Flying UK to NZ with 8 week old. Any tips??

[Kiwifruit]

Hi

We are flying back to NZ from London in 3 weeks time, and DD will be 8 weeks old. Flying direct with Air NZ via LA (stop for 1.5 hours I think) and we have a sky cot.

I know I need to feed her on take off and landing (am breastfeeding), but does anyone have any other tips of what to do/what I should take on the flight?

Also, has anyone else flown Air New Zealand with a young baby? What are they like?

Am freaking out a bit, as we are moving back to NZ, and I have been happily wandering around for the last couple of weeks thinking we still had 6 weeks or so up our sleeves, but realised this morning that it's 3 weeks tomorrow . Oops!

Any advice gratefully received.

My tip would be make your partner do the nappy changes!

I've not flown AirNZ with a baby but they generally have a good rep

I would take multiply changes of clothes for you, partner and baby - nothing worse than being covered in vom for hours
Also take enough nappies and then some more in case you get delayed anywhere

Friend who regularly does the UK-NZ trip with two kids says expect no rest and have a nice glass of wine on arrival!

if you do a search in the archives there should be a number of threads on long haul flights - I had some great ideas posted to me when I flew with dd1 back to Aus for the first time. I will try and find the threads for you when I have a little more time.

bump? have skimmed the archives, and most of them seem to deal with older babies - am I safe to assume that at 8 weeks she won't even notice that she's on the plane? Will definitely take several changes of clothes for her and me. Also wondering if investing in a dummy might be a good idea?

Def the best age child to travel with esp if you are breastfeeding. Only other recommendation I have is to have a baby carrier or sling. I flew with dd1 at 4months and on 10 other occasions (she is now 2.5) and flew with dd2 at two weeks and 6 weeks. Flights were only 5 hours but the younger the baby the easier it was. Good Luck.

Funny you should mention that Skyler - just ordered a sling today .

Someone told me that babies tend to go through more nappies when they fly - did you find that?

Our dd did not use more nappies although I had plenty we also got a little bag with a couple of nappies, travel pack of wipes, a bib and a stuffed toy as well.

SLings are brilliant easy for getting through the airport although you can take the buggy up to the plane doors, we jsut found the sling more practical.

Ds didn't use any more nappies at 6 months - but he did use a terrifying amount between NZ and Sydney and we still had most of the journey to go!

He slept a lot - I think the lack of oxygen and constant whirring noise helps.

Ask for your meals to be brought seperately so one of you has a hand free. I found ordering a special meal for one of us meant that we got them at different times.

Confirm, confirm and confirm again on the sky cot.

Where in NZ are you going to live Kiwifruit?

Would warn you now that the LAX transit lounge is somewhat grim. Such passengers are separated from everyone else and locked into a smallish room.

Bobbybob - we will end up in Auckland, as that's where the majority of the work is for DH (and me when I eventually go back to work), but will spend about 6 weeks in Christchurch with my parents initially (thankfully just got offered a couple of weeks house sitting, which will help to prevent blood shed, as 2 weeks with my mother is about my maximum ).

MeerkatsUnite - - I remember the LAX lounge as being very grim the last time I flew back to NZ, which was 5 years ago. Was really hoping that they had done it up, but doesn't sound like it. I thought that they made everyone clear customs now, rather than staying in transit?

Kiwifruit,

Are you flying on AZ1 or AZ2?. I have found some info for you as to what you can expect re procedures for these particular flights re transiting through LAX. If you are on one of these I'll put up the details for you.

Transit Procedure in Los Angeles

In order to meet new security requirements of the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), all customers transiting through Los Angeles (LAX) on flights NZ1 to Auckland and NZ2 to London must remain in the transit facility while in Los Angeles. EXCEPTION - Business class passengers (see bottom of page for more information).

The following information is to help you understand what you can expect during your transit time in Los Angeles.

Procedure for customers transiting in Los Angeles on NZ1 or NZ2

1. As you leave the aircraft in Los Angeles, Air New Zealand ground staff will direct you to the transit area where you will be required to present your passport and completed U.S. Immigration form to US CBP officials for inspection.
2. There is no requirement to complete Customs documentation when you're in transit.
3. Boarding passes for re-boarding the aircraft should be retained for the continuation of the journey.
4. The entry formalities require every passenger aged 14 ? 79 to have a photo taken by the US CBP officials, and will have their left and right index fingers fingerprinted (except for US and Canadian citizens)

There is helpful information about completing the immigration form in the "Customs and Immigration" section at the back of the Air New Zealand Magazine. It's critical that these forms are correctly filled in, so if you make an error or aren't sure whether you've got it right please ask one of your Cabin Crew for help and if necessary a new form.

The processing requirements of U.S. CBP can cause a wait to enter the transit facility. We are sorry if you experience delays getting to the transit area.

We know queuing can be uncomfortable so we'll be offering refreshments while you wait to be processed by the authorities.

If you need to use a toilet before entering the transit area please ask one of our Air New Zealand ground team members for directions.

The following are available complimentary to you while you're in the transit facility:

Coffee and tea
*
Soft drinks
*
Potato chips and biscuits
*
A selection of fresh fruit
*
Duty Free selection available for purchase

Should you require any assistance in the Transit Facility, please do not hesitate to contact one of the Air New Zealand ground team.

If you are transferring to other Air New Zealand flights with different flight numbers you will need to clear through CBP processes with all of your bags. The entry formalities require every passenger aged 14 ? 79 to have a photo taken by the US CBP officials, and will have your left and right index fingers fingerprinted (except for US and Canadian citizens)

1. Bags which are tagged to their final destination may be re-checked in at the Interline Transfer Desk before exiting the Arrival Hall.
2. If your bags are tagged to their final destination and you do not hold a boarding pass, your bags can be accepted at the Interline Transfer Desk on exiting the Arrival Hall.
3. If you do not hold a boarding pass for your other Air New Zealand flight, you should proceed to the Air New Zealand Service Centre in the departure concourse to obtain your boarding pass and seat allocation.
4. If you are holding a boarding pass to your final destination, after leaving the Arrival Hall, you can proceed directly to your departure gate.

Forewarned is forearmed!!!.

Ohh LAX sounds grim.
No more nappies than usual used but I did take twice as many as I thought I might need. I used my Wilkinet and my buggy. I kept the buggy until the gate flying out but knew I wouldn't get it the other end until we got our baggage so the carrier was a godsend esp when I travelled on my own. Carrier also very useful for actually getting on the plane when you need all your hands free IMO. Also practice with the sling/carrier first. I was very kindly given a fab sling but it took a few goes to get me and dd2 used to it. Good Luck!

good luck kiwifruit! We want to take our new baby back to Sydney when he is about 6mths so will be dreading the journey too. We will most likely move back to Sydney in the next couple of years, so can feel for what you are going through. If after you've done the journey you have any tips, I'd love to hear them. All the best back in NZ!!

Thaks for that MeerkatsUnite - very useful bit of information! Have to say, on a recent visit to the US, was highly amused by the stringent security in the airports in certain areas, however people would leave their suitcases unattended in the foodhall and wander off to forage for food for 20 mins or so and no one would bat an eye! If that happened in the UK, the entire airport would be evacuated!

Hopefully get my sling in the next couple of days Skyler, and will definitely spend lots of time pracitsing getting it on and off.

Question about buggies: Is a Maclaren Techno XT small enough to pass for a buggy that can be taken to the gate?

Right, had better go and start sorting through some of the stuff we have accumulated since we've been here, otherwise we won't make it on the plane!

Yes the Techno is perfect. You will need to check when checking in that it is ok to take to the gate and get a luggage sticker for it but there should be no problem. I have seen three wheelers at the gate before now . The times it can be a problem can be when you load through a tunnel not steps but they usually have a system in place to deal with this.