Flying with baby

588loves551

I'll be flying out of state in August and will be travelling with DD for the first time (she'll be 3 months old then).  I just learned that Southwest has an infant rate which is supposedly cheap, but you have to call them and can't do it online.  That's if you want to keep her in her carseat and have an actual plane seat for her.  Well, my flights are $150 each way and hers is $199 each way....That's not too cheap (but I guess compared to the web fares it is!). 

You can put her on your lap for free, and it's only a 1.5 hour, direct flight.  And, if you "lap" her and the flight is not overbooked, you can keep her in the carseat and give her a seat assignment.  But the $199 each way guarantees her her own seat. I guess it's the risk.

What have you all done? Recommendations?

 

elisbu

I am flying in a week and I plan on putting K in the Moby when we are on the plane and let her 'stretch' during our lay over.

I figure the Moby will make it easier for me to move around the airport and that way if she falls asleep I can sleep on the plan as well without fear of her slipping.

I will also be bringing our stroller, but I will check that at the gate as soon as I can.

tokenhoser

I'd wear my baby in a front carrier. That way, he's secure in case of turbulence but doesn't cost me $400.

I might be taking a trip in the fall. I have no intention of buying LO a seat.

588loves551

tokenhoser:

I'd wear my baby in a front carrier. That way, he's secure in case of turbulence but doesn't cost me $400.

I thought about bringing her bjorn, but the FAA doesn't allow it! This was on the SW website:

The FAA has banned the use on board aircraft of certain types of CRSs that may be harmful to a child in the event of an aviation emergency. These include backless booster seats, safety belt extensions (commonly referred to as "belly belts"), and vest or harness devices that attach to an adult. Although some that were manufactured before the FAA's ban may carry an insignia and/or language indicating they are approved for aircraft use, please understand that they are no longer permitted.

 

Heather & Nayt

I will be flying in August with DD and DS who will be two, so we will have tickets seats, I plan on wearing DD most of the time but I have read that you can not actually wear baby while the plane in in flight. It should be interesting. 

I flew two summers ago when DS was 7 months old as a lap child and it was totally fine. You can check your stroller at the gate and car seats fly free.  

kristennd

It looks like we have to fly twice this summer and I'm completely stressed about it. Will be checking with individual airlines on their policies just to be on the safe side. They don't seem to ever be consistent on anything.

Lisa102304

Now, it has been several years since I flew with a baby, but when Rachel was young I did not buy her a seat until she was mobile. Once she could walk, I bought a seat for her because containing a newly mobile toddler on a flight in one seat is PURE HELL. Until baby is mobile, I think it is a waste of money(JMO). Sit in the way back, you are more likely to have an empty seat back there, and in my experience flight attendants are great about helping you out.

mattsgirl515

We are flying in 3 weeks when LO will be 7 weeks and we booked him as a lap infant. I couldn't see paying for a ticket for him. The flight is two and half hours, but he is usually calm when we hold him.

588loves551

Lisa102304:

Sit in the way back, you are more likely to have an empty seat back there, and in my experience flight attendants are great about helping you out.

great idea!

Heather & Nayt

Also, if you get to your gate early, tell them that you are traveling with a lap child and they will try to get you boarded first, give you an extra seat if it's available and tell the flight attendance so you have some extra help. At least that's how it was for me last time. 

nycteach

588loves551:

tokenhoser:

I'd wear my baby in a front carrier. That way, he's secure in case of turbulence but doesn't cost me $400.

I thought about bringing her bjorn, but the FAA doesn't allow it! This was on the SW website:

The FAA has banned the use on board aircraft of certain types of CRSs that may be harmful to a child in the event of an aviation emergency. These include backless booster seats, safety belt extensions (commonly referred to as "belly belts"), and vest or harness devices that attach to an adult. Although some that were manufactured before the FAA's ban may carry an insignia and/or language indicating they are approved for aircraft use, please understand that they are no longer permitted.

 

This!  I was on a horrible flight once with awful turbulence.  The mom had a safety belt extension on and mom's chin smacked into the baby's head so, so hard.  It don't know what ended up happening to the little guy but it was awful. 

Lisa102304

Heather & Nayt:

Also, if you get to your gate early, tell them that you are traveling with a lap child and they will try to get you boarded first, give you an extra seat if it's available and tell the flight attendance so you have some extra help. At least that's how it was for me last time. 

This has always been my experience too. Even when traveling now that Rachel is older - it still works. I don't preboard anymore, but the flight attendants always have been awesome. They have entertained Rachel while I go to the bathroom - even held her when she was small. I get extra snacks, drinks!

Lisa102304

588loves551:

Lisa102304:

Sit in the way back, you are more likely to have an empty seat back there, and in my experience flight attendants are great about helping you out.

great idea!

Other bonus about the way back is the loud airplane/engine noise - it is like white noise and puts baby to sleep! Plus, it is so loud it drowns out any fussing.

MaybeBaby2

We didn't start buying DD her own seat until she was about a year or so. 

kristennd

Heather & Nayt:

Also, if you get to your gate early, tell them that you are traveling with a lap child and they will try to get you boarded first, give you an extra seat if it's available and tell the flight attendance so you have some extra help. At least that's how it was for me last time. 

Both airline websites that I checked said they'll still do this -- give you a free seat if one is available and you can go the lap route for free otherwise. That risk seems a little scary though. Not least because LO is such a squirmer.

The other thing I'm trying to figure out is dealing with the car seat at the other end. I guess we take the base along and just cross our fingers that we'll figure out how to install it properly in whatever relative's vehicle?