Long-haul Plane Travel with a toddler

[sueb31]

I thought I would start a thread for ideas for plane travel with toddlers, as so many of us are doing it these days and extra tips never go astray.

Here are my best tips:
- If you can afford it, buy a seat for them (if they are mobile and under 2, over 2 you HAVE to buy them a seat). It usually costs about 75% of adult fare (vs 10% for no seat) so is not cheap but I think well worth it once kids are mobile. If you do book a seat, consider taking their car seat for them to sleep in. (There are several articles on how it is much safer for kids to be in a car seat in a plane than a lap belt on parent's lap)
- Failing that request a bassinette, although they will probably be too big for it it may still get you bulkhead seats which have more leg room (but the arm rests don't lift up).
- I must admit I am somewhat obsessional so think that research and forethought are very valuable. Look at the times of your flights. Figure out when little one will want to eat, sleep etc and be prepared with familiar foods and sleep items (eg gro-bag, teddy). Think through what you will do when. Ask the airline questions. Like, can you take the stroller up to teh plane door then check it in rather than check it in with your baggage (on international flights most airlines let you do that). And what is the baggage allowance exactly. (You can find some of this on the airline website but it takes some searching sometimes).
- Do take extra clothes for them and you, eating can be messy.
- Be prepared for delayed flights when planning food and clothes supplies.
- In my experience you don't need a lot of toys and the less baggage the better. Just take a couple of familiar things and a few new cheap things (wrapped up like presents). Toys end up under the seat behind you in no time. Most airlines give kids something and lots have tv in seatback (check with yours)
- If you do end up trying to get a child to sleep n you remember to go to the toilet first!!
- Get to the airport with heaps of time, somehow everything takes three times as long with a child in tow!

Lastly, be relaxed about it (as you can). Kids pick up on anxiety and stress really easily. Do your best to plan as well as you can and 9 times out of 10 it will be plain sailing. Really!!

Hope that helps anyone about to embark on a trip, I look forward to seeinng what others' tips and experineces are!!

Sue (mother of a 17 month old who likes travelling!!

[lucas'mum]

Excellent tips Sue. I would only add NOT to fly with Emirates. I did and they were terrible with kids (I have a litinay of compliants with them and the trip was utterly miserable!!). I'd recommend Malaysia, Thai or Simgapore who have all been excellent!

Choose your carrier carefully and check in advance whether kiddie meals have to be pre-ordered and also whether they wil supply your child with milk (as lots of airlines won't allow liquids (even milk) more than 100mls past customs. This means buying it in the departure lounge - if you can!

[Chickadee]

Nearly every toddler will eat cereal, so this is a handy snack to take. At the supermarket you can buy single serve containers of decent cereals. (The Kellogs multipack ones are a nice size but tend to be mostly sugar cereals.) I packed two little containers into my carry-on, and when we got to LA I just had to buy a container of milk and we had an impromptu "breakfast" in the airport departure lounge while waiting for our next flight.

[SassyMummy]

I've never gone overseas, much less overseas with a toddler... but I did travel for 6 hours from Brisbane to Perth with DD when she was 17 months.

There was no option to purchase a seat for her as Virgin Blue doesn't offer seats for those under 2, at all.

My advice would be:
- Pack food they will like. I packed the kinds of things DD doesn't normally get to eat - Tiny Teddies, Jelly Cups, etc etc. Just easy-to-access foods.
- Be aware that you're sometimes not allowed to take fruit or veg into other states (as with WA). If you forget, sniffer dogs come and dob you in! So be warned!
- Don't bring numerous toys... DD had a few tiny toys, some books and a pad with some crayons. Anything more and it would have been far too crowded, and far too difficult to carry on and off the plane.
- Pack more nappies than you'd usually need for that time-frame. For some reason, whenever DD's on a plane, her nappy leaks and I end up peed on. Change them hourly, or even less.
- Be careful what drink bottles you pack. Some of them are somewhat pressurised, and whenever you open the lid, they spray everywhere at you! I learnt the hard way (yay... water AND pee all over me!).
- If you're travelling alone, opt for the aisle seat so you can get easily in and out without bothering anyone else. If you're travelling with one other person, take the window seat, so your toddler can play with you AND the other person, but not harrass the stranger. If you're travelling with 2 other people, sit in the middle, so your toddler has more room to go to different people during the flight. That's the easiest way it's been for me.

[mumbub2]

I dont have any advice as I am yet to fly with a toddler.....I took her to melb when she was 9 months but that was pretty cruisy in comparison to what I am about to embark on.....taking DD who is now 2 and DS who will be 8 months ...to the UK in July....eek.....and the worst bit is we ARE flying emirates.....which someone in a previous post warned against....oh dear what are we in for. My DH isnt coming with us either, but I will have my Mum to help out thank goodness.

Freaking out about the whole notion, but planning and reseaching as much as possible before hand. We are also going to be taking 4/5 domestic flights in and around the UK and Ireland while we are there....so could be in for some real fun !!
WIll be keeping an eye on this post for more great tips...thanks

[dreamer80]

I haven’t yet flown overseas with a child… Although DH and I will be flying to Boston when our son is approximately 6-months old. I am nervous just thinking of 24hours+ trip with a 6month old, :eek: the only upside is we are flying business class…I love frequent flyer points!!:D

For the past few months I have been hearing a lot of advice in regards to flying with young children. Some of the tips:

-Don’t rely on a spare seat being available

-Book a bassinette as early as possible if your child is small enough to fit in one- the sizes vary airline to airline and are usually available on the airlines website.

-Always pack at least one spare set of clothes for yourself and your partner, more if it is a longer flight

-Pack more than enough supplies for bub in case the flight is delayed

-Board the plane last

-Be aware of new international security rules- place all of bubs stuff toiletries and food in a clear bag, also don’t take excessive amounts- so if you bottle feeding put formula in a small preferable clear storage containers don’t take the whole tin.

-Put you pram in a transport bag

-If possible carry the baby in a sling or carrier instead of taking a stroller on board

-If you have booked a seat for you child take the car seat on the plane you can now buy strap that attaches a car seat to your wheeled luggage so your child can sit in it while your walking around the airport and make it transporting it a lot easier.

-Be aware when booking a flight some airline charge you a small amount for infants…even if they don’t take up a seat.

-Pack a special new toy for the flight- maybe something the child has been asking for.

-Don’t rely on the airline to provide food or to heat up bottles, even if they say they do at the time of booking.

-Bring a nice warm blanket, as sometimes it can get a little cold on the planes, and a blanket that smells of home may be comforting

That’s all from me for now!

[k2ma]

I don't have a clear picture in my mind as to how the car seat onthe plane thing works. Do you take the whole seat or just the harness? And if so what do you anchor it to?

I have seen the five point safety harnesses on sale by themselves but cannot for the life of me see how this would operate...

Oh dear - I am flying Emirates too...flight times were the best available I thought...we shall see.

[Grizabella]

I have two peices of advice

*Phenergen was my friend :D
*Test it first in case they are one of the 10% that it has the opposite reaction to it. (MAkes them hyper)

I know some prefer not to use anything like that - but I found that it helped with our flights as we flew two long haul flights (there and back) of 15 hrs, including 3 changeovers each time. We only used it for the largest flight, and it stopped him from being cranky during our longest leg of the flight.

[PunkyDiva]

Have flown o/s with 4 & 5 children in tow but not really much to add to some great advice:thumbsup:
We've flown Qantas, JAP & Emirates. We flew straight through with no long/overnight stopovers from UK to AUS, so were exhausted but Emirates wins hands down, seats are bigger and staff couldn't do enough for us.

[dreamer80]

I don't have a clear picture in my mind as to how the car seat onthe plane thing works. Do you take the whole seat or just the harness? And if so what do you anchor it to?

I have seen the five point safety harnesses on sale by themselves but cannot for the life of me see how this would operate...

Oh dear - I am flying Emirates too...flight times were the best available I thought...we shall see.
Firstly the car seat attachment for you wheeled luggage can be found on the website I have listed below, I feel it is a brilliant and convenient idea when travelling with a toddler, we will most definitely get one when bub is older
travelingtoddler.com/

As for the infant seats being used on planes, you take the whole seat. I haven’t yet used on a plane, so I can’t say this with all certainty, although I believe on planes there are a select number of seats that have anchors on the floor somewhat similar to what you would find in a car. However I do know with QANTAS you have to have pre-approval to use your car seat onboard, so best to give Emirates a call well in advanced of your departure date!

Last but not least I have flown with Emirates twice in the last 18 months, both times the crew were nothing but wonderful and helpful and the food was great! I wouldn’t hesitate to fly with them again!:D

Have a safe and wonderful trip! xx

[k2ma]

Thanks dreamer80 I shall have a look at the website now and give Emirates a call tomorrow.

(I can just see DH's face when I announce we are taking the car seat hehehehehe!:D)

[bella3]

We are flying from perth to New York in 5 weeks. 5 hours to sydney and then a 21hour flight direct to New york, overnight in New York than onto Florida the next morning. I'm very worried about my almost three year old on the long haul flight(she is very active). Any one with any good tips for such a long flight? I am also on my own and worried about getting through the airport with all our stuff!! :hair:

[pommiemum11]

DS is a bit younger but I spoke to a friend who used to travel long haul with her DDs a lot. She suggests picking up some cheap toys and wrapping them to produce every so often when boredom sets in. Wouldn't suggest bringin favourite toys on the plane (unless they really need one thing to sleep) since anything which rolls under a seat is in my experience lost. We're off to the UK next week with Etihad, wonder how that will go???

Good luck:wave:

[pommiemum11]

We made it to the UK, Etihad staff we're brilliant. May have been because flight was not full on two legs of the flight but they couldn't have been more helpful from check in all the way through. Offered us use of spare seats. Brought some toys but DS was more interested in water bottle, twix wrapper and toothbrush. DS was so excited he didn't sleep at all on the first leg then slept all of the second and half of the third. Good luck with your trip...

[sweetseven]

lucas'mum - Choose your carrier carefully and check in advance whether kiddie meals have to be pre-ordered and also whether they wil supply your child with milk (as lots of airlines won't allow liquids (even milk) more than 100mls past customs. This means buying it in the departure lounge - if you can!
I just took a tin of formula, a bottle, and asked for water as needed. My toddler was used to cold (room temperature) bottles so just drinking water was fine. But if you needed warm water, they have hot water for coffee, so surely you could mix in some of that.

dreamer80 - I am nervous just thinking of 24hours+ trip with a 6month old, the only upside is we are flying business class…I love frequent flyer points!!
My brother, who normally travels business class, had to travel economy with his toddler because the airline didnt wish to risk upsetting the other business class passengers.

dreamer80 - Board the plane last
That is odd. I found travelling with a toddler (or baby) that I was invited to board first, along with any disabled, or business class passengers.

k2ma - I don't have a clear picture in my mind as to how the car seat onthe plane thing works. Do you take the whole seat or just the harness? And if so what do you anchor it to?
I would assume that you would just strap it in with the seatbelt, but I havent tried it myself.