A bassinet seat is a place for your little one to not only sleep, but to play and eat as well. The bassinet also offers a convenient place to change your baby. This is especially helpful since the bathroom changing stations on airplanes are small and very difficult to maneuver in.
The bassinet seat is located in the bulkhead, so you will have more leg room for yourself and room for your child to play on the floor. The bassinet will allow you to have your hands free to keep yourself occupied during the flight. If you are traveling with another adult, you can even take a nap while the other passenger keeps an eye on the baby.
When you choose to use a bassinet seat, you don't have to pay for an additional seat for your child, saving you the cost of an extra ticket. Most airlines charge a 10 percent fee for an infant riding on a passenger's lap. However, beyond that fee, there is usually no extra charge for a bassinet.
Passengers who have used the bassinet seats have a few complaints about their experiences. Since the bassinet seat is attached to the bulkhead, the seats can be difficult to get unless they are booked far in advance. Another problem with being in the bulkhead is the movie screen is also located in the bulkhead on some airlines. This can be a distraction to some babies when it is time to sleep.
Depending on the age of your child, another problem can be the weight limit. For most bassinets, there is a weight limit of 24 pounds. The bassinets are typically 28 inches long, 12 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
On long-haul flights, some frequent travelers firmly believe that buying an extra seat for your infant is worth the cost. When you purchase an extra seat, you can secure your child's infant car seat in that seat. This is a convenient solution for many reasons. Your child is already used to his or her car seat and may have a better chance of sleeping longer because he feels secure. If you hit rough turbulence or have a rough landing, your child is safer in an infant seat than in your lap. It will also be helpful to have your infant seat with you when you arrive at your destination. While most airlines will check a child car seat for free, the car seat may get bumped around and damaged in the cargo hold during the flight.
