Denied entry due to the absence of a child seat.
In an unexpected turn of events, a Russian family faced a series of inconveniences during their return journey from a holiday in Antalya, Turkey, after being denied boarding on a Turkish Airlines flight due to a lack of a child seat.
The family, who were travelling with a 1.5-year-old child, had purchased return tickets for their trip but were caught off guard when a representative of Turkish Airlines informed them about the need for a child seat only after registration. Despite booking a separate seat for the infant, the travelers were required to have a child seat to ensure the safety of their young child during the flight.
Passengers on Turkish Airlines flights need a child seat primarily to ensure the safety of young children during the flight, especially for infants and toddlers who occupy their own seats. Using an approved child car seat provides proper restraint during turbulence, takeoff, and landing, reducing the risk of injury. Turkish Airlines restricts where car seats can be used aboard, not allowing them in exit rows or aisle seats for safety reasons, limiting placement options on the plane.
The family, who did not have a child seat with them, were forced to return to the terminal. As a result, they had to buy new tickets from another airline for their return journey, which cost them over 200,000 rubles. The family also had to go through border control again and faced additional delays, adding to their frustration.
It is generally recommended to book a baby bassinet seat or bring a certified child car seat well in advance; bassinet seats are often available free upon request if booked early. Passengers without a special seat for infants may be denied transport, according to the information given by the airline representative.
The incident, which occurred in Antalya, Turkey, was an unusual occurrence for the family's tour operator and airport staff, who mentioned they had not faced such a problem for a long time. After returning home, the family contacted Turkish Airlines for clarification, but they could not help.
The high cost of the unexpected expenses and the inconveniences faced by the family serve as a reminder for travellers to ensure they have the necessary equipment for their young children when travelling by air, especially on Turkish Airlines flights.
- The family, caught off guard due to a lack of a child seat, was forced to buy new tickets from another airline, adding to their travel expenses, resulting in costs exceeding 200,000 rubles.
- To avoid such inconveniences in future travels, it is essential for families with infants to book a baby bassinet seat or bring a certified child car seat well in advance, as failure to do so may lead to denial of transport on Turkish Airlines flights.
