Can kids take their own suitcases on the plane?

[Binkyanne]

Ok, yes I know, not actually on the plane but can kids have their own little suitcase to have all their own clothes etc in? I've always put their clothes in with our stuff but I'm thinking that's gonna make it a lot heavier this year, so I thought they could have the excitement of having their own suitcase. Has anyone ever done this before? The new security rules at airports are a nightmare, aren't they? Now we have to buy everything in 100mls too!
Love to hear of your experiences with kids and suitcases! Thanks.

Our dds both have their own suitcases. But, we cross-pack a bit, just in case any go missing at the airport. Therefore, we'll each have a couple of outfits, plus a set of swimmers in each other's case. Would hate to arrive at the resort without being able to change into shorts or go to the pool.

It is better if you can split everyones's stuff through all the check-in bags - so if one bag goes missing you at least have some clothes for everyone!(having said that, I pack the children's clothes in once case and ours i the other - but dh (afterwards!) suggested mixing them as did the girl at check in!)
Re the liquids thing - the 100ml does only apply to hand luggage. Note though that I was caught out coming back from US - I purchased moisturiser in Boston duty free - but as we had to change at Frankfurt and go through security again, it transpires that the US duty free packaging does not meet EC guidelines - so security binned my Clinique moisturiser! Just as well I decided not to buy a bottle of gin too!

Agree with Jura - if they have their own seat (on easy-jet at least) they are entitled to own allowance and can also take 1 hand bag on.

Yesa the children are entitled to a luggage allowance, including babies without a seat - at least they do at BA who I fly with frequently.

Thank you so much everyone, my question has been answered about the kids and their suitcases. I will now get them each a little case. I'm still a little confused about this liquid 100mls business though. On the airport website it doesn't really state clearly about what should be in a 20x20 clear bag. It shows a picture of toothpaste, deodorant, perfumes etc but I would put all those things in my main luggage anyway! So let me get this straight - sun lotion, shower gel, shampoo etc etc can all go in main suitcase?

Yep everything in the main suitcase only stuff you want for the journey in hand luggage. I don't bother putting my stuff in bags either - I usually take juice and milk for the DC's

Thanks ever so much again. It's nice that I've found out exactly what I what to know. It's a shame the airport website is not more imformative, I bet lots have people have been putting ALL their liquids in 20x20 clear bags! I almost did! xx

McDG - have BA really allowed you a 20kg allowance for a baby with no paid-for seat? They didn't for us when DS was a baby.

AND watch out for airlines which give a lower kg allowance for children on child fares, too.

Yes

No it wasn't the full allowance but he did have an allowance

Just one thought which you may already have had- my DD has just been given a little suitcase, complete with wheels/trolley handle. I was just thinking the other day that I was glad we didn't use it for hols as I don't think it would have survived baggage handling. It is very flimsy.
You might be better off buying an "adults" small case rather than a childs one.

We always gave them their own.

Also air lines are weighing individual bags sometimes now and not letting parents big heavy one over limit and using excess from child's beacuse of damage to the backs of the baggage handlers. Amusingly if you're business class that does not appy. I doubt that's because they use stronger baggage handlers in club class.

You'll need to check with the individual airlines re baggage allowances. We flew with Monarch at Easter and we were each allowed 20kg, but we COULD have some bags heavier than that as long as it wasn't over their maximum (32kg). We weren't in business class. I did phone the airline to check as one of my friends got caught out with the "each person only allowed 20kg max rule" and they said that scheduled and charter flights have different rules. But I would still check out with your airline.

We have normal sturdy cases for the kids, trolley style that the kids can wheel with their cabin back packs on top, if need be we piggy back them onto out bigger cases using straps, but to be honest you never really have to pull them far use a airport trolley and fling them all on.