This summer, I am going to fly alone with my then 19-month-old twins from the US to Paris. Needless to say, I am terrified. More about the layovers, customs and baggage retrieval in Paris than the plane trip itself, actually. Any good advice?

I think that you would need to give some more information to the above such as where are you leaving from;is someone meeting you at the airport in Paris;which airport in Paris;how many seats on the airplane are booked for all of you;sex of children;previous travel experiences with them(have they ever flown before)etc.Debbie

Debbie asks some good questions. <BR>but if you will arrive someone to meet you I would ship ahead as much luggage as I could, so as to have it waiting at my hotel or apartment. Of course notify whoever to clear this in advance. With two toddlers, carry-on bags, and probably a stroller, you will already have your hands full.

that should have been <BR>If you will arrive WITHOUT someone to meet you

Well, I don't know about getting into <BR>Paris, as I've never been there, but <BR>I do know about transatlantic flights <BR>with babies. I take it you are buying them seats? (Lap babies are limited to <BR>one per row, because there is only one <BR>extra oxygen mask per row.) I wouldn't <BR>go lap baby for all the money in the <BR>world on an overnight flight, they could <BR>get into anything if a parent fell asleep. <BR> <BR>However, with the seats, you have another problem; as far as I know, <BR>you can't have more than one carseat <BR>in the same row, either, because they <BR>either have to be installed at the window or in the very center seat in an odd-center widebody (so noone has to <BR>crawl over it in an emergency). I'd definitely write to your airlines' customer service office and find out what your options are. British Airways is the only carrier that I know of that definitely has loaner safety seats available for use on flights (theirs attach directly to the bulkhead wall; I think they have 6 per flight.) <BR> <BR>Layovers are usually not that bad a <BR>situation with little kids, unless they <BR>have ear problems; they offer opportunity for exercise. Try putting your hand luggage in a locker for awhile so that you can devote yourself to exercising them. Non-US carriers tend to be more kid-friendly, in my experience, but just about all airlines will give you special assistance in a situation like this if you ask for it in advance.

France, <BR> <BR>I have one idea that, if it works and you have the money, will really be wonderful. It sounds like you are going one-way. There are European nannies working in the U.S. Perhaps if you are lucky, you can find one going back home to France at the same time you are. You could pay all or part of the airfare in exchange for having the au pair meet up with you and give you a helping hand on the plane. If this sounds like a decent solution, post back and I'll provide more details about my limited knowledge of these exchange programs. Alternatively, I suppose you could do the same thing by providing a college student with free or half-priced airfare to France to provide the same assistance. <BR> <BR>Good luck.

I recommend notifying the airline of the circumstances and ask them to provide assistance at the other end. They have customer service people who's job it is to assist passengers like you (including unaccompanied minors and elderly or handicapped). They should greet you, help you get through immigration without waiting in line, get you baggage assistance and through customs. Then you should, as recommended above, also have someone waiting for you, if not a relative or friend, then a limo or car service.

Dear France, <BR> <BR>I have never had a problem with customs in France (just a walk through.) Where is your layover? If it's in Amsterdam, you are in luck. Schipol airport has play areas for children, with small climbing equipment, riding cars, toys, changing tables, etc. <BR> <BR>Have you talked to your pediatrician for advice? Some suggest Benadryl to help kids sleep, but try it ahead of time as it can make some kids more active. <BR> <BR>Good luck.