I'm confused about why you want to only take carry-ons to Japan. For an international flight you should get some checked luggage allowance, right?
Taking only carry ons limits how much we bring, less likelyhood of loss of luggage, and don't have to wait for baggage claim. We can check 2 bags each as long as they are less than 50lbs (anymore and it's an excess charge)
Here's the latest (It seems like this keeps on changing):
Japan Airlines called me and said we cannot have a bassinet seat AND a carseat for our 8 month. So we had to decide which one. We can keep the bulkhead area, so we're requesting no bassinet (we used that to try to keep the seating area). I guess the bassinet spans over 2 seats. Therefore, we will get rear facing for our 8 month (Britax Roundabout provided by JAL no cost).
For our 29 month, we are requesting to see if we can put a car seat in the window side (provided by JAL at no cost so we don't have to lug a car seat at all) even though in the past JAL stated there are no car seats allowed on the window side and that the 29 month could not have one from JAL without dr's permission. If our 29 month is sitting in 46B, this would be a hazard to passenger 46A should there be some kind of evacuation, the seat would potentially be in the way for those trying to evacuate.
JAL originally requested if the seat could be on 46A window side. When JAL responded back from Japan, they said something about that the seat belt will not work for the carseat and that we'd have to get 46K window side (on the right window side) for the 29 month and I would get 46J. In addition, we can get 54A and 54B but this will allow for there to be about 2 people in between my 29 month and my wife. 46G cannot be reserved at all like 46D can be for a bassinet. It's reserved for someone who may need that seat with special needs, but if no one takes it before the flight (maybe call couple days before?), it can be available.
Recently my 29 month is more attached to my wife, even when waking up, she wants my wife and not me to take her down to go eat breakfast.
What we can do as well, is go back to the original plan of using 46B and 46C for my 29 month and myself, then my wife sit in 46D use a rear facing in 46E for the 8 month.
We would either use no car seat for the 29 month or use that other product that is FAA approved called CARES
What is better, being closer to mom with no car seat, or being a little car away using a car seat? (20 hour flight)