AIBU to take dc on a 12+hr flight?

[Playdoughinthecarpet]

Am looking at holidays for summer 2017. Dh and I have got a fortnight off together in the summer holidays (minor miracle for us!) looking at prices for all inclusive and the prices are crazy £3'500 for Ibiza (where I fancied going) the same for Portugal where we went, out of school holidays for half the price last year.
Dh can get cheap long haul flights which would make, for example Mauritius cheaper than Spain.
Has anyone flown long haul with boisterous 2 year old? Not too worried about 5 year old. Do people have harnesses/car seats? How do you handle other passengers who might be 'less patient' with small travellers? Am planning for the worst (had a couple of short nightmare flights with Dd when she was younger) but a half day flight is another level! Would you put yourself (and the rest of the passengers) through the flight for 2 weeks on a beach or opt for a(nother) rainy caravan holiday with cooking/washing?

[Bruce02]

It all dependent on the kids themselves.

We have flown 9 hours with our kids since there were young. That was my limit.

I pads, DVD players, books etc. All handluggage was dedicated to the kids.

Never had to handle annoyed passengers because luckily the kids have been fairly well behaved and there have been plenty of kids on the flights (florida).

My main concern is having plenty to do for the kids when we get there. 2 weeks of them not liking the beach could be pure he'll. Never been to Mauritius so don't know what it's like for kids.

[wonderingsoul]

I would... theyll prob sleep at least some of it... toys dvds sweets... good to go

[Playdoughinthecarpet]

Just seen another thread about an irate passenger travelling long haul. Eurgh....enough to send us to Southport!
Our first year of having to stick to school holidays, it's astounding how much the prices go up !

[greenfolder]

Phenergans in the case of my youngest.

[ZaraW]

Short haul flights are fine but I've taken too many long haul overnight flights with screaming babies/children it isn't pleasant.

[SavoyCabbage]

I've done it quite a few times but I don't think I could be bothered to do it for a holiday in Mauritius. Although there won't be much of a time difference and if it's that or nothing maybe I could be bothered!

Spectacularly unhelpful advice there!

Yes I have done it. With two dc and no other adult and it is doable. My dc behaved themselves completely and I looked at it like being at work for me. No telly watching for me but loads for them and reading to them etc.

[iseenodust]

Depends on your definition of boisterous. I don't say no straight off, we took DS to San Francisco as a toddler but he was always just nosey at everything new. Didn't sleep at all and wouldn't tolerate earphones but did just gawp at the screens for ages. If your definition of boisterous is lively chatting and wanting your constant attention and you are prepared to give it that's fine. If you know there are going to be multiple bouts of tantrums and crying at being asked to sit for so long then why would you consider it? You'll spend the whole holiday dreading the flight home.

[BirthdayBirthday]

I've just arrived home from Africa (3 flights of 2 hours, 8 hours and 7.5 hours) and on the longest flight there was a tiny boy of around 18 months. He cried a couple of times and toddled up and down the aisle during some of the flight. He even stopped and looked at me, touched my belongings a bit etc (mum was right behind him) - it wasn't a problem, in fact it was lovely to see him and his little baby smile.

[Rollonbedtime7pm]

Ha - was going to say have you not read the other thread?!

Dontcha know that children should be old enough to be seen and not heard on flights and it is grossly unfair to inflict them on other actual human beings?!

Or whatever shite everyone was spouting...

[FourToTheFloor]

We do a 24 hour flight to Australia with young dc and it's not great but if I want see my family (and I do!) then it has to be done.

I'd take a week in Spain over a 9 hour flight for 2 weeks tbh though! Dont go AI it's cheaper IMO.

[Blu]

We took DS to Mauritius at 8m, 3 and 5.

The flight out is fine as it is overnight and they sleep (fingers crossed).

Mauritius is only 3 or 4 hours ahead, depending on time of year, and our summer is Mauritian winter which means freedom from the intense heat and humidity of Nov-March.

Mauritius is great for kids: shallow sea no waves, a few kid-friendly attractions.

No one actually likes long flights, most passengers are philosophical about normal child behaviour, I wouldn't let it put you off.

[Greengoddess12]

Ha ha you change your mind when your kids are older Rollon

[Playdoughinthecarpet]

Lol, Rollonbedtime!
Scathing Mumsnetter's! feel too fearful to fly in case they are on my flight!
I personally am immune to chair kicking

[Rainshowers]

We flew 11 hours to California with our two and a half year old DD recently. It was nowhere near as bad as I feared. She mainly watched Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig and CBeebies and ate snacks! The anticipation was worse than the reality. There were a few tense moments of course but she coped pretty well.

The flight back was overnight so we explained we'd be going to bed on the plane, she had dinner, put her pj's on and slept for about 6/7 hours.

I wouldn't rule it out on the basis of a long flight, and definitely not if the alternative was a rainy caravan holiday!

[lionsleepstonight]

Forget the flight, I'd be more concerened with the activities for kids there, never been but assume the hotels are more geared around couples rather than families. hitting the beach every day for a fortnight will soon bore them. If they are anything like mine!

But I totally get where you're coming from regarding school holiday prices, for something quite basic they're asking luxury holiday prices!

[IhatchedaSnorlax]

In your circumstances I would do it without question. Supervise your children properly & they'll not bother anyone else & likely they'll sleep for a good part of it anyway.

Like a pp said, take plenty to occupy them - iPads, books, toys (that don't make a noise!!), colouring pencils etc & they'll be fine.

Don't worry about the flights - MN is a weird place when it comes to children & planes so I don't think it's representative of how things are IRL !!

[Playdoughinthecarpet]

Thanks Blu and rainshowers, Mauritius sounds like heaven and I'm sure I'll be the most prepared for boredom /tantrums /general grumpiness mum on the plane (if we go). The outbound flight is overnight so sleep could be an option.

[usualmum]

We fly long haul with our 2 DC and have done since they were a few months old. Hand luggage each for them with books, colouring, games etc. Break up the time with a passive activity like watching a film and an active one like colouring or reading etc. Eat well before take off and something to chew on take off and landing and lots of snacks. I always take 2 little new things to give them during the flights like a magazine and a some new colours.etc.

I would never allow the length of a flight dictate where we would travel to. Kids are the most adaptable resilient of us all!!

Book your flight and just build in their activities and have an amazing holiday!!

[bakingaddict]

If it's just the holiday through a tour operator that's expensive why not look at booking your flights and hotel seperately. There are lots of summer flight sales at the moment such as easyjet, Ryanair, jet star and then find a suitable hotel. I'm doing 4 European countries for just over 2 weeks next year staying in top of the range hotels and a luxury resort in Croatia and it's costing just under £4K for 4 of us.

[yummycake123]

My parents live abroad and we fly long haul to see them (13hr flight). We've been when my son was 1 and then 2 and a half. It's tiring but not horrendous, so I wouldn't rule it out. The key is to keep them entertained and busy, but I have to admit it's exhausting and the longest 13 hours ever....

[AnnaT45]

We're planning on doing Aus next year with a one and two year old. So I'd go for it! My dad worked in travel and we travelled loads as kids, my parents never mentioned it was an issue. Just be prepared with things to do : iPad, colouring, a new toy, snacks and appreciate you may be walking up down the aisle a lot! An overnight flight is good as hopefully they'll sleep a lot of it.

[Playdoughinthecarpet]

Lionsleepstonight, was looking for places to go in August. Kenya, Maldives, Peru were all pretty fairweather too, Dd will sit on a beach as long as she is allowed, ds is still little but mostly likes everything his sister is doing

[WaitrosePigeon]

Don't do it - for your sake!

[bakingaddict]

I would imagine with flights and hotel 2 weeks in Mauritis in a 4 or 5* hotel for 4 of you would be considerably more than 3.5k