Posts
baby travel system hong kong image
gmar96
Our budget means we are unable to buy a seat for him and are considering reserving a baby bassinet seat. Question is are these seats safe and comfortable?
Anyone out there experienced the same thing?
Thanks
G
Answer
What do you mean by "safe"?
Will it support the weight of your child? Most likely. Each airline uses different bassinets, which means there is no standard sizing. There are height and weight restrictions, but because every airlines bassinet is different, those vary from airline to airline. Also, some airline put an age limit on them (10months seems to be the norm for those who have it). You will need to check on that. Some airline even mandate that a child can only use the bassinet while sleeping. Once the child is awake s/he must be taken out of the bassinet.
If you are asking will the bassinet protect your child? No. In fact, bassinets must be taken down and stowed away for taxi, takeoff, turbulence, descent, and landing. Bassinets do not have any system for restraining the child.
Bassinets usually attach to a bulkhead, lavatory or galley wall right in front of the parent's seat (in the bulkhead rows).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aliza/262744490/
http://www.erieaviation.com/images/Baby-bassinet.jpg
On some British Airways planes they rest on a table that folds down from the wall.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9398/img0506hs3.jpg
http://daddytypes.com/archive/twin_airplane_bassinets.jpg
Airlines even use just over sized boxes that a parent can place on the floor. http://www.averyflight.co.uk/images/AmSafe-p9_02.gif
http://www.averyflight.co.uk/images/AmSafe-p9_01.gif
The very first time I traveled with my eldest I used an airline bassinet (I didn't know better). For the trip from Europe to the US I was given the cardboard box that goes on the floor to put her in. I didn't like it because it was too easy for other passengers to drop something on her.
For the flight back from the US to Europe I was given a bassinet that attaches the the bulkhead wall. While it was better then the box, it was still easy for people to push into when they were walking to/from the bathrooms, and this would cause the bassinet to sway (which of course worried me that it would fall).
If you do choose to use a bassinet make sure that you position your child so their feet are towards the aisles that way is anyone inadvertently bumps them, no real damage done.
If you haven't booked a separate seat for your child, be nice on check-in and see if they can "block" the seat next to you. They will then only use it if they absolutely need it. This way you can get a seat for your child free so you can have him/her secured in a car seat. (but only if it is available, and that won't be know until last minute).
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8, 6, & 3 months). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights.
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
What do you mean by "safe"?
Will it support the weight of your child? Most likely. Each airline uses different bassinets, which means there is no standard sizing. There are height and weight restrictions, but because every airlines bassinet is different, those vary from airline to airline. Also, some airline put an age limit on them (10months seems to be the norm for those who have it). You will need to check on that. Some airline even mandate that a child can only use the bassinet while sleeping. Once the child is awake s/he must be taken out of the bassinet.
If you are asking will the bassinet protect your child? No. In fact, bassinets must be taken down and stowed away for taxi, takeoff, turbulence, descent, and landing. Bassinets do not have any system for restraining the child.
Bassinets usually attach to a bulkhead, lavatory or galley wall right in front of the parent's seat (in the bulkhead rows).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aliza/262744490/
http://www.erieaviation.com/images/Baby-bassinet.jpg
On some British Airways planes they rest on a table that folds down from the wall.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9398/img0506hs3.jpg
http://daddytypes.com/archive/twin_airplane_bassinets.jpg
Airlines even use just over sized boxes that a parent can place on the floor. http://www.averyflight.co.uk/images/AmSafe-p9_02.gif
http://www.averyflight.co.uk/images/AmSafe-p9_01.gif
The very first time I traveled with my eldest I used an airline bassinet (I didn't know better). For the trip from Europe to the US I was given the cardboard box that goes on the floor to put her in. I didn't like it because it was too easy for other passengers to drop something on her.
For the flight back from the US to Europe I was given a bassinet that attaches the the bulkhead wall. While it was better then the box, it was still easy for people to push into when they were walking to/from the bathrooms, and this would cause the bassinet to sway (which of course worried me that it would fall).
If you do choose to use a bassinet make sure that you position your child so their feet are towards the aisles that way is anyone inadvertently bumps them, no real damage done.
If you haven't booked a separate seat for your child, be nice on check-in and see if they can "block" the seat next to you. They will then only use it if they absolutely need it. This way you can get a seat for your child free so you can have him/her secured in a car seat. (but only if it is available, and that won't be know until last minute).
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8, 6, & 3 months). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights.
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
has any one got any tips about flying on KLM with an infant (4 mts) from Hongkong to heathrow?
puzzeled U
both mum and daughter are first time flyers, what are the amminaties available. shell be flying on mums lap. do i need to book anything extra for thier flight, or will KLM take care of things? has anyone got any tips about feeding carla without all the men gawping at her? any help would be very welcome. unforutanalty I canot afored to fly out to collect them, are there any facilities for making sure she gets the right flights when she changes? are there any escorts? thanks ....
Answer
First when you book you need to specify Infant in Arms. For international flights, you will still have to pay a percentage of an adults fare. If she is going to breastfeed in flight, just make sure she gets a window seat and uses a blanket to cover herself. There are no additional services provided for traveling with children usually on any airline.
Tips for flying with children: At check-in, advise the ticket agent she will be flying "Infant in Arms" it must be documented in the record. Secondly, the agent may ask her name and birtdate. She will still need her passport though. Most likely being an infant she will still have her own ticket even though she is a lap child. Not sure if KLM is E-Ticketed from HKG-LHR. Also advise the ticket agent that she is a first time flier and will may require assistance with connections. Most agents, no matter the airline, are willing to assist people in finding their connections, especially mothers with children. There are codes to add in the reservation for all of this. For this, it's called "Meet and Assist". If the flight is not totally full and there is are two empty seats, she is welcome to bring the infant carrier seat onboard. It is also much safer and recommended by the FAA for all children to be strapped in, just like in a car. So, if she has a travel system (stoller car seat combo) take it to the gate and have her speak to the gate agent. Ask the agent if there are any empty seats so that she can have the baby sit in a seat rather than her lap. That way if there is turbulance or the captain has to stop short or lands hard, the baby is secure. The do offer in most cases an infant fare so that she will definately have a seat. It's a long flight and her arms will be ready to give out by then. The stoller can be tagged at the gate and put in the bulk bin and returned to her in the Jetway upon arrival at her connection point and destination. Let her know that she can also request pre-boarding. Most airlines will allow pre-boarding for handicapped and families travelling with small children. Just advise her to check in as soon as she gets to the gate and have her stoller tagged. Once she gets to the end of the jetway to board the aircraft, she will need to have the stoller folded down. If her hands are full the gate agents or flight attendants should be willing to assist. Just make sure she asks to preboard so that she's not trying to do all of this with 200 people behind her.
I highly recommend going to the airport websites that she will be travelling through, Hong Kong and the trasnfer point. Print them out so that she will have them and be familiar with where she needs to go. If she has time to study the maps and know where things are...bathrooms, restaurants and her gates, she will know a good idea of where she is going. Also, while looking at the airport website, type in her flight numbers as if they were today. See where they will be arriving and departing from as of today. Most flights arrive and depart at the same gates, or with in a few, every day. Being International Flights it should be pretty consistant. Even if the gates change by a few, she will still know the area.
(I know this is long) On landing and take off, she should have the baby drink a bottle, if she is bottle feeding, or suck a pacifier. It will help keep the babies ears equalized. It is not uncommon for infants to suffer a perferated ear drum because they can not equilize their ears. My nephew was adopted from China and on the flight to the US, his ear drum ruptured. They heal, but it happens. But as I said, again...if there are empty seats please have the baby in the infant seat strapped in. There have been instances of rough air and the planes do become unsteady and flight attendants have been known to hit the cabin ceiling. Not to make you nervous, but you can never predict rough air and its safer, just like in a car, to have the baby restrained.
They will be fine. Just educate yourself on the procedures for flying with children. Go to KLM's website and find the section on flying with chilren. Doesnt really say much about procedures like I told you. Im an agent with an airline in the US, so these are common practice here.
First when you book you need to specify Infant in Arms. For international flights, you will still have to pay a percentage of an adults fare. If she is going to breastfeed in flight, just make sure she gets a window seat and uses a blanket to cover herself. There are no additional services provided for traveling with children usually on any airline.
Tips for flying with children: At check-in, advise the ticket agent she will be flying "Infant in Arms" it must be documented in the record. Secondly, the agent may ask her name and birtdate. She will still need her passport though. Most likely being an infant she will still have her own ticket even though she is a lap child. Not sure if KLM is E-Ticketed from HKG-LHR. Also advise the ticket agent that she is a first time flier and will may require assistance with connections. Most agents, no matter the airline, are willing to assist people in finding their connections, especially mothers with children. There are codes to add in the reservation for all of this. For this, it's called "Meet and Assist". If the flight is not totally full and there is are two empty seats, she is welcome to bring the infant carrier seat onboard. It is also much safer and recommended by the FAA for all children to be strapped in, just like in a car. So, if she has a travel system (stoller car seat combo) take it to the gate and have her speak to the gate agent. Ask the agent if there are any empty seats so that she can have the baby sit in a seat rather than her lap. That way if there is turbulance or the captain has to stop short or lands hard, the baby is secure. The do offer in most cases an infant fare so that she will definately have a seat. It's a long flight and her arms will be ready to give out by then. The stoller can be tagged at the gate and put in the bulk bin and returned to her in the Jetway upon arrival at her connection point and destination. Let her know that she can also request pre-boarding. Most airlines will allow pre-boarding for handicapped and families travelling with small children. Just advise her to check in as soon as she gets to the gate and have her stoller tagged. Once she gets to the end of the jetway to board the aircraft, she will need to have the stoller folded down. If her hands are full the gate agents or flight attendants should be willing to assist. Just make sure she asks to preboard so that she's not trying to do all of this with 200 people behind her.
I highly recommend going to the airport websites that she will be travelling through, Hong Kong and the trasnfer point. Print them out so that she will have them and be familiar with where she needs to go. If she has time to study the maps and know where things are...bathrooms, restaurants and her gates, she will know a good idea of where she is going. Also, while looking at the airport website, type in her flight numbers as if they were today. See where they will be arriving and departing from as of today. Most flights arrive and depart at the same gates, or with in a few, every day. Being International Flights it should be pretty consistant. Even if the gates change by a few, she will still know the area.
(I know this is long) On landing and take off, she should have the baby drink a bottle, if she is bottle feeding, or suck a pacifier. It will help keep the babies ears equalized. It is not uncommon for infants to suffer a perferated ear drum because they can not equilize their ears. My nephew was adopted from China and on the flight to the US, his ear drum ruptured. They heal, but it happens. But as I said, again...if there are empty seats please have the baby in the infant seat strapped in. There have been instances of rough air and the planes do become unsteady and flight attendants have been known to hit the cabin ceiling. Not to make you nervous, but you can never predict rough air and its safer, just like in a car, to have the baby restrained.
They will be fine. Just educate yourself on the procedures for flying with children. Go to KLM's website and find the section on flying with chilren. Doesnt really say much about procedures like I told you. Im an agent with an airline in the US, so these are common practice here.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment