AITAH for refusing to take a flight with my stepsister’s baby in my lap?

A Redditor is facing a tough decision about an upcoming family vacation. Their father generously covered the trip expenses, but everyone must pay for their flights. While the Redditor and their stepsister, Nikki, are both on tight budgets, Nikki has an additional challenge—she can’t afford the extra seat required for her two babies.

She’s asking the Redditor to hold one of her children on their lap during the flight, but the user feels overwhelmed by the idea and declined. Now they’re wondering if their refusal makes them the bad guy. Read the full story below…

‘ AITAH for refusing to take a flight with my stepsister’s baby in my lap?’

My dad got a great deal for a resort through his supplier. He’s offered to pay for all of us to come along. The only thing we have to pay for is our flights to and home. I was able to find fairly cheap flights. It does have a layover and it’s still pricy for me since I don’t make much, but I figure it’s worth it for an otherwise all expenses paid vacay.

I sent the others links to the same flight in case they wanted the deal. Except my stepsister, Nikki, they’re all in better financial positions so they’re all splurging on direct flights and getting better seats.

Since Nikki can’t afford that either she is booking my flight too. Problem is it will cost her more because she has two babies. They’re young enough to ride in a lap, but since she has two the airlines say she needs to buy another seat. Nikki can’t afford another seat. So she wants me to fly with one of her babies in my lap.

I just don’t think I could handle that for that long. They’re both wriggly and I somehow doubt they’re going to settle down and sleep the whole time. It’s not a short flight either and I do already get a little nervous traveling. I’d rather be able to just relax and close my eyes on the plane ride and not get overloaded.

The thing is if I don’t do it it means my sister won’t be able to come on the trip. She really wants to come on the trip though. She hasn’t gotten to travel much and probably won’t get to for a while either.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

1568314 −  they’re all in better financial positions so they’re all splurging on direct flights and getting better seats. Nikki has other people to appeal to for help. NTA. If you do this, you’ll end up as nanny for the whole trip.

DelayHefty644 −  NTA – Not your job to be a free babysitter at 30,000 feet. Flying with babies is hard work. Even parents struggle with their own kids on planes. Your stepsister wants a free solution to her problem by making you uncomfortable. Maybe the family can chip in for that extra seat instead?

FloMoJoeBlow −  NTA. Not your responsibility to take care of the kids.

Murmurmira −  2 hours ? Easy. 8 hours? Forget about it. We wanted to kill ourselves after a 5 hr flight with our own children let alone someone else’s. Besides at 15 months old these are not babies anymore but willful opinionated toddlers who wanna walk around and move and play. Under 1 yo they can sleep on you for hours, but a toddler can’t. They wanna be mobile and explore.

SlinkyMalinky20 −  Nikki’s mom can take your cheap seat and give you her expensive seat.

chuckinhoutex −  NTA- and I’d say this- anybody who says you should s**k it up- tell them , you s**k it up and pay for her extra ticket. You got something to say- put your money where your mouth is. I’m paying for my ticket and I don’t have kids and I do not want to ride like that- nobody does.

deepsleepsheepmeep −  NTA. Do NOT do it. Not only is it EXTREMELY uncomfortable to fly with a baby in your lap, it also isn’t very safe. If your plane hits turbulence, baby goes flying out of your lap. Not to mention that the baby will likely be crying the entire time. Just say “no, I can’t do that”.

Maximum-Ear1745 −  NTA. An 8 hour flight is gruelling enough, let alone a 2 hour flight beforehand and navigating multiple airports. Adding a toddler into that mix would be awful. Also what are your step sister’s expectations around childcare on the holiday? I can guarantee she’ll be pressuring others to look after her kids so she can have a break.

lapsteelguitar −  1) Not your kid, not your responsibility.
2) We flew with out daughter in our laps. Never the f**k again. It’s a decent way to save $$, for sure. But do you want a heat engine pooping & peeing in your lap for that many hours. Chasing said kid thru an airport while you change planes.
3) Your sisters ability to get to the vacation, or not, is your sisters problem, not yours.. NTA.

Ok_Childhood_9774 −  NTA. Traveling with babies is not fun. Where is the children’s father? Sounds like it might be better for Nikki to miss this trip since she’ll no doubt want/expect a lot of help and/or babysitting.