Top tips for a long haul flight

[Higgeldypickeldy]

We have a 12 hour flight coming up, me DH and 2 DC aged 9 and 11. I haven't flown long haul since having kids...any top tips on how to make it comfortable and enjoyable? Thanks!

I would seat DH with the kids in one section and sit across the aisle from them 😂

Seriously though I think you'll be fine because your kids are older and can manage the entertainment system by themselves. I'd dress in loose comfortable clothes and bring a hoodie as I tend to feel cold on flights. Bring a charging cable for your phones and your own earphones if they're more comfortable. Enjoy!

Keep hydrated and invest in a good neck pillow.

My kids have always been fine on long flights. Especially at 11 and 9. They will watch loads of films, enjoy the meal services and sleep some of the way.

At that age, they can sit together too and give you some peace. Ours would sit in the row in front or behind us.

Comfy layered clothes, snacks in their bags, good earphones and portable chargers. Maybe books or a kindle if they're readers. But yeah they're self sufficient at that age so will love having the inflight films etc. if you're on an airline that lets you take a proper pillow on - makes for a much more comfy flight.

Earplugs
Eyemask
A warm jacket/hoodie
A good book
Socks (the air con on planes seems to be set to freeze your toes off)
Toothbrush paste and wipes and moisturiser to freshen up half way
Can you tell I'm not a fan of long haul? 😏
Ooh, compression socks maybe, if you need them.

I'd take snacks and bring them out for the kids every few hours. Encourage them to have a walk every now and again.
Take pens and paper for playing a game and encourage a nap to help with whatever time difference you have

Talk about lazy parenting! Why should they have to sit next to strangers instead of their own parents?

Good handcream or body lotion, the air is so dry.
small deodrant, toothbrush/paste to freshen up
Comfy clothes incl. a hoodie, cardigan or wrap
your own snacks. I also always get my own water bottle as I find sometimes airlines can be tight on giving out drinks.

I don't like watching movies so I always have books and my favourite magazine with me.

Your children are old enough to sort out the movies and just let them binge watch. We tried to bring books and other things with us but DD just wanted to sleep and watch movies.

Do order meals in advance, they have always such a limited amount on children meals.

It depends on the plane, we often had 2 seats then 4 seats and 2 seats set-up so it's not that they would sit necessarily with strangers.

Thanks all, super tips here! Exciting! I personally can't wait to watch the wee map of our progress that you can get on your tv..I've always loved that

A travel sized game of some sort - Battleship, Monkeys in a barrel etc. Something to get heads out of screens and chatting to each other. Deck of cards as well.

Food. Nothing makes you so hungry as boredom. Muesli bars, of course. Favourite cereal in ziplock bags. Packets of sweets. And plenty of water. Remember to throw away or declare any food when you get to where you are going.

This is what I do for long haul

Wear

Thin joggers (harem style ones)
T shirt
Cardigan
Scarf
Sock and trainers
Extra thick socks

In a bag have:
Phone with a stand
Wireless headphones
Download Netflix film
A book
Charger and power bank
Neck pillow
A smaller zip pouch to put all your essentials in when your main cabin bags is in the locker
Hand wipes face wipes
Tissues
Lip balm
Toothbrush and tooth paste
Puzzles games
Sweets/pringles/drink
Sandals
Clean dress
Fresh pants
Hair brush
Fresh top.

Change into thick socks on flight and wear them in the cabin- take shoes off and just wear the sock and throw them away at end of flight.

I don't like cleaning teeth in a flight no idea why!

Flights are freezing or roasting and always dry- moisturise!

I'd recommend travel bands. We flew long haul and my kids were so excited they couldn't sleep, then they were sick loads of times. They had travel bands on the way home and were fine.

take shoes off and just wear the sock and throw them away at end of flight. What? Why? Why not just stick them in a washing machine and wear them again on the next flight, since this is a habit you have while travelling? Why all this waste?

I'm not a wasteful person. I choose socks at the end of their life.

If I was that conscious of waste I wouldn't be flying long haul

You only usually need to bin/declare fruit, veg, meat or dairy products - packaged stuff like cereal bars, sweets etc are fine as they won’t spread any diseases

Lots of great advice already.
Take slides/slip ons for walking about the plane- going anywhere near the toilet in your socks is hazardous 🤮
Try to behave time wise as if you’re already at your destination.
Don’t clock watch- they’ll let you know when you’re close to the end of the flight.
Take lots of fruit/salad veg for snacks, there’s never enough included in flight and it’s refreshing after all the beige snacks you inevitably end up with. Apples, peeled oranges and blueberries generate virtually no waste, as do cucumber/carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes.