9 hour night flight with baby

hoxtonbabe

Morning all,

just to make things a bit clearer this isn't my first time travelling with my children, I have taken the baby from when he was be 6 months old on flights ranging from 2 hours and the longest yet which was in the summer to the middle east which was 7 hours and this Kenya trip will be his 8th flight and so far we have done perfectly fine without him having his own seat, faffing around with car seatsespecially his huge one is far more hassle for us than just keping him on our laps, plus we are used to it now anyway. I am aware of toys and the other things I need to bring to keep him entertained, but thank you for the advice all the same

This time however it is a night flight (which we have not done before) so unless excitement gets the better of him, hopefully 3 hours into it he should be getting ready to sleep and stay asleep untill we land in mombassa, the reason I was asking about the bulkhead or bassinet (which I have found out from KQ he will be too big for anyway) was to lie him down somwhere but if we do have to have him laying on our chest for best best part of 6 hours we want to atleast try and have some extra legroom.

Anyhoo, KQ have sorted me out now and put us in the bulkhead seats

Thanks Folks

craig777

I didn't think you were allowed to take your own car seat to use on-board an aircraft??

Murphy_The_Cat

jkmum wrote: »

For children too big for the cot style bassinet seat, there is usually a car seat style bassinet instead. These go on special tables that fold down from the bulkhead wall. You can only take your car seat on the flight if you pay for a seat for them. Also bear in mind the style of seat you would have for a 19 months old - will it fit in an airline seat, does it secure using only a lap belt and how would you transport it through the airport? I certainly couldn't do it with mine. I have done a few long hauls just using the bassinet and it's fine. You can't have them in for take off or landing or any time the seat belt signs are on, but it's enough to give you a bit of a break and eat your meal in peace. Contact the airline for advice, but it is the bassinet you're asking for.

hello jkmum, I've never come across a bassinet that would be suitable for a toddle and I'm intrigued, do you have a piccie of one, or a link ? All the ones that I've ever seen are for babies, with a really low weight limit.
I'd only ever go long haul with a small child if they could have their own seat, and within that seat, they would travel in their car seat - with a bit of research, you'll soon see if they'll fit or not. If its of any use to anyone, a Britax Isofix Duo Plus (a big piece of kit), & a Britax Elite (again a big piece of kit that is suitable for a child from aged 2-6 years) will comfortably fit (secured by a lap belt), in an American Airlines B767, B757, MD80, MD83, Bombardier CRJ700 & BAE Jet stream 31 - and some of those are tiddlers. But check, check & check again.
As for transporting it through an airport - carry it ! Simples

Murphy_The_Cat

craig777 wrote: »

I didn't think you were allowed to take your own car seat to use on-board an aircraft??

You certainly are :j
From BA "
If you have booked a seat for your infant, you will need to have an approved infant car seat that fits into the aircraft seat. If they are travelling on your lap, you will not need a car seat.
You may prefer to use your own seat which must meet the following standards:

• a seat designed to be secured by means of a normal aircraft single lap strap and face the same direction as the passenger seat on which it rests
• a purpose-designed children’s car seat with a 5-point restraining harness
• the seat must not exceed the dimensions of the aircraft seat
• the maximum dimensions of the seat must fit into an area of 17x17 inches (43x43cm)."

Other airlines have differing rules - I wouldn't know what the 'no-frills' airlines do :beer:

Murphy_The_Cat

hoxtonbabe wrote: »

Morning all,

, but thank you for the advice all the same

Thanks Folks

Its a good job that we are not all the same, as there is not a snowball in hells chance that i would do what you are doing :beer:.

duchy

I'm with Murphy
I wouldn't expect my child to sleep ON me at home for hours so why would I do it on a plane ?
I understand the cost issues and this may be your last chance to save money before they turn two and need their own seat but personally I wouldn't do it for two reasons 1 Comfort-of the child, me and the poor people around me and 2 Safety. A lap child is at far greater risk of injury on a turbulent flight or bumpy landing than a child securely in a car seat .

Ankh

This is what Virgin have, its got pictures for those interested in what they look like.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/travellingwithchildren/index.jsp

Murphy_The_Cat

Ankh wrote: »

This is what Virgin have, its got pictures for those interested in what they look like.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/travellingwithchildren/index.jsp

Thanks for that. I've seen them before and thought that they were for babies/tiny children only - and the blurb on the Virgin site says that they are for upto 12 months only, depending on size/weight.

Also from the Virgin site is this
" Our new Infant/Child Seat is available on all Virgin Atlantic aircraft and is suitable for newborn babies, infants and children up to a maximum weight of 44lbs (20kg) or a maximum height of 40in (100cm). The Infant/Child Seat is available for use in all cabins. "
Which to me is a fantastic compromise that means that you don't need to take your own car seat - but it does mean that the parent needs to put their hand into their pocket and pay for a seat !

hoxtonbabe

With all respect i'm not really intrested in what anyone does with their child on a flight, at home or wherever, if I choose to have my child on my lap for all hours then so be it, if another person chooses to book the whole of first class with butler service for their child then good for them, but that does not help me with my question (which has now been answered)

Murphy_The_Cat

hoxtonbabe wrote: »

With all respect ..... but that does not help me with my question (which has now been answered)

Then I suggest that you consider how you ask for help/advice, on an internet forum, in the future.

hoxtonbabe wrote: »

I just wanted to clairfy I am asking for the right things before I call, so any suggestions for a "easy" journey would be appriciated.

Thanks.

HB