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

I fly quite a lot for work, and meet up with people who do the same. Years ago I realised that most of them hardly do anything to prepare for travel, beyond remembering to bring their laptop and phone. Once I saw a colleague arrive at a meeting overseas, open his carry-on suitcase, to discover that he had only packed a pair of shoes. He just shrugged and said 'oh well, I'll head out to buy some stuff when we have a break.' I now do the same (well, not the shoes-only packing) and travel without a care in the world. It's very liberating.

That the pet/house sitter is here and fully versed in everyone’s requirements 🐶 😻😻🐥🦆🐡

@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.

Week before all documents packed and tech organized so if necessary I can walk out with only a handbag.
Suitcases are total chaos.

This. Married but different names. Only had to produce the letter a few times, but one of those I don’t think I would have been allowed through without.

Packed with all travel documents and details in a ziplock folder.

Cleaned the house and changed the bedding and towels. I like to come back to a really clean house and fresh bedlinen (will have been slept in for one night, but that's okay.

Put lights on timers around the house.

Laid out clothes for next day.

Sorted snacks and entertainment in a carry on bag, with emergency change of clothes.

GHIC cards and insurance docs.

Printed boarding passes (after online checkin) and put with passports.
Copy of all docs for the trip in a pouch.
Suitcase mostly packed, with a note on top of anything yet to go in (wash bag, top in dryer, snacks from fridge etc…)
I am showered/hair washed and travel outfit laid out for morning
Dishwasher set up to throw breakfast dishes in and turn on in morning (tablet already in).
Last laundry load done and sitting on clothes horse
All bins emptied and re-lined, with 1 bag in kitchen for any last bits in the morning
Fridge has been checked for any food that needs throwing out (having run down in previous days)
Dinner has probably been a mix of leftovers and bits to be used up
Depending on how long the trip is - I have a bottle of milk that will still be good on return in fridge - or made sure a bottle of long-life oat milk is in cupboard to at least have coffee before I need to face shops.
I’ve cleaned bathrooms and hoovered - but probably not mopped floors or dusted etc.
I’ve watered my plants - and set them up with watering systems if long enough trip to need it.
I’ve set up the lights on timers that we use. And closed the net curtains to reduce ability to see in.

I’ve charged my power bank and remembered to add cables for that, and the plugs at the airport and destination, for charging devices.
I’ve checked my carryon bag has a book, sucky sweets, headphones, tissues, device with downloaded movies and podcasts, and a pen and notepad and a few Sudokus. And my glasses and wallet.
All devices (phone, work phone, iPad) are plugged in to fully charge.

Alarms are set for morning - to rise and for 10
minutes before we need to leave.

Parking is booked, or taxi, or we’ve planned the bus time…basically, there’s a plan to get to the airport
I’ve checked the forecast for the morning, and arrival time at destination, to know if I need to add a cardigan or waterproof layer to travel outfit.

And I have sat on the couch with a glass of wine to recover and re-run my mental list 15 times before I go to bed.

Op if you are travelling alone with DC you should take a letter from their other parent confirming they give you permission to travel outside of England. It could be a very expensive trip to the airport otherwise. (Assuming the other parent is listed on the BC)

LOTS of posters will say you don't need to do this, but legally you do if you're removing a joint child out of the jurisdiction. I've travelled extensively on my own with DC and ended up taking the ex to court the first time after he refused permission. Those court documents (originals) have travelled thousands of miles with us, though I've only been asked to produce them twice. I've also taken birth certificates, name change deed and divorce decree on many many trips abroad...

You absolutely need to check that your travel documents are in the right names - if you have changed your names you MUST check with the relevant authorities that the visas are still valid even with name change documents as some aren't. (Especially USA where all documents must match the passport youre flying with).

Packed, checked in online. Added boarding passes to app. We will have already booked valet parking.

Bags packed.
Passports in their designated place.
Clothes for the next day set out.
Shower.
Clean sheets.
Ensure the whole house is tidy.

@newyorknewyorkforevernewyork Check your airline to make sure that you can take power banks onto the flight. Some airlines now ban them. You don't want to buy one to find it confiscated at the airport.

I may have missed this on the thread already but leaving details of your flights, trip, passport and insurance with someone at home just in case. Ditto spare clothing and wipes and from past experience would have two lots!

Taking a pic of the locked doors and turned off oven is genius. Thanks to the PP who mentioned that.

A message by the front door NOT TO FORGET CHILD’S COMFORTER! We’ve done that!

Several lists

Everything I want to do to shut the house down on the morning of departure (lights rubbish dishwasher etc)

Everything I still need to put in my bags (toothbrush pills etc)

Everything else I need to remember to do (put a hold on the post, print out hotel reservation details, charge devices)

Then just work the lists and get the satisfaction of crossing things off!

Travel insurance
Info about airport parking
Tickets
Passport
Hotel info
Money/credit card
Reusable water bottle
Mobile phone & chargers/plugs
Pack light
Mints or sweets for plane
Small fold up rucksack for shopping

Empty rubbish bins
Bleach down toilet

With regards timings at the LHR Terminals it's possible bag drop/physical check-in for certain flights won't open until three hours prior to departure (STD) so whilst being early is great, being way too early can be a PITA.

BA longhaul check-in supposedly closes an hour before STD and for T5 you need to have started going through security no later than 35 min prior to departures.

A hot takeaway then. Something warm.

No, perhaps not but they don't actually smell. And it's for the children, not you:)

This was advice from a number of cabin crew over the years. They can't serve food if you are unlucky enough to have a delayed take off, and be stuck on the ground for a couple of hours. I'd rather know children had something to eat and fell asleep than cried and fidgeted with hunger. It's not supposed to be miserable.

Of course, things may be different in business or upper class:)

Download the mobile passport control app so if the queues are horrendous you can give it a go.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control

Have a print out of your first nights accommodation - I had to show proof last time going through JFK border control.

Eye mask for plane
neck pillow for plane
cosy loungewear clothes for plane

Booked a hotel room a stone's throw from the airport. Absolute game-changer.