Has anyone flown long haul with a toddler on KLM?

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My little boy has just turned 2 and we will be taking him on his first long haul trip to Cape Town in a couple of weeks, flying with KLM.

I couldn't find any information on their website regarding taking baby equipment such as car seat or travel cot so I called their reservations helpline. I have discovered that his car seat is not suitable to take on board so both items will need to be booked in as extra baggage at an additional cost of £100 per item per flight!

Furthermore, I was told that I am not able to take a pushchair on board (unless booking that in as extra baggage with the £200 return fee) as my son is no longer considered an 'infant'. This sounds odd to me as even Ryanair will carry a pushchair for no extra charge for a 2 year old.

I must say I'm surprised by their inflexibility and am now dreading a flight with a toddler who can't be contained and an airline who don't cater for children.

Does anyone have any experience of travelling with a toddler on KLM? Or any suggestions of a better airline for future trips?

I would try to borrow or buy those items cheaply when you get there if excess is so much. You will not need a stroller surely as airports are great places to run about.

For the journey you need new toys and books, stickers, iPod apps etc. Although I know one boy who spent the journey running up and down the aisles. Luckily the stewardesses were happy for him to hand out in the galleys with them but that was Virgin.

Pushchairs are usually taken at the jetway for loading into the aircraft's hold. Seems unusual that they want to charge you for this so would look into that further.

Can you not hire this baby equipment instead as it could get damaged in transit.
Who is meeting you at your destination?.

Would agree with toys and books (and portable DVD player if you have one).

Do not also rely on the airline to fully provide re food or childrens' tv programmes the plane for him either. Take some of his favourite foodstuffs.

Would use a British based carrier subsequently for flights to SA like BA or Virgin, both tend to be more family friendly.

Thanks for the advice! I've now looked into renting equipment when we arrive, which can be left with the car hire company for collection at the airport so that's handy. But I'm a little dubious about the quality of the stuff, especially a car seat. We have so far been on 4 short haul holidays with baby equipment in the hold and it's not been damaged at all, but I know what you mean.

I've also sent an email query regarding the pushchair as it does sound odd.

All the feedback I have read has agreed that BA and Virgin are better to travel with .... so maybe it's worth braving a stop over at Heathrow next time :)

We flew KLM to Japan when DS was 22 months old. I booked him a seat since it was such a long flight but he had to sit on my knee for take off and landing.

We were allowed to take the pushchair as far as the gate, then it was taken and put in the hold. It was brought back to us at the gate when we arrived.

I've never taken a car seat on board as i think they'd be too restictive. My friend used one of these but my DCs just like to curl up in the seat.

Maybe you could look at hiring a car seat in Cape Town if you're worried about your baggage allowance? Are you staying in hotels? If so, won't they have cots available? I've never travelled with one but then i'm a slack super organised mum who likes to travel light!

Thanks again for the feedback. I've finally heard back from KLM and they have confirmed that they do not permit passengers on board with a pushchair for children over 24 months (unless of course you pay the £200 excess).

So, if anyone else is considering a flight with KLM, bear this in mind.

I've also discovered that it's possible to buy a travel cot and pushchair from Toys R us in SA for less than the rental would be. Lesson learnt.