Is it possible to add a flight ticket for a baby who hasn't been born yet?

Hello, We’re planning to fly from Paris to Bangkok at the end of June with my wife, our daughter, and the baby who’ll be 4 months old by then. The baby won’t be born for another 2 months, and I was wondering if it’s possible to book the 3 flight tickets now and add the baby after the birth? I read that a ticket isn’t necessary for babies. Can you confirm this for me? Is there a risk that in 2 months they’ll tell me the flight is full and we can’t add our baby? Finally, is it possible to reserve a seat in the first row (where there’s the most space) right now? Thanks so much for your help

Hello, You want to book a ticket and you write, "Because I read that a baby doesn’t need a ticket for babies." From my past experience on a flight from Paris to Germany, you do need a ticket for a baby, even if that ticket is free. It was booked last minute but on a European flight. Check with the airline or a travel agency. Safe travels!

Hello,

Because I read that it wasn’t necessary to buy a ticket for babies. Can you confirm this?

A baby must have a ticket and is linked to an adult.

Is there a risk that in 2 months they’ll tell me the flight is full and we can’t add your baby?

A baby (under 2 years old) doesn’t have a seat on board.

Finally, is it possible to book a seat in the first row (where there’s the most space) right now?

Check with the airline you’ve chosen. Sometimes those seats—where the cabin crew sets up a bassinet after takeoff—are blocked specifically for passengers with babies. Booking in two separate steps isn’t straightforward and can be risky if it’s essential for you. These seats are usually only available on certain long-haul aircraft. For short flights, the baby travels on an adult’s lap.

Hi, as mentioned before, you obviously need to get a (free) ticket for the baby. The bulkhead seats, which are located in front of the partitions, are reserved as a priority for travelers with children under 2 years old. For example, on Air France, it's impossible to book a ticket for a child between 0 and 5 years old without being accompanied. The solution: contact the airline by phone to add the baby's seat to the ticket where the parents are listed. At check-in, you'll at least be assigned a bulkhead seat.

Hi there,

as already mentioned, you obviously need to get a ticket (free) for the baby.

The baby ticket isn’t free. Here are some random examples with Air France and Thai Airways.

At check-in, you’ll at least be assigned a bulkhead seat.

Those rare middle seats where you can put a bassinet are often booked way in advance by families. Slim chance of getting one last-minute.

Hello,

as already mentioned, you obviously need to get a (free) ticket for the baby.

The baby ticket isn’t free. Random examples with Air France and Thai Airways.

Children under 2 don’t pay for tickets, but of course, they do pay taxes (airport and miscellaneous) to be precise. It’s good you pointed out there’s still something to pay, though.

Those rare middle seats where you can put a bassinet are often booked far in advance by families. Slim chance of getting them last-minute.

That’s one point of view. Of course, it’s always better to plan ahead. But from my own long experience traveling with very young kids, we’ve never had a problem getting those famous seats.

You misread the screenshots.

In the Air France example I provided, the baby flight fare is 76.00 € + 2.72 € in taxes. On Thai Airways, the baby ticket costs 110 € + 38.53 € in taxes.

A baby ticket is never free.

Children under 2 don’t pay for tickets, though they do pay taxes (airport and miscellaneous) to be precise. It’s good you pointed out there’s still something to pay.

A flight ticket for a baby is never free; there are always taxes to pay. You’ll only pay these taxes if you specify you’re not requesting a "baby bassinet" and agree to keep your baby on your lap throughout the flight. With Air France for a flight to Réunion (with a baby bassinet), it’s around 76 € one-way on a Paris/La Réunion flight. So that’s 152 € round-trip + about 2 or 3 € in taxes...

And then the first question to ask yourself: what are you going to offer this poor baby? Extremely high temperatures with unusual humidity... Can’t it really wait 1 or, better yet, 3 years?... So they can enjoy it a little too?

Hi there, After 65, aren’t the issues pretty much the same?😏

what are you going to offer this poor baby?

A bottle with a dash of Calvados in the milk so they sleep well—and the other passengers too, while you're at it.

Good evening. After 65, do you also have to wait 2 or 3 years to return to Vietnam? 😉

Thanks for your replies. I contacted the airline, and sure enough, it’s possible to add a baby to the booking after they’re born and request a seat right at the front. And to answer the question, “What are you going to offer this poor baby? Extremely high temperatures with unusual humidity... Can’t it really wait 1 or, better yet, 3 years?... So they can enjoy it a bit too?” The answer is introducing them to their family in Thailand ;)

Sure, but just think about how much fun they’ll have sweating and getting irritated in their diapers! And what’s the point of taking them to that country? Kids start enjoying seeing different animals from around age 3, but a baby... with the hygiene conditions!!! To me, it’s just irresponsible—let’s call it what it is: parental selfishness. They’re doing it for themselves, or at least they *think* they are... Let’s hope everything goes well for the poor baby dragged along on this adventure.

Can it really not wait 1 or better yet 3 years?... so they can enjoy it a bit too?" the answer is introducing them to their family in Thailand ;)

My expat family faced the same dilemma, and my kids didn’t wait either to travel with their babies!

for me, it’s irresponsible, and let’s be honest, parental selfishness... they’re doing it for themselves, or so they think... let’s hope everything goes well for the poor baby dragged along on this adventure

Uh, I think you didn’t quite get it... grandparents need to see their grandkids—it’s totally natural, especially when you value family. Our grandkids have always handled the trip just fine and weren’t bothered by jet lag or temperature changes

and to ask for a seat right at the front.

Subject to availability, and there are very few depending on the aircraft type. Otherwise, you’ll have to hope for an empty seat next to you where you can place your baby after takeoff and landing, when the crew will give you an extension belt to keep your baby on your lap. At worst, you’ll have to hold your baby on your lap for the entire flight if the plane is full.

Which airline are you planning to travel with?

Hi Jérôme,

The bassinet is in any case only available at cruising altitude: what you described for takeoff and landing applies whether there is one or not.

Michel

Hi Michel,

Of course, during takeoff and landing, the procedure is the same no matter the seat. Just hope that by booking in two stages, a bassinet will be available on all flights 🤰

Also talk to your pediatrician for advice on the flights and once you're there.

Hi Samy,

What a joy for the family to welcome the new baby! Kids adapt better than we adults do, and living conditions are improved, especially in this country. Let’s stop overprotecting our children. Plus, you’re already familiar with the basic safety rules specific to Thailand. Have a great trip!

Oops, in that case—and only in that case—I understand. We’ve seen so many families traveling with a very young baby and struggling with diaper changes, bottles, heat rashes from the humid weather, and difficulties managing the baby’s sleep schedule during trips when they have to wait for a boat or bus transfer for an hour in the sun! And they were surprised they hadn’t anticipated all these challenges, which ended up taking up all their time making sure the baby was comfortable (thankfully!) and causing them to miss out on their own selfish pleasures—beaches, clear waters, mangroves, and other boat rides or songthaew trips. So have a great trip, because at least your baby will be taken care of and get the most out of the AC!

Thanks again for all your advice. Actually, the goal of this trip is to introduce the future baby to their in-laws, not to ride elephants or go on a safari. And since I lived there for 3 years, I have no doubt the baby will adapt to the heat and everything else (Thailand is way more developed than France in many ways :) ). The airline will be Vietnam Airlines

Hello,

The airline will be Vietnam Airlines

Okay, so transit through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh. Until Vietnam, the airline usually uses the A350 for quite some time now, and then a smaller capacity single-aisle Airbus aircraft to reach Bangkok. And of course, exit row seats are prohibited for safety reasons.

You’ll notice that on the A350, there are very few bassinets, and on the single-aisle Airbus flights to Bangkok, there aren’t any. So, baby will be on an adult’s lap.

Vietnam Airlines - AeroLOPA | Detailed aircraft seat plans

Vietnam Airlines | Infants and children on board



Book the bassinet as soon as possible for the two long flights.

Yes, that’s right. Thanks! :)