Are you flying with your infant? It is not going to be easy. Traveling with a baby is never as simple as packing a diaper bag and heading to the airport. It can really be a challenge for long-haul international routes, where your baby really needs proper sleep, and you also need a break. This is where a flight baby bassinet seat can make a huge difference.
Today, you can find bassinets or cribs for infants in most of the airlines’ aircraft. These have primarily been installed to give babies on board a safer and more comfortable flying experience. So, for parents like you, it means less time holding a baby in cramped airplane seats and more room to relax during the journey.
What is a Flight Baby Bassinet Seat?
A bassinet seat is a designated airline seat that allows parents to use an airline infant bassinet during the flight. The bassinet itself is a small cot or baby bed that attaches securely to the bulkhead wall in front of selected seats. These bassinets are primarily designed for infant who are too young to comfortably occupy their own airplane seat. Based on which airline you are traveling with, these infant seats are also known as the skycots, sky cradles, baby cots, and airline bassinets.
So, instead of sleeping on your lap for several hours, your baby can rest inside the bassinet while you get some much-needed space and comfort. Most of these bassinets are installed after takeoff and removed before landing. During turbulence or when the seatbelt sign is on, you are required to take the baby out of the bassinet and hold them securely.
Parents who have traveled long distances with infants often say a baby bassinet seat changes the entire flying experience. While it does not eliminate all travel stress, it can still make a difference with these benefits:
Better sleep for babies:
Your baby is more likely to sleep properly when lying flat rather than sleeping upright in someone’s arms. This becomes especially important when you are on an overnight long-haul flight.
More Comfort for parents
Holding a baby for a 10-12-hour flight can be quite exhausting. The bassinet's seat gives you some freedom to eat, stretch, or simply rest your arms for a while.
Extra Legroom
Because bassinets are attached to bulkhead rows, these seats usually offer more space compared to standard economy seats.
Helpful during long-haul flights.
On international flights, bassinets can make your nighttime travel easier when you are flying with infants. In fact, many parents specially choose airlines and flight timings based on bassinet availability.
Where are Bassinet Seats Located on an Aircraft?
Airlines ' bassinets are almost always located in the bulkhead rows. Bulkhead seats are rows positioned directly behind a wall or partition inside the aircraft. Since there is open wall space in front of these seats, airlines can safely install bassinets there. You will generally find these seats:
- At the front of the economy cabins
- Near premium economy sections
- In the business class cabin on some airlines.
Flight Bassinet Age Limit: How Old a baby Can Be?
Although you may find bassinet seats on all kinds of airlines, these seats are available in very limited supply. These seats are given only to a limited number of people based on availability and age eligibility.
So as a parent, one important thing you should understand before booking is the flight bassinet age limit. Each airline has different rules and bassinet policies, but most of these are based on:
- Age (6 to 12 months)
- Weight (9 to 12 kg)
- Baby length (28 to 38 inches)
Are Airlines Bassinets Safe?
Yes, airline bassinets are considered safe when used properly and in accordance with airline instructions. Most bassinets are securely attached to the aircraft wall and may include:
- Safety straps
- Mesh covering
- Locking system
However, these bassinet seats are not designed to function like car seats during turbulence or emergency situations. That is why airlines require babies to be removed during critical phases of the flight. Some aviation experts still consider an FAA-approved seat to be the safest overall option for infant air travel, especially for parents purchasing a separate seat for their child.
Which Airlines offer Baby Bassinet Seats?
Many international airlines provide bassinets on most long-haul flights. But policies for the bassinet seats can be different for aircraft and the cabin class. Airlines commonly known for offering bassinet seats are:
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- British Airways
- Etihad Airways
- Air Canada
- Lufthansa
How to Reserve a Bassinet Seat?
So how do your reserved a bassinet seat? Well, there are specified steps to guarantee the bassinet for your infant, but acting early is the key. You need to:
Book your flights early
Make sure you book your flights early, especially for the international routes. As you know, the number of bassinet seats is limited; you need to make an early request for the bassinet for your infant soon after booking your flight tickets.
Contact the Airliens directly
For requesting a bassinet, you need to contact the airline’s customer service team directly. You can check the airline's specific eligibility and requirements for bassinet seats.
Arrive early at the airport
Most airlines offer the bassinet mainly on the first come first serve basis. So it is important that even after making reservations for the seat, you need to arrive early at the airport. This definitely increases your chances of getting a bassinet seat for your infant.
Conclusion
Flying with your infant can be challenging at times; however, if you book early and reserve a bassinet seat, it can make a real difference. For sure, it can make your journey fare more comfortable. Therefore, it is important to understand the bassinet age limit and airlines' policies for offering bassinet seats.
