With stacks of baby stuff to cart around on top of your own luggage and the risk of attracting disapproving looks from fellow passengers, flying with your baby isn’t always a relaxing start to the family holiday.
That said, a little forward planning can go a long way. Tamsin Kelly, Editor of Parentdish.co.uk and a mum of three, shares her tips on getting through your baby’s first flight with minimal turbulence…
Book the right seats
You’ll usually be able to choose whether you want your baby to travel on your lap or in a carrycot, with most airlines giving parents the option of booking a carrycot free of charge (especially on longer flights). However, some of the low-cost airlines insist that babies must travel on the parent’s lap.
There are usually specific seats assigned for parents with carrycots, and they’re reserved on a first-come first-served basis, so if you want one, ask when booking your tickets.
If your baby will spend the flight on your lap, choosing the right seat is still important. If you can, go for the bulkhead seats (the ones right at the front of the cabin) as they’re easier to get in to and out of.
Check your baggage allowances
Make sure you do your homework to avoid being hit with extra fees when you check in.
Some airlines offer the same baggage allowance for infants as adults, but most offer around 10kg of checked luggage for babies under the age of two as well as the option to check in a collapsible pushchair and car seat. Be aware that some of the low-cost airlines offer no baggage allowance for infants at all. Most airlines don’t give a hand luggage allowance to infants, so you’ll need to make sure everything you need for your baby fits into your own carry-on bag.
Foldable pushchairs will need to be put in the hold (so checked in as luggage), but most airports will let you take the pushchair all the way to the gate to make things easier.
Take plenty of food and drink
Your baby may drink more than normal on a flight as a result of the dehydrating cabin air.
As well as offering baby food, most airlines will be happy to heat up and refrigerate baby food or milk for you (keep anything you want to keep chilled in a cool bag until you’re on board). Again, some of the budget airlines don’t offer baby meals or the use of a microwave, so it’s worth double-checking on the airline’s website before you go.
Pack carefully
Finally, to avoid the hassle of digging through the overhead locker and unpacking everything mid-flight, pack a small bag containing all your baby’s essentials to stuff under the seat in front of you.
