The huge task ahead

[4pinkbabies]

We are moving to Shanghai in less than a month..travelling with KLM..changing in Amsterdam..all with 4 kids under 8. We are packing our lives into 6 suitcases and the kids will have Trunkis for all their crap stuff. I want to take two buggies..my Mcclaren and a Quinny zapp, which I am hoping to sneak on board, so that we have it when we change planes and as soon as we arrive. We will try to get them all to sleep on the second plane. I have never travelled by air with my kids. Does all of this sound ok? Does anyone have any tips for a family of plane virgins? The youngest is 19 months but she is getting her own seat. Thanks so much.

You will not be able to sneak the buggies on board. Do you really need to take two buggies, can you possibly manage with just one?.

The ground staff will let you take the buggies up the jetway to the aircraft doors. At that point though, the buggies will be taken off you for you to collect on arrival in Amsterdam.

Would not rely on the airline in question to provide foodstuffs for your children; take enough of what they like to eat for the journey.

Can the 19 month ride on a trunki? Be careful as mine at 8 would have wanted to pull her at great speeds along airport corridors.
I would contact the airlines, and see if there is any special help. Also see how early you can check in (possibly the day before), so make sure you have the seats you want.
Do also investigate the special menus etc. (My kids have stolen from out low fat menus before now.)
I would check if you are only allowed 6 suitcases (and trunkis don't count or hold much), if you can take more then do, or big bags. (Transatlantic you are usually allowed 2 each.)

Good luck!

Do you use a sling? I have found having my Ergo is a great way to carry DS around an airport without the hassle of a buggy.

I took two buggies and a sling! I used the sling to strap my two year old to me so we could sleep and know where she was. You Cannot sneak them on though, but they give them back to you for the change.

I found it Haredim to move around the airport w ith the buggy and a pull along case. Sometimes you have a long walk to the gate which is why we took the buggies but I did find it awkward. I had too much stuff on the flight as opposed to checked in luggage. You need to make sure you can manage it all so if you and your oldest push the buggies your dh will have to manage all of the luggage. I did the flight without my dh which didn't help.

If you have 2 pushchair age children I can't see why they will not let you take 2? You said your youngest is 19months but how old are the others? Agree that they will take them off you at the ramp though.

Schiphol airport is a great one with a fab foodcourt so you can feed the kids and stretch your legs before the long flight.

I would take plenty of snacks for them though - dont rely on the airline.

Take plenty of distractions - for your 19 month old I highly recommend drinking straws which another MNer told me about and keep them amused for ages. KLM should have backseat TVs for entertaining the older ones.

Are you able to take a car seat on board for your youngest? We did this last year with DS to Kenya and it was fab becuase he could sleep comfortably and we could relax too without having to hold him/check he hadn't rolled off the seat etc. They are heavy though..... As an alternative you can get a special harness thingy from the US which I am thinking of buying for DS (now 2) when we go to Oz in a few months.

Good luck!

Following advice on here I bought a quinny (not sure which type as bought last year on ebay) which folds very small and fits into travel bag and apparently this is one of the very few buggies which you CAN take on board. Have taken it on board on 3 flights now, the most recent one being 2 weeks ago with BA.

Good luck

Thanks for your replies. I have my Quinny Zapp, which the airline has said I can take on board with me. Just small things like that are going to make it all more manageable. The carseat idea is useful..if I can find a light and portable one..we have so much luggage (and so many kids!) I have a box of straws in my rucksack and the kids will eat plenty of raisins and crisps! Fingers crossed that they will sleep on the main leg of the flight...