Long hault flight with 14 month old or not??

[skandi1]

Help! DH and I cannot agree on holiday destinations for this year. We're planning to go in autumn when DD will be 14 - 15 months old.

DH wants to go to Egypt (Red Sea) but I'm a little reluctant due to potential for tummy bugs (even in 5 star hotels - seen on Tripadvisor) and recent oil spill covering most of Hurghada and spreading.

DH's only reason for going there is flight is only 5 hours. We've not been to Egypt before so its all a bit of an unknown and a risk as we don't know what it will be like.

I am keen on Maldives or Mauritius - particularly Maldives. They're both places we've been many times before so we know what to expect and know several hotels in both which would be great and are suitable for children with kids pool/club/toys etc.

DH's reasoning for not waiting to go is that Maldives is a 10 hour flight and Mauritius is 12 hours.

I know both flights are long but we'd be flying business whichever of the 3 destinations we'd visit and I'm the one who'll deal with DD in any event.

I want to canvass MNer opinions on this. Am I indeed unreasonable to want to take a 10 hour flight with a 14 month old or have others done this and its been just fine??

Please let me know your experiences with regard to air travel.

Wow, I must be lucky. DD on flights is much like me - awake for about an hour, then crashes out for a good long stretch, 10-12 hours isn't unknown. We always always always book night flights though.

Why would i go to Cambodia with a small child? TBH, only because i can. She loves travelling to places like this, loves meeting new people, gets loads of attention and we stay in decent places where you are no more likely to get food poisoning than in your average UK pub. Be careful about water, hygiene etc, and the world is there for exploring. I did it when i was a kid, and my dd is lucky enough to have the same chances now.

Giordieminx I have a question about the hotel in Tenerife that you recommended- are you still about?

Sorry for thread hijack!!

not read it all. has anyone asked Skandi why she would be doing all of the childcare on flight when her dh is there too?

Cripes I've taken ds to Australia four times. He is a seasoned flyer, puts tray table down when trolley comes down aisle

Anyway, just choose the destination you prefer and do an overnight flight.

GO TO THE MALDIVES - you can go direct with BA as well know - my boy was there at 6 months, 18 months and about to go again at age 3 - we took him on a 24 hr straight flight to Oz last year as well

you need:
stickers
dvd player
pre cooked pasta
some new toys of some sort

Egypt would not be great given the amount of tummy bugs and i would not take a child there - but we have been to soneva fushi and soneva gili and it was amazing - take with you antibiotics, eye drops, ear drops, other meds etc and you will be fine - you can get baby anti mosi stuff and the witchazel and tea tree stick at boots in the make up section works really well on any bites at all

I've just flown back from the far east with DD aged 2 and DD aged 6. It was business class this time round as I was out there for work but I do fly yearly to the far east with the kids for holidays on economy and frankly speaking - i do not enjoy the flights one bit! it doesn't help that despite being a frequent flyer i have a deep phobia of flying and the slightest hint of turbulence makes me panic.

Business does make a difference as my DDs have more space to play with their toys and it's more comfortable for sleeping but i always do feel guilty about other passengers if my kids get riotous. But you know what, that's just the way it is and I for one would love nothing more than the kids to sleep so that i can sleep along with everyone else! I find myself stressed out trying to get them to quieten down and i always end up apologising to the other passengers.

I remember one nightmare 12 hr flight where it was turbulent for the larger part of it. DD1 was 2 at that time and as it was a day flight, she was full of energy and wanted to walk around the cabin and the crew kept telling me to make her sit down. easier said than done.

to me, the good thing about long haul vs short haul, if it's long haul, they are more likely to sleep. short haul flights tend to be daytime flights and with active toddlers, their attention span is so short that they dont want to play with their toys for too long and are not interested in dvds for more than 30 mins.

bottom line, I prefer long haul, would pay extra to get an overnight flight (day flights are usually cheaper) and would tire the kids out via various activities before they board the plane so that they immediately fall asleep.

at least that's the hope!

Done loads of long haul with now 2.5 yr old DD.
All fine - been with her to egypt and mauritius twice. Business makes a massive difference - so if you can, do that for sure. Otherwise ask to sit with other parents in the bulk head seats at check in, and don't let them fob you off that the seats are taken - ask if there are any non parents sitting there just for the extra leg room, and guilt them into swapping with you ( I do that and it works - it's for parents anyway, it's where the bassinets are.
Virgin, Etihad, Gulf and Qatar airways are all good with kids and will take small ones off for a walk etc. Choose the daytime flights / ones that work best vs jet lag, and if you're going all that way, lux it up at the other end to make it worth it - a good kids club will make the trip worth it.
Buy mags, crayons, small headphones, take your own snacks, new toys - something to open every 30 mins or so - a bit of forward planning makes it less stressful. Treat the flight like a holiday and you'll be golden.

If it's really just the flight that's bothering your DH then perhaps tell him you'll sit separately with DD? I flew solo with 7 month old from NZ - UK and it was fairly awful but totally worth it.

Weegiemum, where did you go in central america? We want to spend 2-3 months in central america with a 12-18 month old and 3 year old but can't decide where would be best. Happy to base ourselves in 2 or 3 different places rather than travel around all the time. tips? (sorry to hijack thread!)

No jetlag...you'll be two hours ahead.

I fly every year with my four children ALONE!! The flight is to HK, so around 12 hours. It's fine. Take a night flight and then you can ensure your child sleeps.

It's a breeze and well worth it going to Mauritius/Maldives because even if the flight is tricky you'll be in one of the most beautiful places on earth!!

My dcs last flight were 7,6,2 and 7 months!!

We took DD1 to Australia when she was 15 months - she slept all the way there and all the way back. I shudder at the the thought of spending more than two hours on a plane with DD2, however...

PS I always say, even if we don't use one, that the infant needs a basinette...this guarantees the extra leg room.

oh but one tip, the bigger the plane the better. Less turbulence means the less time you have to have them strapped to you/out of the bassinet. On the Airbus flights it seems to be much much smoother than on smaller 737 type planes. You can normally see the plane type when you book.

have done many 10+ hour flights with 2dd aged between 9 weeks and almost 4. The worst age is when they are mobile but don't watch telly yet!!

However, i think you are either blessed with good travellers (which we are) or not. This is a godsend to us with family all over the world. As long as you approach it positively and prepare it is very doable.

we went to Thailand with a 22 year old and she was super.. slept most of the way home. no worries.. but she was a easy kid entertained by people.. havent done long haul since our son was born.. he is now 4 so are ready to attempt again this year.

We also vote for the RC in Sharm.. been for the past few years with the kids its such a lovely hotel. having said that we ate out a lot and still didnt get bad tummy.. if you are just looking for a lovely pool, and lovely sunshine with a bit of snorkelling or diving it is perfect!

GO!

Everyone always assumes that toddlers will whinge - chances are that they wont. Ds has been brill everytime we have flown with him, as have most other kids in the vicinity.

One exeception was a flight to JFK last year, there was a woman opposite that had a 3 year old and an 8 week old, by herself. The poor baby cried for almost the entire journey. Most folk in the area took it in turns to hold baby so that the poor woman could go to toilet/have her dinner etc etc, including us, who were on our honeymoon.

Earplugs are your friend. There is no-one that doesnt have a right to be in first class providing they have paid, and as someone said, if you dont want to mix with other folk then hire a jet.

We have been to Thailand with our children twice - the first time just with dd1 who was 20m and the second when dd1 was just 5 and dd2 was 2.6. Both times the flight was absolutely fine, just take enough things for them to do, and try to book night flights if possible. Both of mine slept for at least two thirds of each flight.

Conversely we went on a week's package holiday to Egypt to a supposedly 5* hotel. Each of us had at least one day tummy trouble, which none of us experienced in Thailand. I wouldn't go again, even though it was nearer.

Scuba....your 22 year old

I love Thailand[dreams about the foooooood]

Can't believe the narrow-mindedness of some posters on here. It is people like Hammi and the others who agreed who make us feel so self concious and embarrassed travelling with babies and children

I have travelled lots with my two dcs, who are still only 3.1 and 17 months. Longhaul is exhausting because you don't ever get a real break, but as long as you go in to it knowing that, and you are prepared to entertain/feed/walk etc throughout the flight, then it is certainly far from traumatic! People have said look for night flights, this is fine as long as you are confident your little one will sleep. I prefer to go day time and then any naps are a bonus- this way if they don't sleep and are noisy at least you can point out to passengers like hammi that it is the middle of the day and they can't be expected to sleep!

In terms of destinations, I would recommend Sri lanka (at the right time of the year), Dubai (for sun/pool/hotel with kids' club), Italy because they are fab with the children. I personally would avoid Egypt but then I am obsessed about avoiding potential vomitting scenarios anyway!

Please don't deny yourselves (and your children) opportunities to see amazing countries just because you have children, they travel fine. Yes Wales is nice, but there's so much more out there.

We have travelled a bit with our daughter who is now 2.5. She's been on long haul flights at about a year and at about 20 months. She had an upset stomach on one long haul (to NY), but was OK after take off and people are really kind. If you like to travel then you can get your kids used to it and still enjoy it. Ours is really comfortable on a plane now.
Top tips from me are 1)good travel insurance (never say never) 2)bring an extra set of clothes for you on the flight in case they get sick (and them too of course) 3)don't worry too much about their schedule, our dd back into it pretty easily.
Re: #1, my daughter got a really bad tummy bug in Germany when were there for a wedding. We needed to change flights at short notice and see a dr and were really relieved to be able to claim the expenses back.
Good luck and have fun!

Hold on a minute, did I read someone saying they were thinking of taking their children backpacking to Haiti? This is a joke, right?

I hope you've read the fco travel advice - and realise you may very well not be able to get insurance cover.

I'm all for travelling with children but admit that when they are still so young that they won't remember anything, make sure it is a holiday for you rather than just them. They'd be just as happy with a week at a farm park.

We took dd1 to Beaches Nagril in Jamaica when she was just over one. That was fairly successful. I would recommend the Caribbean - only 5 hours time difference and 8 hour flight.

strandedatsea you've hit the nail on the head there- My children would be happy at a farm park for a week, but I wouldn't! To turn it on its head, your children would be just as happy backpacking around South Africa than a week in Wales

Not read thread but just reading OP, what stood out was - business class flights.

You have one child, 2 parents, business class flight to places you know and love. Go for it and enjoy.

I wouldn't take DD on long haul at 21 months but we'd be cattle class with no seat (we're off to Catalonia - 2 hr flight). If I had a choice between Egypt and Mauritius, I'd choose Mauritius. I've been there pre DD and it's very family friendly. Have to say I'd be nervous about Egypt cos of hotels, hospitals etc and the traffic etc.

Just go for it!

Whatever you do, don't go to Egypt! Been there twice and had stomach bugs both times. Second time was when I was 5 months pg with DS. It was Norovirus and I honestly thought it was going to kill me. I've never felt so ill in my life.

Just been on 4 1/2 hour trip to Greece with DS who is now 11 months. It was fine. Lack of space was a problem but business class would make it much better. I would only consider long haul if in business class and ideally overnight. Take some earplugs to hand out in case you can't keep them quiet.

As far as I'm concerned, if you can afford to go away, having children shouldn't stop you.