Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat ETAL I was wrong about layover

we can save $80 a ticket if we lay over in Heathrow on our trip to Barcelona.

so, we'd be on the plane all night then have a few options for layover length during the day, but have a max of 7 hours between flights.

would you do it? it would save us on the total trip over $300. but it's an extra light we'd have to take.

the flight from London to Barcelona is another 3 hours. and it wouldn't be while he was sleeping. he's very active.

thanks!

also, we haven't transitioned him yet into his convertible car seat (I don't even have one yet) he is fine in his carrier. comfy. should I just wait to transfer him until after so we can use it on the plane (it goes up to 35 pounds)

and, do you think we should ask for the bassinet? or will be one year old be too big. he was 20 lbs and almost 30 inches at his 9 month appt.

we are buying him a ticket, much to dh's chagrin. but i'd like to have good reasoning on my side to convince him it's the expensive but best thing to do, rather than have him on board just to please me.

tia.

ETA: the layover is in MADRID, NOT london. so the extra flight would be 1.5 hours MAX.

Message edited 8/19/2010 12:45:04 PM.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat

A layover is a welcome break in a long trip IMO, gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs, have a bite to eat etc. For 80 bucks I might skip it, but like when I fly Manchester to Palm Beach Florida, I like the layover. The Bassinet is a pain in the arse in my opion, its small and if there is turbulence, you have to take the kid out anyway. They might do a seat type thing. I don't know about car seats, I never ever see them on flights

Message edited 8/19/2010 12:36:59 PM.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat

We try to avoid layovers at all costs. If it's not a ton of money you're going to save I'd say it's not worth it

I say bring the carrier carseat since he can still fit. Much easier to put in a car than a conv carseat.
When we flew to Aruba when Mason was 9 months the carrier carseat was so easy and it's smaller. Gate checked it and fit easily in the taxi
Do they have a regular crib or PNP? Bassinet is too small and a 1 year old can get out of it easily.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat

I haven't flown with DD yet but I would try to avoid layovers if possible. It just seems like it would be a lot and if they were really cranky or uncomfortable on the plane, I'd hate to start over from scratch again.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat

If you have a seat for him, I would bring the carrier-pretty easy to use without the base.

On a flight that long I would buy a ticket too. It's one thing on a short flight, but really the safest place for them to be on any flight is in a seat. I overlook this fact for short flights since I would hold DS for most of a short flight, but on a long flight you will put him down so you would get use out of it.

As for the layover-7 hours is a long layover. Not sure when the trip is but will DS be crawling or trying to walk by then? Around 11 months was our hardest travel age with DD because she wanted to crawl or "walk" (while holding on to us) all the time-he'll be all over the floor of the airport.

I could see a layover for maybe 1 or 2 hours, but I don't think I would do longer unless the savings was significant-that threshold varies based on your tolerance. Mine is low!

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat ETAL I was wrong about layover

We fly to Israel every year (12 hours) since Alex was a baby.

#1 - yes, it is SO worth the money to buy a seat even if they are under the age of 2. The plane bassinets are for young, young babies, it is likely they won't allow you to use them, and they aren't all that practical anyway. And you truly do NOT want to hold a squirmy 1 year old for that long on a plane. I always just bring the carrier and the stroller - I leave the stroller at the gate, and bring the carrier on the plane.

#2 - I've found, with kids, that layovers work very well. With LONG flights and young kids who need to move around a lot, they get VERY ancy about 5-6 hours in. A little break will allow you all to get a nice meal, walk around and exercise a bit. The only drawback is that it takes longer to get there and you're totally wiped out by the time you do, but it's not as grueling as doing one long, direct flight.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat ETAL I was wrong about layover

I wouldnt risk a layover with a 1 year old personally. My DD is horrific on flights so I just would want to get it over with. (ETA: just reread some of the responses and they have good points re the layover..but I know with my DD she wont sleep and would be awake that whole 7 hours and be a total nightmare so if your kid is like that skip the layover. if he is an angel and would sleep, go for it!)

about the carseat, I would take it on board. if there is an extra seat, you can use it then but if not, the infant carriers usually fit overhead. and then you'll have your own seat in Barce without having to worry about getting a proper one there. (from my experience in Ireland, dont know about other countries, if a baby is out of the infant seat, they are forward facing, so you prob prefer your own infant seat)

and I agree with Racheee above...the bassinet is so annoying. and I think your DS would definitely not fit in it at 1 year. DD didnt fit at 10 months last time we went to Ireland. it was great when she was 3 months but at 10 months-1year definitely not. Plus it is very awkward to move around it and just totally gets in the way and takes up precious space in front of you...also very difficult to use the tray tables or in arm tv screens with it.

Message edited 8/19/2010 1:10:28 PM.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat ETAL I was wrong about layover

as far as I know most airlines' bassinetts are really tiny and they only confirm it for children up to 6 months

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat ETAL I was wrong about layover

I would not add a layover for a trip to Spain. Not worth $80 a ticket at all.

I wouldn't do that if it was adults only, definitely not with an infant.

Re: Moms flying with 1 year olds...how bad is a layover? Added question:re: bassinet and car seat ETAL I was wrong about layover

I have done layovers with DS and would definitely do it again. I agree with others that said it is a welcome break and a chance to move around.