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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to consider taking a toddler on a four and a half flight for her first holiday?

80 replies

Littlemissindecisiveagain · 27/05/2018 13:45

Hi We have the opportunity to fly with gps to go on a holiday next year to a hotel they have previously visited and have said will be great for her. My only concern is that she hasn’t flown before and the flight will be four and a half hours. Aibu to consider this or should I go somewhere closer to begin with? I know we are lucky to have this option but I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer thank you Smile

OP posts:
BangingOn · 27/05/2018 16:09

Definitely plan for the flight home as least as well (if not more so) than for the flight out. When DS was that age he was a dream on the outbound flight but a nightmare on the way back.

CluelessMummy · 27/05/2018 16:18

My DD is 18 months and has flown 10.5 hours (last month) and 17 hours + 8 hours (at 6 months). It's harder with a toddler than a baby but you'll be absolutely fine. Just remember to pack double of everything you'd need in that time - nappies, wipes, snacks etc - in case of any delay, and changes of clothes for you both. On the most recent flight I forgot to pack a spare top for me which proved to be a big mistake when DD was suddenly sick on me during take-off. She had a lovely fresh change of clothes to put on while I smelt of vomit for the remaining 10 hours.

As PP said, do a gradual "reveal" of toys, games, books etc so they last. Try not to bring out the "big guns" (in my DDs case, Peppa Pig on the iPad) until the end, or if it's all going south!

eurochick · 27/05/2018 16:26

We did that length of flight for our daughter's first holiday (Crete) and it was fine. At least yours won't be on your lap. We took our 3 yr old to Oman last winter (8 hr flight) and that was also fine.

When she was tiny we took a couple of new books and little puzzles for each flight. Now we just plug her into the inflight entertainment or tablet.

ScrubTheDecks · 27/05/2018 16:30

I have been on countless flights stuffed with babies and toddlers and have never encountered one who screamed all night or flight. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but with a bit of thought and effort all families seem to take it in their stride.

This is only. 4 hour flight the OP is considering.

Aragog · 27/05/2018 17:34

At 2y dd flew to Florida so a nine hour flight. It was her second flight - first was to Italy so about 2 hours or so a year earlier.

The long flight was fine and that's double what yours is.

We took plenty of activities and books, and snacks, plus there were six adults for us and we all took turns re the entertaining. And as she was two she had her own seat which is a massive bonus, over the previous flight.

The long flight was no harder than the shorter one. Neither were hard at all. And that was before the whole seat back entertainment and iPads you can use now. Dd didn't cry or get upset at all on either of the flights and on the return one, which was at night, she slept a fair bit too.

Aragog · 27/05/2018 17:35

You can also role play being at an airport and on a plane beforehand, and practise using children's headphones - the other passengers really won't appreciate listening to series of Peppa Pig, etc for 4.5 hours.

VogueVVague · 27/05/2018 17:40

@CluelessMummy

" She had a lovely fresh change of clothes to put on while I smelt of vomit for the remaining 10 hours."

Fucking ace for the person next to you or behind you. 10 hours trapped in a vom smelling box.

Dont know why parents think its acceptabl to potentially ruin other peoples travel.

PurplePotatoes · 27/05/2018 18:07

We flew to Florida when DD was just shy of 2. She was absolutely fine on the day flight on the way out. We had extra legroom spears which was good as when she got restless she just stood in the gap and played with her toys. The way back wasn't so great as it was a night flight and she didn't sleep a wink until literally the second the plane touched the tarmac, so was quite grumpy but manageable. So my tip would be to get day flights if possible!

PositivelyPERF · 27/05/2018 18:18

Dont know why parents think its acceptabl to potentially ruin other peoples travel.

I doubt that the child’s mother planned on her child vomiting on her! Hmm

SinkGirl · 27/05/2018 18:21

I’m sure they’d be fine. I haven’t flown with mine (twins - can’t imagine anything worse than the packing for a holiday!) but I had to take one of them into hospital for an 18 hour fast, which started at 10pm at night. He was up at 5am and I was expecting it to be absolute torture - confined, bored and starving. He was amazing though. I filled an iPad with his favourite CBeebies shows and he didn’t cry once, and I couldn’t even distract him with snacks! I’m sure a flight would be totally fine, and they might sleep for some of it anyway!

SinkGirl · 27/05/2018 18:23

Oh Vague DFOD!

Many people throw up on planes, hence every seat being furnished with a sick bag. Children have just as much right to be on a plane as you do. If you can’t function in public maybe you shouldn’t fly.

soundsystem · 27/05/2018 18:25

What a range of opinions! I personally wouldn’t see a problem. She’ll probably be excited by the experience and enjoy all the novelty. But yes do take plenty of snacks!

My eldest first holiday was an 8 hour flight and we spent a good hour investigating the contents of the seat back pocket in front, ate some snacks, did some stickers, ate lunch, had a nap and went to the loo a few times, all of which was an exciting novelty to her. Don’t think we even had to get the iPad out (although tablet loaded with some toddler apps/episodes is good to have!)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/05/2018 18:26

Go for it! They want to share this with you, I say fabulous.

Honestly some folk on here are so negative!

DD's first flight was London to Tokyo when she was 18 months. Yes it was long, yes we thought it all through, planned, prepared as much as poss etc.Hardest thing was the jet lag tbh once there.

If you can choose day time flights, all round easier.

She will have her own seat and it will be fiiiiine. Make sure you book her in for a child's meal if they have them on this route, it's so short, and if you are still feeding her at that point thats a bonus on the settling, comfort, ear popping thing.

Ive been on flights where adults have vommed through turbulence, poss booze, It's not just a child thing is it?!

15star · 27/05/2018 18:28

She will be fine, I just take a portable DVD player with headphones and a bag with new things in - snacks, crayons, colouring in, small toys, book. I've always taken my kids away that age and younger and it's always been fine

Buglife · 27/05/2018 18:29

It will be fine, a bit of a nap might happen to break it up, take toys and download some tablet stuff. Have some fun snacks! I was on a 4 hour flight with my 3 year old a couple of weeks ago and it wasn’t any bother. Thousands of people travel with children every week, I always find it baffling when people act like taking a small child out on a firm of transport is strange to do. Loads of people travel to see family or have a family holiday with infants. It’s so normal.

Original poster
Littlemissindecisiveagain · 27/05/2018 19:06

I think fear of the unknown and anxiety about potential meltdowns made me worried but hearing others experience has reassured me and I will now be booking. Thanks for all the tips I am keeping note of them Smile

OP posts:
CluelessMummy · 29/05/2018 06:49

Wow Vogue thanks for that - if you could advise me how to prevent my child throwing up without warning in future that would be very helpful of you. This isn't the first thread I've seen recently where you've had your claws out for fellow posters for no particular reason - why don't you go and have a nice cup of tea and calm yourself down? FYI my DH was the person sat next to me and I was wearing one of his spare T-shirts. I didn't sit in the same clothes for 10 hours FFS. Relax.

mrsnec · 29/05/2018 07:00

Took our 2 on their first flight last year from Cyprus to the uk. Flight over was terrible. Dd who was 3 had a tantrum at the boarding gate. She just completely freaked out. Couldn't settle 15 month old ds. Had a nightmare changing them on board too as they got claustrophobic. We were all in a terrible state when we landed.

Flight home was a very uncivilised time. Took them to soft play near the airport on the last day to tire them out. Airline pre - boarded us and the dc both slept through the entire flight and it was a breeze.

So op, it could go either way! If you are travelling to Greece or Cyprus though I reccomend Aegean. Special facilities for families.

tattiehat · 29/05/2018 07:08

Took our 2.5 year old (now almost 3) to the canaries last October, it was awful!! I was very prepared with snacks/iPad/books etc, the flight times were daytime which I thought would be perfect as she would nap a couple hours however she fought her sleep so much and was screaming, I was so stressed!!! She did eventually fall asleep but on both journeys I had to move her from my arms to her seat as we were landing, this resulted in more screaming!
If we do go anywhere this year it'll be mainland Spain!

TheDowagerCuntess · 29/05/2018 07:30

You'll be fine!

Those of us in far-flung countries consider 4-hour flights to be a bare minimum/luxury.

Gennz18 · 29/05/2018 07:45

4 hours is nothing. DS has done NZ-UK/Europe twice at the grand old age of 3.5 and we'll be doing it again in September + a 12 week old baby.

2.5 year olds on planes are fine - it's hugely exciting and they can watch as much TV as they like - toddler heaven.

HasAnyoneGotAProblemWithThat · 29/05/2018 07:52

We’ve been flying since the dcs were 6months old, including Australia & US. Numerous times. 4 hours is fine. Lots of snacks. & plenty of activities. Remember to pack different/new activities for the return journey!

Whatshallidonowpeople · 29/05/2018 07:53

Why is this even a question? What are the (imagined) issues?

freezerfoodyum · 29/05/2018 07:59

Dont know why parents think its acceptabl to potentially ruin other peoples travel.

Oh give over. Before I had DS I was sitting next to a lady travelling with a young toddler who was terrified of the plane and intermittently cried and threw up for the whole journey (5 hours). I just felt sorry for the poor mum, because she was doing her best and I'm not a dick. That flight was 5 hours of my life, big fucking deal. Kids have every right to be in public spaces.

freezerfoodyum · 29/05/2018 08:00

Why is this even a question? What are the (imagined) issues?

You really can't see why someone might be a bit apprehensive about flying with a toddler?