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Old Jul 1, 2003 | 8:05 pm
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NYBanker
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
A few questions re newborn babies on NW

My wife and I are adopting a baby in Mississippi in August. We will be flying home on NW MEM-LGA. We are ticketed in F.

I'm a bit concerned with flying commercial with such a young baby. Doctor assures me baby will be fine - I'm just worried about all the juggling that I've seen all those other parents doing for years. I thought about chartering a jet for the way home - but I've decided to do it this way. I'm a DL guy, but will be flying NW b/c they offer non-stop service in the MEM-LGA market. Any color on a couple of questions that I have would be much appreciated.

I've spoken to NW cust svc about this, told them I will have an unticketed infant in lap for one way (they thought this was odd - till I explained the situation).

I've heard several airlines are requiring a birth certificate for young babies on domestic routes. (Baby is same race as my wife and I.) NW says they don't - but has anyone been asked for birth cert of other papers regarding a baby on a domestic flight?

Also - NW says there's no minimum age for a pax - I understand that some airlines have a 14 day min age (perhaps so they can get advanced purchase fares?) before they're allowed to fly. Assuming everything goes well, we'd plan on flying about 7 days after baby is born (with doctor's verbal OK). Anyone had problems on NW with min ages?

Finally - We're on the MEM-LGA flight (A320?) in 2AB. I've never travelled with a baby before - for those that have - do you recommend trying for bulkhead instead?

NW at first offered it to us - I declined - took 2AB. Thought about it a bit and wanted to move to 1AB, called back, and was told bulkhead in F could only be assigned at the airport. I explained the situation (including that I was offered bulkhead a few minutes ago) - and was again told no. Is this really the policy for domestic F cabins?

Any other tips to a new parent traveling with baby?

Really appreciate any help on this!

* * * * *

Separately, I was very pleased to see NW offer all kinds of special rates and terms for parents completing international adoptions. They have one of the best programs for international adoptive parents. Sadly for me, NW offers no promotional terms (ie: waived change fees for non-refundable tickets) for domestic adoption.
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