How to request car-seat for infants on board ?

Question

I will travel, by plane (United Airline), with my 4 months baby. anyone know how do I request for those front row seat and some kind of car-seat for the baby ? or anythings else similar to this issue would help ? thanks in advance.

Answer 1

They don't provide baby seats. On SOME flights, however, they DO have bassinets. (Just because someone says they've never seen them doesn't mean anything. They DO exist. I have personally used one. And it did NOT have to be stowed for takeoff and landing.) They have to be requested, when even available, in advance. NOT at check-in.

You have to call United anyway, to sell them your baby is coming with you. You may as well find out everything you want to know directly from them, rather than having to decide which stranger on Y/A knows what they're talking about and which doesn't.

Answer 2

if you are travelling longhaul (Manila to US?) call reservations and request a bassinet

Answer 3

I fly United a lot and have never seen a wall-mounted bassinet. The FAA is very strict with these and most designs are rejected. The only "bassinet" they offer is a folded one you put at your seat.

I'm also the mom of three children who have been flying since each was 4 months old. We usually go between Europe and California about twice a year.

The only way to fly safely with an infant is to bring a car seat and use it onboard. Even when bassinets are available, they are no replacement for a car seat and have to be stowed for take-off and landing. You also can't leave the child alone in one while sleeping, while you can with a car seat (but be quick-once my son woke up while I was in the lav...)

Lap held babies are allowed because air travel is so safe but if anything goes wrong, these children are not protected.

Make sure your car seat is approved for use on aircraft. See the below link for information on if it's approved. Most car seats, including infant buckets, sold in the U.S. are.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

This way, the seat will get to your destination without risking it being damaged or lost in luggage. On a transatlantic last winter with my kids, three of our four bags didn't make it but since we had the car seat with us, my daughter was safe for the 2 hour drive home (the bags arrived 2 days later). I saw at least two other seats while looking for our luggage. Wonder how they got home?

If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.

Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.

I do recommend trying to sit at the bulkhead. Bulkheads are easier with children since no one is leaning in front of you and there's probably room to crawl on the floor.

If you have a travel system, you can use the stroller until you get to the door of the aircraft and then it'll be "gate checked". If not, use a stroller frame for a infant seat. You'll have it again, by the door of the aircraft when you arrive. If you have a convertible car seat (going to 40lbs), there are a number of contraptions you can use to wheel it around. I simply strap mine to a small metal luggage cart and that works great.

If you do have a stroller, bring a bungee cord and double secure it before leaving it at the door of the plane. They can get damaged if they pop open en route. Make sure the claim ticket can be seen and isn't squished or hidden. Be sure to ask when disembarking where the stroller is.

I fly alone with three small children and manage to bring a car seat each time so it can be done.

The following is general flying advice with a child;

Bring at least 1/3 more diapers than you think you'll need. I saw so many parents run out on flights when I was working! Wrap them in plastic bags and throw a bunch of rubber bands around them to save room in your carry-on.

For a formula fed baby, I really recommend using the bottles with plastic liners. Traditional bottles are too difficult to wash onboard because of the kind of sinks on airplanes. I premeasured the powder and rolled them up, placing the rolls in a ziplock bag. Then you throw the liners away as you use them and only have the ring and nipple to clean.

If you use bottled water, be sure to give yourself enough time to buy some once you're past security. Make sure you have enough! The water on the aircraft is filtered tap so decide if you're comfortable using that for your baby. Bottled water runs out fast on flights and we never had any extra for baby bottles.

Be sure your baby does not need the bottle warmed. Get him used to a room-temperature bottle before leaving. This is unnecessary health-wise and a real pain to do while travelling. I warmed many bottles on my flights but I wasn't there in the check-in line, the security line or the waiting area! Babies do great with room-temperature bottles.

Make sure you have at least one change of clothes. I would bring two. At that age, I simply dressed mine in sleep suits for flying. No one will care so keep him comfortable. Bring extra socks if he crawls so that he doesn't pick up anything nasty on the floor and to keep his hands clean.

Hopefully you have a good baby carrier. They're so useful for flying, especially at this age. I had a sling but other parents swear by their wraps and pouches. The Ergo and Beccos are other popular carriers for travel that go on the back.

I liked the sling because I could slide my babies from into and out of a stroller or car seat without waking them. It also doubled as a blanket, baby changer, breastfeeding cover-up and sunshade! My sling was magic for calming my babies during the flight. Other parents wanted one when they saw how easy it made my travels. Avoid front packs like the Bjorn since they're so bad for both the parents' and child's back. A good carrier should go to at least age 2.

Many flying tips say to make the child suck on something or drink during take-off and landing. This isn't accurate. ENT specialists say to have the child awake about an hour before landing (top of descent, landing or touch-down is too late).

http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandalt...

I can confirm that is when I saw problems at work. Take your child to the doctor in the last few days before you fly to make sure his ears are clear and infection-free. Heathy ears can handle pressurization changes.

About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on flying with children for an expat newsletter. Over the years many parents have contributed. I later put it on a blog so that parents had access to non-commercial information from someone with both practical and professional experience on the web.

Feel free to visit;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a safe flight!

Answer 4

What airline are you traveling on? Some allow you to change seats online, others you'll have to do when you check in. Airlines don't carry the car seats. You will have to bring your own. It doesn't count as one of your carry on's, but you'll still have to bring your own.

Answer 5

At check-in counter.  Ask for PRE-BOARD, and request a car seat.  It is that simple.  Hope this helps!