Plane travel with LO...some ?s

LucyGoosey81 · September 2009

We're going to be flying to FL in a couple weeks and we've never done this before with LO, and we haven't flown anywhere since 2007 I think.

#1- Southwest has no baggage fees, but they charge nearly $90 in fees for 2 tickets. AirTran has cheaper fares and lower fees as a result (will cost us $40 less), but have baggage fees. We need to bring a car seat and PNP with us. I imagine that each is considered a separate bag, right? So that's another $50 a piece!!! Plus they are heavy, so I don't know if that would be an additional fee. DH and I would share a suitcase, so that would be another $15. From your experience, are we better off paying the $40 in fees to Southwest for free baggage?

I had another question but I forgot what it was in the course of my typing. Soooo...I'm begging for advice and tips while flying!!! Give me what you got!

LucyGoosey81 · September 2009

I forgot to add that I have no idea what Southwest charges for the extra pieces...2 are free each, so I don't think there'd be any, right? God I'm dumb sometimes.

sambama · September 2009

Car seats aren't considered luggage.

LucyGoosey81 · September 2009

sambama:
Car seats aren't considered luggage.

They aren't! This is good to know!!!

newportbride715 · September 2009

I'm assuming your LO will be on your lap? Ask in advance about the lapbelt attachment. It is a seatbelt for them that attaches to yours so your LO can be belted down, at least while the light is one. I thought all airlines had this (we used one w/ DS when he did not want to be in his carseat) but I heard on here that some were never offered one so their kid was just sitting there w/ no restraints... that scares me!

You should call about the carseat. There may or may not be a fee for that if you gate check it. If there is a fee, they are not that heavy, so I can't imagine it would go over the limit and be extra.

AJM796 · September 2009

We are flying AirTran in a few weeks and I'm pretty sure the carseat and stroller are not considered luggage and are free to check. Check AirTran's website just to be sure though.

LucyGoosey81 · September 2009

newportbride715:
I'm assuming your LO will be on your lap? Ask in advance about the lapbelt attachment. It is a seatbelt for them that attaches to yours so your LO can be belted down, at least while the light is one. I thought all airlines had this (we used one w/ DS when he did not want to be in his carseat) but I heard on here that some were never offered one so their kid was just sitting there w/ no restraints... that scares me!
You should call about the carseat. There may or may not be a fee for that if you gate check it. If there is a fee, they are not that heavy, so I can't imagine it would go over the limit and be extra.

More good to know information. I would have never thought about that. I will call about the car seat and PNP...I was more worried about the PNP weight. The car seat is ridiculously heavy, but not heavier than your typical luggage (it's the Peg Perego infant seat).

AJM796:
We are flying AirTran in a few weeks and I'm pretty sure the carseat and stroller are not considered luggage and are free to check. Check AirTran's website just to be sure though.

And duh! I forgot about a stroller. LOL

augs06 · September 2009

We're flying Southwest and their CS rep told me that 2 baby items equals one piece of luggage. carseat + stroller = 1 suitcase
It is a rather short trip, so this was the cheaper way to go for us. HTH

Lucky_Dragonfly · September 2009

we are flying with DS in about 3 wks. We are flying Southwest. Tey didn't have anythin post about extra fees for baggage. We were going to fly JetBlue but while DS is a lap child and does not need a ticket we still have to pay fees and taxes on him since he is a traveler. We ae planning on gate checking the stroller and the car seat. Since we are visiting friends then we don;t need to bring the PnP.

For the diaper bag- put all LO creams and powders in on bagging. It willsave time though secrutiy of having ot ripe everything out. and yes the stroller does nned to go through the scanner so bring a smaller one. When boarding, send your H on first to get everything settled in the seats and don't board with your LO until the very last minute. This will keep him from getting upset or irritated sitting in a small area.

edit- also last time we flew. we bought diapers, wipes and formula when we landed at our destination so we didn't take up room with this in the suit case with this stuff. Just take what you need to get through the day.

Want a personalized experience?

Plane travel with LO...some ?s

Re: Plane travel with LO...some ?s

Choose Another Board

Search Boards