Hi, my Wife and I had triplets and will be flying with them from Los Angeles to Seattle with them - they will be about 6 months old at the time of travel and we will have an additional adult with us. The question we are facing is: Since the flight is short, would it make more sense to get 6 seats in coach and have each infant in their car seat, or get 3 seats in first (with the additional room and additional assistance from the flight attendant) and lap hold them?
Any advice would be appreciated!
OK, after weighing all options, we decided to go with 3 first class tickets. We will take the strollers and car seats to the gate and then we will gate check them. Since the flight is only about 2 hours, we figured we can hold them. We'll see how it goes!!
If you have an adult for each baby I would definately go with holding them. I don't think it would be worth the cost of having a seat for everyone. Now once they hit a year, that's a different story! At six months they are still pretty content with being held. Good luck and have fun!
Hi D.-
One thing you will want to consider is proximity to your wife and children. On airline flights, only one lap child is allowed PER ROW. This is because there are only 4 oxygen masks per row (3 per row in first class which has 2 seats). So, if you only buy 3 tickets you will all have to sit in separate rows- even though you are on first class. This may make it difficult to exchange the babies back and forth (as you may need to for feeding and such). If you were to buy 6 tickets, you could all sit in a row A-F.
Maybe your BEST option is to get five seats in coach. That way, you can still all sit together, there will always be one baby in arms and two in carseats and you will save yourself some money. Also, you can transfer the babies around as much as you want and will never be over the four person per three row rule.
GOOD LUCK!
This is a great site, to choose your plane seats:
www.seatguru.com
We have used this, and even our Travel Agent said she uses this for clients.
My friend has Triplets... and she'd travel with them, all the way to Europe with them. Hours on transit. They got seats for each triplet.... because it is a long flight.
Your flight is shorter... but I've flown with my daughter before and having her on my lap, the whole time, was arduous. But it was a longer flight than yours. 5 hours. And you will be having an extra adult helping you... so if you have to get up and go to the bathroom etc., then that adult can help you. First class, if you can afford it... is more comfy and the attendants are more attentive.
The point is: you have an extra adult with you on the trip... so you may just be fine, with them on your lap, or toggling off between them being on your lap and in a seat. Maybe then not having to get 6 seats per say.
There is no one correct way. Just a matter of comfort level...
But I really recommend Seat Guru.
all the best,
Susan
I say on your lap! We flew with our daughter when she was 9 months old (on our lap) and then again when she was 2 1/2 and our son was 6 months old (he was on our lap.) Both times we flew the flights were about 4 hours. HOWEVER, the first time we were stuck on the plane waiting for them to de-ice it for over an hour before we even took off! So, we were on the plane for a little over 5 hours that time...... The kids did fine both trips.
Well, I've only ever traveled with one :-) but we flew many times from when he was 3 months old. I'd say go with the coach/seat for everyone option. I found it was much easier to strap my kid in, and have the extra space to stash the diaper bag, toys, etc. I know there is more room in 1st class, so maybe that's not an issue up there.
The other reason I always preferred to have the car seat is because it is much safer to be able to strap the baby down at take off, landing, and in case if turbulence. The odds of having any problem are small, but still...
We sometimes would just buy two seats (one for each parent) and got lucky enough to have an extra seat available for the baby. Flights are much fuller now, though, so I wouldn't count on that option.
Best of luck!
C.
Wow - you guys are brave... and amazing!
I travel frequently with my one child on my own and have found the lap travel is just fine. If you can afford the seats, go for it, but I don't think they are necessary. Some people say that it is safer to travel with your child in a carseat, but really, if the plane goes down, the statistics are really not that different for being in a carseat or not. Plus, when the seatbelt sign goes on and for take off and landing (the times that the babies will want to be held because of all the changes in pressure) they will need to be in their seats and strapped in.
Bring carriers for each of them so you can rock them easily. Bring only a few toys, and a few snacks - the magazines in the back of the seats are fantastic to crumple and rip (they say on them that they are free for the taking!). Or, bring your own magazines. Bring lighty up toys. Bring a car or two that can wind up and go on its own. Bring a blanket for each baby to sort of wrap around the ears for announcements if they are sleeping.
Anyway, go first class. You will have more room and with 3 little ones, you will want it!
If you've got the cash for it... How about 4 seats in First? That way you all will get your own little island all facing each other... an extra seat for storing stuff, changing diapers, etc? Also the other passengers have an open bar AND you might even go the extra mile and pass around a little basket of chocolate truffles and ear plugs. :)
LAX to SEATAC is a short flight, though. Whatever you decide will work out.
My husband and I traveled with our twins when they were 15 months old. It was less than 3 hours so we just had them on our laps. If the flight was any longer I would have bought them each a seat. My parents were with us and it was a fairly easy process. One slept while one was awake and vice versa on the way back. We gave the sleepy one to my parents in their row and my husband and I entertained the other baby with stickers and snacks that were new for them.
I always travel first (both domestic and international) and honestly, I'm not sure it's worth it for such a short flight. Are you planning to do three car seats, though in coach? That's going to be a bear to maneuver at both airports.
My advice would be to call the airline before the trip, and enlist any special services (speedy checkin, etc). I have a friend with twins who's done it. I'd board first, exit first to make it as painless as possible.
Either way, good luck.
