Do I need to reserve a seat for my infant?
Children up to two years old (24 months), are not required to have their own seat as these children may sit on an adult's lap. Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under two years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for the second infant.
You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device. If there are vacant seats on a scheduled flight, an infant seat may be accepted on board, even if a seat has not been reserved in advance for the child.
What types of child restraint devices are allowed?
An infant seat is equipped with a 3 or 5-point harness and will be fastened to the aircraft seat facing backward. Child car seats must be equipped with a 5-point harness and they are always fastened to the aircraft seat facing forward. The child seat must meet at least one of the following conditions:
- The child restraint device has been approved for use in aircraft by a JAA authority, the Federal Aviation Administration or Transport Canada (on the basis of a national technical standard), and marked accordingly.
- The child restraint device is approved for use in motor vehicles according to the UN standard ECE R 44, -03 or later series amendments.
- The child restraint device is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft according to the Canadian CMVSS 213/213.1-standard.
- The child restraint device is approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft according to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard US FMVSS Nr. 213, and was manufactured according to the standard after 25 February, 1985. US-approved child restraint devices manufactured after this date must bear the following labels in red lettering: 1) "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards" and 2) "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft".
- The child restraint device is approved for use in aircraft according to the German "Qualification procedure for child restraint systems for use in aircraft" (TÜV Doc.: TÜV/958-01/2001).
The instructions for the use of most infant seats and car seats sold in Finland contain the following approval: "Approved according to the ECE R 44.03 -standard".
Will I pay for my infant to travel?
Yes, a child up to two years old (24 months) is usually charged 10% of an adult fare plus taxes if he or she will be sitting on an adult's lap.
What if my child turns two on the trip; will I have to buy a ticket for the return flight?
Yes, a ticket will have to be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over two years old.
What infant amenities are available on the aircraft I'll be flying (i.e. bassinets)?
A changing table is located in at least one of the lavatories in each type of aircraft on all Finnair flights.
Infant amenities vary by aircraft. When you're on the airplane page, look for the Infant Amenity Icon. If it is present, clicking on it will tell you what infant services are available on that airplane. If you do not see it, infant amenities are not offered on that aircraft. You can always contact Finnair for more information.
What kind of bassinet is provided by Finnair?
The baby basket is fastened to the wall of the aircraft or placed on the floor in the legroom during the flight. The child can sleep and lie down in the basket during the flight with the cover zipped up. During takeoff, landing, and turbulence, the infant sits on the lap of an adult with a separate safety belt fastened. The adult is allowed to have only one infant sitting on his/her lap. The maximum inner length of the baby basket is 70 cm and the infant using the basket may not weigh more than 11 kg/24 lb.
Can I sit in the exit row with my infant?
Neither lap children nor infants in car seats are not allowed in an exit row. In fact, all passengers in an exit row must be at least 12 years of age. In addition, infant seats are not allowed in the row directly in front of or directly behind an exit.
