to expect my child to be able to have an in flight meal

[Staceroo]

So we're flying to Turkey in a couple of weeks. I have paid for in flight meals for me, my husband and our 3 year old daughter. Thomas Cook will not allow me to purchase an in flight meal for our 11 month old.

It's a real case of 'computer says no!'

Save all the jokes about airplane food because Thomas cook have a range of James Martin meals which are pretty tasty and nutritious.

11 month old is baby led, and never eaten out of a jar in her life.

Solutions proposed by TC are...

1. "You are permitted to take baby food on to Thomas Cook Airlines aircraft if you are travelling with an infant or small child ,Most UK Airports have a Boots where you can purchase baby food and formula after the security screening point. These can be purchased and brought on board providing you do exceed you hand luggage restrictions. I Hope this Helps - Stef"

2. "book a separate seat for her she will be able to get an inflight meal, however then she will be booked as a child and will lose her infant luggage allowance and will need to pay the full flight price" (That's a very expensive in flight meal!!!!)

3. There are a range of snack and other meals available on the flight but they can't tell me what those will be, but they're not the James Martin meals.

sistersofpercy
i never used packs/ jars of "baby food" with DS. Used a few with dd.
On a flight i have always given them snack/ finger foods because it felt safer and less stress/ mess than a hot ready meal.

Take sandwiches, share the meals between you, then move on. No one will starve. First World problem.

Calling baby jars "slop"? How snobby

You kept mentioning that your point was that TC customer services wouldn't explain why you couldn't order an extra meal, but really you don't need to be a customer service manager to work it out. Theres no bloody room for the tray. Can you imagine how annoying it would be if you found yourself sat next to a parent with a one year old, who had two trays of food given to them and absolutley no room to store the second tray?

The thing about flying is, you're not the only person on the plane. Thats why computer says no.

Computer has had a rethink and said yes though......

In fact, if i had my way every meal would be lunchbox/ picnic fayre.

What a ridiculous thread. OP you should be ashamed of yourself.

I wouldn't want an 11 month old baby led weaner sitting on my lap eating on a flight, getting me covered in food. I would feed them something at the airport and then take 'clean' food on the plane for them, rice crackers, chopped fruit/veg sticks. They will only need snacky things for a short plane ride.

I flicked through and couldn't find the bit where op says there is now a meal....

Add message | Report | Message poster Staceroo Fri 24-Apr-15 19:46:16

I did now out but felt it warranted an update to let you all know I've just had a call from Thomas Cook and they've now realised I can book a meal for my daughter after all! All booked and sorted!

Why thank you Soup

We fly long haul every year. The years our dc were around 1yr old there was no chance of eating our own meal, let alone one for them. There's no space to have the dc on your lap plus even one tray let alone two.
My advice to you would be to assume that one adult plus the one year old won't be able to eat their hot plane food.

I am amazed how many people actually eat plane food full stop. I used to fly a lot and used to turn them down. Just the smell as you peel the foil back made my stomach churn.

I thiink op has serious food issues
An 11 month old eats a child sized portion and a 3 year old eats an adult size one?
Wow. Just wow
I'm really confused as yo why they can't all eat in the airport before boarding

Thomson dont even do in flight meals any more. You just order something when the trolley comes round. DS had a lovely cheese toastie that cost a million pound & I had a cup of tea and a giant bag of choc fingers
I think the only other hot choice was a slice of pizza or a box of chips not james Martin stylee tho
OP YABU

Phew! Glad it's sorted. I can start my weekend in earnest now.

James Martin sounds more like a brand of dog food.

I think that's his brother Bob nemo.

Oh yeah! I thought i heard something Martin as a brand of dog food. Lol

Not far off what they look like cooked up either

I'm looking forward to the OP coming back on here after her holiday and complaining that they had no room to eat their meal, what with 4 trays, 3 tables and a baby on your lap

Possum, sadly I fear they'll have all starved to such an extent, I doubt they'll have the energy to ever post again.

Will certainly be interesting viewing watching the family struggle with a baby, preschooler and 4 trays of food in a tight space! Lol

arethere there are tricks to eat with one lap infant on long haul (with two parents). You need to preorder a special meal for one of the parents. The child meal is also a special meal. That way only one parent will eat at a time.

With one DD1, we got two meals first and we had two seats. DH has a vegetarian meal. They ate fast and I took both trays back to the kitchen before the main food is served.

With two DDs and three seats. It's three meals on three seats first. Same thing to finish before the normal meals are served and back to the kitchen.

Maybe you all have stomachs made of steal, but plenty of just under 2yo eat their meals on a flight to NZ and Australia. Good luck starving yourself for 24 hours. (Longest flight we had was 30 hours to New Plymouth in NZ). I can only conclude posters who says they don't eat in flight meals have never fly real long hauls.

I doubt on TC flights you have space to stand in the aisle though!