Claiming a 2 yr old is under 2 for flight?

JJesch · January 2010

DH is going to Anaheim in April for work and I found a ticket for $300 and DD and I could go with him and have a free hotel etc and I could take DD to Disneyland. DD will turn 2 exactly 3 weeks before we go. Can I claim she is still under 2 to get her to ride on my lap? Will they ask for any proof of her age? If I have to pay another $300 for her own seat I don't think we will go. What would you do?

Edit - I would be flying United.

BMenz · January 2010

you have to bring proof of age via birth certificate. some will say that they didn't even check the BC, but we just flew SW yesterday and before I could even pull his BC out, the ticket agent was asking for it (ds is only 19m)

redstars93 · January 2010

I wouldn't lie because most airlines require that you have proof of age (i.e. birth cert or shots record).

Whether or not they check it is another thing.

busygal · January 2010

We have been asked for DD"s birth cert every time and she was not even a year yet whenever we flew. YMMV.

punkfiction_v.3 · January 2010

they only did not check aidan bc she had her own seat. they told me that. "do you have her birth cert? oh nevermind. she has her own seat"

JJesch · January 2010

Shoot. I flew with her in November from Omaha to Denver on United and I didn't even bring her birth certificate because I think I read on their site I didn't need it? I'm not sure why I didn't bring it but no one asked for it ever.

Brit&Nate · January 2010

I wouldn't recommend lying, but we've flown with DD at least ten times and have only been asked for her passport when flying internationally. We've never been asked for her birth cert. domestically.

KeepingItLowKey · January 2010

It depends on the airline. A few will ask for proof, but some don't. SW's policy is to show proof (they wanted proof when DD was 5 months- I was kind of annoyed), and I think Delta and NW ask for proof... United and USAirways didn't ask.

emiliemadison · January 2010

They might ask for proof of age. This isnt one of those "kids 4 and under eat free" things where your say your 5 year old is only 4 so you dont have to pay for a meal they may or may not even eat. This is a legal issue and a safety issue.

You are legally required to buy a seat for any person 2 or over. The end.

punkfiction_v.3 · January 2010

and p.s. its a waste to take her to disney at 2 anyway.

kelbrian · January 2010

Either don't go or buy her a seat. No way would I risk it. It would become a legal mess if you were caught, as it is deemed unsafe for children over the age of two to ride without a seat of their own.

And I agree with Punk. I don't think it would be fun to take a two year old to Disney.

Sunny1inTucson · January 2010

Unfortunately, you need to pay for her seat. You could risk it, but you are at the mercy of an agent asking for a copy of her birth certificate and then you are SOL.

We've flown at least 7x (can't keep track of the official number) and have never been asked for a copy of her birth certificate.

But I think as they get nearer to 2 and look it, we might get asked. I dunno.

FYI she is not too young for Disneyland. We did it with DD at 10 months and she had a blast. Jungle Cruise was her fave.

jays_bride · January 2010

SW's site specifically says they will check for bc. I have flown with DD 4 times (3mos, 9mos, 15mos, 20mos) and have never been asked for it ~ good thing too, because I've never had it with me!

carrie4g · January 2010

About 60% of the time I've been asked by SW but that is because LO looks big for his age. One time, they asked coming back and hadn't asked going and I didn't have it with me. They tried to charge me a seat for LO until I threw a fit because they didn't check going over (and I said, "Look - he doesn't have any teeth - he's not 2 yet!"). If your LO doesn't look 2 than I say risk it but know that you might have to cough up the money at the airport.

tmp-336341562506044 · January 2010

punkfiction_v.3:
and p.s. its a waste to take her to disney at 2 anyway.

Well crap. We leave for Disney next week with a 2 year old. Stick out tongue

Paigeo · January 2010

I wouldn't do it but there is no way my DD could be a lap child right now. She is way too squirmy. I flew with her last month when she was 20 months and very glad I bought her a seat.

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