AA or IB for travel with 4 month old
Feb 2, 2006, 8:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 14
Which airline to choose for best chance to getting Bassinet?
We're entering the realm of new territory in traveling with our newborn and have so many questions now -- feels like we've gone from being travel experts to becoming newbies overnight!
Anyway, we're planning a trip to Andalucia and will be flying SFO - MAD next month. I have a choice of KL, AA or IB (Iberian). We're on a budget and will be only getting a lap ticket for our 4-month old daughter.
I have searched through various threads and the information on this forum is really helpful. For more likelihood of getting a bassinet, the general preference seems for a foreign carrier over a US one. From calling the airlines, seems like both have some limited bulkhead seats with bassinet hookups in front, but cannot guarantee us that we will actually get these seats. In fact, KL and AA say that the bulkhead seats are actually taken already -- have you found that airlines will bump seatholders to accomodate infants? AA also has "cardboard bassinets" as a backup-- what do you think about these? Your advice on which airline to go with?
Also, we have a Pliko stroller, which could be handy while there in Spain, but not sure if the airlines will allow a gate check of this sized umbrella stroller (or do they only let us check in the $20 variety at the gate?)
One other thing - we were not planning to take a car seat with us. Is that reasonable?
Anyway, we're planning a trip to Andalucia and will be flying SFO - MAD next month. I have a choice of KL, AA or IB (Iberian). We're on a budget and will be only getting a lap ticket for our 4-month old daughter.
I have searched through various threads and the information on this forum is really helpful. For more likelihood of getting a bassinet, the general preference seems for a foreign carrier over a US one. From calling the airlines, seems like both have some limited bulkhead seats with bassinet hookups in front, but cannot guarantee us that we will actually get these seats. In fact, KL and AA say that the bulkhead seats are actually taken already -- have you found that airlines will bump seatholders to accomodate infants? AA also has "cardboard bassinets" as a backup-- what do you think about these? Your advice on which airline to go with?
Also, we have a Pliko stroller, which could be handy while there in Spain, but not sure if the airlines will allow a gate check of this sized umbrella stroller (or do they only let us check in the $20 variety at the gate?)
One other thing - we were not planning to take a car seat with us. Is that reasonable?
Last edited by skhosla; Feb 2, 2006 at 12:36 pm
Feb 2, 2006, 11:02 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA, UA, HH
Posts: 37
Hi there
I can't answer your questions about the bassinet but I can tell you that you can gate-check any type of stroller (I have a full-sized Graco Metrolite).
Whether or not to bring a carseat is a personal preference. I never brought the carseat but instead carried my daughter in a Baby Bjorn on the flight. When traveling by car from the airport to the hotel I would also have her in the Baby Bjorn and then have the seat belt going across both of us. Unless you are going to be doing a lot of driving once you are there I wouldn't bother with the carseat. Another alternative is to rent a carseat at your destination.
Paula
I can't answer your questions about the bassinet but I can tell you that you can gate-check any type of stroller (I have a full-sized Graco Metrolite).
Whether or not to bring a carseat is a personal preference. I never brought the carseat but instead carried my daughter in a Baby Bjorn on the flight. When traveling by car from the airport to the hotel I would also have her in the Baby Bjorn and then have the seat belt going across both of us. Unless you are going to be doing a lot of driving once you are there I wouldn't bother with the carseat. Another alternative is to rent a carseat at your destination.
Paula
Feb 3, 2006, 7:53 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
In my experience your chances of getting a bulkhead seat on AA are slim. I would strongly suggest IB or KL - both are good with infants. I would call KL in the Netherlands to ask whether bulkhead seats are really taken or the seats just blocked off at this time for later allocation. They will bump passengers from these seats to accomodate parents with infants - but there may allready be infats allocated to the bulkhead rows. All in all, I would prefer a direct flight on IB - you will also get fewer dirty looks on IB as Spain has a very kid friendly/tolerant culture and you should be able to reserve a basinet seat.
Feb 3, 2006, 7:55 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
Originally Posted by Paula_Miller
Hi there
When traveling by car from the airport to the hotel I would also have her in the Baby Bjorn and then have the seat belt going across both of us.
Paula
When traveling by car from the airport to the hotel I would also have her in the Baby Bjorn and then have the seat belt going across both of us.
Paula
Feb 3, 2006, 8:15 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
If your seeking AA miles on IB,
economy tickets don't get 1 for 1 mile flown. Check to make sure you are actually getting what you assume you are entitled to.
Feb 3, 2006, 9:39 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 14
Thanks all for the advice -- I am going to go with a European carrier, then. Will look into KL (and AF, which is also a one-stop option from here in SF).
Good to know that any stroller gets gate-checked -- even internationally, right?
As far as getting to the airport goes, we'll be getting dropped off, so baby will be safe in car seat.
Good to know that any stroller gets gate-checked -- even internationally, right?
As far as getting to the airport goes, we'll be getting dropped off, so baby will be safe in car seat.