Comparing baby bassinets on different airlines

[AAsa]

I was a bit surprised to hear when I went home for Christmas that my 1 year old child was too big for the bassinet... but different airlines, seem to have different weight limit of their bassinets!

at Singapore Airlines they could provide a bit bigger bassinet, up to 15 kilos I believe.

Thai - only have bassinets for small babies, when we went home for Christmas with Thai he had to sleep in my arms the whole way....

Malaysian Airlines - seem to be ok with toddlers... last year, sat next to a mom with a 18-months who could sleep in the bassinet.

Any more experience to share? We are soon flying with Australian Airlines to Cairns... over night....

[Safety]

For safety's sake your 1 year old child should be secured in a car/baby seat on a seat of his/her own.

Bassinets are OK for very small babies but I have not put my son in one since he was 4 months old (able to sit up).

This was a stipulation on US airlines that I used and I followed that advice when travelling to and from Singapore.

He is too precious to take the chance ...

[qantas]

The bassinets are only designed for children to be in while sleeping when older- my 15 month old at 10.8 kg still fitted into the qantas bassinet but I don't think will when we next travel at 18 months( max weight limit- 11.8kg). If used correctly I don't feel there is a safety issue with the bassinets. There is a safety bar across the top which makes climbing out pretty difficult.

[cmdsea]

BA have a britax type car seat that they can fix in the bassinet position and into which the child is securely strapped. Not sure what ages this go up to but its definately older than the regular bassinet and may be worth phoning and asking them about if they fly the route you are taking..?

[july]

Does anyone have experience with United's bassinets? I'll be flying with my 13-month old who's barely 8kg and I've asked for a bassinet.  I'm wondering if I should buy a seat for her instead, strap in her car seat and let her sleep in it instead. We're flying to the US.

[to July]

Your baby is far too precious to risk NOT having her own seat.  At 13 months old she is probably very active & the journey to the US is far far too long to have a baby of this size on your lap for 18+ hours ...  

Bite the financial bullet, buy her own seat & take your car seat for extra safety, comfort & familiarity.

FI:  I have made this trip to the US several times with my baby/toddler & have bought a seat every trip since he was 4 months old.

Good luck!

[Not a comfort issue]

The reason to get a seat for a child who is able to sit independently is one of safety.  A child can not be left sitting in the basinette as they can not be restrained.  Aircraft fall into "holes" in the sky all the time - where the plane loses altitude in a matter of seconds.  The result is that anything not strapped in will hit the roof.  We personally had a friend who died this way a few years ago - she was a flight attendant who never made it back to her seat after arguing with some dimwit about buckling up his child during turbulence!

Little kids should either be in a seat of their own or on your lap with a lap belt - comfort be d@mned.

[july]

thanks for your advice.  Now to get that extra seat on a full flight!

[US is the worst]

Don't fly UA.  I flew with my 8 month old to the US twice with UA.  Horrible experiences.  UA does not provide wall mounted bassinet.  Rather, it's a bag that you put on the floor.  I was so applaud.  Never flown with UA again.  

[july]

thanks for your replies.  No choice for us. I've heard of UA's bad service but NW is worse. SQ doesn't fly to our destination and EVA is full.

[kellymarie]

Hi, BA car seat is good for weight up to 20kgs.  It has it own seat belts as well as being attached, child can sit either in an upright position or laying down, perfered this the singapore airline bassent, our baby is nine months and about 11kgs.