[YouMeAndThree]

Just thought of a few more questions (many more to follow I'm sure)

1) I plan to be travelling on my own with 3 children (5, 4 and 19mths) - will this be allowed? I know some short haul flights have an adult to ratio and I think I'd be outside this. I have no flights booked, nor airlines in mind yet, so are there any that won't allow me to fly on my own with 3 youngsters?

2) What to do about car seats/booster seats? I'll need them in the UK and I'll need them in NZ, do I take them on the flight and put in the hold, or do I pack them in the container? If I pack them what do I do in NZ whilst waiting for the container? I suppose the booster seats aren't too much of a problem because they aren't that expensive (just bulky as they have the backrests incorporated). The baby chair though is an expensive, good quality one and I'm reluctant to compromise with her safety. Should I just consider taking one onto the flight with me, pack the two boosters in the container and get DH to buy cheap, temporary ones in the mean time (I can borrow 2 boosters in the UK to get us around for the last few days and trip to the airport).

3) Can I take a travel cot and put it in the hold (along with the car seat)?

4) Ditto with a buggy?

5) Should I invest in any sort of travel bag for the car seat and buggy? The cot comes in it's own cover, so not a problem.

6) Will I resemble a pack-horse at check-in? :uhoh I'm sure I'll have some family helping me to get to the airport, so that end will be okay. However, when I touch down there will only be me until I get through to the arrivals lounge where, hopefully, DH will be waiting. Will I be able to rope in some help from airport staff, or is this a service I'll need to pay for? Or, will fellow passengers take pity on me and offer a helping hand.................:exitor steer well clear of me, LOL! DD1 is pretty good at pushing DD3 in the pushchair, we've been practising! so I'll have the luggage, car seat, travel cot and DD2 to worry about.

If you've got this far, thank you. I'm praying that I'll only have to do this once!

Lx

[Mels]

Can't help you much I'm afraid as my boys are that much older now. However it would be easier if you go on a non-stop flight like the air new zealand flight via Los Angeles. That way you will be saved some hassle with the suitcases after the first leg.
Others with smaller children will be along soon to help more.

Mels

[YouMeAndThree]

Can't help you much I'm afraid as my boys are that much older now. However it would be easier if you go on a non-stop flight like the air new zealand flight via Los Angeles. That way you will be saved some hassle with the suitcases after the first leg.
Others with smaller children will be along soon to help more.

Mels

One bit of advice I've had so far is to avoid US altogether - I think it's because of the security checks I'll be required to go through.

I will try and get a non-stop flight :nice1

Lx

[Kerry and David]

http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/before-you-fly/baggage/checked-in-baggage.htm

Have found this info on Air NZ with reference to luggage but if you ring them on their free number they will tell you more. If you fly with them via Hong Kong you won't get such a great allowance but you will still be able to check your luggage straight through to NZ and won't have the security issues which you mentioned at LAX.

When we have flown with little un on long haul they have not had issues with taking both a car seat and pushchair and to date have not incurred a charge but I guess each airline is different.

I can't remember where you are heading in NZ but if you are going to Auckland there are some contact numbers for the airport here http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/Contact/contact_airport.php
As you are going to have your hands full perhaps you could book some assistance at NZ. They have the buggies that you could load up with your luggage and be driven through the airport - might be worth speaking to customer services?

Just some ideas for you - apologies in advance if none of it is any good!

K x

(P.S - I am also flying out with the kids on my own as a last resort we could book the same flight and just take over the plane!! )

[Mels]

Hi

We have been on NZ1 twice and the queue at LAX is a pain but with kids especially little ones they might let you through quicker. Our youngest was about to be travel sick on one trip.. that got us to the front :exit. Fortunately we got to the loo just in time :roll

But you do only need to take your hand luggage with you and there are snacks and loos available. Maybe we have been lucky but I would prefer that than having to take all our luggage off the plane and then re-check in. :no
Depends on whether you need the bigger luggage allowance or not, maybe go via HK.

Mels

[Mels]

Sorry doubled what you said Kerry :)

Mels

[Kerry and David]

Mel - great minds think alike;)

[JandM]

You can hire various sorts of car-seats and accessories from Plunket, then return them when the child grows out of them. So you could get your husband to investigate this and have the necessary standing by - whatever you can't physically have with you - for your arrival. http://www.plunket.org.nz/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Car_Seat_Rental_Schemes&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=3419

[Helsandfamily]

When we flew with 2 little ones, Not quite as bad I know, they took the buggies off us at the aeroplane, and allowed us to use it until then. it was really useful for hanging all the hand luggage on.

The other thing I recommend for the smallest is a baby sling, (The child sits supported on your hip and are extremely comfy) mine used to fall asleep in his all the time, and it means that you have two hands free either 1to hold the others by hand, or to push the buggy. I used my sling until my little boy turned 3, but when desperate I also used it on my eldest, when he was suffering jet lag, and even he managed to sleep, although he was very very heavy.

hels

[James 1077]

We did the Air NZ flight via LAX with our, at the time, 4 month old twins. The main reason for going via LAX is the increased luggage allowance. The only real issue is having to get off the plane and queue for passport control BUT they do let passengers with kids queue jump so you get to the lounge quickly. There is a drinks machine that gives free coke / fanta / coffee etc, a loo and a TV there so it isn't too bad.

With car seats we took ours on the flight with us as we had booked seats for the twins but then they were the small maxi-cosi capsule type. You could check to see if you are allowed to do this with yours (the size limits are here (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/before-you-fly/travel-support/travelling-with-children.htm)) - otherwise your best bet is to stick it in the container and hire them from Plunkett when you get here (it is quite cheap). The car seat selection here is pretty terrible and quite pricey so you don't want to buy them here (we've ended up with the MIL sending the 12-36 month size car seats over from the UK!).

Can't answer the question as to whether you are allowed to travel with three kids but I'm pretty sure you are - Air NZ doesn't state a limit on their website and will let you book the flights online with that combination!

You can take an umbrella style folding pushchair onto the flight but as we had a big buggy we checked it in. Ditto with the travel cots (we bought some small Samsonite ones which weigh nothing and take up very little space in a suitcase - I think that they only cost 40 pounds or so!). Remember that the more you check-in the better it is to go via LAX! :)

As for the airport we had stupid amounts of baggage when we arrived (it took up 3 trolleys piled high) plus the twin buggy and babies. Luckily at Auckland airport there are helpers/welcomers who will give you a hand so you don't have to worry too much about that!

Hope this answers your questions - let me know if you need anymore info!

[nippa&pippa]

Where are you going to? if it is CHCH, then you are welcome to borrow our travelling cot :nice1 just PM me.

Just bring all buggy and car seats to airport, no problems as they will put in the heavy duty plastic bag (if you are flying with Air NZ, but check if UK's airport have them as NZ's airports does as recently I flew up to AKL from CHCH and they put all car seats in plastic bag as well as buggy :nice1)

Just contact customer service to book "meet and assist" beforehand so they got staff ready to help you with children from UK to NZ. Once you arrive in NZ, leave the plane last as there will be so many crews happy to help you from the plane, through customs, MAF check etc to arrive lounge :nice1 with them, took us 15mins!!! very fast as they collect baggages for us, collect all car seats & buggy for us, collect trolley...fantastic staffs! If no-one around as you get off the plane, just do ask!

Have you got rusksack carrier? use it as it give you free hands to hold your other two children, to prepare the paperworks etc, did work for me. (only downside is you have to remove child when the rusksack go through the x-ray)

[dharder]

I have no flights booked, nor airlines in mind yet, so are there any that won't allow me to fly on my own with 3 youngsters?

I know people who have done this, no problem. I've never heard of a restriction, what airline was that? The only restriction I've ever come across is that you can't have two non-paying infants in one row, as they only have one spare oxygen mask per row (this was Ryan Air, but i'd be surprised if they had any spare oxygen masks, let alone free to use in case of an emergency).

So I wouldn't worry about that one.

2) What to do about car seats/booster seats? I'll need them in the UK and I'll need them in NZ, do I take them on the flight and put in the hold, or do I pack them in the container?

I wouldn't worry about taking the older ones' seats, doubt they'd let you on the plane anyway. Just get a couple of booster seats here or hire them when you get here.

3) Can I take a travel cot and put it in the hold (along with the car seat)?

Doubt it, but haven't tried it myself.

4) Ditto with a buggy?

They take the buggy off you when you step on the plane, and give it back to you at the other end (we had to walk quite a bit though once until we got it, that was tricky).

6) Will I resemble a pack-horse at check-in?

Yes, you will look like a packhorse. Would that be unusual, though? I always feel like a packhorse by the time I have raincoats, waterbottles, fleeces, snacks etc for all kids...

When I got to Auckland in December, I had two crying tired 4 year olds and 3x the maximum luaggage allowance. Two ladies who turned out to be volunteers helped me push the trolleys, so I could drag the screaming children with me. So it should be possible to get help.

Good luck,
Daniela

[nippa&pippa]

I know people who have done this, no problem. I've never heard of a restriction, what airline was that? The only restriction I've ever come across is that you can't have two non-paying infants in one row, as they only have one spare oxygen mask per row (this was Ryan Air, but i'd be surprised if they had any spare oxygen masks, let alone free to use in case of an emergency).


When I ask about two infants and child with lone parent, as I was going up to AKL before my DD's 2nd birthday, they told me I can fly with them but we have to pay for extra seat for one of infants instead of flying "free" as I can't have two infants on my lap.

[Tia Maria]

Originally Posted by YouMeAndThree
I have no flights booked, nor airlines in mind yet, so are there any that won't allow me to fly on my own with 3 youngsters?

Yes there can be restrictions on traveling with children alone. It will vary from airline to airline and be dependent on what age ranges they consider a child to be an 'infant'. It comes from a safety aspect, in other words if something was to happen to the plane, would you be able to get all 3 children off the plane? So you will need to ask the airline.

As mentioned before 'Meet and Assists' are invaluable. I got mine through Singapore Air and they were really helpful. If you look here:

www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/before/plan/specialneeds.jsp

You will see they advise people to contact them if traveling alone with 2 infants.

There isn't really such a thing as a nonstop flight, you will still have to get off to refuel. You may prefer to have a longer stop at somewhere like Changi, where you can book into a transit hotel so you can have a shower and the kids can have a run about, as opposed to trying to keep them occupied in an airport lounge. Its very easy and can be booked for just a short time, while you wait for your next flight. Just search the forum for 'Changi' to read various experiences.

2) What to do about car seats/booster seats? I'll need them in the UK and I'll need them in NZ, do I take them on the flight and put in the hold, or do I pack them in the container?

We took ours with us, they were checked in with our other luggage, but were put in the 'outsized items' cage. This was at Heathrow, and like it sounds, was just a cage where all large items went.

Originally Posted by YouMeAndThree
3) Can I take a travel cot and put it in the hold (along with the car seat)?

You would check in a travel cot as part of your normal luggage allowance. Some airlines might allow it as an extra.

Originally Posted by YouMeAndThree
6) Will I resemble a pack-horse at check-in?

More importantly you will still resemble one after check in. I traveled alone with one baby and still had a hell of a lot of stuff after check in, it was quite a struggle as sometimes you have to walk quite far to the gate. The Meet and Assist was great, but levels of assistance vary from airport to airport and staff to staff, so some would help carry bags, some wouldn't etc etc.

So plan carefully and only take what you need, have a practice run carrying bags. I actually got lighter as I went along, as nappies got used, milk & food got consumed and dirty clothes/bibs got binned.

Cheers

Tia

[Familyofmonkeys]

Once you arrive in NZ, leave the plane last as there will be so many crews happy to help you from the plane, through customs, MAF check etc to arrive lounge :nice1 with them, took us 15mins!!! very fast as they collect baggages for us, collect all car seats & buggy for us, collect trolley...fantastic staffs!

Good advice.....we found Auckland airport fantastically helpful :) We ended up with 2 overloaded trolleys, which there was no way we could push and also stroller at same time, so some wonderful staff fast tracked us all the way through all the MAF checks etc and didn't leave us until OH new boss had located us at the the arrivals area.....they even offered to stay and help us load up taxi if we needed more help.

We travelled with children just 4, just 2 and 12 weeks...singapore airlines, as they gave us more baggage allowance than air NZ at time, but were cheaper than emirates. We had 5 suitcases, 3 car seats, travel cot, 5 pieces hand luggage, plus stroller for 2 year old and baby in papouse. We were up to the weight limit on all pieces and had other stuff jammed inside our coat pockets too. As your coats etc have to go through scanners, we were told we didn't need to empty our coat pockets (only trouser pockets etc). It was definitely worth having youngest in carrier as I had hands free for other two when stroller had to go through x-ray....at heathrow they were going to ask me to take papouse off, but realised with a child in each hand there was no way I could do it, so just did a quick search around the baby while I was wearing it.

[JandL]

Flew to NY and spain with 2 kids no issues (cept a 12 hour extension to spain!). As already said, you can't have 2 children under 2 in the same row (oxygen masks). Also you may not be able to sit on the window side of a plane (ie middle seats only) due to the same reason. As only 1 of your childen is under 2, you don't have this problem.

If you are paying for a full seat you can (apparently) put the car seat in the chair for your child. Otherwise carseats get booked in at check-in normally free, and buggies can be taken right up to the plane door. I think the travel cot will class as some of your luggage. As you have to pay a full ticket price you should still get an allowance for bags, check your ticket.

[thewoodies]

we went to jamacia from Uk earlier this year for a much needed holiday - only took youngest 2 - but the hassel - Everthing has to go through xray , even babies shoes!!! You have to drink any fluid to make sure its baby milk etc - even the buggy had to go through the xray!!! they made the baby come out of the sling - everything came through xray on the conveyor belt and they didnt wait for us to reload and get dressed in shoes belts etc - and everyones stuff was getting muddled with ours !!!!! :wah- check airport website for security requirements etc(this was gatwick london)we kept the buggy until we got to the plane and then it was taken off us - that was good until we had to get off the other end - long walk to bag reclaim after a ten hour flight and 4 lots of hand luggage!!!!!

However - if you are flying air new zealand go on thier website they let certain (fold up) buggies on the plane they have pictures.

This will make it heaps less stressful as all hand luggage can be hooked on buggy!
:cheers
I actually cried with the stress of it all
how pathetic!!!!:D

Lets hope my next flight is more successfull - good luck

[3littlepikes]

lots of good ideas

I hate flights with kids ! only done 4 hour ones but its all the stuff you have to take with you . once when my daughter was 18 months I got a sedative for her as she screamed the previous flight . the sedative did not work , she screamed and wanted to lay down in the walkway to go to sleep ( we are at this point not taking off or landing ) . the air hostess was having none of it , obviously did not have kids ( yet ) and told me to remove my son ( girl dressed in pink but no hair ) as he was causing an obstruction . we had WORDS !!!!!!!!!!!!

Since then the older kids have been so excited you would think they flew the plane as we had a full description as we took off , the youngest one fell asleep for the whole flight . I am hoping for the best and that the husband does not have issues with the trolleys and their wheels . we are discussing amount to take at the moment - he wants to take the minimum - me being a woman want to take it all !!!!!!1

[veronica]

Air new Zealands NZ1 will work if you are flying into Auckland airport but if you are flying into Christchurch (think its NZ2) you have to do the security checks, customs and recheck in and that involves picking up all the luggage.

Personally I would avoid LA airport like I would the plague but if the luggage allowance is important to you (and I can see with the kids it could be) then it may be the only way to go.

[thewoodies]

OH NO have booked via LA - so kids can go to disney!!!! we are there 5 days - might be long enough to get through customs:laugh:laugh:laugh

[nippa&pippa]

I hate flights with kids ! only done 4 hour ones but its all the stuff you have to take with you . once when my daughter was 18 months I got a sedative for her as she screamed the previous flight . the sedative did not work , she screamed and wanted to lay down in the walkway to go to sleep ( we are at this point not taking off or landing ) . the air hostess was having none of it , obviously did not have kids ( yet ) and told me to remove my son ( girl dressed in pink but no hair ) as he was causing an obstruction . we had WORDS !!!!!!!!!!!!

Had same problem with my then 27months old daughter, she was fine till we take off, while we were climbing, she went into panic attacks...I was travelling on my own with toddler and 7 months old baby from CHCH to AKL, and because I was holding a sleeping baby on my lap I was struggling to comfort her :o Lucky a lady from other row of seat came over to us and sat next to my daughter and calm her down for me. In the end, we had to close window's blinds to calm her down!! About to land, we were asked to open the blind and here we go, panic attack again...till we land. :o Lucky air stewardress was fab, just check if we are ok.
Continue to have same problem again on the way back...all fine till we take off....lucky she fell asleep during flight, so didn't have problem with landing.