Travel with Newborn

[griz30 0]

My wife and I are planning to travel back to Thailand in Nov. to see her parents and show them their new granddaughter. Has anyone traveled with an infant and what are the challenges? Right now we are looking to hold her in our laps for the flight, but its a long flight but it will save a $1000.00.

[Matt & Bing 56]

How old is your child? I think airlines have requirements on how old a child can be to travel. And I think there a ticket is still required although maybe not a full priced one.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I would not recommend holding a baby in the lap while on a plane, especially on a trip that long.

air turbulence comes to mind, my flight attendant friend told me she always thinks "oh no" when she sees parents holding a kid during the flight. No seat-belts, and if your not really holding tight, and the plane hits an air pocket (which can happen at any time) - the baby becomes a missile.

Also - in a crash - if that happens, the survivability of a lap baby vs one in a car seat is low. I watched the interviews of the 1989 Sioux city crash, where the FA was asked by mothers carrying kids, "what should we do?" - the procedure at that time was to place the child between your feet and hold on.

From the wiki on this crash

"The accident is cited as an example of why "lap infants"—children without a seat of their own—should have their own seat and be properly restrained on all flights. This campaign has been led by United 232's chief flight attendant, one of the notable survivors of the accident. "

Brown Lohr – United 232's Senior Flight Attendant. She was forced by regulation to ask parents with "lap children" aboard flight 232 to place their children on the cabin floor during the flight's final moments before impact. One of four children died from smoke inhalation. The deceased child's grief-stricken mother confronted Lohr at the crash scene. Since then, Lohr has tirelessly lobbied in Washington D.C. to promote the safety of children on all civilian aircraft and airlines, asking that federal regulations require all children to have a seat belt on every flight

I would spend the 1k - you can always make more money...

[Penguin_ie 5,995]

If you in any way can. but a seat. I have travelled with three kids (well, two to start off with), and it makes travel so much more comfortable. If you cannot afford it, try to get a plane with a three steater row, and reserve the inside and outside seat, leaving the middle one free. Unless the plane is full, it will likely remain free an d you can use it for the baby- if the plane does sell out, the passenger in the middle seat will be happy to trade seats with one of you.

If your wife, can, breastfeed the baby. It will calm the child, and also help with pressure differential during take-off and landing (and is better than having to taste formula during security checks).

Get a baby carrier; a Mei Tai, ring-sling or whatever you and your wife like. These are easier to get through security, and you don't have to go find a lift as you can easily climb stairs, plus you can run for a connecting flight if necessary.

[Pii Sam 0]

My wife flew back to Thailand from Seattle in July on EVA. Our daughter was 6 months old at the time. She didn't have any problems. We didn't purchase a seat for her. We did request a bassinet though. The bassinet allowed her to sleep and made the trip comfortable. Bring a small stroller, and have them store it for you so that it's ready for you when you exit the plane. My wife went with a freind, and said that it was not at all a bad experience. It isn't always necessary to spend the extra money. Good luck!

[rin and john 71]

You'll want to check the airlines as well.

According to their website, Delta requires a ticket on travel between countries, although with some fare reduction (taxes and airport fees still apply - they can be significant so the difference between a "lap" ticket and a seat ticket would probably be less than $1,000):

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_for_children/child_fares/index.jsp

Briefly reading thru their site, it appears United's policy is the similar:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1051,00.html

You may be better off on Thai Airways. Not sure of the ticket pricing, but they provide bassinets. Their website has nothing on pricing for infants under the age of 2 yo.

http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/knowledge_detail.php?lg=en&dng=1

[Karee 4,190]

You'll want to check the airlines as well.

According to their website, Delta requires a ticket on travel between countries, although with some fare reduction (taxes and airport fees still apply - they can be significant so the difference between a "lap" ticket and a seat ticket would probably be less than $1,000):

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_for_children/child_fares/index.jsp

Briefly reading thru their site, it appears United's policy is the similar:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1051,00.html

You may be better off on Thai Airways. Not sure of the ticket pricing, but they provide bassinets. Their website has nothing on pricing for infants under the age of 2 yo.

http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/knowledge_detail.php?lg=en&dng=1

Yeah I remember seeing alot of that on Asian airlines. You have to have a bulkhead seat. After the flight takes off they lock a small cradle onto the bulkhead. Not sure about safety, but I saw it quite a bit.

[AaronLV 12]

You'll want to check the airlines as well.

According to their website, Delta requires a ticket on travel between countries, although with some fare reduction (taxes and airport fees still apply - they can be significant so the difference between a "lap" ticket and a seat ticket would probably be less than $1,000):

http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/special_travel_needs/services_for_children/child_fares/index.jsp

Briefly reading thru their site, it appears United's policy is the similar:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,1051,00.html

You may be better off on Thai Airways. Not sure of the ticket pricing, but they provide bassinets. Their website has nothing on pricing for infants under the age of 2 yo.

http://www.prthaiairways.com/thaiair_4p/front/knowledge_detail.php?lg=en&dng=1

Thai Airways charges 10% of your fare for children under 2 years old.