Gifts for plane passengers

[Zillcat]

We fly in just over a week to Australia with our 9 month old twins (21 hour journey in total)
Talking to my brother today, he asked if we had organised a gift to other plane passengers... basically a note 'from' the twins apologising for any disruption from them as it is their first flight.

I hadn't considered it before, would you think it tacky or appreciate a small gesture from us?

I have packed as much as I can into the hand luggage to entertain them and there will be four of us travelling so enough to take turns walking the aisles too.

Any suggestions are gratefully appreciated!

Thanks for all the replies.

FWIW, DB (is not horrible) lives in America so I imagine that it is common there. He has no children but says he will do it when he flies with any future dc he has.

I just wondered if it was something that may have been expected, thank god it's not as I seriously don't have the time, space or inclination to do so!

Hoping that as they are so nosy anyway, they will just enjoy people watching. They most definitely will cry at some point over something despite any of our best efforts, others will just have to deal with it in their own way.

I will do my best to hide my nerves 😕

Has he flown on an longhual plane? It’s several hundred presents he’s suggesting you buy.

No it’s not expected! Load of bollocks, as if travelling with children isn’t stressful enough.
I’d rather you took more stuff for the babies rather than stuff for the grown ups around you.
If they are really crying the whole way (and they won’t!) then Offer a drink to the person next to you but otherwise, it’s public transport. Your DCs are allowed on without you having to apologise.
You definitely don’t need gifts for the four rows in front as PP suggested!
Babies cry, it’s expected. Try not to stress about it and look forward to your trip.

I live in America and have never seen anyone do this. And I fly a lot, domestic and international. So it’s no, it’s not common here.

I flew from Australia to the Caribbean with 2 under two...

I paid for my tickets ... why should I give people gifts?!

Flights are a lottery... I've been on horrible flights with moaning adults!!! One flight to China I sat next to someone who had to use the toilet every 20 minutes.... they were sat by the window!!! Far more irritating standing and sitting than a crying baby... which to be honest ... most people drown out with whatever they are watching or listening to.

Noise cancelling headphones are invented for a reason.

You would just adding to the pile of junk that is left on planes and be a laughing stock with your fellow passengers.

I've worked as flight crew for nearly 2 decades and have never come across this. There's no need. Babies are passengers too, and ime are generally quiet on flights. Occasionally you get one that cries a bit but they usually sleep for much of the flight.

The person who suggested buying a little gift for 4 rows in front and behind you - if you are on an A380 that could be nearly 100 passengers!

It’s a special kind of areshole that gets annoyed by babies crying,

Or alternatively, someone with a hearing/general sensory processing disorder...

Is the guy who knows he snores going to hand out gifts too?

I hate this idea. Babies are humans and have a right to be in public places, which includes planes.

I live in America and have never seen anyone do this. And I fly a lot, domestic and international. So it’s no, it’s not common here.

DH does about 120 flights a year here in the US and has also never heard of it. Neither have I.

The potential logistics of this are just not practical with twins.

Two of you are going to be getting in a flight holding a baby each and hand luggage for each of you trying to juggle babies and bags and get in and settled.

Exactly who is going to be handing out this gift to the bemused passengers?

Trust me you are going to be stressed enough just getting into your seats and set up without any entirely unnecessary faff.

Apart from which I would not accept either ear plugs or sweets from a stranger.

**I really wouldn’t bother giving yourself more hassle than you already have.

It’s a special kind of areshole that gets annoyed by babies crying, many of us have been there and understand you are doing your best.**

^This

I wouldn't bother with this. I live in the US and it's definitely not an American thing.

I'm a frequent flyer, I have noise cancelling headphones for this reason. It doesn't bother me one bit if there's a baby nearby or even in the next seat.

Now if someone could do something about people wearing strong perfume/cologne on flights I would be really appreciative...

Ive flown UK-Aus twice a year since my oldest child was 8 months (he’s now 8 and we have a 6 year old too) - both in business and economy. If someone handed me a gift I would think “oh god does this mean they won’t try to keep their child quiet”. I’ve found people on planes to be really nice, especially other parents who will give you the “been there” look.

Mine have always been fine on planes apart from a bit of a tired whine (and twice throwing up unexpectedly!) I think they like the one on one attention to be honest. But I’ve seen loads of children in melt down (seems to be the 18 month-3 that are the worst which is understandable) and even one where the mum was clearly at the end of her rope (had been on flight from Sydney to Singapore and was queuing for the next leg to London with a screaming tantruming child) I felt nothing but sympathy and I’m sure any normal person would feel the same.

I saw this online and really eye rolled, it's twee and attention seeking rubbish, kids have been flying for years. It's totally pfb ish. Someone famous did I think but I can't remember who it was

No. Some people will be irritated, some won't. I would spend the money on a nice big gin or two for myself.

Get your brother to organise and pay for this 'gift' he might not think it such a wonderful idea then :p

I fly my DCs to the Caribbean and I've never done this or seen this happen.

Like a PP has said, some people get irritated and some don't, it's just one of those things!

Pretty sure each time I’ve flown to Australia there have been ear plugs provided on board, along with your blanket and eye mask.

I know a woman that does this. Essentially she is a narcissist. Babies fly all the time. Babies cry all the time. To assume that your babies are so different and special from all the other babies on the plane/ in the lives of all the other travellers on the plane takes a very high level of attention seeking indeed.
No one is interested in your babies, past a ‘oh god I wonder if they’re gonna cry/ they’re cute’.
To draw attention to them with sycophantic notes and gifts is really not necessary.
A sweetie and a silly baby voice about my ears hurting is patronising and unnecessary.
Just because ‘some’ parents choose to announce the presence of their offspring in a public space in this way doesn’t mean it’s necessary or welcome.
An embarrassed ‘sorry’ and a wince when they start wailing is all that’s required. Not a saccharine note and proof that you believe it will make any sort of difference to anyone else’s viewpoint or comfort.
I spent years flying babies long haul. No one died.

I’be never flown economy long haul but in business and first they are provided. Sure they have headphones for every seat.

Perhaps the op is flying a budget airline that doesn’t provide them though?

I've heard of it but wouldn't do it
Please don't set a precedent! I don't want to have to give sweets out on long haul flights

Sorry that was to Nothisispatrick

Two of you are going to be getting in a flight
The OP says four.

Apart from which I would not accept either ear plugs or sweets from a stranger.
How miserable.

I've never heard of this and it is a bit odd, and I don't disagree with the views that the OP's babies probably won't be the only babies on that flight, or that babies have a right to be on a plane.

However, if someone did it I have to say I'd find it a very sweet gesture, despite being not at all necessary.