Toddler on a plane!

[holidayfeverz]

We are taking our 1 year old to Spain next week, first trip away. He's 13.5 months, and a large boy. We haven't booked him a seat because the flight is only half full. Looking online I can see people clumped together at the front and back of the plane but about 15 empty rows in the middle. I'm thinking of reserving our seats right in the middle of the plane the lessen the chance that we'll have people next to us, partly due to Covid safety and mainly due to having a fidgety toddler!

Does this sound reasonable?

Second question - some people say board the plane ASAP and others say hang back until the end. What would you do?

Definitely board last! They might want your buggy to put it in the hold before the end of the queue but hand it over, lurk around the back of the queue at the gate and let him burn off as much energy as possible in the terminal if he's walking. The only downside of boarding last is that you might not get your bags in the overhead lockers so easily but you'll probably need things out of yours during the flight so take something that will fit under the seat in front of you.
If it's only half full then there might be restrictions on which rows you can book as they'll need to balance the load but if the middle looks quiet and you can book it then go for it. You won't be able to book the extra legroom rows over the wings with a child.

If the plane isnt full, board last. Absolutly no point in constraining a toddler on a plane longer than needed! And since it's not full, the overhead locker issue shouldn't occur.

I've been known to send DH ahead with all the bags, and follow with the kids at the end.
Take spare clothes for him and you in hand lugage.

Thank you! We've actually got a Babyzen Yo-yo buggy which folds into cabin sized bag easily, so we will be able to take it onto the plane and have it straight away when we land. I hope the online seat booker thing is accurate and it really is half empty! Will be so much easier with a little one not to worry about people nearby!

Agree with PPs; board last. Try not to worry about how your toddler is on the plane. Chances are he'll be fine and excited by the journey. If he cries or is a bit fussy- well that's how toddlers can be. I'm sure the majority of passengers will completely get it! And those who don't can put their headphones in and be grateful that there's a quiet beach waiting the other end for them 😊

Thank you!!

I don't know its only Spain. You might be surprised

On a 12 hour flight to South Africa during the day I saw a couple with 2 young children in car seats on the flight. They had a row of 4 and had put car seats on the plane seats. That might be an idea. One was only about your sons age.

I didn't hear a thing from the children for the whole flight. You might be pleasantly surprised

They also boarded first. Were on the flight already when I boarded. More space and time to settle.

Take something for him to suck during take off and landing.

Second question - some people say board the plane ASAP and others say hang back until the end. What would you do?

I think this depends on the airline, I know on long haul flights parents are sometimes boarded first and by the time the plebs get on the children have their sticker books and the parents have a gin and tonic.