Flying alone internationally with two under 2
 

My husband and I were supposed to flying with our twin 18mo daughters in two weeks but it's looking like he won't be able to make it. We were going to fly with the girls as lap babies, something daring on such a long trip (though we have done it when they were younger) but we just can't afford the extra seats. I am afraid I might have to book at least one extra seat since I can't have two lap babies, but I want to know if there are other options. Is it possible to find someone who is booked on the same flight and have my child added to their ticket, or is this ridiculous?

Has anyone been in this situation before?

You are absolutely going to have to buy at least one seat for one of the children. I don't know if you will have to buy seats for both.

You might want to seriously reconsider taking this trip at another date when you have someone with you to help. I don't know how one person can safely handle 2 children under age 2. At the very least, you will have to rely on a lot of help from strangers, which might not be very forthcoming.

My sister-in-law was a single parent with twins.
Those of us who have never been in that situation often make assumptions about how hard it will be; those actually in the position tend to find practical ways to make it work.

To the OP - you'll need to buy a 2nd seat, but presumably that's no extra cost over what you would have spent if your husband had been able to make the trip.

From watching my sister-in-law manager with hers, I'd say that if you are able to handle trips to the mall and on public transport on your own with both twins then most likely this wouldn't be any greater difficulty.

I assume that you'll have somebody else to help you at the other end ? The main thing to think about is how you are going to get both twins and the car seat from the aircraft door (where they'll take your stroller) to your seats; you can reasonably expect some help from an FA with the car seat and carryon, but depending on where you're seated, you could end up carry both twins, your purse, etc over 100 feet when embarking and deplaning - you shouldn't rely on sombody else to carry one of the babies.

You'll have to buy "tickets" for both since its international (purchased ticket for lap child is just the taxs though), one will have to be in a seat so hopefully your on an airline that will give discounts to children... some airlines are cutting that option due to "finances". :rolleyes:
If you don't have a carrier I would suggest getting one, because as the pp pointed out the getting to the seats and out is going to be tricky. Does the older one walk well enough to get from gate to seat? And if they do I hope they can carry a little something to help out! :) (My son wears a mini backpack of his plane snacks).
Also many airlines have rules that FA CAN'T carry or hold children/infants... many don't listen to it but know its there and SOME DO follow it.
Not easy but Its doable! Good luck!

Most airlines requires one adult for each lap child.

It is ridiculous. I think that you are making the assumption that the flight won't be full and there will be an empty seat for one of your twins. Due to reduced capacity as well as increase of travel (as reported in the USA Today last week), flights are full. If the flight is full, do you expect a stranger to hold one of your twin girls in their lap for the entire flight?

There will be a change fee to change it from husband to one of the girls.

One possible solution is to purchase the car seat\stroller that is listed in Sky Mall.

That depends upon the airline. If you are flying an Asian based airline like Asiana, Cathay Pacific, Singapore, etc., they will treat the OP and her twins like royalty, rock stars, etc. based upon my personal experiences. It is a toss-up between on the European-based airlines based upon my personal experiences. With US-based airlines, it is very unlikely that you will get assistance from the Gate Agent or FAs.

Another recommendation is to check all of your luggage except for a bag for your twins.

Wow. Really? Ridiculous.

No, there are not other options besides buying at least one seat. I have never seen a situation where more than one unticketed infant is allowed per adult. That would be crazy.

Also, I'd consider long and hard how you are going to possibly help the second seated child to cut up her meal and eat, change diapers, etc. while you've got the other child on your lap. This really doesn't strike me as having any easy answers.

Another possible solution is to ask a family member (sister, sister-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, etc.) or a family friend to come with you. You are going to have your hands full. It is my guess that you will have a stroller with you (which will be gate checked), a car seat, one carry-on along with your two girls.

This would be the wisest choice. I absolutely would not rely on the airlines or passengers for any help. You must be able to manage this trip yourself, for the safety of yourself and your children. If help is offered,be appreciative,but never plan a trip assuming you will get it.

Handling multiple toddlers alone is easy for many, but trying to do it on an airplane and all that goes with traveling will make it extremely difficult.

If you must attempt this trip,please consider buying seats for both of the girls. Not only will they be safer, you will have an easier time managing everything when you have hands free and more space.

This will require two car seats and that will be very difficult to carry to and from the plane while handling twins especially if one or both are sleeping when they landed. Also, it is my guess that she will have a side-by-side\double umbrella stroller when going through the airport. Even with only one carry-on, it will be difficult to push the umbrella stroller, carry two car seats and one carry-on. If both girls will walk then she could use the stroller to carry the car seats.

How would you even go to the bathroom. There is just no way to leave two 18 month olds unattended whilst Mom goes to the washroom. The babies will be upset that Mom is gone and will probably start screaming for you. You cannot take two babies into the washroom. How would you even change them?

Take someone with you on the trip or just take one of the babies.

I haven't flown with two under two but I have flown with a baby and a just-over 2 year old, and again alone transatlantically with a baby, a just over 2 and a 4 year old.

It can be done. You learn to change them standing up (as soon as they can stand with support). You use the handicapped lavs for more room. Some aircraft have bigger lavs like the ones aft on 747's (not all though).

When I went to the restroom, I made sure whomever wasn't going was strapped into their car seat (sleeping usually) and then told someone where I was (F/A or fellow passenger so if the child woke up, which happened once). Awake children went with me.

I only flew twice with a lap child. Once, I didn't make the reservation (and forgot to discuss this with who did) and another time it was on Air France, who wont accept my car seat so I wasn't paying for a seat if I couldn't use my car seat. Both were small babies.

I will admit that as a Flight Attendant, I saw some pretty uncomfortable flights with large toddlers on laps. A girlfriend in RL just did it and said it was dire. We're talking only one lap child so be warned...

I have flown from Ireland to SAN 2 times with my DD and making my 3rd trip soon. 1 of these trips and my next one will be alone. She went at 8 months and 22 months. The last trip she originally going to go as a lap baby due the cost but I came to my senses after talking a friend who did the same thing. She told me that the 8 hrs on the plane was horrible. It was impossible to move when the baby fell asleep, her legs got really sore and she couldn't eat with baby on her knee. I know another friend who travels with her toddler twins regularly on her own. I know that when the girls were under 2 she was only allowed one lap baby.

It is doable. Eclipsepearl had great advice. Can I add travel as light as possible. I took one big checked case for the 2 weeks, backpack-style nappy bag, pram and soft blanket. The nappy bag could fit under the pram. All of the documents, wallet etc went in a waterproof file in the nappy bag. I checked my purse. Bring change in clothes ideally stuff like leggings and tops for everyone, nappy bags for soiled clothes, quiet toys, snacks and more nappies/wipes then you think you will need. This really important if you are transiting in the US because you have to collect your bags and recheck them to your next stop. I also brought reins (contraversial, I know), my little girl was a runner. If you can get a car seat at your destination get a CARES harness. It far better than trying to carry a baby (2 in your case), car seat and all the rest of the stuff.

I was just going to add that yes, you can't buy a ticket for one adult and two lap babies.

Here are my non-commercial flying tips;
http://flyingwithchildren1.blogspot.com

As a FA, I observed many military wives traveling with 2, 3 or even 4 children to/from Frankfort, Germany and the US. It is HARD, but doable. When you need to use the lav, press the call button and a FA will sit by your children while you use the lav. They usually will not hold the children, but they will keep them from harm for the two minutes you are gone.
The mother should eat a full meal before boarding and skip the meal service. Pack many mini baggies of finger food for the children. Also bring a plastic bag for your trash (this will help keep your area from being littered in half eaten goldfish and gummie bears). Consult your pediatrician about the use of a mild sedative (like benadryl) for the children, especially on a night flight.

For boarding, ask for preboarding. Beg if neccessary. If that isn't possible, board last. On arrival, let everyone else disembark first.

Good luck!

I am well aware of what it is like to deal with twins, that is why I stated that it would not be a good idea to travel alone with two children under the age of two. I didn't say that it would be impossible, just very difficult and unsafe.