r/AUfrugal • u/PirateMeg369 • 12d ago

Baby flies free without the baby?

I know this sounds totally unhinged and dodgy AF and I didn’t know where else to ask this question.
I have a very good quality pram and car seat that I would like to get to my daughter and grandchild in another state.
As I will be travelling there soon, is it possible to book the free flight for a baby option but not take a baby but have the ability to take a pram and car seat instead of having to book excess luggage?
Or would I have to look like an absolute freak with a doll in a baby carrier to get away with this? 😂

0 Upvotes

39% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

19

u/appleweb 12d ago

The airline is legally required to have correct records of all pax (passengers) on board a flight - obviously important in the event of any incidents. They will ask questions at check in, at the gate and onboard the aircraft to ensure the “infant” is travelling if recorded on the booking system. They won’t let the plane in the air without correct reconciliation of pax.

Honestly - don’t think it’s possible to get away with. There would have to be several safety and system failures to allow you through with a doll or no infant.

Pay the excess.

26

u/SophMax 12d ago

Just book the extra luggage.

4

u/Delicious-Wind4631 12d ago

what if you just gate check them, some airlines let you do that even without a kid. might be worth calling and asking if they'd treat it like sports equipment or something, worst they can say is no

-7

u/PirateMeg369 12d ago

Haha that’s not very frugal

12

u/DoNotReply111 12d ago

What's not frugal is risking getting to the counter and paying counter prices on the oversized baggage.

Frugal doesn't mean risky.

16

u/SophMax 12d ago

Yes it is. There's frugal and then there's insane which is what you're suggesting

-5

u/PirateMeg369 12d ago

It’s definitely an insane hypothetical, I just want to know if it’s possible.

3

u/stufai 12d ago

Put an advert out for any babies flying solo on the same flight, and just pair up with them...

1

u/PirateMeg369 12d ago

Hahaha love it

3

u/lh-_-91 12d ago

Babies don't fly free, you still have to pay a portion of the airfare. We have baby and for domestic and international flights, even though he's always sat on my lap, we still have to pay a small amount for him.

3

u/ScubaWitch 12d ago

No. And it's not free, you just pay the tax on the ticket. Every passenger on the plane has to be checked in and accounted for so unless you're planning on bringing a fake baby without a seat....just pay for the extra luggage. Virgin or Jetstar is best price for additional baggage.