Flying with an Infant

[celiothrkn 0]

Has anyone ever flown on an international flight with a 6-month old before? I'm talking about a 12 hour flight. For us, it will be from China to New York after my wife obtains her CR1. I noticed that most airlines charge 10% of adult fare for the baby. But the baby doesn't get a seat, right? I assume if we want to buy him a seat, we'd have to pay the fare for children under 12 (typically 70% of adult fare). Could anyone comment on this?

[sara..... 371]

Has anyone ever flown on an international flight with a 6-month old before? I'm talking about a 12 hour flight. For us, it will be from China to New York after my wife obtains her CR1. I noticed that most airlines charge 10% of adult fare for the baby. But the baby doesn't get a seat, right? I assume if we want to buy him a seat, we'd have to pay the fare for children under 12 (typically 70% of adult fare). Could anyone comment on this?

it used to be any child under 2 was free when did they change it?

when we traveled with my little sister we always made sure she had a bottle in her mouth or binki on take off and landing so her ears didnt hurt

sara

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Our twins were almost 8 months old when we immigrated, flying Dublin- Newark- Arkansas. Yes if you want a seat, you need to pay child fare. It's well worth it though, especially on a long flight! It means you can bring a car seat or if baby can sit up easily, can have it sit between you for some time while you eat. It also means you wil likely have a row of seats to yourself, which makes travelling so much easier with a baby. If there is any way you can afford it, do it!

If she breastfeeds, have her breastfeed on take-off and landing, it will placate the baby and help equalise the pressure in its ears. If not breastfeeding, have formula bottles and pacifiers ready (the liquid limits do not apply to baby food/ formula, though you may be required to taste it). If using formula/ processed babyfood, I'd also recommend bringing a few cans in your checked lugage for the first couple of weeks here, so baby doesn't have to get used to new food along with a new climate, time change, and the other immigration stresses.

I'd also strongly recommend bringing a baby carrier such as a ring sling, ergo or a wrap for baby rather than using a buggy in the airport- you'll be much quicker as you can take the stairs, and it's easier to get through security.

Edited September 19, 2009 by Penguin_ie

[celiothrkn 0]

Thanks for the fast replies!

How would we breastfeed on the airplane though? I feel like there's less privacy. I will not be traveling with my wife and the baby. Suppose we buy two seats (my wife & baby). I remember the Economy seats next to the windows are 3-seaters. 4-seaters are in the middle. Does this vary by plane? I've personally traveled by Business class before. While their wider seats would afford more comfort for my wife, I feel like she would have even less privacy to breastfeed. Does anyone have experience breastfeeding on planes?

Also, what about wearing diapers? I remember bathrooms on most airplanes are small. Is it even safe? Would the flight attendants help?

[payxibka 10,047]

flight attendants are not nannies so don't expect much help

breast feeding privacy can be done by simply tossing a blanket or other cover over the baby when nursing

seat configuration varies by aircraft and airline...

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Has anyone ever flown on an international flight with a 6-month old before? I'm talking about a 12 hour flight. For us, it will be from China to New York after my wife obtains her CR1. I noticed that most airlines charge 10% of adult fare for the baby. But the baby doesn't get a seat, right? I assume if we want to buy him a seat, we'd have to pay the fare for children under 12 (typically 70% of adult fare). Could anyone comment on this?

Prices vary according to the airline. When we flew from Ukraine to JFK with Delta, I paid only taxes for our son (no seat for him and he was 18 months old). Prices vary depending upon the airline company and their policies. With Delta during our trip, if I wanted to buy a ticket for Yan, it would cost 20% of a full fare plus taxes. Also, if you plan on buying a seat for the baby, check with the airline company what the policy is for "car seat" or booster seats. They have some restrictions.

Good luck

[Donna A 4]

i think u can request a baby bed that they hang on the wall or something like that. ive seen them before on a over seas trip.

[Penguin_ie 5,997]

Breastfeeding is actually more discreet on a plane than most other places, once people have sat down, because everyone is engrossed in their fod/ movie/ book, and looking forward, not to the side (unless you have someone sitting right beside you I suppose). I've always had my husband beside me when breastfeeding, never flew alone, so can;t advice on that. Layout does depend on the plane but on the big planes like from China, I would think it is almost always 3-4-3 or more. As your wife will be flying alone, I would recommend either a business class seat (they often have single rows) if you can afford it, or two economy seats (usually cheaper than one businessclass ticket, especially with one ticket being a child's!). If she goes for economy, have her reserve the window and aisle seat in a row. With a bit of luck the plane won't be completely full and the middle seat will remain empty, still giving her a full row. Even if the plane is full, she'll easily be able to switch the middle seat for an aisle seat with whomever sits there (who wants to sit between a screaming baby and its mommy?). You should be able to ring your chosen airline and ask about the seat configuation of the plane, which will remain the same unless there is a fault with a plane and they need to bring in another one.

As others have said, flight attendants will not help with the baby, though some will warm bottles for you (not all, due to health and safety policies). Bathrooms usually have a small pull-down changing table but unless it is a particularly smelly diaper, I have usually changed it in the seat, and brought a few plastic bag for dirties until I could go to the bathroom. This may also be neccessary when there is a queue for the bathroom.

[redglasses 1]

i think u can request a baby bed that they hang on the wall or something like that. ive seen them before on a over seas trip.

Yeah, you can usually request a bassinet with free of charge.

[kaffy 2]

How would we breastfeed on the airplane though? I feel like there's less privacy. I will not be traveling with my wife and the baby.

Nursing cover/hooter hider

http://www.bebeaulait.com/

[Frenchwife 1]

ask the airline at the moment of purchasing!

every airline/trip/airport is particular

My son has travelled in bassinet or in my chair with BA & AirFrance.

I have carried him in a wrap or in stroller

some airlines let you take the stroller up to the plane, some not.

some let you take stroller into the plane some not.

I have picked airlines and trips considering all aspects.

and that would not prevent surprises sometimes

[Kirsten UK 2]

My daughter has flown many times with US airways, is under 12, and they have always charged me full fare for her!! But then I book online, so it may be worth calling them to see if they have a 'child fare'. I can tell you though, people fly with babies long haul ALL the time, so don't worry!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

My daughter has flown many times with US airways, is under 12, and they have always charged me full fare for her!! But then I book online, so it may be worth calling them to see if they have a 'child fare'. I can tell you though, people fly with babies long haul ALL the time, so don't worry!

Yeah, I think child fare has gone the way of the dodo on a lot of airlines. My daughter has been full-fare since 12 months.