Flying with Baby » At the airport

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.

Passports for baby

Flying with Baby — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:16 +0000

Here are some links to information about applying for passports for babies:

USA - Special requirements for minors - US Dept of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs

Canada - Passports for Children - Passports Canada

Australia - Children’s Passports - Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Passports

United Kingdom - Applying for a child passport - Home Office, UK Identity and Passport Service

Ireland - Passports for Children - Dept of Foreign Affairs

South Africa - Passports - South African Dept of Home Affairs

New Zealand - Passports for Children - Dept of Internal Affairs

Tip - at the airport

Flying with Baby — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:54:30 +0000

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 - 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.

Tip - arriving

Flying with Baby — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:43:14 +0000

Always carry a spare t-shirt for yourself and your partner in case of spills on the plane (extremely likely if you have a lapsit baby!). Get changed once you land - chances are that you will have a long wait at immigration and at the baggage carousel anyway. I generally avoid using the toilets before landing and wait until we disembark. In most airports there are several sets of toilets in the terminal. The toilets closest to the gate will be the busiest, so unless you need the baby change room keep walking until the next set of toilets.

Tip - passport control

Flying with Baby — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:42:05 +0000

Fill in your entry cards before the plane lands. Make sure you have filled in both sides and every section - don’t forget to sign it! This saves a lot of time at immigration control.

Tip - passports

Flying with Baby — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:41:43 +0000

Have all of your passports in a readily accessible spot - I like to put my entry card inside my passport (and the kids) to mark the photo page. This makes it easier for the customs officer and gets you through the process quicker.

Tip - clearing customs

Flying with Baby — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:29:13 +0000

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!