Air Travel with Twins

When I gave birth to my twins boys, I vowed they would never keep me at home. After all, I had been a woman on the go. So naturally I pictured my husband and me strolling the Goa beaches while our babies peacefully napped in their double stroller. With my twins’ arrival, however, the bubble didn’t exactly burst but it certainly fizzled a bit.

As I wrestled daily trying to get my twins out the door my attitude began to change. By the time they were fed, diapered and dressed, I had to nurse them again. Often I’d be tempted to cancel my plans—it was just too difficult to be mobile with young twins. Yet I persisted and over time I became more confident and resourceful.

We managed to travel not only to the grocery store, but my boys have logged many miles both in air and on the highway
I have flown with our twin boys 3 times already and have hour’s worth of tales of our experience but I’ll try to keep it brief. To lend the following suggestions credibility, I have flown with our twosome at different stages - five months , thirteen months, and most recently, at eighteen months and each trip presented its own unique challenges.

Traveling with children is always a challenge, but with twins it can be double trouble if you don't travel prepared. Experienced moms of twins and multiples will know, While planning is key, always to be prepared for the unexpected.

Let me also mention that according to some of our fellow passengers, our twins’ behavior was even commendable. No doubt, with some forethought and effort on your part, your twins will be fine, too. You might even have fun!

A few experiences to prepare you better:
Buying tickets: Firstly, you don't have to buy a seat for children under two. They can travel as "lap babies”. All Indian airlines permit a parent to carry a child under age two in lap for the duration of a flight. Assuming you are travelling with one adult per child, two seats are all you need to purchase for four travelers...a financial twin benefit. But here is where you need to be careful--when booking your tickets, let your reservationist know you are travelling with infant twins, one per adult.

Be aware (unlike us during our first travel) that your family will have split seating; air safety regulations prohibit two infants under two from flying in the same airplane row. My understanding is that it has something to do with the emergency air masks. But regardless of the reason, you can’t do it.
Don't despair; it's actually easier this way. Divide and conquer is often the best approach with twins anyway! Just be adequately prepared for the separation by packing separate.
With various options of early check-in, such as tele check-in, online check-in, make sure you have reserved seats. Be polite, but assertively vocal with your airline official. Ideally, you and your spouse should be seated both directly in front and back of each other or on the either side of the aisle in the same row. That way, you can share access to not only to the diaper bag but more importantly, each other. Let the airline (or your travel agent) know that the chances of inconveniencing other passengers will be significantly minimized if you all can be in close proximity to one another.

Travel timing: When you’re booking your flight give top priority to your twins’ schedule. When they are most rested and content? When are they crankiest? I find that flying late at night or overnight (for long or international sectors) works best, because the twins are more likely to sleep during the flight.
Try to arrange to travel at non-peak times, avoiding holidays, weekends, and other busy travel times.

Packing baby hand bags: Traveling with twins can be either a traumatic or a terrific experience. Packing for twins, entertaining twins, and ensuring the safety of your twins as you travel can be a challenging experience for parents of twins. But with a little research, and a lot of planning before you ever hit the road, you can increase the odds that your trip with twins will be a terrific one.
For hand baggage, pack only what you'll need while you're in transit, and things you'd need in case of an emergency. Pack light -- you'll have your hands full enough already!
Keep in mind -restrictions on carry-on items change often, it's important to consult your travel agent OR airline official while doing a tele check-in ,on permissible and prohibited items.
Make a list of the things you would normally use during the time frame of your flight: Diapers and wipes ,bottles/formula (check regulations on quantity),drinks (check regulations),food, comfort items, medicines ,plastic bags for disposing the mess and an extra outfits for each child (and a change of clothes for the parents too!).
And remember, busy twins are happy twins!
The best antidote to twin troubles in flight is distraction. Whether you have small toys for babies or coloring books for toddlers, keep your traveling twins busy.
If your twins are old enough, you'll need to arm yourself with entertainment ammunition. Choose your weapons carefully! Avoid things that are irretrievable, breakable, and irreplaceable or contain multiple pieces. No matter what it is, pack two! Whatever one has, the other twin will want as well. Buy a few new toys just for the trip. Something new will hold their attention longer.

Carrying Strollers : Guess what? When boarding, you can wheel your double stroller all the way to the end of the Jetway, collapse the stroller, and board the plane. With a gate-bestowed tag, your stroller will await you at the plane door upon re-entering your destination’s Jetway. Very, very helpful.
However, policies vary from airline to airline and from flight to flight, so be sure to confirm with them. If you do have to check your stroller, ask the airline if it counts against your checked baggage tally to avoid paying excess charges.
Easiest way to get on and get of a plane : Perhaps the trickiest portion of your trip will be actually boarding the plane and getting settled in your seats. Juggling hand baggage, equipment, and babies in confined quarters is never easy. But there are some ways to make it go smoothly.
Take advantage of the pre-board option. Most airlines provide an opportunity for families with small children to board the plane ahead of time. There is no rule that says your entire party has to board early. Let one parent go on early, carrying the bags and getting the seats set up, while the other remains at the gate with the children ( if your infants are walking ).
On arrival ,if you were able to gate check your stroller, it should be waiting for you at the jetway. Again, if you can, have one parent stay seated with the children while the other gets the stroller ready and manages the bags.

Smooth operation at the airport: Give yourself plenty of time. Arrive early. Use the time to make sure everyone is fed and changed, if necessary. Keep the children in a double stroller, if they're comfortable in it OR find a quiet place where they can wander around without getting too far away from you.
When you go through security, be aware that you will most likely have to remove children from their stroller and send the equipment through the metal detectors separately. In general, the personnel will be very helpful in guiding you through, but it may be a bit tricky as you try to manage babies, equipment and bags.

Do travel with twins
Don’t let the thought of hard work and deep planning tempt you to stay home. There are so many reasons to travel with twins. Not only does traveling as a family build your confidence as a parent, but also the kids learn about their world around them and quickly become adaptable adults.