Questions about transatlantic flights

[justhat]

I hope this is a good place to ask this. I thought about the transportation board but then thought more UK people would have info on this topic so here I am!

We're going on one of the DCL Med cruises this summer and are having a hard time choosing an airline to fly us out to Barcelona. We're debating between Continental and British Airways, either 1st class on Continental or Business class on BA. Does anyone have any experience in which one is better, specifically for flying with 2 young kids (they'll be 3.5yo and 11 months)?

The price is roughly the same, but the difference is that the BA flights connect in London, but the Continental flight is direct to Barcelona. We're leaning towards BA right now because the planes truly seem nicer, more comfortable, spacious, etc. even though the flight connects We've taken Continental 1st Class in the US before and it's nothing to rave about, but BA has seats that convert to a bed, personal tvs with a bunch of things to watch, etc. And the website says they provide kid activity packs and kids meals. Would you sacrifice the comfort to fly direct, or connect if it meant nicer long haul flights? Also, is BA's business class as good as they make it sound?

Another question is that we'll be buying my son a ticket, so does anyone know if that means he has to sit in a carseat the whole flight? He's a big time sleeper, goes to bed at 6:30pm every night and sleeps 11 hours. If I put him in a regular seat on BA, the kind that recline to a bed, he'd be pretty much guaranteed to sleep the whole flight. But if he's in a carseat I'm not so sure. Anyone buy a seat for their under 2yo child and be forced to use the carseat or hold him like a lap baby? Or is it okay to just put them in a regular seat?

Also, I see that BA will provide carseats and skycots/carrycots. Has anyone used any of these and if so would you recommend them? Are they hard to get or does BA have enough of them for all the kids on a flight?

One last thing-If we take BA and the consensus is that if he has his own seat then we'll have to keep him in a carseat, then would you just take him on as a lap baby and let him share the sleeper seat with me or my 3yo daughter? I've never flown with a lap baby before, and the thought of it on such a long flight is daunting, but if he'd be able to just sleep on my seat that way then I'm willing to do it.

I think those are all the questions I have right now. Thanks to anyone who can help me!

 

[KayleeUK]

The only thing I can help with is that I went to Florida last year we flew with Virgin. Our DS was only 10 months and we brought him a seat (it was only cattle class We didn't use a car seat but Virgin supplied an infant care chair - an insert in the normal chair - certainly not comfortable enough to sleep in for a long time. But there is no way I would have had DS on my lap for the flight.

Hopefully somebody who has travelled with BA will be able to help

 

[justhat]

Thanks. We're used to cattle class ourselves. My mom is taking us on the cruise though so she's paying for the flights and has decided she cannot sit in economy all that way after her trip to London last month (economy on Virgin, which she actually liked a lot) so she's splurging on all of us!

Anyway, did your son actually sleep in that infant care chair? I saw a picture of BA's carrycots and I'm not sure my son would sleep in it the whole flight. Maybe they're more comfortable than I think though so hopefully someone will know.

 

[kristieuk]

I will do what I can to help!

We have flown Business with BA, and I would rate it highly. The service is excellent, and although the flat beds aren't that wide, they are plenty long enough, and recline electronically so you can find your most comfortable position.

I haven't flown Continental before though sorry, so can't help there.

If you pay for a seat for your youngest, I'm sure he can use that seat as he likes - at 10 months old, he can sit up normally etc. As long as he can wear the seatbelt, he will be fine. When you are lying down, the belt goes over your middle. I don't think you would be required to use a carseat, and he would be too big for the cot.

The only problems we have had is when DD was in a carseat on the bassinet table, because you have to keep taking them out every time the fasten seatbelt sign comes on.

If you didn't buy him a seat, then you can use the bassinet seats where they give you a cot or car seat - not that comfortable for sleeping though. As far as I know, there dont attach to a normal seat, just the bassinet table. We have only had one when DD was tiny, and we didn't book her a seat. I know the bassinet seats are first come first served, but I'm not sure how many cots or carseats are on a flight.

The activity packs and kids meals are ok.

I would call BA customer services to answer your questions fully - they tend to be v knowledgeable and helpful.

Hope that helps a little

 

[mark&sue]

I would have thought with young children a direct flight would be less stressful.

I like BA but would always choose a non-stop direct flight.

I guess we are doing the opposite of you by flying out for a DLC on the Wonder. You will have to let us know what the med one is like. We are buying a holiday home close to Barcelonia and the DCL med cruise may be a good way to spend our DVC points without a long haul flight!!

I hate flying!


Susan