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.

I absolutely second whoever suggested Morocco. We go annually, either just me and DH or with a huge group of friends and their children. Moroccans really 'get' children. The flight is barely three hours from London, you will avoid long haul and yet have all that gorgeous Muslim/Arabic culture, no risk of illness ...it's a country with only positives in my experience! A brilliant trip for kids. Essaouira, a stunning fishing port, is perfection itself. And also go to Marrakesh. We stay in this riad every year. It's a blissful haven when you need a break from the souks. You should definitely pick Morocco!

Hi

I've been to all three, both pre and post kids.

Egypt, Went when DD was 1 and again when she was 2, both times she got a bad tummy (so did I) I have a DS who is 3 1/2 now but I'm putting off going until he's a bit older, must say the Egypt is very child friendly though

Mauritius, Went when DD was 6m and again when DD was 4 and DS was 1, had a fantastic time both times, no problem with the flights and hotel was terrific all round. (Hotels were Coco Beach and Sugar Beach, the latter was the best as the beaches on that side of the island are superior and the weather on the West is more settled than on the Eastern side) wouldn't hesitate to go again no matter what age kids were.

Maldives, FANTASTIC even with kids, first went before we had kids, then twice after, first time DD was 4 1/2 and DS 1 1/2, then again when DD was 5 1/2 and DS 2 1/2, both times were great, flights were better second time as first time (on the way back only) we had a stopover in Colombo from 10pm to 2am, which wasn't a lot of fun! SriLankan Airlines now fly direct both ways so second visit was smoother, first time we went to Kurumba which is lovely, 20mins by speedboat from airpot and very child friendly, no problem with food and Beach Bungalow outstanding, only downside was Kurumba is close to the airport so you do hear a few planes going over (didn't find it too bad at all) second time we went further afield to Kanuhura which was total bliss, (40mins by seaplane) it's very very child friendly, food and bungalow supurb no complaints at all, downside was DS had a bad croup attack and had to go to a local hospital which was awful!!!!!, there is a Doctor on the island but he wasn't very clued up! but of course this was just bad luck and could have happened no matter where we were, but being a 40 min seaplane journey from Male (Maldives Capital) was a bit worrying! (seaplanes don't fly after about 4pm) they're just coming out of their rainy reason in Autumn, my sister went last November and didn't have a single day of rain in 2 weeks.
(As I said of Mauritius) I wouldn't hesitate to go again but would probably opt for Kurumba but only because it's 1/2 the price of Kanuhura!
Maldives is my number 1 destination even with kids!

Just a short note to those who don't like toddlers on planes, Does that mean in your books millions of people in the UK (and rest of the world of course)are not allowed to go on holiday if it involves a plane journey???? That's a bit extreme isn't it!
Btw, Many destinations have 'Adult only resorts' especially Maldives and Mauritius which would take care of the love birds on honeymoon.

Just go for it!! There will always be one reason or another not to fly with children and you could easily talk yourself out of a holiday for the next 15 years... Just book and enjoy!!

Go! You'll cope! One way you get off the plane and you're on holiday (beach, sun, sleep, fun!) and the other you're at home (own bed!)

Win / Win all round!

LadyBiscuit Stay at The Beach in Negombo if you do go to SL for the elephants. It's about a 2 hour drive from there but it's a gorgeous drive. Hotel is about 1 hour (max) from airport so it's a good place to start / end your trip.

Don't just stay in Negombo though (not that pretty. although Beach Hotel is fab!) and travel round the island. Hire a private driver. Reasonable and fun.

Been three times - it's beautiful and they love kids! I've got one friend who's done th flight with 3 kids under 6 on her own. Like everyone else says - just do it at night!

(ps. the elephant orphange is AMAZING!)

hi op, sorry have not read through entire thread but we took our ds1 to mauritius when he was 18 months for a family wedding and i would not recommend! we also upgraded but ds just wanted to run up and down the aisles, slept 5 hours but the other 6 was hard!

we now have 2 children, 2nd is 19 months old and our flight limit is 5 hours max which is doable, have done greece and canaries and in the future love to do long haul again.

as a suggestion have you looked at beaches, mark warner or club med holidays?

2 parents + 14 month old + night flight = easy!!

I would go for Mauritius (but preferably not Air Mauritius again) as it is less isolated.

You could be holed up on a tiny island paying £5 for a bottle of mineral water and £12 for a packet of nappies in the Maldives. You can get to the pharmacy or hospital in the town if you need to.

My friend's son fractured his skull while we were there. We were very grateful everything was just a taxi drive away and that the healthcare was of a good standard.

I also think the sun isn't quite so hot but that may just be the times of year I went to each.

I would reason with your husband that if you can get through labour surely he can get through the flight!

We did the Maldives with a Nearly 2 year old and a 4 year old. The flights were better than we had expected-although the day time one was worse but still ok. Only a 5 hour difference so jet lag was not too bad. We had a lovely time and used The kids club a bit and the baby sitting every evening. Bandos kids club started at 8 months. Only thing was that the beach was a bit corally underfoot and the sea a bit rough for the children really but they had a great time in the pool and the locals were really good with children. Also bandos had a short transfer from male which helps.

Mind you this year we are driving less than 2 hours for our holiday so maybe it wasn't as great as I am making out.

Have a great time wherever you go.

I have done many long haul flights with my son from when he was six months old. It depends on the kid! My little guy has been a great traveler from day one so flight was no bother. Is your child a good traveler?

A few tips: pack lots of yummy snacks to keep everyone going, get a bulkhead seat as others have mentioned, wrap up little toys and bring them out at strategic points during the flight - they don't even have to be new toys - just unwrapping them is fun!

THB I probably wouldn't do long haul at that age.
From personal experience, I think long haul is great if you have a young baby that will fit in a bassinet ( under 9mths) or an older child (say 3yrs+), but would advise against it with a wriggly toddler - it is exhausting!

I flew twice alone with my DD to South Africa. 1st time she was 6 months old and it was a 14 hour flight. She was great there and back. Going it was a day flight and that meant I was tired and she wasnt but we coped. On the way back it was a night flight and she slept her normal 12 hours.

I went again in March and she was 28 months old. Bit more trickier because she is older. Also we went via Dubai and it meant our total flight time was 22 hours. But again we survived and she was great. Just kept both occasions lots of toys and distractions nearby.

Surprisingly last month we went to Malta with DH and only 3 hour flight and she was a nightmare. She didnt sleep at all even though both times it was a night flight and I think it was mostly cos she knows her dad was nearby and always test him.

It totally depends on your child as well. But some might surprise you

Sorry to be a killjoy but I flew leeds- bradford to London when my DS was a similar age and it was an absolute nightmare!! And that was only about an hour (may have been even less)!!

Due to all the crying I had a huffy chap in a seat near me and had to make numerous trips to toilet with DS and I remember some nightmare disagreement with air stweard about not being allowed to take milk and-or bottles-cups or water on the plane for security reasons (this was a few years ago so not sure if still the case).

I vowed never, ever again with a toddler!!

Incidentally, if you do fly, be prepared for all eventualities.

We once flew somewhere with our then 7 month and 2 yr old dd's. Following a hellish night flight where one or the other of them was awake the entire time (and I therefore got no sleep), we were then turned back from our final destination due to a huge thunderstorm, half an hour from landing.

We flew a couple of hours back to another country where, after a LOT of confusion, losing a suitcase and much queuing, we were dumped in a hotel for a day with no information, no money and no suitable food for our children. The kids were totally hyped up and wouldn't sleep; we all eventually crashed for about an hour in the afternoon.

We were finally told we would be flying to our final destination that night - back to the airport, lots of hanging around and a 2nd night flight (but too short for a decent sleep) until we finally got to where we needed to be. Two nights and a day, with more or less no sleep, after we started.

The longest and worst journey of my life. I have never, ever been so tired. And that was with BA. I swore I would never fly with them again - but of course, we have done as sometimes no choice.....

Sorry that was a bit rambling but I am still traumatised by that trip!

We're taken ours on lots of plane trips, long and short-haul, and I fly short-haul with both of them on my own (aged 4 and 2). Has always been fine. Some people have to fly, so I don't see it as a big deal.

On the longhaul, we've had car-seat type boosters that most airlines provide (you may have to dig around the website a bit) but it means they are strapped in like in the car, and tend to sit and watch the films, rather than undoing their lap belt. I have occasionally seen DC's running up the aisle, but I don't think it's necessary (and actually think it's dangerous) and always wonder, what do these children do when they are in the car? Surely they're not allowed to run around every half hour then?

We've had sickness from the jet-lag etc, so make sure you take a bag and change of clothes (for you all) and lots and lots of wipes.

If you do want your DD to walk about or move around on the seats, take some reins so you have hold of her but she'll have more ability to move a little bit.

But for the OP - at 14 months, can't you cram DD into a bassinet? Or if you are in 2 x bus class seat, you should have bags of room for the three of you.

We had a fab holiday in Eilat at the Royal Gardens hotel when DD was a toddler. I know you may not want to go to Israel but this is what made the holiday totally fab:

a) flight only 5 hours
b) weather in October a totally perfect 28C and sunny each day
c) hotel very family friendly eg when DD dropping food out of her highchair
d) possibility of a garden room, so she could have her lunchtime sleep in her cot whilst we were sunbathing in the lovely hotel grounds right outside out room
e) hotel had both self catering facilities and also restuarants
f) its an all suite hotel, so toddler not sleeping in our room with
g) grounds of hotel very nice eg fake beach for DD to dig in
h) everyone speaks english

So I guess these are the sorts of things I'd be looking for???

Sorry to hijack the thread but I've never heard of these car seats for children on planes. I have a 2.5 yr old and doing a 9 hour flight shortly. Is this something you wise mumsnetters would recommend me having, and how do I go about getting one? Do airlines charge for them?

re: car seat - I can't imagine anything worse that having a 2.5 year old strapped into a car seat - why give them even less space that they already have.... we have flown short haul (eg 5 hours) without car seats, generally they fall asleep in the seat without too much problem.

www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/us/passengerinformation/travellingwithfamily/travellingwithchildren/index .jsp

No picture I'm afraid, and you have to pre-book, but they are OK for up to about 4.5 years and are basically identical to the car seat for an older baby/toddler, with the integrated harness.

Mine sleep quite well in them as they have the 'wings' to rest their head on, much more comfortable than a full size seat that they slide around in. And it stops them opening and closing the lap-belt for 12 hours .

My first thought would be he'd hate being strapped in but that being in it might help him sleep. Will contact Vrgin and try and get some more info. Thanks for the link

I find they were more comfortable as they are shaped to fit a child that size, rather than a full seat that provides lumbar support and arm rests for an adult.

You can loosen the harness straps after take-off so they can wriggle around a little bit. And their head is then at the right level for the TV screen and they're raised up for eating, rather than fidgeting and sending the tray flying.... [bitter experience]

A car seat is a really good idea and very safe.

I'm travelling next week. I imagine I've left it too late now to book one.

We have done Singapore, Australia (in one go 24 hours!)and NZ with ds at 7months, same trip again at 10 months (went traveling with ds for 3 months through NZ and Oz). San Francisco at 15 months (10 hours), Beirut at 19 months (5 hours) and quite a few short flights within Europe (under 3 hours). No problems at all Yes, the older he got the more entertainment he wanted but that's easily sorted with wrapped toys, books, colouring books, playdoh, etc. Stacking cups for airport waiting which we then use in the bath and on the beach. He also got his own little trolley which is filled with favorite toys, he loves pullig it around even at home. Plus we have always managed to find similar aged kids in the plane and swapped toys during the flight

He also loves walking around in the plane if possible and seems to sleep soundly with plane noise Oh and we never booked his own seat. We were either lucky to get one anyway or he sleeps stretched over me and dh (make sure you get a seat were the armrest can be pulled up!).

re carseat: I have seen a couple of airlines being funny with bringing your own carseat so check with airline first. The US ones are usually OK.

IME you shouldn't take your own car seat, you need to book the airline one, they're made to fit securely into the airline seat with the lap belt.

I think a week in advance should be OK mrsbad - the airline just need to be warned as the seats are bulky and they only carry them to order.