You're heading to the airport for a long haul flight - what have you done to prepare by the night before?

[newyorknewyorkforevernewyork]

Its you and one young kid.

I'm thinking:
Passports ready
Visas ready
Suitcase packed, clothes ironed and ready
Multiple alarms set all around the house

...

Sometimes tech fails. Flights are delayed, batteries run down, things are dropped, drinks are spilled.

Definitely a copy of birth certificate if your only parent- speaking from experience flying with BA in to new York I was stopped and they asked to see birth certificate!

you’ll be flying from terminal 5- there’s a kids play area that could entertain them… no McDonald’s but there is one round the corner on Bath road though! Not sure what time your flight is…

good luck!!

Would definitely print everything possible out

Does anyone know if a printed copy of our birth certificates and deed polls would suffice?

Oh wow @Sammyspurs helpful crosspost!!

I will write a letter stating that I am the sole parent as well?? Did you have a copy or the original?

Make sure they are TSA approved so the TSA can open them if they want to, otherwise they will just break them.

It depends on your provider/contract. My O2 plan gives me data in the USA

I took the original with me!

Booked a hotel room a stone's throw from the airport. Absolute game-changer.

Eye mask for plane
neck pillow for plane
cosy loungewear clothes for plane

Download the mobile passport control app so if the queues are horrendous you can give it a go.

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control

Have a print out of your first nights accommodation - I had to show proof last time going through JFK border control.

A hot takeaway then. Something warm.

No, perhaps not but they don't actually smell. And it's for the children, not you:)

This was advice from a number of cabin crew over the years. They can't serve food if you are unlucky enough to have a delayed take off, and be stuck on the ground for a couple of hours. I'd rather know children had something to eat and fell asleep than cried and fidgeted with hunger. It's not supposed to be miserable.

Of course, things may be different in business or upper class:)

With regards timings at the LHR Terminals it's possible bag drop/physical check-in for certain flights won't open until three hours prior to departure (STD) so whilst being early is great, being way too early can be a PITA.

BA longhaul check-in supposedly closes an hour before STD and for T5 you need to have started going through security no later than 35 min prior to departures.

Travel insurance
Info about airport parking
Tickets
Passport
Hotel info
Money/credit card
Reusable water bottle
Mobile phone & chargers/plugs
Pack light
Mints or sweets for plane
Small fold up rucksack for shopping

Empty rubbish bins
Bleach down toilet

Several lists

Everything I want to do to shut the house down on the morning of departure (lights rubbish dishwasher etc)

Everything I still need to put in my bags (toothbrush pills etc)

Everything else I need to remember to do (put a hold on the post, print out hotel reservation details, charge devices)

Then just work the lists and get the satisfaction of crossing things off!

A message by the front door NOT TO FORGET CHILD’S COMFORTER! We’ve done that!

Taking a pic of the locked doors and turned off oven is genius. Thanks to the PP who mentioned that.

I may have missed this on the thread already but leaving details of your flights, trip, passport and insurance with someone at home just in case. Ditto spare clothing and wipes and from past experience would have two lots!

Havent got wipes yet!

So today i went to primark and bought some clothes, tops for dd, umbrellas which I didn't think of, bottles for squash

Primarks gotten pricey hasnt it!

Thank you 🙌

@newyorknewyorkforevernewyork Check your airline to make sure that you can take power banks onto the flight. Some airlines now ban them. You don't want to buy one to find it confiscated at the airport.

Bags packed.
Passports in their designated place.
Clothes for the next day set out.
Shower.
Clean sheets.
Ensure the whole house is tidy.

Packed, checked in online. Added boarding passes to app. We will have already booked valet parking.

Op if you are travelling alone with DC you should take a letter from their other parent confirming they give you permission to travel outside of England. It could be a very expensive trip to the airport otherwise. (Assuming the other parent is listed on the BC)

LOTS of posters will say you don't need to do this, but legally you do if you're removing a joint child out of the jurisdiction. I've travelled extensively on my own with DC and ended up taking the ex to court the first time after he refused permission. Those court documents (originals) have travelled thousands of miles with us, though I've only been asked to produce them twice. I've also taken birth certificates, name change deed and divorce decree on many many trips abroad...

You absolutely need to check that your travel documents are in the right names - if you have changed your names you MUST check with the relevant authorities that the visas are still valid even with name change documents as some aren't. (Especially USA where all documents must match the passport youre flying with).

Printed boarding passes (after online checkin) and put with passports.
Copy of all docs for the trip in a pouch.
Suitcase mostly packed, with a note on top of anything yet to go in (wash bag, top in dryer, snacks from fridge etc…)
I am showered/hair washed and travel outfit laid out for morning
Dishwasher set up to throw breakfast dishes in and turn on in morning (tablet already in).
Last laundry load done and sitting on clothes horse
All bins emptied and re-lined, with 1 bag in kitchen for any last bits in the morning
Fridge has been checked for any food that needs throwing out (having run down in previous days)
Dinner has probably been a mix of leftovers and bits to be used up
Depending on how long the trip is - I have a bottle of milk that will still be good on return in fridge - or made sure a bottle of long-life oat milk is in cupboard to at least have coffee before I need to face shops.
I’ve cleaned bathrooms and hoovered - but probably not mopped floors or dusted etc.
I’ve watered my plants - and set them up with watering systems if long enough trip to need it.
I’ve set up the lights on timers that we use. And closed the net curtains to reduce ability to see in.

I’ve charged my power bank and remembered to add cables for that, and the plugs at the airport and destination, for charging devices.
I’ve checked my carryon bag has a book, sucky sweets, headphones, tissues, device with downloaded movies and podcasts, and a pen and notepad and a few Sudokus. And my glasses and wallet.
All devices (phone, work phone, iPad) are plugged in to fully charge.

Alarms are set for morning - to rise and for 10
minutes before we need to leave.

Parking is booked, or taxi, or we’ve planned the bus time…basically, there’s a plan to get to the airport
I’ve checked the forecast for the morning, and arrival time at destination, to know if I need to add a cardigan or waterproof layer to travel outfit.

And I have sat on the couch with a glass of wine to recover and re-run my mental list 15 times before I go to bed.

GHIC cards and insurance docs.

Packed with all travel documents and details in a ziplock folder.

Cleaned the house and changed the bedding and towels. I like to come back to a really clean house and fresh bedlinen (will have been slept in for one night, but that's okay.

Put lights on timers around the house.

Laid out clothes for next day.

Sorted snacks and entertainment in a carry on bag, with emergency change of clothes.