Travelling with 2.5yo - A332 J

[pangwen]

I'm currently planning a flight interstate with my 2yo (well, between 2.5-3 if that makes any difference). It's Little Pangwen's first flight, and there is an option to fly J on a QF A330-200. Having not flown with a young child before, I had a few questions:

- I know that being over 2yo, a separate seat is required (ie LP can't sit in my lap). However, from the reviews I've read it looks like the A332 J seat has a three-point seat belt like a car. How does that work with children? I feel like this shouldn't be a new problem as it looks like other children have flown internationally in business, but I just can't visualise what happens (in my mind-visualisation, the diagonal part of the belt will be over his face or something since he's not as tall as an adult).
- Somewhat related to the above, my quick googles have suggested things like CARES harnesses or car seats. For the life of me I can't ever remember seeing anybody bring something like that on board before, but maybe I'm just not observant. Is this a thing I should be doing?
- I'm thinking of seating LP in one of the centre seats, specifically the ones which have the side console between the aisle and the seat so that they're not as 'exposed'/distracted (e.g. 1F, 2E, 3F). Would any more experienced family fliers have other suggestions?

I'm planning to call Qantas about the first question tomorrow, but given the potentially niche nature of this question (small child who can't sit in a lap, sitting in wide-body J) I'm not confident I'll get an informed answer.

Thanks all for your help!

 

[Cynicor]

For takeoff and landing my little ones have been allowed in my lap, so we did this mostly. Otherwise they just work the belt however it works, with the sash behind the head usually as they are small. Due to the sign being on from pushback to cruising, it’s quite a while for them to be in their own seat, and possibly scary.
I’d just do lap and not ask permission, make a deal of their age being more than 2 etc.

 

[Quickstatus]

For the life of me I can't ever remember seeing anybody bring something like that on board before

I've used 2 car seats for the twins when they were 2. Lap belt secures the car seat

 

[Quickstatus]

For the life of me I can't ever remember seeing anybody bring something like that on board before

I've used 2 car seats for the twins when they were 2. Lap belt secures the seat whether rear or front facing

There are YT videos

QF car seat rules
Some seats may be compatible with top tether anchor points but it requires an engineer to come on board to make it happen.

 

[qkslvr]

I'm currently planning a flight interstate with my 2yo (well, between 2.5-3 if that makes any difference). It's Little Pangwen's first flight, and there is an option to fly J on a QF A330-200. Having not flown with a young child before, I had a few questions:

- I know that being over 2yo, a separate seat is required (ie LP can't sit in my lap). However, from the reviews I've read it looks like the A332 J seat has a three-point seat belt like a car. How does that work with children? I feel like this shouldn't be a new problem as it looks like other children have flown internationally in business, but I just can't visualise what happens (in my mind-visualisation, the diagonal part of the belt will be over his face or something since he's not as tall as an adult).
- Somewhat related to the above, my quick googles have suggested things like CARES harnesses or car seats. For the life of me I can't ever remember seeing anybody bring something like that on board before, but maybe I'm just not observant. Is this a thing I should be doing?
- I'm thinking of seating LP in one of the centre seats, specifically the ones which have the side console between the aisle and the seat so that they're not as 'exposed'/distracted (e.g. 1F, 2E, 3F). Would any more experienced family fliers have other suggestions?

I'm planning to call Qantas about the first question tomorrow, but given the potentially niche nature of this question (small child who can't sit in a lap, sitting in wide-body J) I'm not confident I'll get an informed answer.

Thanks all for your help!

We've just flown to and from the UK in J with SQ and EK, travelling with an almost 3 year old and a 6 year old.

If the A330 Business cabin has a pair of centre seats that provide easy access to your LO (ie. the two seats closest together rather than the aisle-side seats), I'd recommend those. If I'm looking at the correct seat map for your aircraft, it doesn't appear to offer that configuration though unfortunately.

My next choice would be two aisle-facing seats opposite each other, such as 4F and 3K. That way, your child can still see you at all times. If you think they'll be comfortable without direct eye contact then the extra privacy of the seats you suggested could be the better option.

A few other tips from our experience:

- Prepare them for the seatbelt sign. We found it really helpful to show our little one a few Youtube videos beforehand explaining why everyone has to wear their seatbelt when the sign is on. It helped them understand why they couldn't get up during take off and landing. If the crew allow them to sit on your lap though, even better.
- Bring your own entertainment for boarding such as a tablet, phone, or activity book ready for boarding and take-off. Our little one was getting frustrated because the frequent PA announcements and safety video kept interrupting their movie.
- Don't worry about what other Business Class passengers think. Perhaps you aren't worried, but I was a bit concerend having not travelled in J very much myself. Honestly though, we found people to be very friendly and understanding. As long as you're making a reasonable effort to keep your child from running up and down the aisle or disturbing others, most people are very accommodating. In fact, some adults in Business Class are far less considerate than most toddlers!

 

[elanshin]

I'm legitimately curious if 4 seats in Economy would work out better for very young kids - assuming 2 parents + 1 child.
(this is something I'll have to consider in the not too distant future as well).

 

[Cynicor]

I'm legitimately curious if 4 seats in Economy would work out better for very young kids - assuming 2 parents + 1 child.
(this is something I'll have to consider in the not too distant future as well).

nah, comfort is way better in J!

 

[Quickstatus]

My next choice would be two aisle-facing seats opposite each other, such as 4F and 3K

Remember that car seats are not allowed to be attached to aisle seats

I'm legitimately curious if 4 seats in Economy would work out better for very young kids - assuming 2 parents + 1 child.

this is always a great alternative
- buying that extra 4th seat as an extra

 

[Silvia]

The CARES hareness can be used but you need to fit them, the crew won't do this for you. You can certainly do car seats.
We did J on A332 with a 2.5 yro back then and it can be tricky due to the seat configuration. The seatbelt is more than fine. Do lots of practice! the main issue is keeping them with the seatbelt on!
I probably recommend the seats closer to the aisle. You could book 4 E, F and 3K. The seats closer to the aisle work best for a parent and a child as opposed to having them in the middle seats.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Remember that car seats are not allowed to be attached to aisle seats


this is always a great alternative
- buying that extra 4th seat as an extra

My reading is that car seats aren’t permitted in an aisle seat where there are other seats inward of the aisle… ie they can’t impede access to the aisle.

 

[Cynicor]

Honestly wouldn’t bother with a harness or car seat. Mostly defeats the purpose of the extra space in j, and safety risk is minimal (though def not 0)

 

[Quickstatus]

can’t impede access to the aisle.

Yes that is correct.
S
Plus a parent sits beside the car seat

 

[blackcat20]

QF have a seat belt adjuster thing they can attach to the seatbelt across the chest, to make it fit a small child better. I'll see if I can find a picture as it was used for Miss TomCat when she was 3.

 

[sudoer]

The CARES hareness can be used but you need to fit them, the crew won't do this for you. You can certainly do car seats.

This is no longer the case, the rules changes last year apparently (tried to use a CARES harness twice in QFi A330 J a couple of months ago).

CSM now has discretion to allow a pax to hold their 2 year old during takeoff and landing, using an infant seatbelt. The 2yo still needs to buy a seat for use during the flight.