Jsut talked with BA. Our plan was to bring a collapsible stroller and car seat to the gate in hopes of there being an empty seat, while carrying our daughter in the backpack carrier.
I was told that unless we had an umbrella stroller (which ours is not) that we could not take that to the gate as they will not gate check it...WTF? And that the car seat was absolutely not allowed if we did not purchase a seat for our child. So even if there is an empty seat next to us they will not allow you to put your seat there. Then we were told they would not gate check the backpack if it did not fit in the overhead bin (which ours probably will, but that is beside the point). So basically, we have to carry our daughter as well as all of our carryon bags for a 9hour flight with us through the airport, security, etc. I'm absolutely stunned by this.

You're absolutely stunned that they won;t give you a free seat?

Most planes fly full or almost so. And since most of the free seats are middle ones - there is no way they can rearrange everyone's seating to be sure you get a free seat for your child and large car seat next to you.

If you want to take it - simply buy a seat. And frankly I don;t understand people who don;t buy their child a seat anyway - isn;t the extrta safety worth a few exra $? Would you drive around without a car seat to save the money of buying one?

Hi Ani,

I have always heard that BA is rather strict with carry on luggage. However... it sounds as if you were planning to bring a great deal on board with you. While I know you have a young child, try to think of it from the airline's perspective... they have no way of knowing that every passenger won't show up with as much luggage. It's unlikely, but they can't know with absolute certainty. So I can see how it is their policy to tell passengers not to show up with a ton of carry on luggage to "see if there is space", because if there isn't and everyone did that... massive slow up at the gate while everything gets checked at the last minute.

You know, I knew I should have left the car seat part out. I'm stunned that they wont gate check anything, not stunned they wont give me a free seat.

Our messages crossed...I see your point but honestly the stroller situation is crazy. I've had that thing gate checked on every flight I've been on.

so..you could check the stroller in, along with any luggage you're checking, and carry baby in the backpack to the boarding area, and then the backpack will fit in the overhead bin (you think)...
seems the only unresolved issue -is- the car-seat thing...

Ani, how do you know there will be an empty seat next to you?

Even if you can see empty seats on the website now, how do you know it will not be used by a traveler bumped from a prior flight or somebody who has an emergency?

So, if the seats next to you are all occupied, what do you expect to do with the car seat? Store it where?

There must be a reason for all airline rules. You want to bring on board more items then everybody else without paying for it. Why you? Why not me? And what will happen if everybody would bring additional bulky items?

Coming back on BA this May, someone with baby tried to be seated with stroller and car seat. Much to their distress (and to the relief of other passengers), the flight attendant said NO! She seemed to be thinking only of her own needs, not considering those of fellow passengers (whose overhead space would have been impinged upon). From the sight of it, she would have easily used 2-1/2 seat's worth of space in the overhead, not to mention the risk of crushing or breaking something in someone else's carryon.

Slow down. Your plans was to get through the airport with a baby on and off your back (must unload for security, yes there are loads of people waiting behind you), a not small stroller, carseat, diaper bag, carry on.....
Good god, where does it end!! WAAAAAAAY too much stuff there!
If you have the backpack, why the stoller??? One or the other please. car seat? If you buy the seat, great, strap it in! If not, can't have it.
Airlines are in he business of getting people- lots of people- from one place to another. Each delay- excess luggage, car seats,- per passenger slows everyone down.
Now I'll slow down.
I fly with kids and have even flown with four kids six and under..... solo. take the bare minimum with you and check the rest. Grad a luggage cart. Push your stuff and carry your child. Leave plenty of time and take all the time you need to get from one place to another.

Wow - You are all giving Ani a really hard time! Fact is, on US domestic airlines, you can take a carseat/stroller combo (usually called a travel system) to the gate. <b>If</b> there is a seat available, you can put the carseat in it and strap the kid in (if kid is under 2). If no seat, you gate check the travel system and the kid sits on your lap.

This is the way it works, whether everyone thinks it's fair or not. So, it would surely come as a surprise to someone accustomed to traveling with these rules to find completely new ones for this flight.

If you don't like the rules of US domestic airlines, you can take it up with them. Ani's not responsible for them.

Seriously, I have not seen an empty seat on BA on a transatlantic flight in years!

They won't let you even take a tiny suitcase if it weighs more than 13 lbs. on board, so I'm not surprised about stroller or car seat.

These days I only carry-on what absolutely can not be lost (like prescription glasses and meds) and what I need for the duration of the flight. And check all else.

It's really not against traveling with children, they are simply extremely strict about carry-on at British Air.

Who on this planet would willingly enter a BA aircraft and then complain about their quality of service. There is none. Book another flight next time, but for now it is too late... Sorry...

Ani,

I was in Europe last month and took several BA flights, all of which were full to capacity. None of these flights would have had any room for a full size stroller.

I think your best bet is to look into a discounted seat for your daughter. Typically, airlines will provide some sort of discount for children under 2. At least this way, you won't have to try to keep her in your seats for 9 hours, and you'll have a safe place for her if there's real turbulence! Good luck!

Ani
as you realized, I think you muddled your own argument when you started out with the free seat/car seat thing.
As for the stroller, every airline makes its own rules about what they will allow as carry-on items, and rules for domestic flights are not the same as for international, AND, BA is notoriously strict.
So, get over being stunned , and take the good advice above about streamlining, you and your baby will doubtless be more comfortable, relaxed, and unburdened if you take less onto the plane. As you said from the beginning, it's a 9 hour flight, you and your baby will have a lot to cope with as it is. good luck

Hey Ani,
I think Weadles has an excellent idea. Why don't you call and see if there is a discount for seats for children 2 years and under? That would make it much easier on you I'd think... as I am sure it would be hard to hold a baby on your lap for 9+ hours.

The point is that they would not allow a large stroller, they said they would an umbrella stroller. And why would there be a need to take all of that stuff on board, including a backpack? Other people don't get all that carryon allowance, why should someone just because they have a child whom they aren't even purchasing a seat for. There is no more necessity for them to carry both a larger stroller and backpack, and other carryons onto the plane than for others to take on several pieces of large luggage.

I just saw your other thread.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34667028

I hope you'll consider buying a seat, if only to have more room for the baby's stuff. 9 hours in coach, holding a baby? Yikes.

So, you already have 2 carry-ons: a backpack and your baby. Plus you want to bring on 2 more: a stroller and a car seat. Sorry, I want to quote you: &quot;WTF?&quot;

Will the baby fit into the overhead compartment

Sorry, Ani, but I agree with those who feel you're <u>not</u> being treated unfairly.

Just be thankful BA doesn't count the baby's weight as part of your carry-on allowance.

Ok look-I realized after about 5 minutes that everything was actually going to be ok. I &quot;freaked&quot; b/c my well thought out plan of attack was ruined! I now realize that we will carry her in the pack provided it fits for carry on and check everything else.
Now, to explain myself to everyone else, which is EXACLTY why I posted...

We've been to many of the places we plan to tour before. We can use a stroller for many areas but it is impossible for some-like ruined castles. We need both the stroller and the backpack. We need the car seat because we are renting a car. I think that covers all of the equipment. Hey-at least we left the portable crib at home
As for my other post...10% is the charge for a non ticketed child.
I have several friends who have flown overseas many times with their children under 2 and all recommended, esp. with an overnight flight, NOT getting a seat (this was months ago when this trip was booked) so I took their advice. In hindsight I wish I would have purchased her a seat (and BTW my child is sleep trained-she doesn't sleep in her car seat-ever)but its too late now.
I hope that answers everyone's judgments...er...questions. For those of you with helpful responses-thank you.