Flying with Baby
 Holiday trips these days regularly involve air travel. Flying with baby need not hold you back – it just requires a little more planning and preparation.
Before you go, consider passports, visa’s and vaccinations then be sure to get as much as possible out of the airline when booking baby’s flight. When you’re done packing baby’s luggage, then finally its time to hit the road jack…for the joys of the airport and check in. Might all sound like a drama, but trust me, when you reach that fab holiday destination with your precious bundle, it will all be worth it. And hopefully, with the help of this site, you and baby should sail through the airport with ease.
Checking in with children
Naturally it's a little nerve wracking - having to queue for ages amongst loads of people with that nagging feeling that you might get the grumpy cow behind the counter.The intolerant lady who is determined to pull you up on your over weight suitcase… not to mention your mountain of baby accessories – she can’t possibly have had children… The good news is, they are almost always really helpful and if you have your wits about you, its the perfect time to get eveything sorted for a smooth comfy trip flying with baby. In our flying with baby experience, the online check-in service is not available to families travelling with infants. But that’s no loss – its best to confirm all your requests in person at the check in desk.
Your Check In Checklist
- Allow plenty of time.
- Confirm your baby basinet seat if you’ve booked one.
- Ask at the check in desk if the flight is full – request a spare seat to be saved next to you. Then again in the airplane (if they failed to successfully save you a spare – this happens often) get the air hostess to move someone after take off. Don’t feel like you are being rude to the person next to you, its highly likely they will be very happy to move away from a baby!
- Speak to the check in desk operator about taking your child safety seat on board (rather than stowing it with the luggage) and using it in a spare seat on the plane. This may be an option if there are plenty of spare seats.
- Request a cart service at any transit stopovers if you don’t wish to drag multiple unhappy babies and or toddlers miles within the terminal – you might be fit, but little legs get tired quickly. Not such a problem at some airports with fancy travellators that whisk you this way and that, but Heathrow can be a nightmare.
- Confirm the buggy/stroller drop off and pick up process and get the luggage tags attached to your buggy. It is important to understand the buggy process whilst at check in, as sometimes the buggy is available immediately as you exit the plane at the destination whilst other times it turns up with the luggage in the baggage hall. They are almost NEVER available in transit.
- Take a moment to prepare yourself and your baby’s carry-on items prior to walking through the security and boarding checks to ensure that there are no surprises along the way that inevitably cause delays and stress.
THERE'S MORE...
Check out what to expect with baby in-flight.Or check out our hints and tips on Booking Babys Flight.Go here for our carry-on luggage checklist for what to take with you on the plane to help keep baby a happy little jetsetter.Worried about how you’ll cope with the security checks with a baby in your arms and ladden with gear? Check out our advice on security checks, liquids and carry on luggage.
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