A fcouple of questions about flying with a 1yo and 2yo

[babyonboard]

I am booking flights to Malta this weekend for myself, DP , 2 year old DS and 1 year old DD.

I am just wondering if you can attach carseats in the plane, or if this is even necessary?

Also, will we have to leave the pushchair at baggage check in or can we keep it until boarding?

I'd appreciate any help. I have only flown with the children once when DS was very young and he was in a sling the whole time.

Your 2 year old will have his own seat (no need for carseat). Your baby will go on your lap, and yes, you can take buggies right up to the gate with you and then they put it in the hold.

carseats can come on the plane, if youre booking them a seat each. tho you dont have to. if you book and 'infant ticket' theyll be on your lap.

if you are hiring a car, and want your own seats in it, this is best way to take them anyway (if youre buying the dc seats on plane obv) car hire firms offer baby seats, but rarely guarantee them and they are almost always crap. it is only a week tho,... so up to you.

pushchairs can almost always be taken to boarding where theyll take it off you and you get it back on carousel at other end.

if you do have car seats with you tho, you can put them on trolleys and the dc in them as makeshift buggies in the airport, and cut down on carrying.

hth

I've never taken a car seat away with me. Too much hassle.

The 2year old gets their own seat and the 1yo has to sit on your lap. You tell them at check in that you want to keep the pushchair until you get to the gate, they put a tag on it, then take it off you at the gate and put it on the plane for you.

You can easily book hire cars with car seats. We generally book a taxi transfer with car seats. Have never had any problems with either. Especially if you're hardly going to be in the car and are probably just going to get to the resport and stay there/walk to everything for the week.

Taking a car seat, as well as the pushcahairs, would be too much hassle and probably not worthwhile (unless you're planning on a lot of sightseeing/driving) - imho!

Thanks.
We will be booking them their own seats so I may as well take the carseats onboard.
It seems safer too, though as DP said last night, if we crash the car seats will never make a difference (lol!?)
We are not driving ourselves whilst there as we have a friend who will 'ferry' us around, lol, so it will be easier to take our own.
We are staying in the capital but traveling around so really need to take them.

I also wondered, do you think we could get away with taking a single maclaran and buggy board? We have a huge double tandem pram that is rarely used at home and would be a nightmare to take on holiday, but I'm concerned about what to do if DS gets tired.
I have considered buying a twin maclaren, or 'pop' as it may be useful, but I hate how wide they are. heehee

buy a lightweight twin buggy

2 is still very young and from my experience (ds 2.5) he absolutely needs the buggy on holiday - for his daytime nap (heat makes him sleep more!) and then early evening after tea. I couldn't cope without it I think!