Should I pay for a seat for my under-2-year-old?

If you can afford it, yes. A lap infant is incredibly difficult for an 8-hour flight. Having their own seat allows for a car seat installation, which keeps them contained and sleeping longer.

Do I need to bring my own car seat?

Yes. European rental car companies often provide low-quality, dirty seats. Bring your own (like a Cosco Scenera NEXT) to ensure safety and familiarity for your child.

Booking Flights to Europe with Kids

Prioritize direct overnight flights to avoid the logistical nightmare of connecting with children and gear. Book exactly 330 days in advance for long-haul routes to secure bulkhead seats, which are essential for extra legroom and bassinet access.

Filter for direct routes only. Avoid layovers at all costs. A 2-hour layover with a toddler, a car seat, and two carry-ons is a recipe for missed connections. Use Google Flights to filter by 'non-stop only' to save your sanity.
Book overnight 'red-eye' segments. Fly out of the US in the evening. Aim for your kids to be asleep for 6-8 hours of the 8-10 hour flight. It turns the journey into a transition rather than an 8-hour wake-up call.
Secure bulkhead or bassinet seats. Immediately after booking, call the airline. Request bulkhead seating. If you have an infant under 20 lbs, reserve the bassinet position. These seats provide floor space for kids to sit and play without hitting the seat in front of them.
Download the airline’s app for entertainment. Never rely on the seatback screen. Load iPads with offline Disney+ or Netflix content 24 hours before departure. Bring wired headphones with volume-limiting capabilities.

Should I pay for a seat for my under-2-year-old?: If you can afford it, yes. A lap infant is incredibly difficult for an 8-hour flight. Having their own seat allows for a car seat installation, which keeps them contained and sleeping longer.
Do I need to bring my own car seat?: Yes. European rental car companies often provide low-quality, dirty seats. Bring your own (like a Cosco Scenera NEXT) to ensure safety and familiarity for your child.