Flying with Baby » boarding the plane

Strollers

Flying with Baby — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:48:37 +0000

Generally speaking your stroller will need to be checked in as luggage. Some airlines and airports allow you to take your stroller to the gate. They will then place it in the plane’s hold (cargo area).Ask about gate delivery - this is where ground staff retrieve your stroller from the hold and bring it to you at the gate. This is generally only available on international flights. We have used this service at Tokyo (Narita), Paris - Charles de Gaulle and Sydney-Kingsford Smith airports with no problems.

You often have to walk for a long distance inside the airport terminal before you reach immigration and the baggage carousels so having your stroller with you helps enormously, particularly if you have an older baby or toddler or you have a lot of cabin luggage with you. Even if you end up carrying your baby you can still use the stroller to carry your hand luggage.

For most international flights you will have at least half an hour to an hour before you can board the plane. We always take a baby carrier such as our trusty Baby Björn with us, just in case we are forced to leave our stroller at check-in.

TIP - If you are able to take your stroller to the gate then it will need to pass through the security gates and will be searched. Your baby will also need to be taken out of the stroller and carried through the security gates - even if they are asleep. Make sure you don’t have too much junk stored in the storage sections of your stroller to make it easier at the security checks.

TIP - If you are like me then you will probably have foodstuffs like biscuits (cookies) or even fruit stashed in the pockets of your stroller. Remember to empty these before you pass through customs (or better still, before you check in your stroller) to avoid any fines for breaking quarantine regulations - this applies even between states in Australia!

Pre-boarding

Flying with Baby — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 02:46:24 +0000

Many airlines still allow people with babies and small children to board before everyone else. This means that you avoid the inevitable queuing and crowding in the aisles and get first choice of the overhead lockers. However, it also means that you are on the plane for a longer amount of time.If you have a lot of cabin baggage then it’s a good idea to board first. However if you don’t have much carry-on luggage and your toddler is hyped-up and wants to run around then try to board last.

TIP - If you aren’t going to pre-board then wait until most of the other passengers have boarded so that you don’t get stuck in the traffic jam inside the plane.

Tip - boarding the plane

Flying with Baby — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:53:36 +0000

If you aren’t going to pre-board then wait until most of the other passengers have boarded so that you don’t get stuck in the traffic jam inside the plane.