Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

We're thinking of going to Fla. with my granddaughter to visit her great grandma for the first time. My daughter has a Graco Snugride infant seat. Did you take the seat on the plane with you? Did you buy a seat for your baby or keep him/her on your lap during the flight? Also, she's worried if she checks the car seat that it will get banged up and damaged the way they toss everything around. What does it mean if "gate check" something? Where does it go on the plane? If you rented a car, did the car rental place supply a car seat so you didn't have to bring one with you? Thanks.

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

Anyone?

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

We took our convertible carseat...

We checked it at the front with everything else.

We did NOT buy an additional seat, but we actually took a window and an aisle and hoped that the middle would be empty. On the way there it worked, on the way back someone did sit between us, but there were extra seats so she moved to make it easier for everyone.

We gate checked the stroller, they just literally took it at the gate and put it under the plane.


ETA... we put our carseat in a bag so it wouldn't get all banged up...

Message edited 4/2/2011 2:13:09 PM.

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

if there is an open seat, yes..you can take it on the plane..and it will make your life so so much easier. However, if there is no open seat, then you must check it. (unless you paid for a seat for little one)

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

I have never flown with an infant, but I plan to this Summer to visit OOS family. DD will be 4 (almost 5) months at that point and I definitely don't plan on buying her her own seat. She'll just chill on my lap and hopefully sleep most of the way. I'm planning on getting an aisle seat WAYYY in the back of the plane near the bathroom, that way if she's fussing then I can stand with her without being in anybody's way. I'm not brining any carseat with me though because my mother will have one waiting for us. I assume you just check it though, but I would put it in something if at all possible.

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

We flew in January when DS was 7 months. We did not buy an extra seat, he was a lap rider. We took Southwest, (if you want to buy a ticket you have to call them for the discounted child rate. It's a discount off their "wanna get away" pricing). It worked out fine for us, he didn't sleep much but he played with his toys and just looked around.

We didn't bring a car seat b/c my BIL had one for us when we got to AZ. We did bring the Umbrella Stroller with us and took it all the way to the plane and they checked it for us. It was right outside the plane doors when we exited...every time.

We took 4 planes total and his Stroller was always there and never got banged up.

I would suggest getting a car seat carrier if you are checking it and they will put it under the plane and it will be fine.

HTH

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

We just flew to Florida w/DS who was 8 months. We did not buy him a seat. We flew Southwest, where there are no assigned seats, and we lucked out in that nobody sat in the row w/DH and I, so we had plenty of room, but DS was on our laps the whole time. We did not bring his carseat, we rented a car w/a carseat. The only downside was that it was a convertible carseat, and he has only been in the infant seat, so it took a little getting used to for him and for us, but it was well worth not having to bring ours with us. We gate-checked our stroller, and so we were able to bring it all the way to the door of the plane, and when we got off the plane, it was waiting for us right outside the door. Southwest was AWESOME to fly w/a baby, they even announced to everyone it was DS's first flight and everyone applauded and he got an official "first flight" certificate from them :)

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

We have always bought our kids seat (both flew at 5 months)

1. it's safer
2. it's more comfortable
3. Our destination was AZ or CA and therefore a little longer than FL.


Since we buy the seat, we take a carseat with us. Once they got to 18+ months, we check the seat at the gate and never had a problem (same with stroller) - Gate checked items don't go to the same place as checked luggage, so they get tossed around less.


I'm not sure that I would feel good about renting one - not knowing what has happened to it and where it has been.


Honestly, especially with the SW flight this week, I just never trust turbulence and having a baby on my lap. There's only one mask that comes down (they said one woman was hysterical b/c her baby passed out). Even one flight, my son freaked out during landing so I took him out of his seat and had the Vulcan death grip on him, b/c I was so nervous there would be a jolt that would make him fall or worse. I'm not usually a nervous nelly - but I think working for an airline did this to me...

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

We did not buy seats since it was fl and we were flying southwest. We figured no one would want to sit next to us with twins, lol. We brought the seats on and put them in them. When you gate check it goes under the plane but you get it right back after you land at the gate when you land. We have never had anything broken or damaged.

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

Re: Questions about traveling on a plane with an infant (6 mos old)

I flew with DS when he was 3 months and will be flying with him later this month (he'll be 8 months). Both times, I did not buy a seat for him (flying both Jetblue and SW)

Back in November, I lucked out and had an empty seat right next to me on both flights, there and back... I used the infant carrier b/c there was an empty seat...however, if it were a full flight, I would have brought the stroller and infant seat right up to the plane door, not checked it in the beginning of the whole process. When you leave it, the put it below, and then when you land, it is right outside the plane for you. My travel system was fine, no scratches or marks at all....