Flying with babies

Just read this article on the Wall Street Journal about how major airlines are making it increasingly more difficult to fly with small children.  We're planning a trip sometime in late April on American with what will then be a 4 or 5 month old, opting for a direct connection so it will be easier.  Anyone have any recent experiences flying with a baby on American?  I know there are already a few threads on traveling with toddlers...


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204517204577042111627445348.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

Frankly, on domestic flights in the US, I much preferred SW because they let kids board after the first 30 people, so families end up in back with other families. The noise in the back of an aircraft can often calm an infant (talk about white noise! It's similar to turning on the vacuum to get them to sleep), and since you're with other families you won't get 'I hate you' looks, and instead will get ' been there, it'll end soon' looks. Also, it's closer to the bathroom for bathroom emergencies for toilet trained kids.

So, basically, I don't mind if the other airlines start putting me in the back with my kid as well. We've flown American with our 3 y.o. recently, and since she was a baby. The only thing that has gotten worse is their policy of no longer allowing families to board after their premier status people. But, I've found that others waiting in line often ask why I'm not on board yet, and I'm very vocal and blatant about how AA's policy has changed, and I apologize ahead of time for taking time in boarding. People in general agree with me, and are understanding when we're buckling in and storing everything.

Good luck with your flight, and just remember that the flight will not last forever - there's some chocolate/wine/sleep eventually available at your destination

I think these examples are a few extreme cases that were dug up to try to make this into a bigger deal than it is...that's how "news" works. 

Admittedly I haven't flown "recently" (it's been 7 months) with my kids (9 months and 7 years at the time) but I had absolutely no problems at all.  I did have to call to book the seats because I had a child on lap but I was happy to do this because I wanted to verify I would have the bulk overhead seats (which I did, at no extra charge) and a skycot reserved (which I did at no extra charge).  I also had a staff member specifically come up to me and tell me I could pre-board.  I flew with Delta.

I have to say I have had nothing but good things to say about Delta/KLM when traveling with infants and children. Well. almost!     I would suggest that as soon as you arrive at the gate to speak to the personel about making sure that A: You all are sitting together (we had issues once where they split me and my hubby up - I had to deal with the 6 month old and a squirming, bored 8 yr old all by myself) and B: that you are sitting in the front with the extra leg room (it's a God send) if you are getting the sky cot they should put you there anyways.. but it's always good to double check. I found that every time I asked for it they were willing to move around others to make sure we were comfy and together.  Plus they were wonderful about helping us through security quickly and making sure we boarded the plane before others so we didn't hold up the show.

We had a decent experience with US Airways a few months back but we had to check in early and request the bulkhead seats at that time and found that they aren't too helpful in placing families in these seats. I will steer clear of United after my friend's experience, though. She paid for a seat so she could use her 2 month old daughter's car seat in flight and they moved her seat at the last minute and were FAR from understanding when she pointed out that they needed to be kept together. 4 or 5 months is a great time to fly, though! I dread flying again now that my daughter is so active and won't sit still...

Thanks for all the tips!  I've just found out that I'll be taking the lo on my own as my husband has just started a new job and can't take the holiday.  We'd wait a few months but traveling in the summer is so expensive so we're looking at March.  I'm hoping to not pay much for a seat so to save money but according to AA you still have to pay taxes and fees for a lap infant on an international flight.  Guess I need to call them and see how much that would be.  I don't know if they have a cot available or anything.  I know I can bring the buggy/travel system but my sister has one I can borrow as soon as I land so I may forego it and use a baby sling...

I'm super anxious about going by myself - it seems like it would be a piece of cake if my husband was going too!  I have to pump every 3-4 hours (baby can't nurse) and I'll be bringing a manual travel-style pump for that purpose but not sure how to do it with baby in my lap.  How do I go to the toilet or even eat?  What about changing her - the bathrooms seem too small for that (although I'll definitely be using disposable diapers while traveling!). 

I'm excited about going home to visit so everyone can meet her but this is so stressful!! 

I travelled alone with my DD when she was very little and all in all it was ok.  If you can get a bassinet then when the baby is in there you could pump.  When she was asleep I ran to the bathroom- it was just in front of the bulkhead seats- as quickly as I could but I also limited my drinks so I wouldn't have to go.  I also changed her quickly in the bassinet but I was sitting next to some nice people who said they would  do the same.  I can't remember how I ate but I think i took a couple snacks to have incase she was awake during the meal time.

I did take an extra blanket to use as a layer in the bassinet as they aren't very cozy.  and also tried to get everything we'd need in a bag I could keep right by my feet.

Now I travel alone with 2 kids and try to make it as simple as possible and have everything organized.  I also have pretty low expectations and figure as long as there is no screaming its a great flight!!

I'm one of those people who hear a crying infant/toddler on a plane and look at the little one with envy. He/she is only venting the frustration/exhaustion/boredom that the rest of us wish we could vent after hours and hours of airports and being cramped and cooped up on a plane. I've never flown with a little one, but in all my flights back and forth, I can only think of one child who cried the whole time, and her mom apologized, but really you could tell the poor little lady was just scared and tired.

There is actually enough room in the toilet for changing! It's a flip-down flat thing over the toilet itself. We've done it plenty of times, but recommend bringing extra plastic bags for sticking stinky diapers inside.
Also, would recommend since you're flying solo to go with as little as possible - if your sister has stuff you need, definitely borrow! It'll be much easier getting through customs with fewer items, and baby strapped to you in a sling.
Good luck, and enjoy the trip home!

I just flew over to the states with my kids on USAirways and they treated us pretty bloody well! The check in was a faff, as we got there early and the queue was HUGE in Manchester and the man checked us in wrong blah blah blah, but we didn't request any special seats and we got the bulkhead, actually the last few times we flew I didn't request the bulkhead and we got it anyway! The pushchair was on the gate even before we got off the plane, and except for the delay, it was a pretty good easy flight. My daughter was climbing all over me, but she is almost 2 so it will be the last time she is a lap infant. ALso, our original flight was delayed and we only had 37 minutes to clear customs and get our luggage and go through security again to meet our connecting flight, but someone was waiting for us with boarding passes for the next flight if we missed our flight. Anyway...I think flying with kids really is what you make of it, if you just think its one day of my life and I am going to just enoy it and be positive, you will be fine! I always fly to the states in the summer on my own with my two kids, and its fine. Someone will always help get stuff from the overheads if you need it...good luck!

I travelled with frozen pumped breast milk, and they let me through no problems, I also had a medela electric hand pump and I did have to pump in the bathroom....nothing a super mother like you or I can't do!! Can you bring frozen milk for the journey?