Bassinet seats and bulkhead rows are the two upgrades most parents ask about when booking a long-haul flight with an infant — and they solve different problems, so it's worth knowing which one you actually need.
What a Bassinet Seat Actually Gets You
Airlines that offer bassinets typically install them in the bulkhead row — the front row of a cabin section, where there's no seat in front of you and enough wall space to mount a small cradle. The bassinet clips to the wall for takeoff, landing, and turbulence-free cruising, giving your baby a flat place to sleep that isn't your lap.
The catch: most aircraft carry only a handful of bassinets per cabin — often just two to four — and they're allocated on a first-request basis, not guaranteed by booking a bulkhead seat. Weight limits typically apply too, usually around 10kg (22lbs), which rules out the option for older or larger babies regardless of how early you ask.
How to Actually Get One
Request the bassinet as soon as your booking is confirmed — through the airline's website, app, or by calling directly, since many airlines don't let you select it through standard online seat maps. Follow up again 48–72 hours before departure, and once more at check-in, since bassinet allocation is sometimes only finalized close to the flight. If you're not confirmed, ask to be added to a waitlist rather than assuming it's unavailable.
Bulkhead Without a Bassinet
Even without a confirmed bassinet, a bulkhead seat has real advantages with a baby or toddler: more floor space in front of you for a bag or a squirming toddler, no seatback screen to kick, and no reclining seat in front to negotiate. The trade-off is that bulkhead rows usually lack underseat storage, since there's no seat ahead to tuck a bag under — so anything you want within reach during the flight needs to go in the overhead bin or a seatback pocket elsewhere.
What to Know Before You Fly
Bassinets aren't certified for takeoff, landing, or turbulence — your baby comes out and is held during those periods regardless of the seat. And a confirmed bassinet request can still occasionally be reassigned if the aircraft type changes close to departure, so it's worth having a backup plan (a baby carrier, a plan for holding your child through a full flight) rather than building your entire strategy around one arriving.
This pairs with the broader decisions covered in our guide to flying with a baby or toddler for the first time, and if you haven't settled your stroller and car seat plan yet, see our age-tiered packing guide for what else to bring.
Want more family travel guides?
Our member destination guides include nap-aware itineraries, stroller routes, and honest restaurant picks for 17 European cities.
Browse All Destinations