Can you leave the 10 month old home with one of the grandparents? Thats a tough trip for a child that is too old/big for the bassinet seat and is at an age that they want to see and do things.

Oh come on people. I took my 9 month old baby on a trip to Hawaii from Los Angeles. She was FINE! And she was the fussier of my children! The one major concern I have now that I've looked into it more is safety. I've heard of babies flying upward during turbulence and hitting their heads on the ceiling. Now that is worth buying a seat. All your other reasons just seem like parents sticking their noses up at other parents.

The OP's child is now about 4 1/2 years old so it's no longer an issue.

Blah81 I'm fascinated that you registered so that you could comment on an old thread just to be rude! Welcome to Fodor's - not!