Flying to USA with three DC.....liquids on planes

[GoingRodeoBaby]

Hi. In May DH and I will be flying to the USA with our DT (3 1/2) and DD2 (10 mo). Can I take cartons of baby milk (obviously they will be sealed) - I cannot face the powder route, we have to transfer and will be travelling for over 12 hours assuming no delays. Also can I take cartons of juice and milk for the older two? You don't get many drinks served and mine like to guzzle.

What about food and snacks?

We are flying with American Airlines, does anyone have any experience of flying with children? Although I am under no illusions the whole thing will be a total nightmare!

you can only take liquids in amounts of 100ml or less.
if you take cartons of juice/milk you will prob be made to open and taste each of them. Far easier, I would imagine, to just get them on the plane. oooh actually, that's reminded me, you can buy what you want once you're airside, so i guess if they sell cartons of juice/milk anywhere you could buy it then and take it on?

baby milk actually falls under the category of medicines, so you can take bottles ready-made of any amount (and presumably cartons too?) they are not under the 100ml rule.

You may get asked to taste a carton at security.

I would not rely on AA to provide at all for your children and take instead all their favourite foodstuffs with you. Food on aircraft can be dire anyway and childrens' meals are not great either. You'd be better off eating before boarding if at all possible.

BTW if you take fruit with you leave any uneaten fruit behind on the aircraft; do not bring any fruit into the US in your bag!.

I hope you have allowed at least 2 hours between the plane arriving from the UK into your first destination and the second leaving for your final destination.

The ESTA is now a mandatory requirement for entry into the US if you are a UK citizen; do fill this in online for all of you before you travel (they may not let you fly otherwise). Only use the official US govt based website; there are many companies out there who charge a fee for what is a free service.

You can buy drinks once you have gone through security.

I would bring snacks for flight as food not great although the meal time does occupy the children for a while even if they don't actually eat much!

Where will you transfer? If you have to go through security again you will need to get rid of any drinks you still have and you can get more through security.

You'll need to buy water and juice airside at the airport. You can also buy readymade formula at the airport - ring the airside Boots to get them to put some to one side for you, but they have all brands and plenty of them