First time traveling with a family of four (2 adults, 1 toddler bit over 2 years old and 1 infant 3 mos) and since the start of the pandemic so a bit rusty on latest offerings/rules of airlines so would like some advice please on car seat strategy, especially as I'll be renting a car in the States.
I have been reading that even if kids are under two it's advisable to book a seat for safety and to ensure they're restrained in a car seat. Meaning purchasing 4 seats instead of 3. But before I do this I would like to understand what others do for their flights with kids
Option 1: Fly with two car seats. Book 4 seats. Pro: safer, more space, don't have to have the infant on lap the whole flight, use same car seat when in States in car. Cons: very heavy. Also, no idea how this would work on the UA domestic flight? Would the car seats even fit on the smaller bird?
Option 2: Fly with one car seat. Book 4 seats - infant would still be in the car seat for take off/landing and bassinet (if we can reserve one) but what about the toddler? I read that no booster is allowed. Does the normal lap belt suffice? I saw the CARES travel harness but can't find a dealer in Switzerland.
Option 3: Fly with no car seats - easiest logistically while traveling but not the safest option and would have to organize car seats on the other end
Once you arrive in the US, as you are hiring a car, you should be able to rent a car seat for the toddler. I would bring your own infant seat.
This may sound rude but what class of travel are you booking?
In economy, if you reserve the first row of seats with the bassinet, I think the baby will be fine in that, except not for take off and landing. For this one of the parents needs to hold the baby.
Many toddlers are on the plane with no car seat.
However, what you need to consider is all the walking in the airports. You will need a stroller for sure for the toddler and I think a car seat for the baby will certainly make life easier.
It might be helpful to call the airline you are going to book with and clarify your needs.
I would put the baby in the bassinet and have 3 seats with a car seat for the toddler. It's been a long time but we had a huge sack with a strap to carry it at airports.
For the baby I would use a carrier and rent a car seat at arrival. Carrying 2 car seats, hand luggage and Manning a toddler seems like a lot...
Also for the car seat you take onboard please check it is the right size etc - my info is a little old but there were precise measures to follow for the base etc.
A small shout out to the absolutely stellar staff and amenities at the family room in Zurich airport. I transited through ZRH in 2011 when my (now oldest) was 6 months old - they were so helpful. Fast forward to 2017 with two young kids, it was the same woman at the desk (Monalisa) - I burst out in tears remembering her kindness and help. Absolutely cannot recommend enough.
Other than that, baby carrier all the way (actually two, as you're two adults) and bassinet for the baby. If there is no one in the family that has a stroller (and/or carseats) you can borrow when you get there, I bought them off of craigslist and had them waiting for me. (car rental place should have them too)
I feel you, back when my kid was an infant/toddler, I flew solo parent with her frequently, Jakarta/Tokyo/NYC and Hiroshima/Tokyo/New York as well as Fukuoka/Hong Kong/Dublin, and Osaka/Dubai/Geneva... so I feel your pain... one of my best investments was this Gogo Baby carrier, which allowed me to put the carseat on wheels and use it like a stroller, and it looked weird but worked a charm. I used it frequently, picking up the car seat at the airplane door and converting the whole stroller thing immediately, and the kid often slept through the airport transits. And it's super sturdy, I put hooks on it and it could handle a diaper bag and a carry on bag as well.
I generally found that long haul international travel with my kid is easier than short haul (in Europe, Japan, or within the US) and that the carrier staff were genuinely helpful when I would contact them in advance (making arrangements for baby meals and such). I got the baby cart thing on amazon in the US years ago. I already gifted it to another family, otherwise, I'd give it to you.
We bought a seat for our infant, and used the car seat on board.As a result, baby slept a lot and everyone had a relaxing journey.
Airlines don't guarantee a bassinet, and rental cars don't guarantee the car seat you reserved. I know people who arrived with their infant and were given toddler car seats by major rental companies. For a safery anxious parent, this is no way to go! It gets easier the bigger they get.
Thanks all for the suggestions. Good point about baby carrier; only way to keep the infant sleeping currently. Will review with the airlines to see bassinet options etc - thanks again!