Best Airline to use going to America with Children

Macker91

Hi All

I wonder if people can give me their views on the best american airline to use if travelling to america with young children. If anyone can give me their experiences I would really appreicate it.
Thanks

Macker

BuffyBot

Define "best"". Everyone values "best" differently. Do you mean price? Amenities? Service?

Where in the US are you going? That may help shape the answers you get. There's no point going with airline A if it involves 3 flights to get to your destination, with kids in tow if airline B can get you in one or two.

traineeacc

Couldn't agree more with the above post. Recently flew to NYC with Delta with a 8 months old,no problems at all. In reality there isn't too much difference between them. Over the years I've also gone with Aer Lingus and Continental\united. No real difference, maybe aer lingus edges it slightly but again, there would be no contest if only came down the number of flights, time etc. I'd go with what suits quicker in terms of number of flights etc

ProudDUB

BuffyBot wrote: »

Define "best"". Everyone values "best" differently. Do you mean price? Amenities? Service?

Where in the US are you going? That may help shape the answers you get. There's no point going with airline A if it involves 3 flights to get to your destination, with kids in tow if airline B can get you in one or two.

I agree. OP, you need to give more info on where you are going, to get the best answers.

For example if you are taking the kids to Disney World in Orlando, I'd say fly via Atlanta with Delta. Atlanta Hartsfield is a very easy to navigate, user friendly airport. There is a train that runs between the various terminals. That can be a life saver if you have loads of tired kids and buggies to deal with. You will also only have a short 50 minute flight down to Florida to deal with. That can really matter if you have been up and on the road since the crack of dawn. If you are flying into the New York area, I'd say avoid any airline that flies into JFK. It not exactly the easiest of airports to travel thru as a grown up on your own, never mind one with small children.

More deets are needed over all, but if I were you, I wouldn't pay as much attention to the airline that I was traveling on, as I would the over all itinerary, and the airport(s) that I would be flying in to & out of.

Macker91

Hi All, thanks for the replies - I am travelling to Washington DC and can get a direct flight with United Airlines, I am travelling with my son and his partner and they have twins aged 4 and a 3 month old baby - I have travelled with United before with no kids and had no problems at all but really wanted to see what peoples experiences were travelling with Kids and the services they received

Hope I can get some help as it is a long flight for an adult never mind kids!


Thanks for replies again.

drquirky

As a parent of a 15 month old who has made 2 transatlantic trips w/ the little one I'd say Aer Lingus hands down as they are absolutely fantastic w/ kids. Friendly and accommodating.

BuffyBot

United will be fine then. Direct flight, seat back entertainment, immigration and customs cleared at Dublin.. will all make it a bit easier!

jjbrien

BuffyBot wrote: »

United will be fine then. Direct flight, seat back entertainment, immigration and customs cleared at Dublin.. will all make it a bit easier!

+1 to this

ProudDUB

Yep, go the direct route. Would be madness not to.

schemingbohemia

Price wise it might be worth also considering Philadelphia, fairly easy and frequent train connections to DC but only if it's significantly cheaper than direct to DC.

Yamanoto

United's a good choice OP.

They're well ahead of other US carriers out of Dublin in my experience - the planes, crew, food & in-flight entertainment being a cut above.

It'd be wise to speak with a reservations agent a week or so prior to travel, as you'll need to organise a bassinet for the baby. Seating at a bulkhead also means parents have a little more room to move about & dip in and outta bags etc.

http://www.united.com/web/en-us/content/travel/specialneeds/infants/default.aspx

Macker91

Thanks for replies - United are coming in cheaper so think I will go with them. I know I travelled to America with my son when he was quite small and travelled Virgin Atlantic and they have a little back pack with sunglasses and goodies in the bag for the kids which was great.