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Original poster

HELP! What happens at airport with infant allowances?

28 replies

Newhere22 · 07/03/2022 17:40

Hello everyone,
We are due our first baby end of next month and have a family wedding abroad in September so she will be 4 months old. We are flying with jet2 and I’m super confused! So my plan so far is to take her round the airport in a sling. Then I’ll get a second hand cheap pram to put through as her 10kg allowance. The chassis will fold but the carrycot will have to sit on top. Is that allowed or will we need to bag it up? Do you think I’m taking the right route here? I’m just thinking she can sleep overnight in the carrycot if she doesn’t like the hotel cot and the carry cot will weigh much less than the car seat (trying to keep to 10kg)

I hope I make sense I do babble!

Thank you in advance xx

OP posts:
PAFMO · 07/03/2022 18:28

Each airline has its own regulations. You're best off with a cheap stroller. Strollers etc are allowed but again, check the airline.
There was a grumpy poster a few weeks ago complaining that BA hadn't let her take the pram bit up to the plane (but she hasn't read the regulations tbh)

Fivemoreminutes1 · 07/03/2022 18:29

To make it complicated, each airline has different rules around luggage allowances. Who are you flying with?

Fivemoreminutes1 · 07/03/2022 18:30

Sorry just seen that you said Jet2

Lazypuppy · 07/03/2022 18:31

Babies don't have an allowance as such as they don't have a seat, but most airlines allow you an extra piece, such as pushchair etc, which you can take tight up to gate and get back at baggage claim. You'll have to check about the bigger pushchair style, we always took a stroller that was cheap as chances are it will get slightly damaged or marked as a minimum

RandomQuest · 07/03/2022 18:40

You can take a pram and I’d put it in a bag. You’ll need a bag for the carrycot anyway to keep it clean so just get a bigger one that can include the frame too and it avoids any issue about it technically being 2 items. Check in desk give you a tag, you take it to oversize, baby through the airport in a sling- I’ve done this and never had an issue although granted I’ve never flown jet 2. I’ve done it on Easjet, Norwegian, BA and AA though! Just check that the pram carrycot is definitely ok for overnight sleeping and that your 4MO still fits in it- neither of my babies would at that age and we’d move on to the pram seat.

Caspianberg · 07/03/2022 18:46

Generally prams get a ‘free’ allowance. That is ontop of any luggage allowance

But any two part or carrycot type pram you have to fold and check in at the beginning with luggage.
For 4 months they are getting tight for carrycot, mine was sitting up at that age so could just pull up out of one.

If your going to travel again, but a babyzen yo-yo as travel pram. You won’t regret. And baby at 4 months will fit in main seat fine for that week.

Duracellbunnywannabe · 08/03/2022 09:51

I agree that at 4 months there is a good chance they won’t fit in a carrycot. Only a handful of them are safe for overnight sleeping anyway.

BlackCoffeeInAPoolOfSunshine · 08/03/2022 09:58

How are you getting from the airport to your accommodation? Unless its by train/ tube without any taxi, coach or hire car you'd be better taking a car seat than carry cot (and as others say your baby may be sitting/ crawling or at least rolling or otherwise too big for the carry cot).

Original poster
Newhere22 · 08/03/2022 10:52

Thanks everyone! Yes so I take note, the carrycot could possibly be to small for her by that point! We are getting picked up in a car by my brother in law and it will have a car seat in already.

My main concern with a stroller (correct me if I am wrong I am only mum to a dog currently) is that it won't lay flat for napping and if she isn't sitting up it wouldn't be ideal. I've just bought a silver cross pioneer, used, for £50, it comes with both the carry cot and the seat. Let me know if you think I'm doing the wrong thing! It's a minefield! Confused

OP posts:
villamariavintrapp · 08/03/2022 11:16

We've always taken strollers, lots recline flat out, so fine for napping and cheap enough not to matter if they get thrown around in the plane etc.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 08/03/2022 11:20

Every umbrella style stroller I've had has laid flat completely

Erinyes · 08/03/2022 11:25

That’s why we got a Bugaboo Bee when DS was born, which reclines flat. However, I wouldn’t take an expensive pushchair on a flight. Our was badly damaged the first time we flew with it.

EmpressCixi · 08/03/2022 11:27

I agree on having a cheap, light stroller. Many do have switches to allow the seat to lay flat back. This is usually checked at the gate for free and not counted as part of your infants luggage allowance. The same with a car seat if you are putting them in their own plane seat in a car seat which is safest way for an under 2 to fly. On your lap is cheaper as you don’t pay for a seat, but not the safest way. In addition, check with airline as some have the luggage allowance to be per seat booked and not per person, so your if your infant is flying in your lap they may have zero luggage allowance of their own.

I also agree do not take the carry cot. Very few are safe for overnight sleep at 4 months old. No car seat is safe at any age for overnight sleep or even naps. The hotel you booked should provide you with a safe cot for your baby to sleep in.

tiggergoesbounce · 08/03/2022 11:36

I agree buy a cheap stroller that reclines, most do now get a little parasol and baby will be fine and comfy for naps

CharlotteRose90 · 08/03/2022 11:39

I used to work for Jet2 and infants don’t get 10kg as they don’t have a seat. You can carry a pram and separate car seat but you would have to pay extra for an extra cot if you bring one.

nearlyspringyay · 08/03/2022 11:40

Is it a family wedding where family live, if so could someone meet you at the airport with a car seat and stroller? If it's a destination wedding ignore me!

Twilightstarbright · 08/03/2022 11:50

I had a Maclaren techno xlt that lay flat and could be used from
Birth, DS used it from 5 weeks old we we travelled abroad every few weeks for medical treatment.

I’d look at a travel foldable mattress topper, it fits in a suitcase and makes the travel cot far more comfortable.

Caspianberg · 08/03/2022 12:18

Yes the silver cross pioneer is a bargain at that price for day to day at home, but you have to take both carrycot or seat off to fold frame separately. So it’s awkward travelling.

It’s ideal that lay flat, but that’s newborn. At 4 months they will be fine to lay at a slight angle if the travel size pram doesn’t lay 100% flat. Most lay at least 80% flat which is fine to nap in

It’s not just pram being allowed or not, but on arrival you will need to fit three adults, baby, pram, luggage all in relatives presumably average size car boot. The silver cross will take up entire space, leaving no room for suitcase or bags.

RandomQuest · 08/03/2022 12:32

They don’t need 100% lie flat for naps once past the newborn stage. At 4 months old a stroller with decent recline will be fine. We have the YoYo (the ideal travel stroller!) and both my kids sleep fine in it, I reckon it’s probably 80% to lie flat in the seat mode. Mine have also always slept fine in hotel cots. If yours doesn’t then that will probably be the dreaded 4 month regression, and no carrycot will help with that! I think you’re probably overthinking it.

Imabitbusyatthemoment · 08/03/2022 14:01

Maclaren Umbrella Stroller. They are brilliant. Lightweight and lay flat enough for a four month old.
I wouldn’t take a carry cot on a plane. Even if it is allowed it might be damaged or just a pain in the arse to drag around. I’d aim to keep things as simple as possible.
You can also get buggies that fit in an overhead locker that look brilliant, but I’ve never used one to say if they are any good or not.

Imabitbusyatthemoment · 08/03/2022 14:04

I also wouldn’t be keen on checking in a car seat, knowing the way they are thrown about by baggage haulers.

Original poster
Newhere22 · 08/03/2022 14:34

Thanks everyone, looks like I need to find a cheap used stroller then that faces both forwards and back? She'll only be 4 months Blush

We are taking her to airport in baby carrier but thank you for your concern regarding car seats Smile

OP posts:
WouldIBeATwat · 08/03/2022 14:39

I flew long haul with DD at 4 months. Took a second hand Mamas and Papas buggy that lay flat. Wasn’t parent facing but that didn’t matter……? (She was parent facing till toddlerhood at home.)

I got the Maclaren XT when we switched from her big buggy. That lay completely flat and had a newborn adjustment. If you’re in South Wales you can have it!

RandomQuest · 08/03/2022 14:43

@Newhere22

Thanks everyone, looks like I need to find a cheap used stroller then that faces both forwards and back? She'll only be 4 months Blush

We are taking her to airport in baby carrier but thank you for your concern regarding car seats Smile

They don’t need to be parent facing… I know some people prefer it but it’s not any sort of requirement and I definitely wouldn’t consider it a key feature of a holiday stroller. DC2 had only ever been forward facing in the YoYo since outgrowing the newborn nest at 3.5 months. Which is pretty typical amongst the other babies I know because we live in London and the YoYo is really popular.
Lavender2021 · 08/03/2022 15:07

For holidays you need a pushchair that folds in one with everything attached or it will be a pain and bits might get lost. The unbrella type is perfect and will only world face, just check they lay flat before buying. Plus it will take up less space in the car.