Ani

I'm sorry this thread degenerated so quickly, but if you weed through the nonsense, there is some good advice in here. I have a 16 m/o and fly with her fairly regularly.

I always buy her a seat, but since that is not an option for you anymore, I agree with the posters who suggest checking in early and trying for a bulkhead seat, especially since there is little or no chance of there being an empty seat on the plane.

Instead of the backpack carrier (I have one and love it), you might want to think about a sling, like the Playtex Hip Hammock, for use in the airport and walking around. It's comfortable for me to wear for extended periods of time, folds up to nothing (fits inside a backpack easily) and my daughter loves riding in it. They work for kids up to about 35 lbs.

I also agree with you that you don't want to try to rent a carseat for your trip. Babies r us has carseat bags that are only about $20 and will protect your carseat in the cargo hold of the plane.

As for the stroller, while I love having my big stroller for regular use, a cheap umbrella (maybe bought at your destination) is the way to go here. A toddler can sleep in a stroller without a recline if they are tired enough.

And seriously, ignore the idiots who are telling you that you are wrong for wanting to bring your child on vacation with you. Even if she doesn't remember this trip per se, it's the experience that counts. My best friend took her 19 month old to France for two weeks last summer, she came back speaking better French than English.

Relax and have a great time.

Oh, and if you want a little more sympathy and good advice from Moms who travel with toddlers frequently, try the message boards at Urbanbaby.com

bgans: Thanks for the reply.
I'm actually a bit psycho about planning, and have already completed most of your suggestions. We plan to get to the airport 3 hours before flight time and have a noted request for bulkhead seating and a reserved bassinet.
To clarify, our stroller IS a super lightweight, cheap one, weighing only slightly more than an umbrella-it just happens to have a recline position and a basket underneath but that's about it.
I would never consider NOT traveling with my child so those comments simply aren't an issue-but I do appreciate the words of encouragement and the website. Thank you!

Ani
Have you checkedhow much your check in luggage weighs? BA is very strict on this weight as well as the carry on. PS. really second buying an umbrellastroller. I bought a MacLaren 2nd hand thatreclined. Took it to Canada in the middle of winter and used a sheep skin as a liner. They are so easy to use.

PS I was surprised BA would provide a bassinet to a 17 month old - Bassinets are usually restricted to under 6m. Ijust did a google and BA has introduced the following. This would solve the safety and wriggling issues but I you would need to check if they are on your flights:
Infant seats
Globetrotting toddlers no longer have to sit on their parents' knees or lie in an in-flight carrycot, but can travel in safety and style with British Airways in their very own Infant seat - at no extra charge.

It has been designed by Britax, the UK's leading manufacturer of children's car seats. Britax has worked with the airline's own engineers to guarantee maximum comfort and safety for British Airways' tiniest travellers at 35,000 feet, with the end result rigorously tested on the ground and in-flight.

The result is a comfortable infant seat, suitable for babies from 6 months up to two years old. They fit directly onto the bulkhead. Parents must request them before the flight and they are available on a first come, first served basis.

sarvo:
just called...these seats for bulkhead are indeed available but cannot be reserved prior to arriving at check in....hopefully I can get one... Thanks for the tip!

Ani -

Have you heard about Baby B'air (www.babybair.com)? It is designed for lap children. You can not use it during take or landing, but it is FAA approved for in flight.

Good luck! (from another traveling Mom taking a toddler on BA)

This issue of parent/baby/car seat/one ticket has come up before (remember the Alitalia thread?). I asked a question then that I never got a real answer to so I'll ask it again because I must be missing something.

You and your baby board the plane with a car seat and one ticket hoping for an empty seat. Assuming there is one, what are the odds of that empty seat being next to the one you've been assigned? Pretty slim I'd say.

So, what do you do? Do you scan the plane looking for some nice passenger sitting elsewhere on the plane who is lucky enough to have an empty seat next to him and ask him to swap with you? If I were on an overnight flight and found myself with an empty seat next to me, I would resent the hell out of someone asking me if he could have it. To enter into the plane or even the boarding area with that plan of attack is just plain rude in my book.

Most people go through a lot of planning to select the type of seat they want, aisle, window, front, back, near the lav, away from the lav whatever. I would never have the nerve to ask someone to move just because I didn't want to buy a ticket for the car seat.

Go ahead. Flame away.

Amend " I would resent the hell out of someone asking me if he could have it." to read:

I would resent the hell out of someone asking me to move so he could have it.

Fingers too quick!

I may be off the mark here... but what about purchasing the item(s) <car seat> when you arrive at your destination and then donate it to a charity upon departure. I realize it is an extra expense, but it also saves the hassle of "where to store it" while flying. Just a thought.

OK, OK everyone. Ani has explained her situation, regrets not having purchased a seat, and is going to check most of her extra items. Yes, she was unrealistic at the beginning of this thread but has adjusted to the bottom line.

Travelling with a toddler will be a challenge but many families do and are happy with that decision. My children weren't good travellers at that age but some are. (Luckily they love to travel and are usually a pleasure to be with now.

Ani, I don't know if you've travelled with your child on a plane before, but the ear pain can be hard on the little ones. I found that bringing juice boxes for the descent were very helpful. Also, I tried to bring new little toys for amuseument (and snacks) and would pull out something every time boredom was setting in. Hopefully she will sleep some of the time.

Good luck and have a great trip!

Sarvo brought up a good point. Check to make sure all your checked luggage meets the BA checked rules. Each passenger can take 2 pieces of checked luggage free, no piece can weigh more than 70 lbs. Anything over 70lbs is refused.
Since you paid the infant fare for your child (10% of adult price), she is allowed only ONE checked piece up to 70lbs, plus one stroller. Families are allowed to combine total baggage (5 total allowed free, 2 per adult, 1 for the child).

Carry-on luggage is limited to one 13 lb carry-on plus one personal item (purse, laptop, etc) per person. Your child is also allowed a 13lb max carry-on. If your flight is full, BA can be VERY strict about the carry-on weight and make you check anything overweight (or over dimensions) in. Pack as if they will be weighig everything.

Linda-I'm not an intrusive person, in fact I'm very concious of the comfort of others...the scenario you imagined is absolutely NOT what I had in mind. I had hoped the flight would have plenty of room (again, going on information given to me by others who had been in the same situation). But thanks for that super helpful reply.
Kathryn: We've flown with Riley many ,many times and she's luckily never had a problem with ear pain (and we fly out of Denver so we'd know)...already planned ahead for the small toys and many snacks-I thank you for your kind suggestions!

Also, DH and I have flown to Heathrow 2x before (albeit not on BA)and are very familiar with baggage weight restrictions but again-I appreciate the warnings.

Why do people fly all over if they can not afford a safe seat for their baby?

Did anyone see the news report tonight on buying toddlers seats?
I only saw the very end of the report but it sounded like there are new regulations?
Anyone know?
I agree, a toddler is totally different than a baby (I should know, we've had a few LOL) so even if they're the most snuggly, they need a seat.
Hope you have a good safe trip Ani.

Hi wanderluster, on the USA Today webpage (travel section) they reported this morning that the FAA has again allowed passengers with children under the age of two to fly without buying a seat for their children.

Evidently the thinking is that so many families could not afford to buy a ticket for their children that they would travel by car to their destination and that travelling by car is far more dangerous then being held on their parents lap while in flight including take off and landing and turbulence situations.

Wow...Once again-SUPER helpful.

Hello Ani, I thought of you and your family when I read the article.

My preference would be that little ones had there own seat but sure understand the situation that your family is in.

I truly wish all of you a safe and happy trip and a beautiful vacation. And sure hope that you can find time when you return home and get settled in to give us a trip report. Best wishes to all three of you.

Niblette, Ani
BA is even harsher on allowances to Europe - 23kg or 51 lbs per person and 10kg (22lbs) plus one fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) for children under 2. the two pieces of 70ibs each is only on flights to USA
Canada
Mexico
Bermuda
Brazil
Nigeria
Caribbean
Central America
As I said be careful.

"the two pieces of 70ibs each is only on flights to USA"

Actually it is 70lbs FROM or TO the USA..

One of many reasons to fly business/first.
M