Travel with Children - First Time Flying with 9 Month Old (NY to Hawaii) - Questions & What to Expect?

So we are flying to Hawaii on United for 10 days at the end of January, on the way there in business class (JFK to LAX) in first class (LAX to OGG), and the way back in coach (LIH to SFO, and Red-Eye from SFO-JFK). Also doing a short interisland flight on Hawaiian Air from OGG-LIH with a quick 1/2 hour stopover in HNL. Our daughter will be a lap-baby for all flights.

In general, our 9 month old is a very good baby, doesn't cry very much, and mostly sleeps through the night.

I have some general questions, and then any advice you could give would be appreciated.

1) What are the TSA guidelines as far as bringing baby food, drinks (breast milk, etc) through security.
2) What documentation do we need for our 9 month old. Her Birth Certificate, her SS number, or both? Also, can we bring copies, or do we need originals.
3) 3 of our 4 flights are the front rows (JFK-LAX, LAX-OGG, and SFO-JFK). We did this assuming there'd be a little more room for her to crawl around, although I know we need to store everything above, which could be annoying. Any thoughts on this?
4) We are bringing her car seat with, because renting one would be the same price as just buying a new one. However, I've been told car seats get banged up a bit when checked in at the gate. Any way around this?
5) Any other advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

3>You plan on letting your child crawl around? I have 3 problems with this 1. Safety to the child 2. sanitary 3. depending on who your seatmates are this could be a distraction to their space.

1>Be ready to lose some of the stuff you bring as food for the child. Many TSA people know the regs and will let the legit stuff pass but some don't and make you toss it (Have seen it happen twice myself)
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm
2>No knowledge or experience
4>is your car seat FAA approved? you may be able to bring it on or gate check it depending on your ticketing and such.

So we are flying to Hawaii on United for 10 days at the end of January, on the way there in business class (JFK to LAX) in first class (LAX to OGG), and the way back in coach (LIH to SFO, and Red-Eye from SFO-JFK). Also doing a short interisland flight on Hawaiian Air from OGG-LIH with a quick 1/2 hour stopover in HNL. Our daughter will be a lap-baby for all flights.

In general, our 9 month old is a very good baby, doesn't cry very much, and mostly sleeps through the night.

I have some general questions, and then any advice you could give would be appreciated.

1) What are the TSA guidelines as far as bringing baby food, drinks (breast milk, etc) through security.
2) What documentation do we need for our 9 month old. Her Birth Certificate, her SS number, or both? Also, can we bring copies, or do we need originals.
3) 3 of our 4 flights are the front rows (JFK-LAX, LAX-OGG, and SFO-JFK). We did this assuming there'd be a little more room for her to crawl around, although I know we need to store everything above, which could be annoying. Any thoughts on this?
4) We are bringing her car seat with, because renting one would be the same price as just buying a new one. However, I've been told car seats get banged up a bit when checked in at the gate. Any way around this?
5) Any other advice you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

1. Go to TSA.gov and you can read about allowed/prohibited items.

2. You don't need anything for a domestic flight with a nine month old on UA

3. Your baby will not be allowed to crawl around on the floor. It's filthy anyway, not sure why you would even consider this. What kind of plane are you on for the JFK-LAX leg? If this is a three cabin 757 (p.s.), the first row in business is the exit row. You will not be allowed to sit in the exit row with an infant.

4. If you can't bring the seat onboard, yes, it can get banged up. Invest in a seat cover if nothing else.

5. Advice? Bring twice as many diapers/wipes as you think you will need. Do not count on being able to enjoy the premium cabin experience, though anything is possible.

1) Previous posters have already pointed you to the rules, but, IME, you can bring pretty much anything you want with an infant as long as it seems reasonably related. The only thing we ever had taken from us was a full-sized bottle of dish detergent (which the agent rightly noted was a bit much, even for our 20+ hour itinerary).

2) No documentation required, but I would never travel without some ID (preferably photo, e.g., passport) for your baby in case something unfortunate happens.

3) As noted above, you will not be allowed in row 5 on a UA p.s. plane. Otherwise, we prefer bulkheads with infants as it ensures you don't have to worry about them kicking/hitting the seat in front of you. I also disagree with most on this forum and had no problem letting my son lay/sit/crawl (heck, even sleep) on the floor at the bulkhead---just lay a blanket down first, as the floors are nasty! Safety wise it is a risk, but so is taking a lap baby. Some FAs may not allow it (and certainly not when the seatbelt light is on), however.

4) Car seats get banged up with travel. Buy a cheap one (we really love our Cosco Scenera) for travel, put it in a bag, and gate check if you can't bring it on.

5) Don't expect to enjoy the flights---your job is to keep your baby happy and quiet. If it turns out they remain so without too much effort on your behalf, everyone wins ^

(As an aside, you don't mention if you're bringing a stroller, but HA will not gate-check larger strollers--you will need to surrender them at check-in for the inter-island flight and pick it up at baggage claim.)

We're in Row 6 (C&D) on the 757 from JFK-LAX (8:32AM flight) - 3 Cabin. Is that ok, or will we have an issue? It seems Row 5 is the Exit row.

We're in seats 1A & 1B from LAX-OGG on the 2 cabin 757.

Does your child breastfeed? If so, its effective on ascents and descents.. as ear pressure sometimes cause the ears to hurt, but the feeding helps to mitigate..

I would get the government documentation, even if its just optional.. just in case, and to be on the safe side..

Bring diaper bag as a carryon.. carriers we've flown with don't count it as a carryon.. and the food jar sizes should be small.. check the carriers to ensure what qualifies on the carryon and what doesn't..

We usually check the car seats.. but I guess others may attest that they've experienced damage.. but in the 15 trips we've done with our kids, no damage to the car seat.. just the stroller ended up getting scratched one, but that was gate checked (yes, you can gate check your stroller, thats advisable)

No need to make the baby drink or suck, etc. on take-off and landing. This is a common myth. If your baby's ears are healthy, she'll be fine. Please don't wake her unnecessarily and force her to do this. You might want to schedule your regular "well baby" visit a few days prior to leaving, just to make sure her ears are okay.

Checking car seats as luggage is a bad idea. You'll hear plenty of parents who claim that their seats are "fine" after doing this but they aren't experts and the seats can and do suffer damage. If they're later in an accident, the car seats may not protect their children as they should (let's hope ignorance is bliss!)

Also, if your car seat gets rerouted, it could take days for it to get back to you. Not only will its crash-worthiness is in question but what will you do for the first few days you're in Hawaii?

While gate-checking a car seat is no guarantee, it's better than checking them at the counter like luggage. Less chance of being sent to the wrong city since they're loaded directly below. A cover will keep your seat clean and dry but wont protect it from being thrown on the tarmac (as luggage often is) or whatever abuse is in store...

Also, if you have your car seat at the gate, you can try to get an extra seat to place it in if the flight isn't full. I will admit that Hawaii flights tend to be consistently full but you're slightly off-season and you never know when there will be misconnects... That way, your child is safe, so is your seat and you'll get a bit more sleep if you manage this on the red-eye. Mention this at check-in.

Bulkheads are definitely the way to go with this age but United prefers to give these seats to frequent flyers, rather than to the parents who really need them. They can be wiggly at this age. Get her used to crawling with socks over her hands before leaving. This will solve your "yukky floor" problem. I found that mine were mostly pulling up anyway at this age and just wanted to stand holding on.

Officially, children under age 18 don't need ID when traveling with the parents (real safe huh??) United doesn't mention it on their website but the burden of proof is on the parents to show that their lap baby is under 2 years old. At 9 months, she's unlikely to be challenged. If you have a certified copy of her BC somewhere, you might want to bring it for the sake of it but it's unlikely they'll ask.

The TSA basically lets you bring anything baby-related on board. Check those links but I have never heard of the "reasonable amount" criteria challenged, even from Europe to Down Under. I guess they'd stop you with a formula crate but... If they don't like something, they'll simply take it away so you're only out the item in the worst-case. They don't fine or scold.

Try to limit it to finger food. Those jars can be messy and it's a lot to haul on board, as well as heavy.

Make sure to have a good-quality baby carrier. There are times when she just wont sit nicely in her stroller and you'll need your hands free. She's too big for flimsy Bjorns and other front packs. At this age, she might like being carried on your back with something that can go in front too when she's sleepy. Makes travel a lot easier.

Here are my non-commercial flying tips;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

We're in Row 6 (C&D) on the 757 from JFK-LAX (8:32AM flight) - 3 Cabin. Is that ok, or will we have an issue? It seems Row 5 is the Exit row.
Row 6 is fine on this plane. Rows 5 & 9 are the exit rows.

We're in seats 1A & 1B from LAX-OGG on the 2 cabin 757.
These are fine, not exit rows.

Bulkheads are definitely the way to go with this age but United prefers to give these seats to frequent flyers, rather than to the parents who really need them
I can hardly blame them for this policy. OP will have no problem selecting these seats, if they've paid for F or C.

If you plan to use the car seat (if the seat next to you is empty) remember to check the airlines exit row policy. Many, if not all, don't allow car seats in the row forward or aft of an exit row.

If you plan to use the car seat (if the seat next to you is empty) remember to check the airlines exit row policy. Many, if not all, don't allow car seats in the row forward or aft of an exit row.
For planes/class of service OP has booked, seats are only two across

If you plan to use the car seat (if the seat next to you is empty) remember to check the airlines exit row policy. Many, if not all, don't allow car seats in the row forward or aft of an exit row.

I find its actually easier sitting in a non-exit row.. so that the children can't escape. The theory.. have your legs block the way to the aisle..

Bulkhead and exit rows, would allow more possibility for the child to climb over with less impedence provided by parents' legs.. but most airlines as mentioned don't allow small children to sit in exit row seats anyways..

I was talking about the rows forward and aft of the exit row :)

Airline policies vary with exits. Usually it's just the closest row. They have to be willing to help in an emergency and it's restricted to anyone under age 15. The car seat is not a factor.

If it's a window exit, some airlines don't allow car seats in front or in back of it because when the exit is removed (it comes entirely out), it has to be thrown into an empty row. Both airlines I worked for only restricted car seats from the one row and this was only on the smaller planes with these window exits.

That's what's so irritating about United's policy. The exit rows are only for adults anyway but they put ffer's in the bulkhead rows too, so that some families with lap babies are denied bassinets.

I've never had the pleasure of a bassinet.. Is it sort of like a drop down change table? Made in plastic?

It attaches to the wall. It's not secure but at least it's somewhere to place a lap baby while sleeping. You just can't leave the baby alone in it.

That's what's so irritating about United's policy. The exit rows are only for adults anyway but they put ffer's in the bulkhead rows too, so that some families with lap babies are denied bassinets.

You always complain about this, but as I know you fly UA, you must be aware that any family can book a bulkhead seat in E+ if they pay for it, and they can choose the bulkhead seat free in regular economy. UA does not block that row for nonstatus members.

I HATE the term good baby.

There are fussy babies and quiet babies. There are babies who sleep a lot a those who do not. There are babies who spit up a lot and those who don't. There are no good babies or bad babies.

I HATE the term good baby.

There are fussy babies and quiet babies. There are babies who sleep a lot a those who do not. There are babies who spit up a lot and those who don't. There are no good babies or bad babies.

I've never met a parent who considers their baby bad.;)

I guess love is in the sight of the beholder..

You always complain about this, but as I know you fly UA, you must be aware that any family can book a bulkhead seat in E+ if they pay for it, and they can choose the bulkhead seat free in regular economy. UA does not block that row for nonstatus members.

Yes they do. That row is always filled with adults. It's reserved for ff'ers.

Too bad for the parents with lap babies who would like a bassinet. At least there is the option of paying for E+ but I bet those bulkheads are prioritized for ff'ers too!

I don't understand in the slightest why FF'ers SHOULDN'T have absolute dibs on the bulkheads. Parents with lap babies get what they pay for, as do FF'ers. Needless to say, FF'ers spend more - probably on a per-ticket basis, but certainly on an overall worth basis.

You always complain about this, but as I know you fly UA, you must be aware that any family can book a bulkhead seat in E+ if they pay for it, and they can choose the bulkhead seat free in regular economy. UA does not block that row for nonstatus members.

Yes they do. That row is always filled with adults. It's reserved for ff'ers.

Too bad for the parents with lap babies who would like a bassinet. At least there is the option of paying for E+ but I bet those bulkheads are prioritized for ff'ers too!
All of E+ is blocked, not just the bulkhead seats, if you don't have the status to select these seats. If you pay for E+, you will see that even the bulkhead seats may be selected, if someone else already isn't in them. Do a dummy booking and you can see that this is true.

I would like a seat in business because I really feel I need it, but unfortunately, it's blocked for someone who is giving UA a lot more money then I am.

I don't understand in the slightest why FF'ers SHOULDN'T have absolute dibs on the bulkheads. Parents with lap babies get what they pay for, as do FF'ers. Needless to say, FF'ers spend more - probably on a per-ticket basis, but certainly on an overall worth basis.

Totally agree with this.

As a parent and a VFF, I much prefer UA's policy (bulkheads blocked for FFs or those who pay for E+) to DLs (bulkheads blocked until checkin, at which point its a free-for-all in which the parents still lose unless the check in at T-24).

Frankly, it only *really* matters on bassinet-equipped planes, and in those cases the GAs can and do move people out to free up the seats for families with children.

As a parent, doesn't bother me if others not travelling with kids are sitting in bulkhead.. doesn't bother me in the slightest..

If you don't need the bassinet, than it shouldn't bother you but it's a shame to deny a family with a lap baby a bassinet just so an adult ff can sit at the bulkhead (which usually doesn't have any more legroom anyway).

But wiggly kids in center rows DO bother those in front of them. The bulkheads are g-dsends for families with active children (bassinet or not). It's just smart policy to prioritize families to sit there. That's what other airlines do!

Also, don't forget that those ff'ers can sit at the exit rows, which have way more legroom and any child under age 15 can't. I'm all for prioritizing ff for those seats. Much more fair.

If you don't need the bassinet, than it shouldn't bother you but it's a shame to deny a family with a lap baby a bassinet just so an adult ff can sit at the bulkhead (which usually doesn't have any more legroom anyway).

But wiggly kids in center rows DO bother those in front of them. The bulkheads are g-dsends for families with active children (bassinet or not). It's just smart policy to prioritize families to sit there. That's what other airlines do!

Also, don't forget that those ff'ers can sit at the exit rows, which have way more legroom and any child under age 15 can't. I'm all for prioritizing ff for those seats. Much more fair.

Good points..

I wonder why airlines install bassinets at the bulkheads.. there must be some logic to why they've done so.. perhaps to help and priortize families?

If this thread was in TravelBuzz we would get flamed by ffers.:)

That's fine. Everyone has a right to their opinion and airlines have a right to set their policies. I'm sure they did their marketing surveys before deciding on this.

I've actually had to wait on bulkheads with foreign airlines while they decided which families got them, and one airline picked them by the age of the baby. Those with the littlest ones got priority. So it's different all over the place.

Complaining about this policy is really to make parents aware, since it's so variable. What do other U.S. airlines do? (Can you tell I live on United/LH lol!)

I'm not aware of any one of the American carriers that prioritizes families for bulkhead, and that's just fine by me.

I think it's a stretch to suggest that they SHOULD be prioritized for families. The market has changed drastically, and the flying options have changed, too. With so many options for getting from point A to point B these days, most families have ZERO allegiance to traveling with one airline. Instead, it's all about the almighty dollar, so I have no problem when those families get what they pay for, which is no additional comfort beyond what anyone "regular" passenger receives. If the passengers are going to put the almighty dollar first, then we shouldn't criticize the airlines for doing the same (i.e., treating FF'ers better than one-time-Charlies and charging extra for E+, exit row, and bulkhead, etc.).

Saying that the FF'ers can have the exit rows while people with babies get the bulkheads isn't reasonable because depending on the plane, there is anywhere from only 4 to maybe a max of perhaps 10 or 12 such seats (if even) in economy. On most flights, there are far more high-value FF'ers than that, I'd imagine.

That's fine. Everyone has a right to their opinion and airlines have a right to set their policies. I'm sure they did their marketing surveys before deciding on this.

I've actually had to wait on bulkheads with foreign airlines while they decided which families got them, and one airline picked them by the age of the baby. Those with the littlest ones got priority. So it's different all over the place.

Complaining about this policy is really to make parents aware, since it's so variable. What do other U.S. airlines do? (Can you tell I live on United/LH lol!)

This is a good tip.. How do I ask for a basinet? at the counter, or a wait list prior to arrival?

Depends on the airline. Most don't let you book them directly.

Remember also that on some aircraft, bulkhead seats are for handicapped passengers, which fall under other rules as far as booking (have to be held up to a certain time, etc.) So it's not just families.

I think they should put families who were refused bassinets right behind the bulkhead row filled with adults, so that those ff'ers can have the children banging around behind them. :eek:

Having a bulkhead for an adult isn't a huge advantage so I don't see why ff'ers would even want them. Often adults seated there complained about the limited legroom or the movie screen right in front and the fact they had to stow everything for take-off and landing. Stretching your legs out at the exit rows is much better!!

All of E+ is blocked, not just the bulkhead seats, if you don't have the status to select these seats. If you pay for E+, you will see that even the bulkhead seats may be selected, if someone else already isn't in them. Do a dummy booking and you can see that this is true.


This is correct. Bulkhead seats, in fact all seats, in United E+ are reserved for FFs because they get to chose seats in E+ due to their status, as well as anyone willing to pay to sit in E+. It is kind of silly to think that these seats should be reserved for families. They can get them if they want to pay for them or they can try and get the bulkhead seats in E.

I'm with 6rugrats - I think that a seat in business or first should be available for me when I fly without extra cost, because I like the extra room. :rolleyes:

I think they should put families who were refused bassinets right behind the bulkhead row filled with adults, so that those ff'ers can have the children banging around behind them.

Now that's really fair. What does the average PAX have to do with airline policy? I'm not trying to be rude, but you seem to have a lot of resentment towards UA FFs. I suggest you up your miles to get status so you can get the seats you want at no extra cost.

I have to agree with the majority here. Unfortunately a lot of the negative feeling towards parents with children is because it is because some people think that having children gives them more rights than others. I don't believe that having children usurps the rights of FF's, the ill, those lacking mobility, the elderly, or anyone else, frankly.

If anything, I tend to see a lot of airlines voluntarily give families more, and yet they still get a bad reputation online.

Several times whilst flying LH longhaul I have seen a parent with small child upgraded to C at no cost simply because there were numerous people wanting basinettes. That is very nice of LH, but absolutely not required, and frankly I would hope that all others in the upgrade queue were cleared first.

Having a bulkhead for an adult isn't a huge advantage so I don't see why ff'ers would even want them That simply isn't true on many aircraft and many carriers. People may need to be near the lav, or want the extra legroom, or have some other preference for those seats.

Weighing in.. I'm indifferent to ever receiving bulkhead with a bassinet.. but given the opportunity, hey, I'll take it.

Most passengers in their right mind would want the extra leg room in bulkhead..

I had passengers complain that the bulkheads didn't have any extra legroom. On some planes they did, most didn't. Exit rows definitely do.

I wasn't that keen on having a bulkhead when I was single and flying alone. What did bug me was when there were little ones behind me banging the seat for X number of hours. I found that really, really annoying!

I actually wasn't that fussed about bulkheads once I had children because we purchased seats for our under-2's on U.S. companies. For me, making sure that we were all together was a higher priority than the convenience of the bulkhead seats. I preferred the security of four reserved seats in one row rather than risk having a handicapped passenger book later and bump one of us out of the bulkhead. Some companies wouldn't let us book those seats ahead of time anyway.

I figured that the bulkheads were better going to families with small babies who could use the bassinets. That's all.

Exit row proximity?

I bring this up, as coming out of Hawaii on a redeye a few years back with toddler, we were comfortably seated in the row right behind exit row. Toddler sleeping in car seat by window. Lovely.

THEN, during the takeoff roll, the FA comes and looks shocked we are sitting in adjacent row and orders we move immediately. The plane was not going to take off until we did.

At this point smoke starts coming out my ears about maybe they should have noticed that during the previous walkthru, but we moved.

Toddler now awake and screaming about it. Not fun all around. But eventually we did settle down.

Not sure about the reality of this variation of the rule. I though it was only exit row. Anyhow, Delta should have known better as our booking was clearly for 2 adults and 1 child.

I had passengers complain that the bulkheads didn't have any extra legroom. On some planes they did, most didn't. Exit rows definitely do.

I wasn't that keen on having a bulkhead when I was single and flying alone. What did bug me was when there were little ones behind me banging the seat for X number of hours. I found that really, really annoying!

I actually wasn't that fussed about bulkheads once I had children because we purchased seats for our under-2's on U.S. companies. For me, making sure that we were all together was a higher priority than the convenience of the bulkhead seats. I preferred the security of four reserved seats in one row rather than risk having a handicapped passenger book later and bump one of us out of the bulkhead. Some companies wouldn't let us book those seats ahead of time anyway.

I figured that the bulkheads were better going to families with small babies who could use the bassinets. That's all.

The bulkhead is a vertical wall where there is no room to tuck the feet under.. so maybe good for the knees, but the feet tucks under the knees.. so a different type of comfort.. or not the comfort that some passengers hope for.

Whereas the exit row offers more knee room and room to stretch out the legs, as the feet goes under the seat in front of you..

The bulkhead is a vertical wall where there is no room to tuck the feet under.. so maybe good for the knees, but the feet tucks under the knees.. so a different type of comfort.. or not the comfort that some passengers hope for.

That simply isn't true. It may be the case on some aircraft, but certainly not on all aircraft and all carriers around the world.

It's true on door exits. You can stretch out your legs because there's no row in front and the door is off to the side. I wasn't even thinking about window exists, usually on smaller aircraft. Those are just like regular rows.

It's true on door exits. You can stretch out your legs because there's no row in front and the door is off to the side. I wasn't even thinking about window exists, usually on smaller aircraft. Those are just like regular rows.

You're absolutely right - both the bulkhead statements and the exit row statements were incorrect. (I edited my post to show just the portion regarding bulkhead row)

If the bulkhead row often didn't provide extra legroom, why would it be in such high demand on some aircraft/carriers, and be reserved for elites? Row 7 on a UA319/320 generally has more legroom than row 1 for instance, and I have sometimes downgraded myself as a result.

Both vary depending on carrier and aircraft. I happened to see a UA767 this week had restricted legroom at the window exit, which also faces the lav. Hence I strongly recommend passengers research and not just assume, or take what they read on FT as face value.

ElPresidente, I wonder if you were on an aircraft which designated two rows as 'exit row' even if one only really has the preferred space, and hence you had to move?

ElPresidente, I wonder if you were on an aircraft which designated two rows as 'exit row' even if one only really has the preferred space, and hence you had to move?

I'm not sure what you mean.

We were in the row directly behind a row with a hatch, how could we interfere with it? At the time, the FA's were being pretty pointed about how it was FAA regs you can't sit in rows directly adjacent to exit rows with a child, how could we not know that, the plane can't take off until you move even though we are rolling on the tarmac right now, blah blah. Later as I'm sitting there fuming (quietly) they offered me a drink coupon. ARRRGH I'd have liked a lot more than a measly drink coupon at that point.

I begin to suspect they were WRONG or making up their own interpretations on the spot, and just didn't admit that.

I'd have taken it up with Delta at the other end, but it was a redeye and by the time we got back to SFO what remained of our composure, was focussed on making a beeline for home.

I'm not sure what you mean.

We were in the row directly behind a row with a hatch, how could we interfere with it?

If you go on Seatguru.com, you will see that on some carriers, on some aircraft, there are two rows marked as 'exit' row, even though only one is directly next to the exit.

For instance, on UA A319/320, there are usually two rows, one better than the other. I personally don't sit there often (only once that I can recall), as the bulkhead row is far better in my opinion, on those aircraft.

But I suspect that this may have been a case of you being seated in one of two exit rows, one of which was the actual exit, and one still designated as such, even if not visibly the actual exit. I don't know which type of aircraft you were on, but if you click here for instance you will see that both row 23 and row 24 are designated as exit rows. http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Delta_Airlines/Delta_Airlines_Boeing_757-200_NWA_B.php

Not clear on this but I'll explain... Window exits come completely out and are thrown into another row. They don't want car seats in those rows because of the airborne window exit that will be tossed there.

Window exists are actually secondary exits (or were with both my airlines) so ideally, the passengers will go for the other exits first, The restrictions can be set by the airlines (row in front, back, both, etc.) Confusing? Just be glad you didn't have to get tested on it!

The juicy seats are those behind door exits. No row in front, basically no restriction on legroom... No one under age 15 or handicapped can sit there though. The idea is that those are the volunteers in an emergency (again what they do varies by airline).

If the bulkhead row often didn't provide extra legroom, why would it be in such high demand on some aircraft/carriers, and be reserved for elites? Row 7 on a UA319/320 generally has more legroom than row 1 for instance, and I have sometimes downgraded myself as a result.

Marketing? Reputation? It's still nice to not have a row in front of you. Easier to get out of your seat.

I personally like to see the airlines put families with small children there because there's no row and no one to kick in front of them. I did a lot of travel then got married and had kids late. I'm the "victim" of many a seat kicking!

I personally like to see the airlines put families with small children there because there's no row and no one to kick in front of them. I did a lot of travel then got married and had kids late. I'm the "victim" of many a seat kicking!

The bulkhead row on many aircraft/carriers IS attractive. It IS reserved for elites, or for those who choose to pay, because it does offer extra legroom, unlike what some people here have posted.

On a UA A319/320 Economy Plus has 35-36 inches of legroom, with the exception of row 7 (formerly row 6), which has an additional few inches. The bulkhead wall in this row does not go to the floor, and is angled, so there is space to put luggage beneath the seats in front, and to still stretch out long legs. It is one of the prime rows in the fleet, and absolutely has extra legroom.

And while it IS a bulkhead row, it does have a row in front, and seats in front.

I frankly don't mind if people continue to hold the misconception that all bulkheads are bad, if it means less demand for them, and more opportunities for those of us in the know to book those rows.

The other thing for families to note is if the row has fixed armrests. This can impact the ability of some people to sit comfortably, especially if they were thinking of 'sharing' the space with a child next to them. Again, that row on UA A319/320 does have fixed armrests, and I saw a family struggle to sit comfortably in them last week.

The fixed armrests can be a problem when installing some of the bigger car seats. Sometimes you can fudge and flip the armrests up and get a wider car seat installed, which isn't possible with bulkhead seats. Also, rear-facing can be a bit more tricky with the fixed armrests but at least there isn't a problem with the person in front reclining.

The fixed armrests can be a problem when installing some of the bigger car seats. Sometimes you can fudge and flip the armrests up and get a wider car seat installed, which isn't possible with bulkhead seats. Also, rear-facing can be a bit more tricky with the fixed armrests but at least there isn't a problem with the person in front reclining.

We were sitting in seats where trays were stored in the armrests.. although there's supposed to be more leg room the row behind bulkhead where these seats were situated, there wasn't.. I just can't imagine why seats behind bulkhead would have such a setup..

Made it mildly uncomfortable on our short flight..