Booking your baby’s flight to Florida
The first decision you’ll need to make is whether you want your baby to have its own seat on the aircraft. Infants under two can be seated on your lap and pay an infant price, or pay a child price and have their own seat. You need to decide this before you make your booking. Be careful if your child has his second birthday while he is on holiday or on the day you travel home. You’ll have to book him a seat for the return sector.
Cots and infant seats
You also need to decide whether you want to book a cot or an infant seat for your baby. The types of cots and seats available differ by airlines and, in some cases, by aircraft types. Some airlines require babies who are unable to sit up to be carried in an infant seat, and require you to bring your own. Others provide them. You should check this out before you book. Please note that there are also rules about which row you are allowed to sit in, and even in which part of which row (to allow other passengers access to the aisles). You should bear this in mind if you are checking in online.
The following links will give you all the different rules and regulations of different airlines regarding infant seating.
Feeding your baby on your Orlando flight
Breastfeeding on a flight
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you will obviously be able to do this throughout the flight. It is a good idea to feed your baby through take off and landing to relieve ear pressure. Remember, however, you will have to have your baby strapped into the extension seat belt at these times, but feeding should still be possible. You can become dehydrated during flights, so drink plenty of water.
Baby milk on a flight
If your baby is bottle fed you should take enough baby milk as you feel you will need for a nine hour flight, but also bring extra supplies to cover you in case of flight delays. You are allowed to take as much baby milk as you need for your flight through security, although you will be asked to sip it. The same applies to sterilised water and ‘liquid or pasted’ baby food. You will be allowed to take powdered formula to mix with your sterilised water. Most airlines will warm up baby milk for you on board – this is done by immersing the bottle in hot water.
Airline Kids’ Meals
For babies on solid food, you can either request a kids meal, or bring your own. Kids meals can be requested at the time of booking or not later than 48 hours before you fly. It may also be possible to request special meal types such as gluten free, Kosher, lacto vegetarian, Muslim, vegan etc which may fit your requirements better. You will need to contact your airline or look at their websites for full details of the kinds of meals available.
Remember that all special meal requests are just that, requests, so they are not guaranteed. So bring back up!
Drinks
You can take ‘baby juice’ through UK security although you will be asked to sip it. Other children’s drinks will not be allowed so you buy these in the departure lounge. All scheduled airlines provide soft drinks free of charge and water is always freely available. It would be worth bringing a non-spill cup for younger children and certainly for babies.
Hand Luggage
For more advice about what to pack in your hand luggage and luggage restrictions, click here What to Pack – Hand luggage
