How do you fly with children?

[kdaisy]

I apologize for being so ignorant, but I don't travel much, and have not flown since having children.

I have an almost 3 yo and a 6 mo.  Do they each need a plane ticket?  Do you need carseats?  If you don't, what do you use once you get to your destination, like in a cab and a rental car?  Or if you take then with you, how do you handle hauling them around?

TIA

[mommariffic]

We have only flown with our 3 year old, not our son. 

Kids need a ticket i think if they are to have their own seat? Lap sitters and those under 2 I believe fly free...I personally never brought the car seat when DD was young, and we just took turns holding her. When she got older she had her own seat, again no car seat. 

Passports are needed too for all ages I believe

The first time we traveled we rented a car and drove - the rental agency provided car seats (we just asked for them when we set up car service..) another time we took a cab to our destination, or if you're going to a restort type place for a vacation they normally offer a free shuttle bus to and from any airport. 

Flying with kids isn't that bad - DD has always enjoyed it, and if we are going someplace far we make sure there's off-plane time for bathroom trips, running around the airport, and looking at the silly souvenirs. To be honest I was happy the first time we purchased DD her own seat, because it was plain roomy. She was able to lay, nap, and play. 

I know at some airports you can rent those things to put your luggage on -- They also take the car seat/stroller before you get on the plane, but until them yeah, you're stuck. Don't they make some sort of attachment that can make a car seat into like a stroller type thing? Or maybe that's a whole set, I don't know. 

Good luck! 

[pianojazzgirl]

Kids under 2 can sit on your lap, in which case you don't buy them a ticket.  You can choose to buy them one if you want them to have their own seat, however, on any flight that has empty seats they'll make sure to seat parents with a baby next to the extra seat (you will likely have to ask about it once you're on board).

Like the pp I have never brought the carseat(s) on board with us.  When mine were babies I held them, later they had their own seat (no carseat).  Most of the time we've traveled with the kids we've brought the carseats (to have to use in whatever city we've visiting).  We strap dd's booster and ds's carseat to a wheelie and gate check it (bring it right to the airplane, leaving it right outside the door of the airplane to be brought on and stowed by the staff).  On the occasions when we didn't bring a carseat a relative at our destination rented one for us to use while we were there.

[jeanine123]

Your six month old should be able to sit on your lap if you want and lap babies don't need a ticket.  Your three year old needs a ticket (lap babies go up to age 2 I think)  We always checked out car seats with our luggage.  We bought a bag specifically for it that had wheels on it and straps to wear it like a back pack, I found it at Babies R Us.  Not the most comfortable thing in the world but it works in a pinch.  I like to pack plenty of snacks and an empty water cup, you can fill the cup after you get past security.  I also like to pack new toys/games/books.  Stuff the kids haven't seen before.  We also bring a portable DVD player along if we're not flying an airline with television available with favorite movies and/or some new ones.  I have never needed a passport for traveling within the US, nor have I ever been asked for a birth certificate and I've flown into and out of quite a few different airports in different parts of the country.  If you take a stroller you should be able to gate check it, you just need to ask at the counter when you get to your gate and they'll give you a tag for it. 

The biggest tip I can give is give yourself plenty of time.  Make sure and get to the airport plenty early so you can get your tickets if you haven't already printed them out, get all of your bags checked and go through security.  Personally I like to try and start the trip with as little stress as possible and allowing us plenty of time to get all of the must do stuff out of the way helps.  Kids love exploring airports, so much to look at and see.  And if you're lucky you'll having moving walkways to ride/walk along on, they're a good time killer, along with up and down escalators.

[kdaisy]

Thank you all for the information!  It seems just slightly less daunting now. :)

[lindberg99]

Are you going by yourself with them or will you have another adult along?

[leighi123]

Some of the pp's have given some unsafe advice -   Do NOT rent carseats!  Unless you trust total strangers with your kids lives...   They are often gross, expired, missing parts, damaged, and who knows weather they cleaned the straps with bleach (something required in some areas to sanitize shared baby equipment), or got in a crash with them.  You never know, and its not worth the risk.  (I am a carseat tech by the way, post this question in the 'safety' section and you will have other responses that back me up!)

http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2008/jul/27/danger-rent-car-rental-agency-puts-infant-risk/

Also, your 3yr old will be far more comfortable riding in her carseat on the plane, kids are used to their own seat and adult airplane seatbelts dont fit kids well.    

What I would do, is get a wheely cart for luggage from walmart (mine cost $15), and strap your 3yr old's carseat to it.  She can ride in the carseat and you pull her through the airport, or you can pile your carry on bags on it.   For the 6 month old bring a stroller/carseat combo, carry the extra carseat by hand (if its an infant seat), or strap it upside down on top of the other carseat.   Depends on weather or not you are brining a stroller and if your baby is in a bucket seat or convertable... either way, bring the seat.  Then install/use your 3yr olds seat on the plane (by a window), and if you have a bucket seat, put it in the overhead bin, if you have a convertable, put it in a cardboard box and GATE check it (dont check it with the main baggage).    This way at your destination you KNOW you have safe seats and  your 3yr old will be safer/more comfy on the plane.

For entertainment on the plane - small random wrapped presents, stickers, play doh, lots of snacks, magna doodle.

I have been asked for ds's birth certificate multiple times, so bring one for each kid (they must be an origional, not the ones from hospitals).  I fly 10+ times a year and get asked on about every 3rd flight.  Its better safe than sorry!  

[Peony]

I'll second leighi. Do not rent carseats, bring your own. I use mine on the plane for my smaller children, I always buy baby a seat and use a carseat, I have been on some rough flights including one last year where there was no way in heck I could of held on to DS who could of flown as a lap baby, thank goodness he was in a seat. If you really don't want to use it on a plane, you still want to bring them to the gate and check them there. Luggage handlers are no gentler on carseats then they are on luggage and there is no guarantee they will show up at the other end. The one trip I checked a booster for my older child, it vanished. 

More practical advice, try to get the most direct flights you can. Layovers, changing planes are be difficult with children not to mention it increases the risk of canceled or delayed flights. And for the same reason I always fly early in the day with children. Only twice in 8 years have I had to take later flights and both times ended up being nightmare trips. The first time I was stranded overnight in an airport with two small children alone. The second time we had one delay after another  for hours and hours and ended up finally getting in the air at 12am. Did I mention that trip I had a child that had fallen ill during the trip, had just gotten out of the hospital, and then we spent half the night shivering in an airport just trying to get home. I will gladly wake up a child at 4am then to ever do that again!

[mamatoablessing]

Originally Posted by leighi123 

Some of the pp's have given some unsafe advice -   Do NOT rent carseats!  Unless you trust total strangers with your kids lives...   They are often gross, expired, missing parts, damaged, and who knows weather they cleaned the straps with bleach (something required in some areas to sanitize shared baby equipment), or got in a crash with them.  You never know, and its not worth the risk.  (I am a carseat tech by the way, post this question in the 'safety' section and you will have other responses that back me up!)

http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2008/jul/27/danger-rent-car-rental-agency-puts-infant-risk/

Also, your 3yr old will be far more comfortable riding in her carseat on the plane, kids are used to their own seat and adult airplane seatbelts dont fit kids well.    

What I would do, is get a wheely cart for luggage from walmart (mine cost $15), and strap your 3yr old's carseat to it.  She can ride in the carseat and you pull her through the airport, or you can pile your carry on bags on it.   For the 6 month old bring a stroller/carseat combo, carry the extra carseat by hand (if its an infant seat), or strap it upside down on top of the other carseat.   Depends on weather or not you are brining a stroller and if your baby is in a bucket seat or convertable... either way, bring the seat.  Then install/use your 3yr olds seat on the plane (by a window), and if you have a bucket seat, put it in the overhead bin, if you have a convertable, put it in a cardboard box and GATE check it (dont check it with the main baggage).    This way at your destination you KNOW you have safe seats and  your 3yr old will be safer/more comfy on the plane.

For entertainment on the plane - small random wrapped presents, stickers, play doh, lots of snacks, magna doodle.

I have been asked for ds's birth certificate multiple times, so bring one for each kid (they must be an origional, not the ones from hospitals).  I fly 10+ times a year and get asked on about every 3rd flight.  Its better safe than sorry!  

Excellent advice on every issue!  I'm telling you, that wheeled luggage cart is the best investment we've made for travel.  So easy to strap the seat to and wheel around the airport.  We are able to strap a Britax Marathon and a Graco Turbobooster to the cart...it's great.  Wear you 6mo to ensure you are hands free.
 

Also, if you choose to hold you 6mo on the flight, you must let the airline know.  I don't believe this is bookable (is that a word?) online.  The airlines will make a special notation on your ticket that you are traveling with an infant in arms.  I also suggest a carseast on the flight for your 3yo.  Much more comfortable for everyone.  Please check out the Family Safety forum for some great advice on traveling with kids, especially with carseats.  Pay special attention to a poster named EclipsePearl who is/was a flight attendant and who has also done many long hauls with her 3 kids.

[mamatoablessing]

Originally Posted by Peony 

I'll second leighi. Do not rent carseats, bring your own. I use mine on the plane for my smaller children, I always buy baby a seat and use a carseat, I have been on some rough flights including one last year where there was no way in heck I could of held on to DS who could of flown as a lap baby, thank goodness he was in a seat. If you really don't want to use it on a plane, you still want to bring them to the gate and check them there. Luggage handlers are no gentler on carseats then they are on luggage and there is no guarantee they will show up at the other end. The one trip I checked a booster for my older child, it vanished. 

More practical advice, try to get the most direct flights you can. Layovers, changing planes are be difficult with children not to mention it increases the risk of canceled or delayed flights. And for the same reason I always fly early in the day with children. Only twice in 8 years have I had to take later flights and both times ended up being nightmare trips. The first time I was stranded overnight in an airport with two small children alone. The second time we had one delay after another  for hours and hours and ended up finally getting in the air at 12am. Did I mention that trip I had a child that had fallen ill during the trip, had just gotten out of the hospital, and then we spent half the night shivering in an airport just trying to get home. I will gladly wake up a child at 4am then to ever do that again!

Oh, and Peony is spot on about turbulance.  The car seat will ensure your child is safe.  I have been on several flights that experienced such turbulance (and one with a terrible landing) that I'm not sure I could've held onto my baby.  Buy the seats!  It's great to have the extra room too.
 

[mattemma04]

When I traveled alone with my 14mo dd to Turkey I took a britax carseat to install in all planes and cars.

I took a backpack,carseat,stroller,and maya sling. It was doable  and I  felt better that my dd was in a 5 point harness during turbulance,and the crazy driving in Turkey.When my SIL came to the US with her 3 and 9 yo she did not do carseats,but she did buy seats for them on the planes.LOL,she let them roam in the van while it was moving.Again,to each their own,but I refused to drive the van with children unsecured.

I would recommend atleast a carseat for the baby.I saw many people holding their kids and/or letting them roam the plane during flight. To each their own. I think a seat is needed for kids of any age for safety and everyones comfort. The seats are discounted for kids.My dd stayed in her carseat and played/ate with what I brought.I got on planes first and off last.

Best wishes whatever you decide to do!

[sarahr]

For the 3 year old, I recommend a CARES harness (http://www.amazon.com/CARES-Child-Aviation-Restraint-System/dp/B0012E4FV8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297450592&sr=8-1) instead of the carseat. The harness gives you the 5 point harness they need to be safe, but gives the child (and you) much more room to move about. Also, the kid will be low enough to use the tray and back enough not to kick the seat in front of them continually.

[Smithie]

I have flown with my children at least twenty times. I have never bought a ticket for an under-2, never schlepped a car seat onto a plane, and never will. Everybody is still alive so far! To me, this is in the same class of decision as keeping a 5 y.o. a five-point harness - you may think it's safer, in some scenarios you may be right, but how much money and hassle are you willing to lay out to avoid this particular risk, when you take statistically bigger risks every single day? I had a CARES harness, but the UAVing flight attendants forced me to take it off my child during takeoff and landing. Multiple UAVing flight attendants have also required me to remove my infant from the Baby Bjorn during takeoff and landing. But occasionally, I am graced with a sane and wise attendant who ignores these devices. 

WRT to a seat at your destination - I agree with a PP that gate-checking your seats is better than using the rental ones. The germs issue isn't a big deal to me, but you just don't know what you're going to get, and you won't be familiar with it and won't likely be able to install it as well as you can install your own seat. In my case, when we visit my family we use seats I ordered off Amazon to keep at their house, and when we visit other places I gate-check the seats. 

[MamaMunchkin]

We've run into different rules/regulations in terms of carseat on board and tickets whatnots - I'd double check with 

the airline before you go to the airport just in case.

Given that, we've always brought our own carseat, and stroller as well.  At the airport, consider renting one of those

carts for all your luggage. Once at the destination, ideally we'd have some rentalcar ready to be picked up - you can reserve online before the trip.

I like rental because I find it easier to be in some new place and not have to worry about navigating and also dealing with public transportation with stroller in mind.

[rightkindofme]

I'm about to take my kids to Europe for a few weeks by myself.  EEEK!  I will be using a CARES harness for my will-be 3 year old and the then-10-month-old will be on my lap.  We will be traveling around a lot through three countries on trains.  I am *not* bringing a car seat.  No. No.  No.  There would be no way for me to manage carseats plus luggage plus my two kids by myself.  Hellz no.  I think I'll sleep ok. :)

When I brought my older daughter to New Zealand when she was 8 months we brought the car seat and rented a car.  In retrospective that was a questionable decision because US carseats aren't technically allowable and the seat didn't fit into the car well at all.  US carseats are made for bigger vehicles than they have in other countries by and large.  So it's kind of a hard situation.

If you are traveling within the US I'd definitely bring my own seat though.  :)  Especially if you will be using cars and/or you have help.

[TCMoulton]

Originally Posted by mamatoablessing 

Excellent advice on every issue!  I'm telling you, that wheeled luggage cart is the best investment we've made for travel.  So easy to strap the seat to and wheel around the airport.  We are able to strap a Britax Marathon and a Graco Turbobooster to the cart...it's great.  Wear you 6mo to ensure you are hands free.
 

Also, if you choose to hold you 6mo on the flight, you must let the airline know.  I don't believe this is bookable (is that a word?) online.  The airlines will make a special notation on your ticket that you are traveling with an infant in arms.  I also suggest a carseast on the flight for your 3yo.  Much more comfortable for everyone.  Please check out the Family Safety forum for some great advice on traveling with kids, especially with carseats.  Pay special attention to a poster named EclipsePearl who is/was a flight attendant and who has also done many long hauls with her 3 kids.

You can absolutely book a ticket online if traveling with a lap baby, in fact I did it for my sister who flew to Florida just last week with her 3 month old. Some airlines will have a place to indicate a lap child on their website but most just have you make them aware of the baby when checking in at the gate at the airport.

[prescottchels]

I've helped a good friend of mine and her baby travel and you've gotten great advice so far.

I'd add that if you choose to check your carseat as luggage some airlines will not charge for it and it's a double bonus cuz you can stuff the bag full of junk or use it to bring treasures home in ;-)

Also no one mentioned that at some airport security gates they get kinda cranky about babies being worn as if you're gonna pack a weapon in all that fabric or something...so be fair warned they may ask you to take babe out OR they may offer to do a manual check/pat down/wand wave over you...It's no biggy, but it would definitely ruffle my feathers if I had no warning...

Happy travels! You can do it!! And you'll learn so much!!

[mumm]

Commercial pilot's wife here.  Kids and spouse fly free so we fly far more frequently than the average family.  And I almost always fly alone with my 4 kids and every trip I learn something new about this crazy aviation transport system.

I have mixed feelings on car seats on the plane.  One of my easiest flights was when the twins were 2 and they each had a seat next to me and nursed the entire time.  They kept their seatbelts on and we all just stretched a little.  There is no way we could have done that if they'd been in car seats.  Also, the seats are 'big' for little bodies.  Last week the 4 year old slept lying down on the seat, again seat belt on.  A car seat forces your lo to stay in the same position.  It also takes up a lot of your assigned plane space.  If you don't need it at your destination, I say skip it.

I don't like the CARES harnesses.  On smaller planes in turbulent areas, fine.  But on large commercial planes, skip it imo.

Don't check a car seat or stroller.  And if you have to check a stroller, be sure to gate check it.  It will be treated slightly more gently!

I've never run into documentation issues but I do bring birth certificates, adoption paperwork and passports for my kids even on domestic flights.  (as a new two mom family with kids I worried a lot when traveling out of the us.  I've relaxed a bit in the past 10 years.  And again, I've never been asked for any documentation other than passports on international trips)

Luggage logistics- We don't check any bags.  I have each kid over age 2 carry a backpack.  It get heavier with age and competence.  On my last trip 10 year old ds and I each had a roll-aboard.  I pushed one stroller and had 7 year old dd push the other stroller.  Strollers can be good (to carry gear or tired kids) but can also be a hassle with escalators, etc.

My biggest advice-

-acknowledge ALL the staff   (ground crews, agents, the lady cleaning the bathroom) kindly and they'll treat you well.   ("Are you a [city name] based crew?"  "This must be the first day of your trip?"- this implies the person looks fresh!  "Last leg of the day?"  Are all questions that show you know they are more than their job.)

-Treat it as an adventure.  Flights will be canceled or delayed.  You may be diverted to an airport you've never hear of.  You may exit the plane down a big blow up yellow slide surounded by emergency vehicles.  Go with the flow and leave plenty of time for things to go wrong. 

-Take the help people offer you.  Someone sees you carrying your babe, holding your toddlers hand and pulling a roll-aboard and offers to take the rollaboard on the plane and put it in the overhead bin?  Say yes!  It will make it easier for you and they'll feel good and invested in your trip.  They'll be far more likely to make googly eyes at your kids for entertainment inflight!

-Buy chocolate at every airport stop!

Have fun!  What an amazing world we live in and to be able to share it with our kids through their eyes can be really refreshing.

[PatchChild]

Mumm, your post made me smile. I love your roll with it attitude.

[rightkindofme]

mumm, you are awesome.  Thanks!