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.

It would not be a problem to me to be honest. I still don't buy ds a meal when we go to a restaurant. He has some of ours. Could you not do the same?

I doubt your 11 month old will eat a full meal

Thanks CaurnieBred thats a great idea!
Thanks Altinkum, never been to Antalya airport before so useful to know. The last holiday we had there was nothing good in departures that resembled a proper meal!
No Catsize she hates calpol and it's usually a two man job to get her to have it!

A girl called Bob i'm just assuming that the portion sizes won't be very big.

I've spoken to 6 people at Thomas Cook, not one of them can tell me why it is not possible to pay for an extra meal on board the plane.

It's pretty bloody obvious why it's not possible- your infant does not have a seat therefore no meal can be allocated (paid or otherwise) as its all done by seat number.

Sorry if I sound a bit thick, but what is baby led weaning?

Anger issues, where did that come from?

YABU, and making an unnecessary fuss.

Ok it's not possible because of limited space and time in the galley. No seat no meal. One seat one meal. It's very small in there.

Any extra food you bring it's always been that way.

I don't know how to do the quotey thing but "honestly I think you need to get a real life grip on this." Harsh!

Homeward is trickier in the context of taking your own, esp frozen.

A BLW 11mo probably wouldn't know what to do with a spoon. Mine were stubborn buggers independent and assertive and would simply grab it out of your hands. Messy enough at home; carnage on a plane on someone's lap.

OP I am convinced by pp's argument that they can't sell a meal except to a seat bebecause there would be nowhere to put it.

Re salt: actually, if it's hot you may all need more salt. Read up before you go.

Just to clarify the meals are an extra charge, so it's not something for nothing I'm asking for?

ChilliAndMint it's where the child picks up the food and puts it in their own mouth. So you start off with finger food and gradually work your way up to using a spoon. The idea is you give a variety of foods and they choose what they want to eat.

It's very messy. It does seem to help them be less fussy (although my 5 yr old is now going through a 'phase'). But it does mean they can eat what you are eating, when you are eating it and it is good fun.

Even if they are not that big, with snacks you take with you, I hardly doubt you, your oh or the kids are going to starve in 5 hours. I would give the kids the meals and be quite happy with snacks to keep me going. You could eat before you get on the plane.

Not ideal for a plane though!

I don't know how to do the quotey thing but "honestly I think you need to get a real life grip on this." Harsh!

But fair.

Not one person on here has agreed that you should be able to get a meal on the plane yet you've obviously been on the warpath on Twitter etc about it.

But you can buy on board snacks, so you will be able to buy something when actually on the plane. Take some stuff with you to supplement whatever you can purchase on board and share out your meals too. I think you have to make your peace with the fact that you cannot buy an extra meal for your child. Here is a link to the inflight magazine and even though it may not be exactly the same when you fly, you can get an idea of what food you can purchase on the flight.

cafecloud

Hope you have a lovely holiday!

Thanks scallops, I think that is what most people do isn't it?
Agree with other posters, let baby have your meal and eat before boarding plane.

It wasn't me that mentioned salt Mrs Hathaway.

I'm not concerned that the odd ready meal will cause my abby any lastig damage! And as mentioned above my issue with a jar of food is as you've said the carnage and mess that would no doubt result from me trying to feed her slop on a spoon! I'd fear for the person sat in front of us as they would bound to get splattered!

As for managing two meals on one tray i would hold her while hubby eats and then we'd swap.

How much is a seat? It might be worth it if it will stop you worrying.

I don't think James Martin is actually cooking the meals on the plane so not sure why it is a big deal that he designed the range, most likely it will still be manky plane food. I think your 11 month old will probably end up with better food than the rest of you.
I love the fact that you are saying your child could not possibly eat out of a jar but you will give them a crappy airplane meal and not only that you are actually moaning because you can't.

Oh dear you really aren't prepared to let this go

I'll say it again... mostly missing the point. I'm not concerned she will starve, or have too much salt, or any of the above. Here is an extract from my online chat with TC...

"Ok, so I will have to give her my meal, and i will have to eat one of the other meals. just seems like a rather poor attempt at customer service."

"Again, i know it's not your fault, but I am really disappointed with Thomas Cook customer service. What seems like a simple request cannot be fulfilled because the system doesn't allow it! "

Am now finally waiting for someone to get back to me, all i wanted was an explanation as to why I couldn't buy an extra meal. It seems that everyone I spoke to was just saying no without checking if there was a reason why, or giving me a reason.

How long is the flight? 4 hours max? Eat before you board and take some rice cakes for snacks or pay for a seat...
Nobody dies of starvation because they haven't eaten for four hours.