Flying Across Country With Kids

[Anonymous]

How easy/hard is it to fly across country with two kids?

When my oldest DD was a baby, we flew plenty and even made a couple overseas trips. But looking back, it wasn't so difficult as there were the two of us (me and DH) and only one of her and one car seat, one stroller, less luggage, etc.

But now DD is almost 3 and she has a 9 month old sister. We are contemplating joining my DH in San Diego for a conference at the end of October. But the trip seems a little bit more overwhelming now! We'll have to have more luggage, two car seats, possibly a double stroller (or should I just let my 3 year old walk while her 1 year old sister rides?). It just seems like more of a hassle.

Anyone who has flown with two young kids - please let me know how it is!

[Anonymous]

We have done this numerous times (family on West Coast), and it isn't that bad. Basically, it's the same as when you fly with one, only now you and DH are on-on-one with the kids. Check everything except what you need for the flight itself. You can gate check both strollers (or one if you decide to just use one). We always bought seats for both kids--a flight to the West Coast is too long for a lap child. Your three-year-old probably won't need her car seat on the plane. Compared with the hassles of the time change when you arrive, the actual flight is nothing, LOL. (We have early-rising kids; for a time DS was waking up chipper at 5:30 every morning, which of course is 2:30 a.m. in California!)

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP that it's not that bad. If you're flying solo with the kids get a direct flight. If the 9 month old can go in a bjorn or other carrier I'd use that and let the 3 year old walk. I've tried the double stroller and it was not easy getting it through security while keeping track of the kids and removing shoes, etc. Truly the easiest thing to do are to check carseats and luggage together and the counter (or curbside), limit yourself to either no stroller or a single that the kids can take turn in, pack one backpack with all your supplies and take a deep breath! If you want to buy a seat for the baby then you'd have to take that carseat as well in which case you'd want the stroller the carseat snaps into. I use the Cares safety harness for my older toddler now so I' don't have to deal with lugging a carseat onto the plane but for a little one the carseat is useful to get them to sleep. Oh, and if you have a family member or friend that is willing, you can get a pass for them to escort you to the gate and help you through the dreaded security lines which is really the worst part in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

It's not easy, but (probably) you'll be fine. Of course, a lot will depend on kids' personalities and moods, only you can guess about that. I've always gotten seats for each kid, it's safer and far more comfortable. Onboard, we use either Cares safety harness or a car seat, depending on whether we'll be needing a car seat on the ground wherever we're going (bad experiences with cheapo car rental child seats, so we make sure to have our own). Unlike PP, we always take our double stroller to the gate, piled high with bags full of food and distraction--our older boy is a terror when unoccupied, so for a flight of any length the momentary pain of getting thru security with 2 kids, 8 shoes, 2 laptops, N carry-on bags, & etc is worth it. And I'm usually pouring with sweat and quite grumpy by the time we get to our seats, but they don't call it 'travel' for nothing.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we fly to CA with 2 kids to visit family about once or twice a year. We just did a trip recently, they are 3 and 1.

Best Tips

Book an early morning flight flying out. We dress the kids in their sleep around 4 or 5 in the morning and load them in the car. They sleep more on the plane. Since they have had a very long day it is easier to get them to bed early on West Coast time. Returning try to get in just a few hours before their normal East coast bedtime. Again they will be very tired and it will be easier to get them back on their schedules.

You can check your luggage curbside AND get your boarding pass. This saves on waiting two lines..one inside to check your bags and one at the gate to your boarding pass.

We learned flying back that TSA has a special line for people needing assistance, small children, people in wheelchairs. This was so much better not only a shorter line but no rude non kid passenger snarling because you are taking longer to collapse your stroller and get shoes off your 3 yr old who refuses to take them off. Ask at the airport, if they have this line.

Portable DVD is worth its weight in gold. Bring a few movies..one is usually enough but you want a backup.For our three yr old we brought several of those preschool workbooks and some small tpys for our one year old.

Have good snacks. You can bring babyfood and babyyogurt for your one year old. The plane has 1 or 2% milk, you can buy whole milk in coffee stands once you get through TSA and take it on the plane.

Bring something for spills, thise disposal diaperpads are great for spilled water down your seat,

Ask the flight attendent for seat belt extenders. They use these for demos and for overweight passengers who need a larger seat belt. They make it si much easier to get the car seat in! Be cautious of non kid friendly flight attendants. We asked one and he looked at us as if we were pure evil for asking for these let alone bringing children on a plane. The other attendant came back and apologized, gave them to us and said they work great.

Keep your luggage that you bring on the plane limited to what you and DH absolutely can't check and what you need to get the kids through the trip. 1-2 extra outfits for kids is a good idea. When our oldest was about a year old, we were on one flight with alot of turbulence, every kid under 6 threw up. No problems since but we always carry a change of clothes and wipes.

Perfect the standing diaper change. There really is not a great place to change your baby on the plane. I can change dear son's diaper with him standing up which makes it easier in the small bathrooms.

Good luck! We were dreading flying with both but it actually has gone quite well. Now, my kids are pretty flexible. If your children are more sensitive to change, then talk through the trip well in advance.