
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 4:48pm |
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Thanks for all your replies, I think I will definitely get a seat for her when funds allow and the seats are cheap, we will almost always fly Air NZ so hopefully we will be able to use airpoints for some of the flights. We will be flying back and forth at least once a month so hopefully she will become quite use to it after awhile.
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MissAngel
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 5:57pm |
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Thats so cheeky of them.
I flew to auckland and back with Thomas when he was 5 months old - they NEVER asked for proof of his ID. He sat on my knee with the special belt thing which is supposed to be safe. How a belt round their middle strapped to your belt makes it safer than a front pack I will never know. But oh well!
Book a second seat and take her carseat. She'll be much happier than being confined on your knee.
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Katherine
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 7:08pm |
BeLoved, also remember that when you book your tickets, you will usually be asked for your child's birthdate -- because even though they don't have a seat, they must still have a ticket to get on the flight (even if it's a free ticket). Unfortunately you can't book a ticket for yourself and then just bring your child along and get them on the flight -- they need to be booked into the airline's system. Happy flying! 
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BeLoved
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 7:31pm |
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Katherine - Air NZ said that even though you book for your child as an under 2 they do not get issued a ticket nor does it say on your ticket that they are flying with you. Its in their computer system I guess but thats it. They were the ones who said they could not ask you to prove the age of your child and then refuse you on the flight if you could not. I by no means want to defraud the system just did not want to run into trouble with it.
I think after recent media relating to domestic airline travel the above does not suprise me. They are way to relaxed about it all really.
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lilfatty
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 7:43pm |
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I booked tickets for both kids to fly before Elias had even come out of my tummy .. so you can get around it.
And .. they were not issued tickets, although I presume now that we paid for a ticket for Isabelle, she will get a boarding pass.
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Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months)
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fattartsrock
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 8:26pm |
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When we flew last time, Char was under 2 and Jake was over...internationally and all, miss C never got a ticket on any of the countless flights we took.
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The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P
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caliandjack
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 9:29pm |
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Domestically I didn't think Air NZ issued tickets anymore, its all self-service check in and you get issued with a boarding pass and then go.
There was a segment on Campbell Live at just how easy it was for someone else to check in on your ticket or re-issue a boarding pass in someone else's name.
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myfullhouse
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Posted: 14 July 2010 at 9:45pm |
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We flew direct to Nelson when Jack was about 18mths and I booked the flights for around lunchtime as he was down to one nap. Once we got in the air I got him to sleep, it was a bit uncomfortable as he was on my knee but made for a much more plesant trip as I didn't have to try and entertain him
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mummyofprinces
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Posted: 15 July 2010 at 8:54am |
 Katherine wrote:
BeLoved, also remember that when you book your tickets, you will usually be asked for your child's birthdate -- because even though they don't have a seat, they must still have a ticket to get on the flight (even if it's a free ticket). Unfortunately you can't book a ticket for yourself and then just bring your child along and get them on the flight -- they need to be booked into the airline's system. Happy flying! |
I dont get what this has to do with OP????
Maybe its too early in the morning!
I would agree, if you can afford the extra seat then pay for it...That extra space with a toddler is really useful.. especially if they decide they want to sleep!
When we flew to aussie earlier in the year Jake and I got a row of 3 to ourselves... they flight attendant said they will always try and give you a spare seat if the flight isnt full....
On the way back we had DH with us but we still go a spare seat so Jake could sit in it (or lay between us) once the seatbelt sign was off.
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Katherine
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Posted: 15 July 2010 at 9:28am |
One of my former colleagues works for Air NZ in their media relations department, so I spoke to him before posting what I wrote yesterday. Perhaps my use of the word "ticket" was too broad (as Air NZ still says that anyone who is "booked" to fly must have a "ticket", whether it is an e-ticket that only shows up in their computer system, or a paper one -- which still do get issued, through travel agents and the like, even in this somewhat paperless era!).
According to him, when a "ticket" is booked for an under-two, birthdates are asked for and then plugged into the system. I suppose it's at the gate agent's discretion whether they ask you for your child's age or not; according to him it should be happening, but you're right, BeLoved, if they don't ask for proof of your child's age upon booking of their "ticket", they certainly can't expect to ask for proof of their age when you're checking in or boarding. It sounds as though their policies are currently under review and in the process of being changed, so we'll have to wait and see!
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Domestic air travel with toddler under 2
