Flying next week long haul with 5 month old

Moonchild

Although it might be deemed too trendy, and not cheap, a Bugaboo has amazing resale value on ebay which makes it the best buggy we ever bought. However, not so good for flying with!

However, we mainly use a Quinny Zapp on long haul flights as it's one of very few buggies that can be folded up and put in the overhead lockers as opposed to take off us and not seen for years. We didn't use it for a recent Bangkok - Heathrow flight on Etihad, and really could have done with it at transit in Etihad, and for the very long walk from the plane to luggage collection at Terminal 3, where our other buggy was waiting for us, suitably bashed up.

sooz

I have just booked a hol in Cuba, leaving next Friday.

We have a 5 month old and have a few questions...

1. Can we book a bassinet / sky cot with Thomas Cook? ask them
2. Or can we take car seat on? not unless you have paid for a seat for your child. And even then, not all car seats will fit.
3. How do people go about taking bottles on? Do we need to take powder and then make it onboard? sterilise bottles, fill with boiled water. You may be asked to taste a drop of this at security. Take measured containers of powder to add to this. Like this or 3 section one linked above
4. Does the baby get a baggage allowance? As 15kg x 2 doesn't seem much. ask Thomas Cook
5. Is it a risk taking a Quinny Buzz pram (i.e. £400 worth) if it needs to go in the hold? It will need to go into the hold, which means you'll be holding the baby. Get a cheap reclinable stroller. The zapp is suitable for babies over 6 months, who can sit up. It's rubbish for little ones to sleep in. Try a maclaren (anything above a volo, which doesn't recline) or something that looks like one, such as this
6. Vaccinations for Cuba...? speak to your doctors surgery.

Anything else we need to consider?

r.mac_2

peter - i'd recommend the mcLaren quest. hope that helps.

Bob_the_Saver

peterc2609 wrote: »

Boooo, Grumpy Old Bob.

If anyone can help Bob out... he's looking for some discount codes for 'Help the Aged' flights!

You were a child once Bob ha ha

I used to like children, I even went to school with them, but then I started to
fly a LOT around the world.
My biggest problem with planes is that you can't open the windows to throw out the noisy little ba**ards who kick the back of your seat and play bleeping electronic games for 4 hours. Should go in the hold or be put in Kennels and left in the UK.

Diamond_Olly

You used to be able to get a baggage allowance for infants by phoning Thomas Cook - worked on flight only bookings, but seeing as they've all tightened up allowances recently - might not work. Worth calling either your agent or TC - whoever you booked it through. Not booked a baby longhaul with them recently.

eslick

agree that the zapp is great for flying but not for a 5 month old, we have a zapp and used it from newcastle to amsterdam and on to Atlanta, got there no problem, but on the last leg from amsterdam to newcastle had security in a muddle they were flying around and stopped the belt shouting for support, then one of the guards turned the screen to our direction and said whats in the bag. on the screen there was a gold shape which looked like a gun it was actually where the front wheel connected to the buggy makes us laugh thinking about it but wasnt nice after a 8 hour flight

peterc2609

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

I used to like children, I even went to school with them, but then I started to
fly a LOT around the world.
My biggest problem with planes is that you can't open the windows to throw out the noisy little ba**ards who kick the back of your seat and play bleeping electronic games for 4 hours. Should go in the hold or be put in Kennels and left in the UK.

Ha Ha I feel the same about OAPs!

On a more serious note... we got a buggy from Babies r Us... very similar to the Zapp, but it reclines... and was £30 cheaper... I think its called a Zia!?!

r.mac_2

great to hear you got a buggy sorted - the zia has great reviews. Do let us know how your holiday goes. I'm jealous! I can't wait until our next holiday

bob - not all children are like that. My little girl didn't cry at all on our flights. She was happily distracted with toys, food and trips to the toilet and meeting the stewards on board on the flight out and slept for the whole flight home.

Bob_the_Saver

peterc2609 wrote: »

Ha Ha I feel the same about OAPs!

On a more serious note... we got a buggy from Babies r Us... very similar to the Zapp, but it reclines... and was £30 cheaper... I think its called a Zia!?!

I feel the same about some OAP's as well, the tinny sound of their da*n Ipods turned up to max so they can actually hear the latest Vera Lynn hit album Ahaaaa,
but I'm many years off that status myself.

morocha

Hi Op, i took my 4 months old daughter to Argentina(14hs flight. 2 to Madrid and wait for 3 hs) on my own last year.... and i have travelled around 19 hs.... so i have a bit of experience
i took a couple of packs of ready made milk and powder aswell, do not worry about this, the girls are very good and they will help you preparing the milk in the way you ask them to do it.
take some snacks, a lot of clothes and nappies, you never know if you will be stock somewhere or emergency landing ( we did, ended up sleeping in a hotel in Barcelona for 5 hs and taking the next available flight to Madrid-Buenos Aires)
take some toys aswell, maybe little things that your baby havent seen before, will keep him/her entertain.
DO you priority chech in.. i never waited for the queues, i went straight to the desk the was one of the first to board the plane, never mind people looking funny at you, it is your right!. ASK for the baby cot.... they only have a couple... i asked to reserve one for my daughter( night flight) when i was at the front desk, you never know how many babies will be on board, and you do need free hands during the flight and will help you to get a proper rest.
Calm down, it will be over soon , my daughter is not easy to please, but hey, she was a baby, i didnt care if she cried and people was looking at me, she was a baby, they get upset... so that's my best advice, you can do it, just be prepare for it.

AS for the buggy, i bought a Chicco stroller... it was great !!!