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Parents who are traveling with an infant on an airplane are often times unsure of what to expect from the experience. If you know what to expect and the right questions to ask when booking tickets, checking in for the flight, waiting in the boarding area, and boarding the flight, you can make sure that you will have a good experience on the flight(s).
Flying with a baby does not need to be stressful. Make sure you are prepared for the flight, add extra time, and utilize airline staff to assist you, and you should have a good travel experience.
Here is my guide for a stress free travel day with a baby:
Choosing Flights and Booking
- Lap Child or Own Seat
When you know that you will be traveling with an infant you will need to determine whether the child will be on your lap or in a seat of their own. If you want a seat for your infant you will probably end up paying full price for the ticket, it is a much more expensive option, but it is available.
Most travelers will choose the lap child option. If your baby is under 2 years of age then he/she can sit on your lap in your seat. There is no additional charge for this since the baby doesn't take up extra space. If you are traveling on an international flight then you may have to obtain a separate "infant ticket." This ticket is for tax/customs purposes. Each country charges the airline an entry fee per passenger, not per seat sold. These charges will vary depending on the country you are traveling to, in some cases the fee for an "infant ticket" will be zero, but you will still need it on your record.
-Book Nonstop or Ensure Adequate Layover
I always recommend flying nonstop whenever possible, baby or not. Nonstop flights are much easier for travelers and give the airline less of an opportunity to strand you in an airport. Nonstop flights may be more expensive than flying with a connection, but the extra cost is oftentimes worth it.
If flying nonstop is not an option then make sure you have a reasonable amount of connection time between flights. 30 minutes is not enough time to connect! I would shoot for a two hour connection time. This gives you some wiggle room if your first flight is delayed, and will allow enough time to move between gates. If you are with a baby you want to avoid running through airports. Book a long connection and you won't feel rushed.
- Ensure Baby Is On The Record
Once you have selected and booked your flights, make sure that you confirm with the airline that you have the baby on the record, especially if the child is traveling on your lap. It is best to call the airline and speak with a real person to confirm this. If the baby is not added to your reservation then you may end up with a delay at your check-in.
Day of Travel
-Pack Everything You Need in a Small Bag
I'm talking about the essentials here. You will want to have a small personal item that will both fit underneath the seat in front of you and carry anything you may need during a flight. You don't want to be getting up and down multiple times to get in the overhead bin. You'll be happy to have your most important items right in front of you when you need them.
Items to consider placing in the small bag are formula, extra diapers, change of clothes, medication, phone charger, pacifier etc.
-Keep it Light
One of the major struggles I see with passengers who travel with infants is luggage. Many people just bring way too much stuff. When packing, try to travel with as few items as possible. Traveling light helps to keep you mobile.
I know that traveling with small children means you will need extra stuff with you, just make sure you are not lugging around a whole bunch of extra items.
-Check In Early
You'll want to show up to the airport early to check in for your flight. Two hours before flight time should be adequate. Arriving early will ensure that you won't be rushing to get bags checked or get through security and to the gate. Make the process easier on yourself and allow plenty of extra time.
At the Gate
-Make Yourself Known
When you arrive at the departure gate it helps to introduce yourself to the gate agents who will be working the flight. Let the gate agents know that you are traveling with a lap child and confirm your seat. Some aircraft designs require that lap children be seated in specific rows or sides of the airplane. The gate agent can ensure that you are seated in the right place. This is also a good time to see if you can get a better seat, or a spot with an open seat next to it so you will have more space on the flight. As a gate agent I always loved finding more space for parents with children, most gate agents are willing to help if you CHECK IN WITH THEM EARLY.
If you have a car seat or stroller then the agent will need to attach gate-check tags to the items since they do not fit in the overhead bins. (These Items will be returned at the gate when you arrive at your destination)
If the agent is able to get an open seat for the baby, you may have the option of bringing the car seat on board the plane for the child to stay in during the flight. This option will not always be open. The agent can inform you whether it is possible or not. Not all car seats are eligible for air travel. Look for car seats that are FAA approved when you are shopping.
Get an FAA Approved Carseat Here!
The gate staff can also give you information about boarding procedures. Each airline has a different policy of when passengers with small children can board.
-Get on and Settle In
Now that you have checked in with the gate staff you can relax until boarding time. If the airline allows then you can take advantage of early boarding to get to your seat before most of the other passengers. Early boarding will help you settle in and store all onboard items without a crowd of people bumping into you.
This will also give you an opportunity to meet the onboard crew. The flight attendants will be able to answer any additional questions you may have and will be able to provide you with info about the flight. Most airline flight crews love having babies on board and are willing to assist passengers with small children. They are there to make your flight go smoothly!
Remember to have your small bag of essentials stored in front of you underneath the seat for easy access.
Enjoy the Flight!
Now that you are on board there is not much to do but sit back and relax with your child. Hopefully the flight goes smoothly. If there is anything you need in flight then the flight attendants are there to help!
Do you have experience traveling with small children? I would love to hear how you prepare for your flights and some of your advice for passengers who are new to traveling with babies. Leave me a comment with some of your tips and tricks.
If you have any questions about this article, traveling with kids, or airline travel in general, please reach out! I would love to hear from you.
All images are from my personal collection and were taken by me.
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