After flight rescheduled infant is >2 years old. Do I need to buy a new ticket?
I have a two-way airline ticket for an infant with no separate seat. The airline canceled flight back and rescheduled tickets for a new date.
But on this new date, an infant is already 2 years old, so the airline wants me to buy a new ticket for her.
The rescheduling happened not because of us. Are there any rules for cases like this?
UPD. The airline company is Turkish Airlines. The reason for flight cancelation is the COVID crisis and governments closing borders. Though borders were officially reopened 2 weeks before the child's 2nd birthday, so after that it was a company's decision. It seems to be a collision.
Best Answer
I can empathize with your plight. Logic and common sense would say that you complied with the letter and the spirit of the airline rules when purchasing the ticket. Through no fault of your own, you will be out of compliance with those requirements after the rescheduling of the flight. And, there is no Appreciable difference between an average 23 month old infant and an average 25 month old toddler. There’s even less of a difference between a 729 day old child and a 731 day old child. Logic and common sense would say that the airline should make accommodations for you to be able to hold your daughter.
Unfortunately, in the US, there are also federal regulations with which you must consider and the airline is required to ensure you comply. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91.107(a)(e)(i) States the following:
§91.107?Use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, and child restraint systems.
(i) Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided that the person being held has not reached his or her second birthday and does not occupy or use any restraining device;
The aviation authorities of other countries probably have similar regulations.
Check with the headquarters of the airline. I don’t see how they are obligated to provide a free seat for your child. But, good customer service would dictate that they accommodate or compensate you somehow while staying in compliance with federal regulations. After all, the reschedule of your flight was their fault and not yours.
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Does a 2 year old need a flight ticket?
Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can't travel alone under any circumstances.What happens if infant turns 2 on return flight?
If a child turns 2 years during the trip, they need to have a child ticket instead of infant ticket, due to the seating on the return flight.How much is a flight ticket for a 2 year old?
Most major airlines allow children under the age of 2 to fly free as lap children, resting on an adult's lap for the duration of the flight. But you'll typically be charged full fare for a child who is 2 years old and up. Luckily, some airlines occasionally offer kids fly free promotions.Can you add an infant to a flight after booking?
Some airlines will allow you to add a lap child at the time of booking when making your reservation online. If you do not have this option, once you have completed your reservation, you will need to call the reservations department and add your child to your reservation.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Esranur Kalay, Erik Mclean, Julia Volk, Anastasiya Gepp