The ideal airplane seat for traveling with an infant is a bulkhead row with a bassinet option, offering extra space and comfort.
Why Choosing the Best Seat On Airplane With Infant Matters
Traveling with an infant can be a daunting experience, especially during a flight. Selecting the right seat isn’t just about comfort; it can significantly impact your baby’s safety, your convenience, and overall travel experience. Infants require space for movement, feeding, and calming during the flight. The wrong seat choice can make these tasks frustrating and exhausting.
Bulkhead seats often emerge as the top pick for parents flying with infants. These seats provide extra legroom, which is essential when managing diaper bags, strollers, or simply needing space to soothe a restless baby. Additionally, many airlines equip bulkhead rows with bassinet attachments designed specifically for infants under a certain weight limit. This feature allows parents to place their baby safely in front of them without holding them the entire time.
Beyond space and bassinet availability, proximity to restrooms and galley areas also plays a role in choosing the best seat on airplane with infant. Quick access to these facilities means less hassle when changing diapers or preparing bottles mid-flight. It’s also wise to avoid seats near noisy areas like lavatories or engines that might disturb your baby’s sleep.
Bulkhead Seats: The Ultimate Choice for Infant Travel
Bulkhead seats are located at the front of each cabin section and have no seats directly in front of them, resulting in extra legroom. This open space is invaluable when traveling with an infant because it provides room for movement and storage of essential items.
Many airlines provide bassinets that attach securely to the bulkhead wall. These bassinets are specially designed cradles that allow infants to rest safely while freeing up parents’ arms. However, these bassinets usually have weight limits—commonly around 20 pounds—and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Booking early and requesting a bulkhead seat is crucial if you want this amenity.
Some bulkhead seats may lack under-seat storage because there are no seats in front of them, so storing bags overhead or in designated compartments becomes necessary. Despite this minor inconvenience, the benefits far outweigh this issue when traveling with an infant.
Pros of Bulkhead Seats for Infants
- Extra legroom: Provides ample space for stretching legs or placing diaper bags.
- Bassinet availability: Secure sleeping option that frees parents’ hands.
- Easy access: Close to restrooms and galley areas for quick diaper changes or feeding.
- Less disturbance: No reclining seats in front means fewer disruptions from other passengers.
Cons of Bulkhead Seats
- No under-seat storage: Bags must go overhead during takeoff and landing.
- Potential noise: Near galleys or lavatories where noise levels can spike.
- Bassinet weight limits: Not suitable for heavier infants or toddlers.
Aisle vs Window vs Middle Seats: Which Works Best?
Choosing between aisle, window, and middle seats depends on your priorities during the flight.
Aisle Seat Benefits
The aisle seat offers unrestricted access to walk around the cabin without disturbing fellow passengers too much. Parents can easily get up to change diapers or calm their baby without needing to climb over others. It also provides quicker access to restrooms and galleys.
However, aisle seats expose you more frequently to foot traffic from passengers and crew moving through the cabin, which may be distracting or disruptive during nap times.
Window Seat Benefits
Window seats provide a wall against one side which can offer some privacy when nursing or calming an infant. It also gives your child something interesting to look at during takeoff and landing—the changing sky views can be entertaining.
On the downside, window seats restrict easy movement since you’ll need to ask neighbors if you want to get up frequently—a challenge when holding an infant.
Middle Seat Challenges
Middle seats generally are less desirable due to limited space and being sandwiched between passengers on both sides. This tightness makes managing an infant more difficult unless traveling with another adult who can assist.
The Role of Bassinets in Finding the Best Seat On Airplane With Infant
Bassinets are lifesavers on long-haul flights but aren’t available on every plane or airline route. They attach securely at bulkhead walls and give infants a safe sleeping spot without requiring parents to hold them continuously.
Airlines have specific policies regarding bassinets:
- Weight limits: Usually between 15-22 pounds.
- Age restrictions: Typically intended for babies under six months old.
- Reservation requirements: Must be requested well ahead of time due to limited availability.
Not all bulkhead rows have bassinets due to aircraft type differences; wide-body planes (like Boeing 777s or Airbus A350s) tend to offer more bassinet-equipped rows than smaller jets.
Parents should contact their airline directly before booking tickets if they want guaranteed bassinet access. Confirming this amenity early ensures you won’t be stuck holding your baby throughout the entire flight—exhausting both parent and child alike.
Navigating Airline Policies & Booking Tips
Different airlines have varying rules about seating infants:
- LAP infants: Babies under two years old often fly as lap infants without their own seat but still require safety measures such as FAA-approved child restraint systems (CRS).
- Bassinet reservations: Usually must be booked separately by calling customer service after ticket purchase.
- Selecting bulkhead rows: Some airlines allow online selection; others require phone assistance.
Booking early is essential because premium bulkhead rows fill fast—especially those equipped with bassinets. Securing these spots early avoids last-minute disappointments at check-in counters.
Also consider upgrading your ticket class if possible; premium economy or business class cabins sometimes offer even more spacious seating arrangements ideal for families traveling with young children.
The Impact of Aircraft Type on Seating Choices
Aircraft size influences available seating options dramatically:
| Aircraft Type | Bassinet Availability | Seat Space Features |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 777 / Airbus A350 (Wide-body) | Bassinet-equipped bulkheads common | Larger legroom; multiple lavatories nearby |
| Boeing 737 / Airbus A320 (Narrow-body) | Bassinet options rare or absent | Tighter seating; fewer bulkheads suitable for bassinets |
| Turboprops / Regional Jets | No bassinet options generally available | Crowded cabins; minimal legroom; limited amenities |
Long-haul international flights typically use wide-body jets where bassinet-equipped bulkheads are standard features. Short domestic hops often rely on smaller planes lacking these conveniences—making aisle seats near restrooms your next best bet.
Understanding aircraft type before booking helps set realistic expectations about seating choices when flying with an infant.
Packing Smartly For Your Infant’s Comfort In The Best Seat On Airplane With Infant
Even if you nail down the perfect seat, packing wisely plays a huge role in how smoothly your flight goes:
- Diaper bag essentials: Extra diapers, wipes, changing pad, plastic bags for dirty clothes.
- Feeding supplies: Bottles pre-filled if possible, formula packets if needed, snacks for older babies.
- Toys & comfort items: Favorite blanket or soft toy helps soothe restless infants.
- Sterilizing wipes & hand sanitizer: Keep germs at bay during diaper changes or feeding times.
- Meds & health items: Any prescribed medicines plus basics like gas drops or teething gels.
- Laundry bag: For separating soiled clothes from clean ones efficiently.
- A portable changing pad:This ensures cleanliness wherever you change diapers onboard.
Organize these essentials in easily accessible compartments so you don’t waste precious time digging through bags mid-flight while juggling an infant’s needs.
The Importance of Timing During Flights With Infants
Flight timing affects how well both parent and child cope onboard:
- Select flights aligned with your baby’s nap schedule whenever possible — this increases chances they’ll sleep through much of the journey.
- Avoid red-eye flights unless your baby already sleeps well overnight — otherwise expect crankiness from lack of routine sleep patterns disrupted by unfamiliar surroundings.
- If traveling internationally across time zones consider gradual adjustment days before departure — shifting nap times slightly toward destination time zones helps reduce jet lag effects on infants.
- Cruising altitude changes impact ear pressure — nursing or bottle-feeding during takeoff/landing helps equalize ear pressure preventing discomfort caused by rapid altitude shifts.
Planning around these natural rhythms reduces stress significantly while ensuring smoother transitions throughout travel days.
Key Takeaways: Best Seat On Airplane With Infant
➤ Choose bulkhead seats for extra legroom and bassinet use.
➤ Aisle seats offer easier access for moving with your infant.
➤ Window seats provide a quieter environment for your baby.
➤ Seats near the front allow quicker boarding and deplaning.
➤ Avoid seats near restrooms to minimize noise and traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best seat on airplane with infant for extra space?
The best seat on airplane with infant for extra space is typically a bulkhead seat. These seats have no seats directly in front, offering more legroom and room to manage diaper bags or soothe your baby comfortably during the flight.
Why choose a bulkhead seat as the best seat on airplane with infant?
Bulkhead seats are considered the best seat on airplane with infant because they often come with bassinet attachments. This allows infants to rest safely while freeing parents’ hands, making feeding and calming much easier during travel.
Are bassinets available in the best seat on airplane with infant options?
Yes, many airlines provide bassinets that attach to bulkhead seats, which are usually regarded as the best seat on airplane with infant. These bassinets have weight limits and are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so early booking is recommended.
How does proximity to restrooms affect choosing the best seat on airplane with infant?
The best seat on airplane with infant should be near restrooms and galley areas. Quick access makes diaper changes and bottle preparation easier, reducing stress and improving convenience during your flight.
What should be avoided when selecting the best seat on airplane with infant?
Avoid seats near noisy areas like lavatories or engines when choosing the best seat on airplane with infant. Noise can disturb your baby’s sleep and make the flight more challenging for both you and your child.
The Best Seat On Airplane With Infant – Final Thoughts
Finding the best seat on airplane with infant boils down to maximizing comfort, safety, and convenience all at once. Bulkhead rows equipped with bassinets remain king among families flying with young babies due to their generous space and specialized amenities tailored just right for little ones’ needs.
Aisle seats close to restrooms serve as excellent alternatives when bassinets aren’t available—offering freedom of movement critical during long flights filled with diaper changes and feedings. Window seats provide cozy privacy but may complicate mobility while middle seats should generally be avoided unless accompanied by another adult helper onboard.
Understanding airline policies ahead lets you secure prime seating spots early while choosing flights aligned with your child’s routine enhances overall ease aboard planes large or small. Thoughtful packing completes this trifecta by ensuring every essential item stays within reach throughout transit hours filled with unpredictability but also moments of pure bonding joy between parent and child.
Traveling by air with an infant isn’t simple—but armed with knowledge about where exactly sits best makes all difference between frazzled chaos and smooth sailing above clouds high into skies unknown!