Qatar Airways to the USA- Child policies?
I'm looking for advice from someone who has taken the Qatar Airways Doha-Dulles flight then connected to an other US city WITH a young child.
We're travelling with our 1 1/2 year old daughter next week on Qatar Airways to the US. This is the first time we have purchased a seat for her, and when we make our connection in the US we will need to have a car seat/safety seat for her within the US. The problem is, I called QA twice today, and they have no idea what I am talking about when I asked them if I could bring my car/safety seat for her on the plane (to strap into her seat, just like in our car- she is too small for just a seatbelt). Does anyone know where I can find out the policies regarding using a car seat on the plane with QA? (the QA website is no help, nor is calling them) Our seat is approved by the FAA for travel within the US, and the US carriers require her to have it.
Also, I called QA twice and talked to our travel agent. All 3 insisted that we would never see our luggage in Dulles since it is checked all the way to our final city. But, I have travelled a lot, and have never heard of the US not requiring luggage to go through customs (and it wouldn't at our final destination since that is a domestic flight). I cannot imagine that we would not have to pick up our baggage in Dulles, and the US carrier we are taking told us we would. Does anyone know the truth?!
Thanks!
Haven't done the DC flight but have done many flights into US with little ones. Just bring the car seat. You will get some "why is she even bothering" stares and they will probably ask you if it is FAA approved like your smuggling heroin in it but go with confidence if it says FAA approved. You will mostly definitely have to go through customs and re-check bags. Always have to do this in the initial city you land in the US. If you are GATE checking a stroller with QA make it very, very clear you want it at the GATE. They suck at this and ALWAYS send it to luggage. Good luck with the flight!
I have taken this flight from Houston to Doha connecting in Dulles. I have 4 kids, including small ones, so I was watching it carefully in terms of how easy it would be with little ones.
Departing from the US: I checked my bags straight throgh to Doha, I did not have to re-check them in at Washington.
Departing from Doha: This flight is not very good, because it arrives too late to make any connecting flight. So I fly through Europe out of Doha.
You can bring your car seat on the plane, dont worry about that, and you will be thankful that you did, since kids tend to realize they arent going to move, and you wont have to wrestle with he for 14 hours. You can also try to stuff some blankets under the seat, and put it in a recling position, hopefull they will get some shut eye.
You will have to recheck your bags when you arrive in DC. Another reason why I plan to avoid that flight when we fly to the US. I still dont know why the US is the most annoying country to travel to, somethings about the good ole USA are as senseless as stuff you would see in other 3rd world countries. QA WILL CHECK YOUR BAGS THROUGH TO YOUR CONNECTION, BUT TRUST ME, THEY WONT GET THERE. Dont listen to the ingorant check in folks in Doha, they still have no clue what they are doing. They always check my bags through, and I always find them on the carousel at baggage claim.