What would you wear on a long-haul flight?

[AngelinaJolly]

All the way to Australia. With 2 little DDs to attend to/ distract/ placate.

[BlueKangerooWonders]

on the flight - layers. Start with secret support type top, it sometimes gets madly hot on long flights. Plenty of pockets, nothing plain coloured as dc and cabin staff will spill something down you! Plus warm but light top layer for when dc (finally) fall asleep on your lap and need covering.

In fact, your gym kit sounds ideal - you'll never see the other people on the plane ever again, and you'll need space to expand(waist, ankles etc!). Slip on shoes are ideal.

Hair away from face as it'll get static, but no pony tail so that you can't lean back!

And never, never look in the mirror in the loo - the lights are too unforgiving...

[thighsmadeofcheddar]

Agree with kangeroo, layers (cotton). I usually wear black or dark colours for any spillages. I also usually take a full change plus new knickers etc. And take a full change for the kiddies too.

[savoycabbage]

I wore a dress with sleeves and wool tights. I was very comfy. My dc's wore PJs the whole way. They also had those fleece suits which they put on when they were supposed to go to sleep.

[EldonAve]

I go with sweats myself and put the kids in the similar

Agree about the spare clothes but I would take x2 for the kids

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[PavlovtheWitchesCat]

i like the idea of swanning through the airport in a pair of tight jeans, high heal shoes, sunglasses, makeup, looking cool as a cucumber.

In reality, I wear tracksuit bottoms, or comfy jeans, soft shoes, light t-shirt/shirt with a cardi/light jacket in my bag. I often do wear a little make-up, with some remover pads and moisterising foundation in my hand luggage, just to keep me feeling human, hair back away from face and take a spare t-shirt and knickers to change into later in the flight/towards the end.

Also, if you can have your hand luggage as a small rucksack with lots of pockets rather than over the shoulder it will make it easier to look after/chase your dds around the airport.

[echt]

Wear cheap ugg-style slippers to accommodate swelling of the feet. Do not wear jeans unless they are loose-fit/boyfriend style.

Baby wipes will clean everything, including, scarily, gloss paint smears, though that will be the least of your problems.

Agree with all else.

Watch all the films.

Demand drink.

Feck.

Arse.

Oh - MASSIVE queues on the way out, because you are, like, foreign.

Welcome to Australia.

[AngelinaJolly]

Thank you- brilliant advice you lot, so I'm thinking:

ME:-
soft bra/ bra-camisole
cotton jersey dress (henley-style)
cotton leggings
light cardi
slipper-socks
selection of headbands/ bobbles to keep hair off face.
spare knicks
cleansing, moisturising wipes
a wee bit of make up (psychological prop!)
pockety rucksack bag

KIDS:-
PJs or simple leggings/ top combo
cardi
2x spare sets of everything
wet wipes

loads of stuff for them to do

the promise of a shower at half way point...
and a 1/2 litre of beer as soon as we get there

[thighsmadeofcheddar]

Oh yes one more thing. Chocolate buttons! Essential for keeping children in seat during long taxis on plane.

[AngelinaJolly]

Yes, Cheddar- duly noted!

[womblingalong]

shawl/scarf/balnket for if the children/you get cold/want to sleep. Where are you stopping over. How old are DD's? If it is singapore airport, there is a pool on the roof. Towels are provided, so if you can stick your cozzies in yr hand luggage, you can have a refreshing swim and a shower before you re-board yr flight. Makes you feel refreshed and relaxed for the next leg of the journey.

p.s. yr list sounds good

[roary]

I have, for my sins, flown to Australia 3 times with DD (now 19 months). Once by myself.

POCKETS. What you wear has to have 'em, for lip balm, ear plugs (essential) and small bits for dd(s).

[citronella]

Is the pool only for business/first class or can mere minions use it as well?

[EightiesChick]

I wore dark colours travelling with my DS (then 7mos) and came off covered in light coloured milk stains. Hopefully your DDs are past that stage, otherwise the only really safe option is something patterned.

Agree in general with the other clothing advice. Definitely schedule in a shower at your stop. I would also say don't wear anything too heavy/woolly as I found it pretty warm on board - plus there are always blankets so it's easy to warm up but not so easy to cool down if you have nothing lighter to change into.

[Bleh]

I've never done Australia-length long haul, but done others. I would also recommend - tissues (in case toilets at any point run out of paper), deodorant, moisturiser to slap on during the flight. Otherwise, lots of wet wipes. LOTS.

[MustNotEatCake]

Have done this trip many times, both with & without dcs

sticker books for dcs are my fave on-board activity.

watch out for random chocolate in the kids' meals ... last time we flew, every single meal had chocolate in some form.... milk, cereal, bars ... I was like, do you want your other passengers to have an awful flight?? bring me fruit!!!

I usually wear - lounge trousers/ yoga pants with pumps and jersey top, with a cami/ tank top to change into on arrival. Big wrap to double as blanket during sleep times and to give air of antipodean insouciance on arrival when tossed around shoulders. Big sunnies. Facial wipes. Lip gloss. If no shower, then wet wipes & deodarant. Spare knickers or panty liners.

so jealous!! wish I was going home for summer. Have a fab time.

[mum2boys3girls]

My uniform

[KristinaM]

moisturiser - apply often, the air dries your skin

buy bottles of still water once you are airside

loose comfortable clothes - i agree, you will never see the other passengers again

[bloss]

Message withdrawn

[AngelinaJolly]

We stop to refuel at Dubai on way out and Singapore & Dubai on way back. Any idea what Dubai airport is like...? DDs will be 3 1/2 and nearly 2 so not hopeful for a swim but shower will suffice if I get the chance.

MNEC- we're going in Easter- but we've just bought the tickets so I am already nervous excited about the flight. Should still be hot in Brisbane? and Whitsundays?

[MustNotEatCake]

oh, it's always hot in Brisbane and the Whitsundays .... sigh

am holding you to the Tim Tam!!

[hannahsaunt]

Many, many wipes. On leg 1 (so fortunately just Aberdeen to Heathrow) en route to Oz, ds2, then 2.5yo, did a weeks worth of poo in one go - went everywhere and he had to be stripped and virtually showered in the on-board loo. Clothes had to be binned ... Would agree re sticker books. We also had laptop so they could watch their own tat DVDs.

[AngelinaJolly]

Re: Showers... can you hire/ borrow a towel rather than carry a damp one in hand luggage for half the journey???

[AngelinaJolly]

Oh no Hannahsaunt- must have been something to do with cabin pressure! And there's nothing like a long haul flight for making you constipated.

We did go to Oz when DD1 was 2 months old (I was still in maternity wear and in first-baby shock back then) and she was brilliant until just before landing when she did a huge vomit all in her thick hair. Then "bing" the seatbelt lights came on and I had to hold my stinky sticky babe and didn't get the chance to change her until after she'd met her new Aussie grandparents.

I like the laptop idea and will be stocking up on Charlie & Lola mags and stickers.

[Thelongroadhome]

We've been a few times and twice our children have had bugs and been sick. Once all over my partner at Dubai airport so we had to buy a new set of clothes. So, I would second the idea of a change of clothes for you although I have gone since and still not done it - never have quite enough room at the last moment. Last time DS2 was sick 8 times by the time we got to Heathrow!!