As a parent of an infant or a lap baby, it is always a difficult decision to have a comfortable seat in an airplane during long or short-distance flights. Whether your child wants to sit in your lap or you want to save money by not occupying a seat, most parents prefer exit row seats due to their legroom capacity.

However, the question is, How Old To Sit In Exit Row Concerning Babies and Infants? The answer varies depending on the airline’s policies. But the most common practice is that an airline rarely allows infants or lap babies to sit in the exit-row seat.

What Is Exit Row Seat?

An exit row seat is located near the emergency exit gate on airplanes. These seats are very crucial during emergency evacuations. Airlines and aviation authorities have an apparent policy for the occupancy of these seats.

Not all passengers, especially parents with infants or lap babies, can occupy these seats. The only attraction of these seats is their ample leg area, which may lead to a comfortable journey to your destination. Otherwise, exit row seats come with lots of responsibilities and vigilance.

Exit Row Plane; Infants Regulation for Safety and Security

Parents or caregivers with infants or babies younger than two years are generally not permitted to occupy the exit row seats. For their inability to fulfill the job in an emergency. Sometimes parents carry car seats with them, extra extension belts, or baby strollers that can cause a mess and delay emergency exits.

It is safe for the baby and other passengers to follow the idea of some alternate place, like the window seats for their infants. Most airlines also recommend the same seating for infants.

Can Parents With A Lap Infant Handle The Responsibilities Of Exit Row Seating?

The exit row seat gives you extra space to travel comfortably and helps you save money. You can easily cut the traveling budget while saving on a ticket or a seat. However, exit row seats demand responsibility and vigilance. Parents carrying their infants are already occupied mentally as well as physically. So they need help to handle other emergency-like situations.

Parents with twin lap babies also covet the exit row seat. But the flight rules of one lap one baby don’t allow you even to occupy any seat while carrying two babies single-handedly. Then, the seat in the exit row is critical in calculating the liabilities it takes.

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Where to sit with the baby other than Exit Rows On Planes

It is recommended not to sit in the exit rows, especially when traveling with infants or kids. Booking seats in the ‘A’ or ‘C’ lanes is better. ‘A’ lane is the window side, and ‘C’ is the aisle side in the seating arrangements. Whether traveling with a single infant or a lap baby, both lanes suit you. You can also have the middle seat free, or you can even request the same.

People sometimes agree to switch seats. If adults with kids are not allowed to sit in the exit seat, then how old to sit in the exit row? As per the aviation rules, any adult at least 15 years old with no medical impairment can occupy the exit seat.

Airplane travel Requirements, especially for infants

Extra vigilance is required as a passenger when traveling with an infant or lap child. You need to:

Any document that proves your child is under two years old, like an immunization card or birth certificate. Some airlines strictly follow the rules, while others are lenient and make an estimation through oral figuration.

While reserving your seat, ensure you get one where your baby is comfortable. And if it is a long flight, book a separate seat for your baby. Check with your airline if it allows you to board with a stroller or car seat. Take some toys that keep your infant busy, particularly during take-off and landing.

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Follow the specific instructions the airlines gave regarding lap babies or infants. The most important thing is to consult your infant’s pediatrician before air travel for any precautionary measures.

Restriction For lap babies in Exit Row Seats

All airlines adhere to the rules and regulations regarding exit row seats. The safety of the passengers and the lap babies must free that seat for a more competent person.

A vigilant and in a good healthy person is eligible to sit in the exit row. And plane attendants have clear instructions regarding this. They have all the authority to change the exit seat under these directions.

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Alternate Airplane seat with the lap babies

If you are in quest of the answer to how old to sit in the exit row, particularly when you are accompanying a lap baby. You need ample space to remain comfortable during long travels. However, the aviation authorities typically forbid it.

Some alternate seats on the airplane can be comfortable for you and your lap baby. Like:

The Bulkhead Seats

Frequent travelers also covet it because of the added privacy and legroom. Parents with lap babies or infants are comfortable in this area. There is no one on the front side except the divider, parents or caregivers carry extra stuff with a baby, which is why they feel comfortable with such seat locations in airplanes.

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The Bassinet Seats

The airline provides a bassinet in front of bulkhead seats for the parents of lap babies to remain comfortable during the flight. However, these seats are provided as per the child’s age and weight.

Aisle Seats

For parents of lap babies, the aisle seats are also comfortable. They can quickly move to meet their babies’ needs without bothering others. They are more flexible in soothing their infant’s requirements, like changing a diaper, feeding, or taking a walk in the aisle for a while.

Window Seats

Window seats are also comfortable for passengers traveling with kids younger than two years old. It provides a sense of privacy and keeps the child busy. It also makes the infant more comfortable when they don’t feel confined in a place for an extended time.

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Is The Behind Exit Row Comfortable With Twin Lap Babies

Sitting behind the exit row seat with an infant in your lap is uncomfortable. As a frequent traveler, you may know that the noise, limited leg space, and controlled access to other services can disturb you and him. Opt for an airplane’s bassinet or bulkhead seat when choosing another option other than the exit seat.

Emergency Exit Seats On Planes; Can I Adjust the Car Seat There?

Emergency exit seats are vital for evacuation; you can’t put a baby’s car seat there. You must maintain this space unoccupied under aviation regulations so that you have freedom of movement and are not restrained in case of an emergency.

Instead, these seats are for those fit to operate and act in a crisis. And putting the car seat in such an area is contrary to everything.

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Traveling Suggestions For Young Twins, A Baby On Your Lap, Or An Infant

You need to plan ahead if you are going to travel with young children. Some of the common considerations are listed under:

  • Book your seat well before your travel date to have a seat as per your kid’s requirements, like the bassinet or bulkhead seats.
  • Choose the airline that is as per your infant’s sleep times.
  • If you are traveling with twins, you should know the one-baby, one-lap rule. So make the necessary arrangements to avoid last-minute stress.
  • Keep the toys or other engaging gadgets that are the favorite of your infants to keep them busy all the time.
  • Feed them during the taking-off or landing times to minimize the ear pressure or discomfort feelings.
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Conclusion

To know how old to sit in the exit row, the simple answer is that anyone above 15 and fully fit to comprehend any critical situation can occupy the exit seat. For lap baby parents, bassinet or bulkhead seats are the best options. These provide the same space, legroom, and privacy to travel with your infant as their needs.

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Frequently Ask Questions

Exit row seats are not meant for lap babies. Aviation authorities in all countries have strict rules and regulations to combat emergencies.
With babies, you move with extra luggage that can restrict passenger movement in any critical situation. Avoid occupying the exit row with a baby in your lap for safety and security.

It is a very lucrative seat, because of the ample legroom and minimal disturbances. Regular travelers know its importance. However, there are also rules and regulations against the occupation of this seat.

You need to be alert and calm even in times of emergency if it is required to operate the exit gate. Consequently, it would help if you could do as the crew member directs.

So the experts never recommend parents with babies go for this seat, especially during long travels.

The general question is, how old to sit in the exit row in an airplane? The ideal age is 15 and above. However, it matters more how responsible you behave than how old you are.

Furthermore, your vigilance and quickness are essential to having the exit seat. Then you are medically fit and can understand the language, especially the indigenous language, and English as the international language.

It is less associated with age and more related to the intelligence of a person or even a child. If a kid less than 15 years old is showing more alertness and watchfulness, he can sit in the exit gate row. The airplane staff has full authority.

They can change your seat if you do not meet the eligibility criteria. As they have clear instructions related to this seat in particular. Then it is a matter of safety and security of all passengers, including the airplane’s crew.

The only attraction of having an exit seat is its ample space to handle and travel comfortably if it’s a long flight. Otherwise, you can’t use an extra belt extension, put the stroller or car seat on, or engage in any other activity that can hinder other passengers’ movement at any critical moment during the flight.

Instead of this, with a lap baby or infant, you can book bulkhead seats or bassinet seats. These also give you the same privacy and space to manage your kid’s extra engaging luggage.

Some airlines charge you the same as their regular charges for the exit seat. Others entail some extra cost under the guise of added space, privacy, and additional amenities they offer.

Apparently, exit seats are comfortable but beware of the liabilities they carry. You do not need to pay extra to fulfill extra responsibilities.

You should take all precautions before boarding with a baby in your lap. As they are too young to know the regulations and segmentation of any place in an airplane.

Ensure you have the document to prove your child’s age, and then you should have the infant’s gear to keep them busy during their wake times.

Prefer to book seats that are less annoying for you and your babies, like a bassinet or bulkhead seat. Avoid having a seat in exit row as you should know how old to sit in the exit row.