Booking air tickets for an unborn baby

We just fudged a date of birth and put his name (he was sitting on our knee so wasnt going to be issued a ticket anyway) ... we didnt encounter any problems when we turned up with him.

You have to book over the phone for an infant and then once he/she arrives phone back with the DOB and the name.

Emirates won't let us book without a name (and would charge us to change the ticket if we guessed the gender and got it wrong). What they advised is what we've ended up doing - booking the adult tickets, then waiting until baby arrives and using their name to book then. The airlines reasoning is that availability is not an issue, as you're not booking a separate seat. Also, the baby fare is not significant in terms of the adult one - it's either 10% of the fare of the adult booking or at the time of the actual booking (we've had conflicting information, but even on a long haul fare it's not a big difference), and taxes are also much smaller. The only risk with doing that is that there may not be a bassinet seat available, but Sydney's not exactly a long haul flight in the worst case scenario.

The name on the booking must match the passport details, so I'm not sure how the birthdate can be different.

lilfatty wrote: We just fudged a date of birth and put his name (he was sitting on our knee so wasnt going to be issued a ticket anyway) ... we didnt encounter any problems when we turned up with him.

I'm guessing this would only work flying domestically. I know I've flown domestically under my maiden name and forgotten my matching ID. Not that anyone ever asks you for id anyway.

ItchyFeet wrote: Emirates won't let us book without a name (and would charge us to change the ticket if we guessed the gender and got it wrong). What they advised is what we've ended up doing - booking the adult tickets, then waiting until baby arrives and using their name to book then. The airlines reasoning is that availability is not an issue, as you're not booking a separate seat. Also, the baby fare is not significant in terms of the adult one - it's either 10% of the fare of the adult booking or at the time of the actual booking (we've had conflicting information, but even on a long haul fare it's not a big difference), and taxes are also much smaller. The only risk with doing that is that there may not be a bassinet seat available, but Sydney's not exactly a long haul flight in the worst case scenario. The name on the booking must match the passport details, so I'm not sure how the birthdate can be different.

I am a travel agent and this is correct. Domestically is fine for a dummy name however international travel must be the same as the passport. It is 10% of the fare as if you were booking an adult on the day. Best to book the adults NOW to get the cheaper fares and once bubba is born book their ticket. (less money difference than the adults!)

Have a fun trip

I just booked for domestic flight for september and I was told to book the ticket for me then ring when baby was born and they will add her details on my ticket. Its more the fact that they get their own baggage allowance than the seat issue I was told.
Sorry probably doesn't help much booski with international travel