Cheap SA Flights high taxes on child seat a downer

Fuzzyrugby

I'm trying to book a flight to South Africa in december to go see relatives with our DS2, think we have left it to late for a cheap deal but my ds2 has to have his own seat, wanted to have him sit on your laps. DS2 seat is cheaper then air taxes charges :mad:!!! how can airline charge it like this for kids under 5??? how do or can get round this he is only 2 it a night flight which he quite happily sleep on your lap then in a seat. it would be a waste of money i feel.

Sam_Bee

jolenyule wrote: »

I'm trying to book a flight to South Africa in december to go see relatives with our DS2, think we have left it to late for a cheap deal but my ds2 has to have his own seat, wanted to have him sit on your laps. DS2 seat is cheaper then air taxes charges :mad:!!! how can airline charge it like this for kids under 5??? how do or can get round this he is only 2 it a night flight which he quite happily sleep on your lap then in a seat. it would be a waste of money i feel.

Legally if he is 2 or above he has to have a seat, and there is nothing you do about it.

The airline would prefer to have a higher paying adult in that seat as well as they would pay more for what would be a full flight.

Have a look and see what Emirates offer (if you are going to JNB or CPT) as their taxes will be a fraction of others. But the ticket price will be higher. But in your case, the overall price might be cheaper.

Fuzzyrugby

i no legally he should have a seat but it would be nice it is was a option till the age of 4/5 that you have either them on your lap or a seat then they'd still get there extra seat for anothe adult

Sam_Bee

jolenyule wrote: »

i no legally he should have a seat but it would be nice it is was a option till the age of 4/5 that you have either them on your lap or a seat then they'd still get there extra seat for anothe adult

I think it's for his own safety.

And do you really want a 5 year old sat on your lap for a 12 hour overnight flight???

Fuzzyrugby

well maybe a 4yr i'd be happy still but would like the choice. surely the risks are the same as a baby or a 13month old?? any way will keep looking

Sam_Bee

jolenyule wrote: »

well maybe a 4yr i'd be happy still but would like the choice. surely the risks are the same as a baby or a 13month old?? any way will keep looking

As I mentioned, do check out Emirates.

Taxes are not really discounted for children, but air fares are. Therefore as you pay more in the airfare, and less in tax to Emirates (although the total adult fare might be the same as other airlines) you could save quite a lot overall as I do know how expensive SA can be over Xmas.