Air

Practicalities Getting There Air Baggage 

A child without a seat is not entitled to a standard baggage allowance. What is permitted will vary from airline to airline but is generally 10kg or one piece of baggage. If you travel heavy, this will be a problem. You may be allowed an umbrella fold buggy in addition, and possibly a carry on bag with items like infant food and nappies for use in flight, in addition to the normal adult baggage allowance. It would be wise to double check in advance, especially on a charter or no-frills flight, where authorisation in writing would be wise.

Given the effort it may require to get items out of an overhead locker you might like to divide your on board luggage to include a bag small enough to go under seat so that you can reach it easily and stock it with items like wet wipes, snacks and small toys.

Most airlines will permit you to take buggies right up to the boarding gate when they will take them to load into the hold, though some may permit umbrella fold ones on board. Some carrier return buggies stored in the hold directly to the gate, others will only return them with the rest of the luggage on in the baggage hall - which can mean a fairly long walk without buggy.

Because of this, if you are at all used to them, a sling or backpack, being allowed on board with you, may be more useful, and allows two free hands for on board bags/other children.

Forwarding Baggage

If you are taking a lot of luggage you can send it unaccompanied. This may be possible with the more sophisticated scheduled airlines, or you can use a tailored service.