Need Airplane advice, traveling with little ones

[pas130]

I am asking anyone who has flown recently with little ones for advice. We have been driving from NJ to Orlando for the last few years, and the last time we flew I only had 3 kids (1 was an infant). This time my kids are 9,6,5,4, and 2. We are going on Continental in August. Got a great rate! Anyway, we will be renting a car so I am bringing a car seat, and 3 booster seats. Do I check the boosters? Can they be used on the plane? And can I check 2 strollers? Sorry for so many questions. I have been rereading the continental.com policies, and I am not sure if the boosters even meet airline regs. Also trying to plan packing to minimize the 23 bucks per checked bag. YIKES!!!!!

TIA for your help!!!!!

 

[Jestocost]

Boosters are not approved for use on aircraft and you won't be able to use them. You can check them or bring them on the plane as carry ons and stow them in the overhead bins. In addition, not all car seats are approved for aircraft use and you should check yours to see if it is. It should be labeled somewhere.

You should be able to check or even gate check large strollers. Often they don't count as checked bags as far as baggage charges go. If the Continental policy on line is not clear, you probably should call to check.

 

[Jestocost]

Just checked Continental's policies and you should be OK checking two strollers and three car seats/boosters free of charge. They allow one child item--either a car seat or stroller--to be checked free for each ticketed passenger. If you have two adults going, you also have at least four ticketed children so you would be allowed to check six child items for free. If your youngest has a ticket too you could check up to seven of these items for free.

So, you have options with regard to checking or carrying on the car seats/boosters. If the strollers are large ones, they can be checked in advance or plane side before you get on the aircraft (the latter works if you want to use them to get the kids around the airport). If they are small umbrella strollers they can even be taken on the plane (space permitting).

I personally would check in advance anything I don't need in the airport or on the plane, and take as little on the plane as possible.

 

[pas130]

Just checked Continental's policies and you should be OK checking two strollers and three car seats/boosters free of charge. They allow one child item--either a car seat or stroller--to be checked free for each ticketed passenger. If you have two adults going, you also have at least four ticketed children so you would be allowed to check six child items for free. If your youngest has a ticket too you could check up to seven of these items for free.

So, you have options with regard to checking or carrying on the car seats/boosters. If the strollers are large ones, they can be checked in advance or plane side before you get on the aircraft (the latter works if you want to use them to get the kids around the airport). If they are small umbrella strollers they can even be taken on the plane (space permitting).

I personally would check in advance anything I don't need in the airport or on the plane, and take as little on the plane as possible.

Thanks! I will call. You made it much easier to understand the policy thoughWe are seven in total with seven tickets. So I should be good to go. Do you happen to know if my 2 year old HAS to be in a car seat for takeoff?

 

[Tara]

I'm just curious - Jestocost has already given you great advice - how are you handling the seating arrangements? How many adults are on the flight with your group?

 

[pas130]

I'm just curious - Jestocost has already given you great advice - how are you handling the seating arrangements? How many adults are on the flight with your group?

We take up one row DH with DD 4 and DD 5 on one side, myself DS 2 and DD 6. In front of my DH is DS 9. I also bought a ticket for MIL next to DS, so hopefully she will decide to come. I don't know if the seat will stay empty if she doesn't come. But with his DS1, I think he'll be fine sitting alone. I also decided to stay closer to the back of the plane,for potty reasons of course.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Thanks! I will call. You made it much easier to understand the policy thoughWe are seven in total with seven tickets. So I should be good to go. Do you happen to know if my 2 year old HAS to be in a car seat for takeoff?

If you purchased a seat for your 2 year old, then yes, your 2 year old will have to be in her/his own seat for take off and landing. Personally, I liked to use the car seat on the plane when my DD was that age. They are using to being in a car in one and know they need to sit still. It is also a comfort to them in a strange new setting.

 

[Tara]

We take up one row DH with DD 4 and DD 5 on one side, myself DS 2 and DD 6. In front of my DH is DS 9. I also bought a ticket for MIL next to DS, so hopefully she will decide to come. I don't know if the seat will stay empty if she doesn't come. But with his DS1, I think he'll be fine sitting alone. I also decided to stay closer to the back of the plane,for potty reasons of course.

Cool - my advice would be to check it every couple of weeks to make sure they haven't changed your seat assignments and call quickly if they do. As for your question in another post about car seats, no the 2yo doesn't HAVE to be in the car seat, but you might find it easier with the seat. It'll have to be placed in the window seat, though. Like the PP, we used our car seat on the plane for a long time because it was more comfortable for DS and it was a source of familiarity for him.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If they are small umbrella strollers they can even be taken on the plane (space permitting).

No - even an umbrella stroller must be checked (gate or counter).

I don't know if the seat will stay empty if she doesn't come.

If your MIL doesn't check-in and board the flight, her seat will be sold to someone else, if the space is needed.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If your youngest has a ticket too you could check up to seven of these items for free.

Do you happen to know if my 2 year old HAS to be in a car seat for takeoff?

If you purchased a seat for your 2 year old, then yes, your 2 year old will have to be in her/his own seat for take off and landing.

Since the youngest child is two, yes, the OP did purchase a seat as required for a passenger that age and above.

No, children don't have to be in carseats on planes - but the NTSB thinks it's a good idea. Google Changes may come for children who fly