https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 17:57:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-744009 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:44:33 +0000 wheres_c 744009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsInformation: yay! I had planned on asking the agent at check in for bulkhead with bassinet (American doesn't let you reserve)... Instead I asked at check in if the flight was full, and when I was told it wasn't I asked for an empty seat to be blocked next to me. LO slept in his carseat the entire flight and I didn't have to worry about turbulence as I would a bassinet.</p> <p>Just another option in case he's too big for the bassinet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-743471 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:50:49 +0000 MsInformation 743471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to say thanks again for all the help! I pulled the trigger on the Aer Lingus flights and was able to reserve the bulkhead seats with the bassinet for the transatlantic legs. LO might be too big for the bassinet by September, but the extra room will be nice and the customer service representative said there's an extra oxygen mask for baby in case of emergencies (God forbid). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741914 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:38:56 +0000 sunny 741914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not transit through JFK if I can help it. Transiting through big airports usually mean you have to walk really far from one gate to the next and sometimes involves a gate bus and walk on the Tarmac which I don't enjoy.</p> <p>I would probably just take the Aer Lingus flight if it were me! Plus it's the cheapest and the FAs will speak English. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741865 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:24:28 +0000 tysonja 741865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>since there are two of you, i think using only the beco could work! but tbh i love having our stroller with us at the airport and while travelling. i find it useful to hang bags off of (or in, if baby is being worn) and also to use as a chair for LO when eating solids. if you can guarantee that you can gatecheck it on every flight, and it's not too big, i'd consider it! :)</p> <p>the amsterdam airport is not bad! not huge, but nice and modern :). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741852 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:19:58 +0000 yoursilverlining 741852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>AMS is a really nice airport. There's a (free) museum in the airport and some good eating options (healthy, fresh, good quality). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741847 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:18:18 +0000 MsInformation 741847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the good advice, everyone! I feel much more informed to make this decision.</p> <p>@Looch DH is a total ascetic when it comes to packing for travel, so all credit to him for minimizing our stuff. In his single days, he did 3 weeks in India with just a small Eagle Creek backpack! Customs at Heathrow got all suspicious about why he had so little luggage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741843 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:15:51 +0000 wheres_c 741843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsInformation: Ah I was posting and missed your options. I haven't been through CDG, AMS or DUB....but I recommend LHR if it works with your budget.<br /> I agree with you about MAD, great architecture but really barebones in terms of amenities and the signage is confusing. I would avoid.<br /> Generally as long as you are continuing on the same airline, you won't have to pick up bags.<br /> I would pick Dublin first as the British/Irish airports tend to have more amenities plus there's no language barrier.<br /> AMS would be my next choice, the Dutch are super friendly!<br /> CDG would be my third choice.<br /> I don't love JFK and PHL, and there's a chance you could end up delayed/stuck there......European flights hold the airlines to strict standards regarding cancellations and delays and they are required to give you compensation if past a certain amount of time.<br /> I just traveled internationally solo with my 4.5mo two days ago so if you have any travel questions let me know! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741814 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:05:36 +0000 wheres_c 741814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/flight-connections" rel="nofollow">http://www.heathrowairport.com/heathrow-airport-guide/flight-connections</a></p> <p>Above is a guide to connecting at Heathrow. You don't need to collect your bags if you are continuing on on the same airline.<br /> The terminals are arranged by airline, so if you arrive on Iberia, you are likely to arrive and depart from the same terminal.<br /> Also there are way more restaurants/shops at Heathrow than US airports. They sell formula, diapers etc.<br /> Plus you will have done the long part overnight and only have to fly for a little over an hour. I totally vote to connect internationally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741808 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:04:09 +0000 looch 741808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Doesn't sound like you have too much stuff which is great, because you won't need a porter! </p> <p>I think it would probably be easier to do a domestic layover, but if you'd have to do it regardless, I'd go with the cheaper option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741798 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:02:18 +0000 MsInformation 741798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Wheres_C Oooops, it turns out I am losing my marbles and can't read. Cheapest option is still Dublin, but other competitive options on the international side are Amsterdam and CDG in Paris. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741796 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:01:20 +0000 loveisstrange 741796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wheres_c: Haha, yep! Everyone was PISSED behind me. They put me right to the front of the line. They also bumped me to the front of security last time I flew to the states because I was traveling alone with an infant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741789 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:59:55 +0000 MsInformation 741789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Wheres_C The cheapest option is on Aer Lingus with a layover in Dublin. The next cheapest is Madrid on Iberia, and Kayak tells me we won't have to change planes for the Madrid-Barcelona flight (although we'll probably still have to go through customs?). DH and I flew through Madrid a few years back and found the airport to be kind of miserable, so I'm on the fence about that option.</p> <p>U.S. layover options are JFK and Philadelphia. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741783 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:58:46 +0000 wheres_c 741783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: uh really? Woulda been nice to know two days ago ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741777 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:57:32 +0000 loveisstrange 741777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wheres_c: Agree. Heathrow is a pretty good airport, IMO.</p> <p>Heathrow is also really baby friendly. If you are traveling with an infant/stroller, they will bump you to the front of the customs line. They did it for me last time I came in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741768 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:56:02 +0000 wheres_c 741768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are your options for layover cities in both places. Some airports in the US are nightmares.....I prefer European airports. For example Heathrow is really easy for connections if leaving from the same terminal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741754 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:52:46 +0000 MsInformation 741754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Looch We're not planning on buying a seat for LO. We'll most likely be leaving the car seat at home. I'm undecided on the stroller - DH wants to wear her in the Beco the whole trip, but I'd like another option. We'll probably be checking one suitcase and one garment bag. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741748 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:51:06 +0000 loveisstrange 741748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, no matter what you'll have to collect and re-check your bags. I have flown back and forth from London to St Louis a few times and each time had to do it. I've flown through PHL each time and had to go through customs on my layover upon entering the US. If you're flying into the EU, you'll just have to do it when you enter the EU/UK/wherever the layover is (London?).</p> <p>Either way, you'll have to do it. Might as well save some money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741730 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:48:01 +0000 mrsmate 741730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say it depends on how much stuff you'll have. I know the international layover sounds like a PIA, but it could actually fill the time so that it doesn't feel like a big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741728 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:47:20 +0000 looch 741728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before I can give you a good answer, I'd want to know if you are buying a seat for your LO, will you have a car seat and stroller? How many bags are you checking? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/international-vs-domestic-layover-for-trip-with-lo#post-741719 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:45:35 +0000 MsInformation 741719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I are planning to travel to Barcelona in September for a friend's wedding and LO will be 9 months. There are no non-stop flights between Chicago (where we live) and Barcelona, so we'll have to do a layover.</p> <p>For those of you who have traveled internationally with children, do you recommend doing a domestic layover? I'd like to avoid the hassle of claiming our luggage, going through customs and needing to re-check it, and I think this would happen if our layover city is international. However, it's more expensive to do a domestic layover. Is it worth the extra money to be able to check our bags all the way through to Barcelona?</p> <p>Thanks in advance for the advice! </p>