Our experience with the bassinets has been great at 9 months and then not so good at 16 months.

9 month flight from DTW to AMS
Good: On the overnight flight , she slept, and we had our hands free.

Bad: Whenever there is turbulence, the rule is that you have to take the baby out and hold them; now I have issues with that. I do not believe the alternative (in my arms) is any safer, especially when the baby is asleep.
. When I asked the NWA FA about why, eventually she intimated that they can only suggest and not force that issue.


When our daugher was 16 months old, we tried reserving her a bassinet. She was JUST under the height limit and well under the weight limit (note: Check with the carrier for specifics). However, it was harder for her to sleep, and so she did not use it for much of the flight, which meant that we had this big thing in front of us.

Best thing you can hope for is an empry flight. Depending on your status and how nice you are, you can then ask for an extra seat.

Also, I have to say that KLM is the BEST when it comes to travelling with children.