Why Airlines Charge for Infants: A Comprehensive Explanation
As a frequent traveler, you may have noticed that airlines charge for infants, even though they don’t occupy a seat. This may seem unfair, especially if you’re traveling with a newborn or a young child. However, there are several reasons why airlines have this policy, and in this blog post, we’ll explore them in detail.
Firstly, it’s important to understand that airlines are businesses, and their primary goal is to make a profit. While they may offer some services for free, such as meals and drinks, they have to charge for others to cover their costs and generate revenue. This includes the cost of fuel, maintenance, salaries, and other expenses associated with running an airline.
When it comes to infants, airlines have to provide additional services and amenities to ensure their safety and comfort. For example, they have to provide special seats or bassinets, which take up space and require extra resources to install and maintain. They also have to provide oxygen masks and life vests, as well as special meals and drinks if needed. All of these services come at a cost, and airlines have to charge for them to cover their expenses.
Another reason why airlines charge for infants is that they take up space on the plane, even if they don’t occupy a seat. This means that they reduce the number of available seats for other passengers, which can affect the airline’s revenue. For example, if a plane has 200 seats and 20 of them are occupied by infants, the airline can only sell 180 seats to other passengers. This can result in lost revenue, especially if the flight is fully booked.
Moreover, infants require additional attention and care from the flight attendants, which can affect the overall service quality and efficiency. For example, if a flight attendant has to attend to an infant who is crying or needs to be fed, they may not be able to serve other passengers or attend to other tasks. This can cause delays and inconvenience for other passengers, which can affect the airline’s reputation and customer satisfaction.
Finally, airlines have to comply with safety regulations and standards set by aviation authorities, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. These regulations require airlines to provide certain services and amenities for infants, such as special seats and oxygen masks, to ensure their safety in case of an emergency. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines, penalties, and legal liabilities, which can be costly for airlines.
In conclusion, airlines charge for infants for several reasons, including the cost of providing additional services and amenities, the space they occupy on the plane, the attention and care they require from the flight attendants, and the safety regulations they have to comply with. While this may seem unfair to some passengers, it’s important to understand that airlines are businesses and have to generate revenue to stay afloat. However, some airlines offer discounts or special fares for infants, so it’s worth checking with your airline before booking your flight.
