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

[Littlemissindecisiveagain]

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

It'll be fine! Ds1 has been on 16 flights, most long haul to America starting from 10 months to now, he's 3 and each one has been totally fine! 2.5 was actually the easiest age we flew with him! If you're not comfortable with it go somewhere closer, drive to somewhere in Europe (or fly) to ease yourself in!

Both of mine have been flying long haul since 6 months. With not a problem. If you can do a 4 hour train journey why not a 4 hour flight?!
I am in the ‘what’s the problem’ camp? But I guess that’s because we have done it so often.
Books. Colour pencils. Sticker books. I also don’t constantly entertain them (at home or on a plane) and they can cope with boredom. I am also super duper strict and flights have always been fine.
We are flying to the States for a week in June (I am on work, DH tagging along with some work), then to Asia on holiday, then to Norway (DH on work and I am tagging along).
I also travel long haul a LOT and I have had very few flights where a baby has cried so much that I have found it unbearable. In fact the only one I can remember is a flight from Dubai to Boston where a 6 year old refused to be strapped down for landing and the resulting tantrum (because his iPad had been taken away as per the flight rules) was epic.

I have travelled with lots of adult passengers whose behaviour has been inexcusable.

Four ds’s aged (just) 3,4,10&12 flew aus to Scotland, 8hr flight, 14hr (night) flight and 1.5hr flight, each way and it certainly wasn’t fun as such but it was doable and we managed not to upset any surrounding passengers. The kids ate, watched movies, slept, drew pictures, ate and slept some more, watched the goings on and looked out the windows, went for walks to the loo etc. 4 hours is cruisy - you will honestly breeze it.

There are lots of reasons you might travel with a toddler, aside from relocation - grandparents / family overseas, and of course the perfectly reasonable desire to have a holiday.

If you expect expats / people in multi-national relationships / bog standard holiday makers to keep their kids at home, I suggest you live a very sheltered life...

I took our 3 year old DCs on a 10 hour flight on my own once. It wasn't a choice so much as a necessary practicality. People fly with DC for all sorts of reasons, they have as much right to be on a plane as anyone else and they are rarely anymore trouble than anyone else. I wouldn't think twice about it DC on planes are a normal part of flying.