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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to take young DC on plane

19 replies

Usernamqwerty · 06/06/2019 20:58

DS is 3 in September and DD is 10 mo. Am pondering taking them on a holiday abroad next April (maybe the Algarve).

I've not had a holiday abroad for at least 6 years and would like a bit of warmth and a beach 😀. Plus DS starts school in 2 years and the prices are awful over the school holidays... 🙄

Should I go next April or wait another year when DD will be nearly 3 and DS will be 4? X

OP posts:
Star81 · 06/06/2019 21:00

What are your worried about taking them abroad ?

moreismore · 06/06/2019 21:00

I don’t think it’ll matter tbh. You’ll be fine either way. Just have lots of toys/tablet/snacks and they’ll be so excited by the plane itself you’ll be fine.

Aragog · 06/06/2019 21:02

I really don't think the difference in their ages at that stage will make much difference tbh.

The Algarve is a pretty short flight - under 3 hours. So, even if they aren't keen on sitting still it isn't for too long, and an easy length of time to distract with toys, books, mini puzzles and a tablet ime.

DD flew from being a year old and has done at least once or twice, often more, a year since with long haul from 2y. She's always enjoyed flights and its never been an issue.

So - I'd just recommend going whilst you can do term time without a fine more than worrying about their ages.

NoSauce · 06/06/2019 21:03

April can be iffy and unpredictable. End of May is better. Go!

MonkeyfaceThereturn · 06/06/2019 21:06

It's only a couple hours Confused I thought you were talking long haul!

Surely you do longer car journeys than a flight to Portugal 🙈

Go, but don't go in April. It might piss down the whole time and you'll be gutted.

arethereanyleftatall · 06/06/2019 21:07

Can you let us know what exactly you're worried about?

Amanduh · 06/06/2019 21:09

Those ages won’t be a problem.
To be fair, the only problem I’ve ever found on a flight is with a tiny baby that has no understanding/cries when they want/ etc etc. Over 6 months has never been an issue!

Amanduh · 06/06/2019 21:10

Especially for a 2-4 hour flight - ascend, snacks, ipad, magazine, new toy, time to descend 😂 although my 2.5 yo has slept through every flight he’s been on so far!

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 06/06/2019 21:13

Will it just be you and the children or will there be another adult?

BackforGood · 06/06/2019 21:21

YANBU.
I didn't take my dc until they were considerably older.
Just not worth the hassle, and also I didn't want them disturbing other people.

FunInTheSun2019 · 06/06/2019 21:22

We took our two DC's to the Maldives aged 10 months and 3. 11 hour flight then 45 minute sea plane..Dubai a few times 7 hour flight.
Never had any issues.

What are you worried about??

123confused · 06/06/2019 21:24

Go, go, go ........before you are tied to (expensive) school holiday dates....

bordellosboheme · 06/06/2019 21:27

My 3 year old liked constantly unbuckling his seat belt during take off and landing. Just sayin'!

happinessischocolate · 06/06/2019 21:28

I tool my 3.5 year old and my 10 month old to Australia....on my own. A trip to the algarve would be a doddle in comparison 😂

Just make sure you take lollipops for them to suck if they get pressure in their ears.

janetforpresident · 06/06/2019 21:33

flights are easier when they have their own seat. Your youngest will be 20 months or so. My dd is that age now and I can't imagine anything more stressful than having to keep her occupied and on my knee for 2.5hrs plus the airport for 2+.

Have you thought about getting a ferry somewhere like santander? There's lots for kids to do on a ferry usually including soft play and a cinema.

Original poster
Usernamqwerty · 06/06/2019 21:35

Thanks for all your replies! My little man wouldn't keep still 🙁. Definitely wouldn't do it on my own, would take DH. Just don't want to go if it wouldn't be very relaxing, yet I want to try and make the most of it before we are tied to the school holidays. It's such a conundrum!! 🤔

OP posts:
Original poster
Usernamqwerty · 06/06/2019 21:37

I like the ferry idea! 😀

OP posts:
Teddyreddy · 06/06/2019 21:45

If your DD is 10 months now she'll presumably be 21 / 22 months next year. That means she won't need her only seat so it'll be a lot cheaper than the following year.

However, depending on what sort of child she is that can be an awful age to fly with. DS at that age was a mover and wouldn't sit still for a second - distractions didn't work at all. He spent the whole flight bouncing on our laps (no seat of his own), pulling down the window blinds, trying to play with the head rest of the seat in front etc - it was a very very long 2 hours.... DD at the same age was absolutely fine - she cuddled on our laps, listened to stories, and watched the ipad. I'd fly at that age with another mover if we had one as I love going abroad but DH, who is less fussed about it, wouldn't.

Peccary · 06/06/2019 21:58

Took then 20 month DD to gran canaria in march, I'm still getting over it....(and planning a week in Wales over flying again for the foreseeable)

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