Can a Baby Sit in Exit Row? 7 Important Things You Need to Know

This post will explore whether you can have your baby sit in exit row. Exit row seats can provide you with much-needed comfort and sufficient mobility during your flight, thanks to the extra legroom. Of course, you’d be so lucky to have your seat there. But that doesn’t make exit rows a proper spot for your baby during a flight. In fact, exit row seats are child-free seats for babies less than two.  However, when it comes to flying with a baby, there are some rules to note.

What are exit row seats?

Exit row seats, also called emergency exit seats, are located in the same row as the emergency exit doors of a plane. Due to the extra legroom, exit row seats are highly coveted. That’s why some airlines reserve exit seats for elite frequent fliers or charge extra for them. So if there’s a chance you can have an extra legroom seat all to yourself, why not take your lap baby along and still enjoy the available space? Well, there are exit row policies that may prevent you from doing so.

Rules governing baby sit in exit row: Lap infants and exit rows

A lap child is a baby under two years old traveling without a paid seat. Having your child sit on your lap is a great way to save money on flight tickets. But there are safety rules associated with that. According to FAA regulations, neither children under the age of 15 nor passengers who are looking after small children are permitted to sit in exit rows. For more details regarding the exit row policy of your airline, please get in touch with their customer service.  Another rule is “One lap infant per adult.” So if you’re traveling with twins, you can only hold one of them. If you’re traveling with your partner or another older child, they can lap the other baby in front or behind you.

Where should you sit with your lap baby on a plane?

Safety experts recommend booking a window seat if you’re flying with a lap infant. If you can afford it, of course, it’s always best practice and most comfortable to reserve a middle seat for your baby. As a couple flying with a lap baby, it’s advisable to do the A and C booking approach. “A” is the window seat, C the aisle seat, and B goes in-between. However, this works best if the middle (B) seat is free so you can place your baby there. In that case, the baby is between the parents. What could be better? For example, if you travel with Alaska Airlines, you’d find out that they keep the middle seat next to a lap baby free if the plane isn’t full. You can claim that seat for free and have your lap baby sit in it, perhaps when you get tired carrying them. However, that’s not an official policy because that seating arrangement isn’t always feasible. Airlines only consider it best practice. Sometimes, the plane does get full, and it would be uneconomical to leave a middle seat free next to a lap infant. In such scenarios, booking a window seat, never on the exit row, for your baby is crucial. What if the middle seat next to you is occupied? If the middle seat next to you is occupied, look around if there’s a free one nearby. You can plead with your neighbor to switch seats. Chances are, when they see you’re carrying a baby, they’ll agree to move. If they don’t, you really don’t have to push it. But there’s really nothing to worry about. Most parents report their experiences on planes, saying that other passengers are always willing to switch out of middle seats for the aisle or window. So if the plane is full and the middle seat next to you is occupied, never be afraid to ask. And since people are willing to switch seats for couples, chances are you and your spouse will end up in the same row with your baby on full flights. Your seat assignment cannot be changed after you’ve been checked in at the airport. So if no one agrees to switch seats with you, be ready to make do with what you have.

Sitting rules when flying with two babies

The strict rule is two lap babies must never sit on the same row. If there are two adults and two lap babies, book two window seats. While you hold one, have your partner hold the other in the window seat behind or in front of you. In summary, the A and C (window and aisle) booking approach wouldn’t work when you travel with two lap infants. Note: To qualify as a lap infant, your baby must be under 2 years old. So if they’re up to 2 or more, they may sit with you anywhere on the plane, even on an emergency exit seat. Then, it would be more about your preferences than rules. Although most international flights allow lap children, it may not be totally free as with domestic flights.

Should my baby wear a face mask while flying?

It seems the covid-19 pandemic has come to stay for a while, and our lives are changing alongside it. People now ask whether their babies are required to put on face masks when on a plane. According to the CDC, for safety reasons, lap babies need not and should not wear face masks when flying. Children over two are required to wear a face mask while flying.

Can you bring a child seat on a plane?

For your child’s utmost comfort and safety, you can bring an FAA-approved child seat inside the plane. Check the child safety seat to see if it meets the specifications for use on a plane as per FAA requirements. However, note that it’s not a standard requirement to bring an FAA-approved car seat on board a plane. Also, the width of aircraft seats varies, and a car seat child restraint system wider than 17.8 inches will likely not fit. It’s therefore a good idea to check the seat dimensions. The flight attendants would give you a belt to restrain your child to their seat if you paid for their ticket.

Baggage allowance for lap babies

Generally, babies flying on paid tickets get the same luggage allowance as adults. Things change when you have a lap infant. Your under-two-year-old infant flying on your lap is not given a checked luggage allowance on most US domestic airlines. The baggage will be checked together with yours and will attract the extra baggage fees charged by the airline. Luckily, you can bring in assistive devices like car seats and strollers at no extra cost, and they won’t be counted against your luggage allowance, whether your child is traveling as a lap infant or with a paid ticket.

Helpful tips when flying with a baby

Change diapers before boarding

Changing diapers in the tight confines of the airplane bathroom can be quite uncomfortable. Even though you’ll still get to change diapers mid-air, doing it just before boarding will reduce the number of times you’ll need to do that.

Bring some form of identification to prove your kid’s age

Since some rules apply to lap children, most airlines would require you to prove your child is below two years old. A birth certificate or immunization record can serve as proof of age. Some airlines would not ask if merely looking at your child makes their age bracket obvious.

Keep your baby occupied during takeoff and landing

Adults are more developed, but still, you’ll often feel the disturbance in your ear as the plane lands or takes off. Your baby is less developed, so imagine how it’d be for them. It will help if you breastfeed them during those specific moments to help ease the pressure. Hearing aid 

Don’t go with a supplemental lap restraint

The FAA has banned the use of supplemental lap restraints or extension seat belt, so it’s best to save yourself the trouble. Booster seats may be used during the flight but not during takeoff or landing. Note that some airlines such as Alaska Airlines do not allow seat belt extensions in exit row seats.

Check the seat map before check-in

It’s a great idea to check the plane’s seat map before checking in as some airlines allow passengers to choose their preferred seats in advance. 24 hours before departure is ample time. At the very least, doing so will give you an idea of where you and your baby (and maybe partner, too) will sit so that you can prepare beforehand. If not, ask the gate agent before boarding to know if there will be a passenger beside you. Note that some airlines may reserve some seats for operational reasons and won’t allow seat selection with basic economy tickets.

Bottom line

Age determines whether you can have your baby sit in an emergency exit row seat. Babies less than 2-year-old are not allowed to sit in exit rows. The best seat to book when flying with a lap baby is the window seat, and you can set them on the middle one if it’s empty. Infants below two years of age also typically get discounts on their tickets, so if you can afford it, that would make things more comfortable for you.

FAQs

Why can’t kids sit in exit rows?

Due to safety regulations, passengers sitting in the exit row must be at least 15 years old and physically capable of providing assistance during an emergency; therefore, kids under the age of 15 cannot occupy this seat.

How old do you have to be to sit in an exit row?

The minimum age requirement in the United States is 15 years old. Being strong, agile, and able to control both arms and legs are essential skills to have in order to be able to assist in an emergency in the cabin.

What are the items that can be carried for free when traveling with a child?

 In addition to carry-on bag and personal items, you can bring in the followling items for free – milk or formula, diaper bag, breast pump, FAA-approved car seat, and compact folding stroller.

Are exit rows safer?

Exit rows are generally considered to be the safest seats as compared to standard seats on a plane due to their location. They are located at the back of the plane, away from any potential turbulence and engine noise. Additionally, they provide more legroom than other seats, allowing passengers to stretch out and relax during air travel.  A study conducted in 2011 at the University of Greenwich revealed that people sitting nearest to the emergency exits were most likely to survive a crash.

What are the best plane seats for child when traveling with a baby?

The best way for a baby to travel by airplane is in their own seat, secured with an FAA-approved car seat. For parents who are traveling with an infant of fewer than 2 years old (as long as they still fit into it) and do not have their own seat, a bassinet is a great choice. The back row of the plane can also be advantageous due to its proximity to the galley, which makes it easier to get up and walk around to settle a crying baby.