Haven't flown in 10 years, going with 3 kids - can you help with questions?

[NikitaZee]

Hi all - I'm a nervous flyer who's finally decided that my time is worth more than the long drive from Massachusetts to WDW, so we're getting ready to book airfare and I am not really well informed about things. We've narrowed it down to SW and JB. SW because its the cheapest so far - $1250 for 5 of us, and we can fly out of Providence. However I've been reading that we could be separated from our kids. If we pay for EBCI for all five of us, can we be almost certain of sitting together? JB looks good too - but we'd have to fly out of Boston instead of Providence and that seems like more of a hassle. I love the idea of roomier seats, tv for everyone, and assigned seating. However that is pricing it at over $2000. Do prices go down, or should we book right away? I would love opinions on which airline you prefer, and would make for the smoothest trip. I haven't researched how luggage works on either yet - I'm just assuming I will pack light and pay to check bags. Any help would be great.

 

[debster812]

We're also in MA, and about the same distance from Logan and TF Green, so have flown in and out of both airports before.

I actually don't mind flying out of Logan. We either take a car service, get dropped off in Braintree at the Logan Express, or dropped off in Quincy at the shipyard, and take the Harbor Express water shuttle. Have not driven to Logan in YEARS.

JetBlue and Southwest are 2 of our preferred carriers. If you are concerned about not being separated from your kids, SWA is likely the better choice, as you control exactly where you sit, based on check-in, and boarding numbers. You are actually less likely to be separated, even if you have to split up into 2 groups (1 adult w/ 2 kids, and 1 adult with 1 child) If you do EBCI you will likely get all A boarding passes, and if you check in at EXACTLY 24 hours, you'll likely get A's or high B's, and still be fine to sit together. You don't say how old your kids are, but 2 years ago, when he was 11, DS was excited at the prospect of possibly not sitting with DH or I, due to having to re-book our flight last minute.

That being said, we LOVE JetBlue. The TVs are awesome (for this nervous flyer as well), their flight crews, check in folks, and gate agents have always been delightful, and we've always had great experiences with them.

There is a chance prices may go down, but nothing is ever written in stone.

About the bags--on JetBlue, you do NOT pay for your 1st checked bag (everyone gets one for free), so you could bring 5 checked bags if you needed to. On SWA you get two checked bags for free, so there is no need to figure in checked bag fees.

 

[NikitaZee]

Thanks so much for your input. I am really starting to lean towards Jetblue since you mentioned taking a car service. I think that something as small as having individual tv's for all of us will make a huge difference in my nervousness - something to distract me, and keep my kids entertained. I think the extra money will be well worth it. My kids are 10, 6 and 3. I am wondering if I need to bring my youngest's booster seat? He'll be 4 when we fly, but he'll still use one. Especially since we're renting a car in Orlando. This is so much different from driving - where I have everything I need right in the car. Thanks again.

 

[Vijoge]

I am wondering if I need to bring my youngest's booster seat? He'll be 4 when we fly, but he'll still use one.

You'll need to make sure you have an FAA-approved car seat. Otherwise it cannot be used on the plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am wondering if I need to bring my youngest's booster seat? He'll be 4 when we fly, but he'll still use one.

Not on the plane. You can carry-on a booster seat and stow it overhead, but booster seats cannot be used on the plane.

I would fly JetBlue over SWA any time.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Also, since you haven't flown in 10 years, you should re-familiarize yourself with the security procedures at the airport as well as what you can and can't place in your carry-on luggage (eg. you will need to take off your shoes and put them on the belt for screening - no gels, liquids, etc in your carry-on unless they are under 3 oz and all fit in a small quart baggie). The TSA Website has procedures pretty well explained.

 

[homedad]

FWIW my kids love when they have their own TV, it may be better than DVD player.....

 

[zarvgirl]

I don't have personal experience with the airlines you mentioned but do have experience flying with 3 children. We actually drive 8/10 hrs to fly from Boston instead of Canada mainly for the price and direct flights to MCO. (One of our children is a very nervous flyer).

For pricing, I have booked 3 trips from Logan to MCO and never paid more than $1100 for five of us. We used Delta and Airtran. The next trip I got return tickets for 5 for $897 taxes in.(Delta)

Some tips for flying with children.
-pack snacks
-gravol. I always give my children gravol, since the one time I didn't one got sick. It just relaxes them.
-the 3 hr. flight goes surprisingly fast, with take off and landing.
-have a variety of easy new to them activities. Cards, markers, stickers, paint books (the ones you just need to add water) electronic games system. New magazine.
-extra clothes, at least a shirt for any accidents. For both the children and yourself!

I also think now a days we forget that it is nice to have down time without being entertained. I flew at age 9 across Canada and there were radios for entertainment on the plane. And drove across Canada as an only child in the car and didn't have DVD, game system, and in the Midwest could only get the farmers report on the radio!! I was fine.

Good luck planning your trip.

 

[happymommy]

I agree with the PP - packing snacks, little "dollar store" goodies like cards or toy cars, I also used to love Color Wonder for little ones (like you soon-to-be 4 year old) and packing an extra change of clothes (you never know if someone spills something).

Personally, for $700 plus difference, Southwest isn't bad. We always head towards the back of the plane, and it's not a problem to sit together.

The prices may fluctuate. I like on SW that if it goes down (and you're checking) you can get a credit. Of course that won't help if you're not planning on flying again soon, if you won't use it. I just like how flexible they are.

We didn't bother with booster seats in rental cars at that age, at least from what I remember. You won't need it on the plane, but you can bring one and check it - especially in Orlando, you'll see a few at the baggage claim area (lots of kids). Definitely I brought a stroller at that age - lots of walking and it's better to have our own. The rentals are really a lot of $$ now.

 

[laughinplace199]

Thanks so much for your input. I am really starting to lean towards Jetblue since you mentioned taking a car service. I think that something as small as having individual tv's for all of us will make a huge difference in my nervousness - something to distract me, and keep my kids entertained. I think the extra money will be well worth it. My kids are 10, 6 and 3. I am wondering if I need to bring my youngest's booster seat? He'll be 4 when we fly, but he'll still use one. Especially since we're renting a car in Orlando. This is so much different from driving - where I have everything I need right in the car. Thanks again.

If your youngest is in a car seat w/a 5 pt harness, then you most likely can use it on the plane. Check the side of the seat for a sticker saying something about it being certified for use in aircraft. If it's a true booster seat (no harness), then you can't use it on the plane.

I've never flown SW, but we love JB (we live in Boston, so we only fly out of Logan). The TV's are great, the first checked bag is free, they have great snacks, and the seats are pretty comfortable. Plus, I like being able to have my seats assigned when I book my flights.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[melissapealo]

I've never flown SW, but have used JB and loved it. We've also used airtran to MCO which was nice. The tv's that JB has are great. I have 2 kids, the youngest hates flying, but the tv's are a great distraction and help pass the time.
My kids are 17 and 10 now so no booster seats. However when we did need one I carried it on the plane and put it in overhead storage. They wouldn't allow him to use it on the plane.
With this being the first time flying for your kids I'm sure they'll be excited. You'll be so busy with their excitement that you won't have time to get nervous yourself.

 

[NikitaZee]

Thanks so much everyone for all your helpful replies. The TSA link is especially helpful. We're going to go Jetblue - we're just waiting for the Oct. portion of our dates to be released - we're going 9/24 - 10/2. I hadn't though about the stroller - how does that travel on the plane? As a checked bag?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I hadn't though about the stroller - how does that travel on the plane? As a checked bag?

No. When you get to the gate, ask the gate agent for a gate check tag. Put it on the stroller. Then when you board the plane, fold up the stroller and leave it at the plane door. When you disembark, your stroller will be delivered back to the door, where you pick it up. I suggest getting a stroller bag for protection.