Consolidated Infant Restraints in Premium Cabin
Nov 11, 2015, 10:00 am
#91
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cambridge, England
Programs: BA, VS, Le Club Accor Gold
Posts: 1,208
Has anyone actually used a CARES harness on BA Premium Economy or Business recently? I feel like I read somewhere that they don't work in those plane sections.
We are looking to fly YYZ to either LHR, ORY, CDG or AMS, and then on to BSL.
Likely using BA via LHR, but AF to ORY or CDG or KLM via AMS are also options that are on the table.
I've heard that AF's PE type service is not worth it, so would probably just go economy or business (if we find a really good sale).
Never used KLM, so I'm not really looking at that fare, but it could come into play if the C.A.R.E.S. doesn't work on BA's nicer fares.
Any insight is appreciated. I don't want to fly AC, as they normally connect through Germany and I had a mildly sour experiences with Lufthansa/German airports and would prefer not to repeat that.
We are looking to fly YYZ to either LHR, ORY, CDG or AMS, and then on to BSL.
Likely using BA via LHR, but AF to ORY or CDG or KLM via AMS are also options that are on the table.
I've heard that AF's PE type service is not worth it, so would probably just go economy or business (if we find a really good sale).
Never used KLM, so I'm not really looking at that fare, but it could come into play if the C.A.R.E.S. doesn't work on BA's nicer fares.
Any insight is appreciated. I don't want to fly AC, as they normally connect through Germany and I had a mildly sour experiences with Lufthansa/German airports and would prefer not to repeat that.
Nov 14, 2015, 12:01 pm
#92
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 28
So confusing because I checked after I posted and on their site it seems to say it doesn't work on those cabins: http://www.britishairways.com/en-ca/...g-ready-to-fly
Obviously, they might post it to discourage use and disappoint, but ugh.
Dec 29, 2015, 9:49 am
#93
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 13
Flying BC with 1 year old
I'm looking to go to Tokyo next year and possibly bring my son, who will be about one at the time. JAL has business class availability that I was planning to book, but I'm wondering if I need to book a separate seat for my son at that point. I'd hate to spend another 100K points for a BC seat for him, but I'm wondering if he'll be too big to comfortably hold as a lap child or fit in a bassinet. I could always fly coach and get him a seat, but am trying to avoid that.
Any experiences from others on FT?
Any experiences from others on FT?
Dec 29, 2015, 10:05 am
#94
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
At 1 he'll likely be walking and, while he may qualify as a lap infant based on age, will not want to stay put on your lap. A bassinet is out of the question - meant for infants. You don't say how long of a flight it is, but I'm assuming it's a fair distance...Your best bet is really to get 2 seats.
Dec 29, 2015, 10:25 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
At 1 he'll likely be walking and, while he may qualify as a lap infant based on age, will not want to stay put on your lap. A bassinet is out of the question - meant for infants. You don't say how long of a flight it is, but I'm assuming it's a fair distance...Your best bet is really to get 2 seats.
Dec 29, 2015, 11:17 am
#97
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: 2015 kettle
Posts: 653
Flying BC with 1 year old
We have done ord-dub a few times with our kids as lap pax. It's a pain at times, for sure, but it's doable. Japan is a lot more time on a plane, especially if from the east coast, but it's a big savings and I don't think you'll be really enjoying biz class since you're paying so much attention to your child anyway.
Dec 29, 2015, 12:16 pm
#99
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Not quite the topic of the thread but are you sure you want to take a 1-year old to Japan as a single care-giver? If you haven't been there before, you may find your attention taken mostly in taking care of yourself. The child will get nothing out of foreign travel at that age. Could grand-parents or other relatives take the child for a few days while you travel? If you really want to do this, I suggest you check in with our Flyer Talk Japan Forum to see how others have dealt with this.
Back on topic, I have seen any number of folks who routinely go the lap child route for short flights really regret not having someplace to put the child down for a bit on much longer flights. In J, the seat next to you is likely to be taken so you won't be able to use it for the occasional break. A fussy child will also really impact that person next to you and in any case, after a 10 to 12 hour flight, you would likely arrive completely thrashed from constantly juggling the child for that long. Most people sleep for at least a portion of those long flights. Would you be able to do that with a child in your lap?
For longer flights, I agree with many above that the child should have a seat.
Back on topic, I have seen any number of folks who routinely go the lap child route for short flights really regret not having someplace to put the child down for a bit on much longer flights. In J, the seat next to you is likely to be taken so you won't be able to use it for the occasional break. A fussy child will also really impact that person next to you and in any case, after a 10 to 12 hour flight, you would likely arrive completely thrashed from constantly juggling the child for that long. Most people sleep for at least a portion of those long flights. Would you be able to do that with a child in your lap?
For longer flights, I agree with many above that the child should have a seat.
Dec 29, 2015, 1:41 pm
#100
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: CDG
Posts: 205
At 1 he'll likely be walking and, while he may qualify as a lap infant based on age, will not want to stay put on your lap. A bassinet is out of the question - meant for infants. You don't say how long of a flight it is, but I'm assuming it's a fair distance...Your best bet is really to get 2 seats.
Also check what kind of seats you get in business on your flight. Sky suite seat aren't that great when traveling with kids, as they would be out of reach or very hard to reach, even in the middle seats that are aligned.
Dec 29, 2015, 2:27 pm
#101
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
I wouldn't want a kid in a bassinet that is old enough to pull him/herself up, even if strapped into the bassinet - they won't be used to it and will be uncomfortable. Better option is getting a second seat and bringing a car seat along.
Dec 29, 2015, 6:37 pm
#103
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cambridge, England
Programs: BA, VS, Le Club Accor Gold
Posts: 1,208
I think it's great that you're looking at taking your son to Japan, I took numerous trips with my daughter when she was under 2 almost all as a lap infant (there'll always be haters on that issue) and always just me so no other adult 
When you say 1 however a year and how many months? With hindsight (such a wonderful thing) 15 months for me was the turning point for having my daughter as a lap infant although we travelled to Hong Kong (from London) when she was 20 months and to Florida when she was 23 months
I'm not sure however how much you'd get from travelling business classs with a lap infant
When you say 1 however a year and how many months? With hindsight (such a wonderful thing) 15 months for me was the turning point for having my daughter as a lap infant although we travelled to Hong Kong (from London) when she was 20 months and to Florida when she was 23 months
I'm not sure however how much you'd get from travelling business classs with a lap infant
Dec 30, 2015, 2:25 pm
#104
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
We flew DL business class with our 21 month old son. Also few AF business with him at 11 months. Bassinet was not really something that worked when he was 11 months. He barely fit in it (he was just under the weight limit) but wouldn't sleep in it for longer than 10-15 mins.
1 is a tougher age. They are somewhat mobile, but not old enough to be entertained by movies or games. You will be very occupied most the flight entertaining or chasing after your child. At both ages, there was enough room to sleep (tightly) side by side in the business class seats.
If you are traveling solo, I honestly thing that it would be more comfortable booking two coach tickets where he'd have a car seat next to you to strap him in to. I was always with my wife, and we would take turns eating, which the other held our son. The trip to London at 22 months, we brought my wife's parents so there was even more help (all up in business class).
1 is a tougher age. They are somewhat mobile, but not old enough to be entertained by movies or games. You will be very occupied most the flight entertaining or chasing after your child. At both ages, there was enough room to sleep (tightly) side by side in the business class seats.
If you are traveling solo, I honestly thing that it would be more comfortable booking two coach tickets where he'd have a car seat next to you to strap him in to. I was always with my wife, and we would take turns eating, which the other held our son. The trip to London at 22 months, we brought my wife's parents so there was even more help (all up in business class).
Dec 30, 2015, 7:59 pm
#105
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 312
I flew Dulles-Narita-Singapore-Perth with a 13 month-old lap child. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely doable, depending on the kid. Some kids are comfy sleeping on mom or dad and will happily curl up in your lap. Others ... won't. So as much as any other advice you'll get, know your own child.