The best airplane seat to book when flying with a baby

Even choosing a seat on an airplane can feel like a gamble. When you have a baby to add to the mix, the stakes are even higher.

“There is no one perfect seat for a small baby, but some seats are better than others,” Summer Hull, content director at The Points Guy, told HuffPost.

To help parents and caregivers make a more informed decision, HuffPost asked Hull and other travel experts with kids to share which seat they would choose when flying with a baby. Keep scrolling to learn their best practices.

Should you book a separate seat for your baby?

“When traveling with a baby, you first have to decide whether to even book a seat for him or her,” says Jurga Rubinovaite, founder of the travel blog Full Suitcase.

Rubinovaite noted that most airlines allow infants ages 0 to 2 to travel free on domestic or short-haul flights. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) all strongly recommend purchasing an airplane seat for babies and toddlers and using an appropriate child restraint system to protect them from the dangers of turbulence and other in-flight risks.

Comfort and logistical reasons also suggest that parents decide to buy a separate seat for their baby.

“Unless you are flying with a very young baby (0-8 months) and the flight is only a few hours long, I strongly recommend booking a separate seat for each child,” said Rubinovaite. “It may be more expensive, but don’t underestimate what it means to hold an active 18-month-old on your lap for hours.”

If you don’t purchase a separate seat for your baby, she recommends booking a window seat for one parent and an aisle seat for the other.

“With a bit of luck, the middle seat between you will be empty, and if not, you can always decide to switch – everyone will be happy not to have to sit in the middle,” Rubinovaite said.

Is the window or the hallway better?

“The aisle seat has the great advantage that you don’t disturb other passengers if you want to get up and walk around a bit or go to the bathroom,” said Rubinovaite. “However, if you are breastfeeding or your baby is sleeping, you may feel more comfortable in the window seat.”

The window seat can offer breastfeeding parents a little more privacy and may also be a little quieter.

“It feels like you have a little more space with the window seat,” said Stephanie Claytor, founder of the travel blog Blacktrekking. “I usually nurse my daughter to sleep, so a window seat gives me an extra surface to lean on to support my back. Plus, kids love looking out the window. It’s a great distraction for them.”

Rubinovaite also noted that the window seat is a better choice for parents flying with a special seat for their baby.

“If you want to take a child seat on board, book a window seat,” she said. “Child seats should not hinder other passengers in any way, so a window seat is the best choice.”

Which rows are best?

“Some parents prefer the first or last row to be closer to the galley and have room to stand up with the baby if needed. Others stay away from the galley area as it can be a bit noisier on a night flight or there is a greater chance of lights going on and off,” Hull said.

The optimal seat on the plane for a baby can also depend on factors such as cost or space.

“I find that it is usually cheaper to book seats further back in the plane, rows 24 to 28 on a Boeing 737, than at the front of the plane. Plus, I often have a seat or row to myself,” Claytor said.

What about baby bassinets on airlines?

Nowadays, many airlines offer special baby baskets on the plane to passengers traveling with babies.

“If you want to use the bassinet on aircraft types where it is available, you should select these seats as early as possible. Depending on the airline, you may be able to do this online or you may have to call to do so,” Hull said. “They are usually located in the bulkhead aisles and are more likely to be found on the larger, internationally configured aircraft.”

Rubinovaite recommends contacting the airline when booking your flight and asking for a baby cot, as there are usually only a limited number available.

“Front row seats with bassinets are by far the best option for parents on long-haul flights with small babies,” she said.

Even if you cannot book your preferred seat, the main goal is to book shared seats for your family.

“Just make sure you’ve selected seats next to each other in advance if you want them,” Hull said. “There are some safeguards in place now to ensure airlines try to accommodate families together, but aircraft changes and other issues do happen, so make sure you select seats not only when booking if possible, but also keep an eye on them in the days and weeks leading up to the flight.”

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