taking flight with child

@kialele (126)
United States
March 18, 2010 1:57pm CST
Hey guys, do you have any experience on talking a child (less than one year old) with you on the flight? I heard that you need to bring a carseat with you? What about if you don't have a carseat, will the airline company offer any? And what about the stroller, can you take a stroller with you on the flight?
5 responses
21 Mar 10
Hi Kialele. I fly often with our children and our two year old has been flying since she was tiny. You don't need a car seat as any child under the age of two does not get their own seat. Therefor they spend the whole journey sitting on a parents lap and a smaller seatbelt is supplied for you which you connect to your own seat belt on the plane. As for the stroller, when you check in, just make sure you tell them that you want to take the stroller. You can then take the stroller with you to the stairs of the plane where a member of staff will take it from you and put it in the hold. When you get off the plane at the other end to collect your luggage, the stroller will come off first which makes colleting your bags a whole lot easier. Hope that helps!
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
19 Mar 10
You are usually allowed to take your baby's stroller to the steeps of the plane. That makes the time you spend at the airport easier to manage. You are able to take baby's bottles through security but they are likely to ask you to taste what is inside. On the plane a baby up to two years old can sit on the adults lap. If a seat has been bought the baby up to two years old must sit in a car seat. Some planes have cots at the bulk head areas on board. Young babies fit in one of those. I took my son on a flight from London to Faro in Portugal when he was four months old. On our last flight he was 20 months old and I was pregnant with my daughter. I was so lucky that my son got a seat because normally he would have had to sit on my lap. We flew London to Cape Town return. Now my son is over two he pays the child fare and therefore he gets a seat. My baby daughter will be eleven months old when we fly from London to Vancouver. She will sit on my lap.
@jazzsue58 (2666)
18 Mar 10
It was a long time ago, but I took my twins flying when they were babies (just over a year) As I remember, we had sky cots for them. We were allowed to bring the stroller too - and I believe I was allowed to wheel it right up to the ramp. It got stashed away by the stewardess. It was Gatwick to the Canaries I flew - we took the buggy rather than car seats - we hired those when we got there. Things might have changed now - they're 17 this year! hope this helps though - the sky cots may be discontinued today but they mean you get a front seat, as they strap to the deck in front of you.
• United States
18 Mar 10
Some planes allow children under the age of 2 to fly sitting in the lap of a parent. But most recommend that you purchase your child a seat and bring thier carseat with you. Check with your airline for restriction regarding infant travel. You should also ask them if they have seats available for use if you do not own one. As far as the stroller, that will have to go as checked luggage or be stowed in the overhead or under the seat. Most airlines have a place in the front that they can put a stroller or wheel chair. Make sure that you board the plane when they call for handicapped or those traveling with small children. This when they are able to accomodate these special situations.
@philgirl (74)
• United States
18 Mar 10
The first time my baby in a flight when she's 2 1/2 months old only, yes you really need a car seat coz much easier for you and of course for the baby, but that's around here only in the states when we visit my in laws. the second one when she's 6 months old, i dont bring a car seat, but I bring a stroller coz for international flight lots of walking to transfer your nxt flight, but in the large plane the have a bassinet for the baby so you dont need a car seat with you inside the plane. good luck for your flight!