International flight: Bassinet for 7 month old baby?
I will be traveling on a 15 hr flight from SFO-HKG with a 7 month old baby (first time for baby). I have reserved the bulkhead seat with a bassinet on United. However, I just read on the United site that the bassinet is only suitable for up to 6 months. I also called United and they said a bassinet can be used for up to 2 years of age (???).
Have any of you traveled on a United 747 with a bassinet? Would you suggest using the bassinet? My baby is average sized for his age.
Also, do they allow strollers to be gate-checked on international flights? Or do I have to check it in earlier with the rest of the luggage?
I will be travelling with 3 other adults (4 adults total) and reserved 4 connecting seats in the bulkhead? Is this the smartest arrangement or should 2 adults move elsewhere?
The bassinet issue is more related to weight than age. Most of them are limited to under 22 lbs, so if you've got a big boy (like me), you may not be able to use it. At 7 months, though, you're probably still under the limit, I'd bet, but check to be sure.
As for whether the adults should move elsewhere. Heck, no! Not by choice, at least. Just know that they technically could force one or more of you out in favor of another bassinet infant and/or special needs passenger. If you're OK with the risk, then stay in your seats for sure!
I have never used United's bassinets (I bring the car seat), but I saw one on my last flight and they look pretty small. Some babies are too long for bassinets even when they're within the weight limit.
You know that the baby has to be removed and held if there is any turbulence.
I would still try to get an extra seat and bring the car seat on board. This is much safer and you wouldn't have to remove him every time the seat belt sign goes on. If you can't manage that, I would say keep together. The bulkheads are very popular so hopefully they wont re-reserve them.
I have watched many people gate check the stroller on international flights on UA. Just ask the GA for the stroller tag. I have to agree that I think your child will be too large for the bassinet, but "average size" does not really say how large your child is.
That is a very, very long flight with a lap child. Good luck.
Thanks for the feedback. My son is 17 lbs and about 19 inches long. So he's too big for the bassinet? If so, would you still recommend us getting the bulkhead seats? My only concern is that we wouldn't be able to lift the armrests and he would keep kicking it the whole 15 hours while we're holding him...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freesia
Thanks for the feedback. My son is 17 lbs and about 19 inches long
freesia, you may want to double check your son's length - my son was over 19 inches at birth (which is close to average) and at also 7 months old now, he is 26 inches long, meaning he would be at the limit of the bassinets.
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If your budget allows, it is my recommendation to purchase a seat for your son. Please remember that the lap child fare is 10% of the standard fare (i.e. the highest fare not the fare that you paid for your ticket) so it is possible that the price delta between a lap child fare and a discounted seat could be at a point where you can justify spending more money to have more space and etc.
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lie, lie, lie
Yes, i had a bassinet for my 15 month old. She's a skinny little thing, weighing-in at just under 20 pounds at the time.. but was an inch too long. The 29 inch things is silly. Of course you'll only put a SLEEPING baby in the bassinet, it's not a playpen. I didn't see any reason for her to have her legs fully extended
I've flowen with the baby in a bassinet (but had to take her out whenever the seatbelt light was on, a huge PITA), I've flowen with her on my lap in business class (kinda cozy but impossible to eat) and I've flown with her in her own carseat in coach. The carseat in coach bulkhead was the BEST.
So, I'd really recommend getting the bulkhead reserved and bringing the car seat to the gate just incase they block out an empty seat next to you. The car seat is WAY better than the bassinet.
Thank you everyone for your thoughtful response. I just returned from the trip and yes, United does provide a wall-mount bassinet in the bulkhead area. Since we didn't buy a separate seat for the baby, this was really useful in holding the baby while he's sleeping or he just sits up in the bassinet and plays with his toys. (Even 15 minutes was welcome relief from holding him in our laps). At 29 inches, he's really at the limit of the bassinet with a tight fit while he's in sleeping position. The official limit was 20 pounds (luckily, baby was at 18 lbs).
I'm glad such an option was available but unfortunately, I'm afraid he will outgrow the bassinet very soon. I'll have to purchase a separate seat for him next time.
I would definitely recommend the bulkhead seats with or without the bassinet. The drawback is that not all armrests can be lifted (but the middle one can), but the additional legroom and ability to move around is a big plus.
