Air Travel with Multiples
Dateline: 11/14/99
Last month my wife and I did something "crazy", or at least as it was called by anyone I told. I took my 13 month-old triplets on an airplane to the city of sin, Las Vegas.
"Are you nuts, " exclaimed one family member after hearing our plan of grandeur. "They'll scream their heads off and you'll be thrown off the plane."
My reply, quite sarcastic, was, "First of all we are not crazy, but adventurous. Secondly, the airline better offer parachutes when we are thrown off the plane." My inner response, the one not spoken, was, "you have no idea how multiples will be on a plane, since I, a father of triplets, don't even know!"
Needless to say, we went to Las Vegas and back without much discomfort. On our plane ride there, we were in training and on the flight back, we were the pros. Let me explain what we learned so that you will not have to go through in-air boot camp!
The Flight (The Training Session)
We were going to be smart about the air travel and booked a red-eye flight to Las Vegas. The thinking was that the children would be asleep on the plane, since it was during their usual sleep time. This proved to be a great move and I would sincerely advise taking the red-eye flight with multiples if they are on a strict schedule!
We entered the airport, checked-in our luggage and were at the gate early. "What a snap," we thought, "without the luggage, we should be have no trouble!" Guess what....we were wrong. We had our children walking all over the place trying to get them sleepy when seat assignments were being called. We rustled up the kids as fast as we could, put them in their stroller - a twin stroller and a baby carrier on me - and moved to the front of the line. We thought we would get in the plane first considering the amount of kids we have, but we waited like the rest of the pack.
When our seats were called, we got on the plane and into our seats. It was hectic, but manageable. Then as the other passengers got cozy in their own seats, one of our sons and daughter decided to scream their little heads off, so to speak. We couldn't calm them down with any of our usual tricks. They were upset and we were the scorn of the plane. We quickly were accosted by dirty looks and insinuations. The women next to me screamed to her husband that her eardrum had just burst. I had no trouble controlling my laughter, since I was focused on quieting my daughter.
When the engines roared and we took off, my children quieted down and were comforted by the low rumble and vibration of the plane. Not too long after, all three children were fast asleep and the native passengers calmed down.We were on easy street from then on.
What We Did Right
- Took a red-eye flight. The flight was scheduled during our children's normal sleep time. This enabled them to fall asleep quickly on the flight
- Bottle and/or a pacifier. Consult with your pediatrician on the uses of both for protection against painful changes in the cabin's air pressure. We used pacifiers in addition to a quarter-teaspoon of Dimetapp with our doctor's consent and approval. Dimetapp helped prevent in-air congestion.
- If you can, use a baby carrier. I wore the Snugli baby carrier with my daughter. She faced me and was extremely comfortable sleeping on my chest. After awhile, you get comfortable too.
- Brought a child seat. If we did not have a child seat for our third child Nicholas, we would not have been let on the plane. The airlines do not offer child seats.
- Requested a child rate from the airline. The child rate is usually half an adult rate. We purchased two adult tickets and one child ticket for me, my wife and three children.
What We Did Wrong
- We did not tell the flight attendants at the gate booth that we had a stroller and three children. If they were notified when we first got to the gate, we had a better chance of entering the plane first.
- We did not bring an additional car seat. When we reached the baggage desk, they asked us if we had another car seat. If we did, they would have given us an extra seat for free from a passenger who had cancelled only minutes before. This may not happen all the time, but the chances of a free seat sure outweigh an extra luggage claim.
- We did not reserve our seats in advance. We waited to the last minute and were lucky enough to get seats. The best way to air travel is to reserve well in advance so that you can choose the best arrangement of seats for you. You know your needs and booking early offers more comfortable configurations
- When reserving seats, you can order children's meals. This prepares the flight attendants for your special needs and, in almost all cases, they will be most obliging. Some airlines even offer specialized children's meals like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken nuggets and cereal. As you have already guessed, we did not do this.
What You Should Know
- Make sure there are enough oxygen masks for you and your family when purchasing the tickets. I had to sit on the opposite row as my wife and two children. All planes are designed with only one extra oxygen mask per row..
- You can bring the stroller right up to the plane. It will be tagged and put into storage. When you leave the plane, the flight attendants usually have the stroller waiting for you.
- Bring crackers and juice for your children. This will help you if they get hungry. Flight Attendants will bring juice or milk, but it takes some time. Better to play it safe.
- Remember to bring extra blankets or disposable changing table covers. The bathrooms are usually small, but some larger planes have changing tables. Always assume the tables are unclean, therefore always use a blanket or disposable cover. On the smaller planes, it is easier for you to change the babies' diapers on your lap.
- You are allowed by FAA regulations only one child on an adult lap. Extra children require their own seat.
Airlines and Kids
If you are planning to take your multiples on an airplane, check out these air travel sites below:
About.com's Air Travel site - A wealth of air travel information geared toward the novice traveler. Anouk Zijlma, About.com's Air Travel guide, details every aspect of airplane travel, including some great hints and tips on a more comfortable flight.
Adult Air Travel Tips - Some general advice and notable tips on air travel for adults
Virgin Atlantic Kids Page - Advice for parents planning a trip, detailing the special offering for kids in-flight.
Continental's Traveling with Infants Site - Continental offers some good advice to keep in mind when flying with infants.
Bringing the Kids - Delta's family oriented site that offers advice to working parents.
Have Job, Will Travel - Delta's article detailing some do's and don'ts of business travel and kids.
The Landing Zone - American Airlines' in-flight magazine for kids.
