<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by NYBanker:
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!
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Congratulations on the new baby!
We've been flying with our kids since they have been infants without any problems. NW has always been very good with our kids.
I wouldn't charter the jet. You'll have plenty of opportunities to throw away money on the child later!
If you are worried about turbulence, you could bring the infant (rear facing) car seat on board and use it (you might have to pay for a ticket?).
NW has never required a birth certificate for our kids (except on international flights where it was required for immigration). I usually bring their passports, but I've never needed them. NW has never asked about our kids re: minimum age.
You made a good choice (2AB) with the seat. Bulkhead seats are bad when travelling with kids. You need the space under the seat in front of you for the diapers, bottles, formula, baby blankets, rattles/toys, changing pad, wipes, food, spare clothes for baby, spare clothes for you, etc.
Other thoughts:
Learn where the family restrooms are in the various airports. You will need this information later!
Unfortunately, I have never found a family restroom in MEM. NW's other hubs have them. They are really nice.
At times I have gone on trips with the kids and left my wife at home. It is really kind of nice when you are a guy travelling with kids. Women seem to take pity on me and are always offering to help/talk/etc. Kids seem to have a builtin puppy-like "babe magnet" feature!
You also might want to look for advice in the "Travel with Children" forum.