Flight questions

[FakeHoisinDuck]

I've not flown in about 10 years...

We're going to Melbourne via Singapore over Easter.

Can I take chocolate on the plane for the kids? What about kinder eggs?

Bottles of water? I vaguely remember something last time had to be bought after customs...

Any any advice for getting through long plane flights? Kids are 12 and 15!

Yes to chocolate.

Water has to be bought airside or I take my own (empty) water bottle and fill it for free from one of the water stations in the departure lounge.

any food and drinks but the drinks you need to buy after you’ve been through security

Chocolate fine. Water if it's bought once you're through security as the liquids rule is still in force.

Oh and there will be dozen of films and box sets they can watch.

Be careful what you take into Australia. They are super strict on you bringing any food in.

Yes but make sure it all gets eaten or thrown away before you get off the plane! Take sweets, mints, books, puzzles, electronics, but loads of films and music in flights.

Ah yes I think we can only take wrapped chocolate into Oz so if I give them some on the plane they'd have to eat it!

That's a really helpful tip about water bottles. I hate not having water.

So snacks yes.
Water - take empty bottle.

And hope kids are occupied by screens!!
(I remember taking a toddler and having little surprise activities in pouches - seems a lifetime ago!)

https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories/food

Also - I never would have thought of this before but...

I get quite ill if I catch a cold/covid etc. Would wearing a mask on the plane actually protect me? (I'm actually guessing not - and it might be impractical when sleeping!)

Daughter wants to know if they have Bluey?! (I think cos we're going to Oz!)

If you're flying long haul, most airlines will provide water free of charge on the flight and sometimes have snacks too. You can just go to the galley mid flight and ask for more as many times as you need to.

If you get off the plane in Singapore, they will do security again at the gate before you reboard, so you’ll have to make sure your water bottles are empty again beforehand. Also they can be funny about painkillers etc so check any medication before you go. And no chewing gum…

most airlines have their entertainment schedules on their websites a month prior to travel so you can check for Bluey :)

Are your children really 12 and 15??

Ah yes I knew about the gum.

But I was planning to take antihistamine and paracetamol with me. Is that a bad idea? (Amd migraine tablets but they were goi ng to go in my suitcase)

Katey- yes but they're... odd.

Eldest is autistic and will be the easiest on the plan as will just cue up movies. Youngest has just asked if she will still get an activity pack 🙈.

In fact her attention span is very short so will need some activities 🙈

Take empty bottles through security, there's a refill point past that point. You can take food through security as long as it's not liquid (eg yogurt) or jelly. Generally you get fed on long haul flights.

I flew in 2020 and 21 when masks were required. Wearing a mask did not make sleeping any more difficult than it normally is in a plane. Bonus if you sleep with your mouth open no one will know. 🤣😂

There's a pretty good website re: prescription medicine and Singapore https://www.hsa.gov.sg/personal-medication prescription meds should be in your carry on/personal item if it all possible to minimize the risk of it going missing.

Just an fyi - security is at the gate at Changi so you need to allow time at the gate for that and any drinks will needs to be disposed of prior to security but there are refill stations at the gate.

If you get off the plane in Singapore, they will do security again at the gate before you reboard, so you’ll have to make sure your water bottles are empty again beforehand.

Yes to this. I was soooooo annoyed I had to drink/throw away my bottle of water at the gate!!

Heathrow is having the new scanners fitted now
So check about liquids just before you fly

General advice about masks is that once the plane is moving the air gets filtered at a very high rate, so you're probably OK not to mask while you're flying. However, at the airport and after you've boarded and before you take off you might want to wear a mask.

The last thing i’d give kids on a plane, or even want to eat myself, is chocolate!
They will be fed well on the plane. Take some mints / boiled sweets / fruit.

It's been delayed until 2025.

@Soontobe60 would literally be a kinder egg towards the end of the flight. She's expressed sadness the easter bunny won't be doing its traditional trail....

We could compromise with chocolate in the suitcase but it was more a bit of fun for when it turns Easter day. (We leave good friday)