You're heading to the airport for a long haul flight - what have you done to prepare by the night before?

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 2025-12-08T18:31:57+00:00

Its you and one young kid. I'm thinking: Passports ready Visas ready Suitcase packed, clothes ironed and ready Multiple alarms set all around the house ...

Original poster

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 19/01/2026 22:08

I went over Christmas 😂😂, thanks for the advice everyone xx

OP posts:

canuckup · 13/01/2026 20:16

Usual stuff, picnic packed too

UsedToBeAtAmber · 13/01/2026 19:40

Do you have an EpiPen and antihistamines? Have you told the airline about your nut allergy?

Netcurtainnelly · 13/01/2026 19:15

Paracetemol in hand luggage for headaches.
I never travel without in case one of us gets a headache.

I remember someone asking people on the plane once did anyone have a headache tablet?

singthing · 13/01/2026 16:54

I used to regularly (1-2 a year) take a long haul flight that departed in the morning. I would stay up all night and do the cleaning and tidying that makes it so nice to come home. I'd also do some exercise and also go to the supermarket for some specific "British" food items my hosts liked.

I'd be so excited I'd easily stay awake all the way to the airport, through all the checks, have a bit of food and watch a film on board, change into my leggings and cosy top, then fall asleep!

(Nowadays I fly up the front of the plane and the flight becomes part of the holiday rather than a chore.)

Imtoooldforallthis · 13/01/2026 16:41

Can I ask all of you that have flown Singapore airlines do we have to pay to sit together or will they automatically do this if we check in nearer the flight time?

Original poster

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 15/12/2025 21:10

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 15/12/2025 21:05

Delete any political posts (if going to USA)
Take photos of passports with numbers and send to someone not travelling with you.
Change batteries or make sure they are available in case smoke alarm goes off.
Keys to neighbour

Delete any political posts 😳😳😳😳😳😳

Very true

OP posts:

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 15/12/2025 21:05

Delete any political posts (if going to USA)
Take photos of passports with numbers and send to someone not travelling with you.
Change batteries or make sure they are available in case smoke alarm goes off.
Keys to neighbour

Shittyyear2025 · 15/12/2025 20:42

Plastic folder is fine, clear one best as you can kinda see the docs you need.

Original poster

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 15/12/2025 20:02

Booked the food shop

Need to get a folder to hold the documents - would it look weird if I just have a plastic one, or do I need to buy a pu leather one??

Dont, i'm terrified of the place especially following the recent news stories 🥺🥺

OP posts:

SilverPink · 15/12/2025 16:26

Cornishclio · 15/12/2025 15:54

Snacks and books/headphones/puzzle books for the flight. Buy water and maybe a meal deal in airport rather than on plane unless you have food included on your flight.
Empty fridge/bread bin
Empty bins and water plants.
if your user name indicates where you are going I advise you to watch your back. US is an unfriendly country to visit right now for foreigners.

Unfriendly? Really? I was in New York this summer and every American we encountered was super friendly and helpful, especially on hearing the British accent (“Uk? British? We love you guys!” kind of thing!)

Cornishclio · 15/12/2025 16:22

DelinquentSnails · 15/12/2025 16:03

@Cornishclio Really? Are you experiencing that in the US? I’ve just returned from eight days visiting family and friends in New Jersey and Vermont, as well as attending a conference at a university in New York, along with a bit of sightseeing and found Americans to be as friendly as ever. There was no hostility at all towards me or my non-British European colleagues.

I would be astonished if OP encounters any unfriendliness (other than baseline level of arsiness often encountered in large cities, US or otherwise)

That’s good to hear. The last time we visited New York and LA it was fine but that was a few years ago but the government have increased the travel advisory level to 2 just this summer which means increased caution rather than normal. There are of course reports of unrest with anti ICE/Trump rallies and their gun crime but who knows if they have been exaggerated.

goingtotown · 15/12/2025 16:10

Heating set to come on for a couple of hours every day, weather could change to freezing while you’re away.

DelinquentSnails · 15/12/2025 16:03

@Cornishclio Really? Are you experiencing that in the US? I’ve just returned from eight days visiting family and friends in New Jersey and Vermont, as well as attending a conference at a university in New York, along with a bit of sightseeing and found Americans to be as friendly as ever. There was no hostility at all towards me or my non-British European colleagues.

I would be astonished if OP encounters any unfriendliness (other than baseline level of arsiness often encountered in large cities, US or otherwise)

Cornishclio · 15/12/2025 15:54

Snacks and books/headphones/puzzle books for the flight. Buy water and maybe a meal deal in airport rather than on plane unless you have food included on your flight.
Empty fridge/bread bin
Empty bins and water plants.
if your user name indicates where you are going I advise you to watch your back. US is an unfriendly country to visit right now for foreigners.

DelinquentSnails · 15/12/2025 15:28

Loads of really helpful advice here. As well as the obvious packing/ admin stuff there are a few extra things. We empty and clean the fridges, leave a list of extras for our cleaner who comes to feed the cat does a bit of housework, book a food shop to come the evening we get back. Don’t forget to book airport parking. I also start following a jet lag app three days before, going to a bit sleep earlier or later.

And nowadays, more often than not we either stay at the airport overnight, or with family in West London. I love that feeling of being safely there. It’s not that expensive and I’ve not quite recovered from the trauma of six of us missing a flight to Vancouver because our 90 minute drive took five hours and we could not even turn around 😩

CloudPop · 15/12/2025 15:18

TheEllisGreyMethod · 08/12/2025 20:42

If you're my husband you will wonder at about 11pm if you should do some laundry.
Early the next morning you would be travelling to the airport and inform me that you left it in the machine and have no underwear packed.

Oh - I’ve done that …

XWKD · 15/12/2025 14:49

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 15/12/2025 12:50

Thanks 😄

I did mean checked luggage. Ive got meds and 100ml squash bottles in my hand luggage as well

Make sure your plastic bag doesn't contain more than a litre. Depending on the airport you're flying from there might be more relaxed restrictions if they have the newest scanning equipment. In Dublin, for example, you don't need to show your liquids and can have up to two litres.

Original poster

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 15/12/2025 12:50

Thanks 😄

I did mean checked luggage. Ive got meds and 100ml squash bottles in my hand luggage as well

OP posts:

notimagain · 15/12/2025 12:43

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 15/12/2025 11:49

Can I put my dove roll on and spray deoderant in my main luggage??? xx

If by "main" you mean your checked/hold baggage the answer is yes, subject to quantity restrictions.

The airline should have their specific rules somewhere on their website, but they'll probably be much the as e.g. the generic UK rules here:

www.caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/passenger-guidance/baggage/safety-advice-on-what-to-pack/

Original poster

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 15/12/2025 11:49

Can I put my dove roll on and spray deoderant in my main luggage??? xx

OP posts:

Original poster

newyorknewyorkforevernewyork · 12/12/2025 09:03

mathanxiety · 12/12/2025 03:04

@newyorknewyorkforevernewyork

A statement written by you that you are the sole parent won't wash.

You will need to provide the child's birth cert with official franking or stamp, not a photocopy.

If the father is named on the BC, you will need whatever other official documentation you have in order to prove that the DC's father is dead or in some way incapacitated, or has no right to refuse permission to take the child out of the country, or has agreed to you taking the child out of the country.

I've got the birth certs! Found them randomly 😭😭

Will have to apply for copies!

OP posts:

XWKD · 12/12/2025 06:11

I'd usually be packing at the last minute, so I'm not in a position to give advice. 🤣

Philandbill · 12/12/2025 06:08

Having had a passport stolen when abroad (many years ago) I now photograph the relevant pages of passports, health card and insurance documents and they are shared with my brother and BIL. It's a bit of a nightmare if you don't know your passport number and it's no longer with you ...

Newdoggo · 12/12/2025 05:20

I always take a 4 gang short extension plug in the suitcase, use one adaptor and saves having devices charging all around the hotel room - never enough plugs!