Maria
04-25-2012, 11:20 AM
I've done a lot of long-haul air-travel with my two kids since they were babies, and I've learned that there are some things you can ask for from the airline that will make your trip a lot easier. Here are some of the things you should ask about, or ask for, when booking your flight:
Bassinets/cots - Many airlines offer small beds, sometimes called bassinets or cots, for infants on long-haul flights. Infants (and kids under 2) usually travel for free, but then you have to hold them on your lap. This can be very tiring and uncomfortable for you and the baby on a long flight. Getting a cot for them helps a lot, and they're almost always offered free of charge! Each airline have their own rules for how old and big your infant can be to qualify for a cot, and they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, but always ask about this when you're traveling with a baby!
Kids' meals - Airline food is never the highlight of anyone's trip, but your kids might be more likely to eat their meal if they get the special kids' meal on board. Most airlines offer this option, and some even offer special meals for babies! Again, ask about this when booking your flight!
Seating - It's always good to make sure the airline seats both all the parents and all the kids in a family together on a trip. If both parents are traveling with their kids, one of the parents will usually be seated with the children, but the other parent can sometimes end up farther away. Try to get seated together: I prefer being seated all together on the same row with the aisle in between, rather than in separate row. This makes it easier to talk and help each other out.
Stroller policy - If you're thinking of bringing a stroller for your child, it's a good idea to ask the airline ahead of time if you can bring it to the gate. Some airlines will let you bring a stroller to the gate and check it there (you will then pick it up at the gate where you arrive), some let you bring it on board if it's small, and some will require you to check it with the rest of your luggage. I preferred using a baby carrier on flights when the kids were small.
Car seats - When your kids are smaller and they have their own seat on board (you usually don't have to buy them a seat until they turn 2), you might want to bring a car-seat on board to make them sit more comfortably. Ask the airline about their policies when you book. Some airlines don't allow car-seats on board, and many do require the seat to meet certain specifications if you want to bring it. Also remember that you will have to lug the car seat between gates if you're traveling on more than one flight!
Bassinets/cots - Many airlines offer small beds, sometimes called bassinets or cots, for infants on long-haul flights. Infants (and kids under 2) usually travel for free, but then you have to hold them on your lap. This can be very tiring and uncomfortable for you and the baby on a long flight. Getting a cot for them helps a lot, and they're almost always offered free of charge! Each airline have their own rules for how old and big your infant can be to qualify for a cot, and they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, but always ask about this when you're traveling with a baby!
Kids' meals - Airline food is never the highlight of anyone's trip, but your kids might be more likely to eat their meal if they get the special kids' meal on board. Most airlines offer this option, and some even offer special meals for babies! Again, ask about this when booking your flight!
Seating - It's always good to make sure the airline seats both all the parents and all the kids in a family together on a trip. If both parents are traveling with their kids, one of the parents will usually be seated with the children, but the other parent can sometimes end up farther away. Try to get seated together: I prefer being seated all together on the same row with the aisle in between, rather than in separate row. This makes it easier to talk and help each other out.
Stroller policy - If you're thinking of bringing a stroller for your child, it's a good idea to ask the airline ahead of time if you can bring it to the gate. Some airlines will let you bring a stroller to the gate and check it there (you will then pick it up at the gate where you arrive), some let you bring it on board if it's small, and some will require you to check it with the rest of your luggage. I preferred using a baby carrier on flights when the kids were small.
Car seats - When your kids are smaller and they have their own seat on board (you usually don't have to buy them a seat until they turn 2), you might want to bring a car-seat on board to make them sit more comfortably. Ask the airline about their policies when you book. Some airlines don't allow car-seats on board, and many do require the seat to meet certain specifications if you want to bring it. Also remember that you will have to lug the car seat between gates if you're traveling on more than one flight!