Taking our 9 month daugther in May 06 and will not be getting a seat for her. Any thoughts on whether or not first class will be easier on all of us than coach? We are flying non-stop from Newark, NJ

thanks.

There will be a lot more room for everyone plus you will get more personal attention. I think it would be worth the extra money.

>> "first class will be easier on all of us"
--- Yes. More room for all. Can push
the seat arm rests away on most flights so child can sit between you. At least in coach the arm rests can be pushed out of the way.

Hi Cat.

JMO, but I do not think first class is worth it with a baby. your 9 mos old will be fine.she will probably sleep the whole time.! Bring a portable Dvd player with her favorite movies,and she will be a happy camper!
I would really reconsider buying her a seat though. it is much easier than cramming in next to someone, sometimes, you just wanna have somewhere to put your child. If the plane is full.she is stuck on your laps the whole flight!

thanks all. we booked it and were able to use miles for the upgrade!

Cat,

I am sure you are a fabulous mother and want nothing but the best for your child, to that end...NEVER FLY W/O PUTTING YOUR CHILD IN A CARSEAT!!! Would you drive down a road @ 200 mph w/you child in your lap? God forbid there you have to have an emergency landing, you will be instructed to put your baby on the floor. If you strap her in the seat w/you, a sudden stop or drop during turbulence will crush her.

When United flight #232 crashed in Iowa, many of the fatalities were "lap" children. I am a former flight attendant and saw the interviews of the crew. Still makes me tear-up.

Forget your comfort and wallet, please keep your child safe.

I am not trying to put a damper on anything. Just rethink not purchasing a seat for her, it'll be worth it!

Have a wonderful trip, you'll love it.

Dear Marj
Thanks so much for the uplifting comments and your concern for our child.
Since you are a flight attendant perhaps you could enlighten the board with the incidence rate of clear air or any other severe turbulence during, say, the last 10 years on the route from EWR to AUA? Thanks in advance.
Regarding plane crashes I think whether in a seat or not there will be issues resulting from the rapid deceleration (even if only from 200mph as you say). Car seats, as the name implies, are designed to keep the child safe in the event of a car accident at moderate speeds (i.e. <<200mph). With this in mind, I doubt the outcome would be positive for a 9 month properly secured in a seat, in car, that hit something at >>100mph.
Thanks again. Cat

cat;
1st class is a nice option, however, most 1st class flights have only two seats per row. Chances of an open seat to situate your little one and reset your lap will be slim.

In the past (when our daugther flew gratis), we requested an aisle and window seat at check in, while kindly informing the ticket agent that we hoped the center seat remained unoccupied. To our pleasure we were able to secure the center seat on
all our trips aside from one return trip.

Alas, now with two children, both above the age of two, we are subject to the airline airfare and seating arangements.

Ralph

Cat;

If you can secure the center seat as Ralph mentioned that is great. However, During peak travel times the center seat is ususally occupied.

My wife and I travelled to Aruba this past Nov. At the time my son was 12m and we purchased a seat and travelled with the car seat. The flight was not full and could have opted to forgo the expense. Needless to say we could have skipped on the purchase but would be taking a chance. We thought it was better to strap him in and also have a seat for him to be comfortable in. He only fussed the last hour on flights to and from Laguardia.
Just food for thought.

go first class. your benefit, the child's benefit and the other passengers. i just arrived home on a flight with a baby nearby my seating. the poor family. the baby was having an extremely bad day. crying like a baby, as they say. everyone was so annoyed on the plane. i felt bad for everyone. especially the family. it was a night flight, so people wanted to sleep. no chance of that happening.
hopefully, your child will make things alittle easy on you. good luck and safe travelling.