Flying to Australia with two toddlers, any tips?

[Petall]

We're flying to Brisbane to visit the family, which I should be really excited about. I am DREADING the flight with DD aged 3 and more worryingly DS aged 18 months. DS does not sit still for 5 minutes and is usually running, jumping, climbing and kicking a ball, so the thought of being in a confined space with all those people is just clouding it all. Any tips or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated, so I don't resort to cracking open the duty -free!!

I know of someone who has done the same thing, and said she had some small activities/toys wrapped up that they have never seen before. Wait until they are bored, then let them have one to open.

Check the travel topics, there are plenty of tips about flying long haul with toddlers

We did this in may to perth with 2 lively boys, youngest was 18 mths at the time and like you I was dreading it, but it was actually fine! I took some books, little animals to play with adn favourite cuddly for bed. Also changed him into pyjamas at bed time and tucked him up, both slept v well.
small packets of raisins came in handy, and little stick lollies were brilliant at take off and check in which I think was the most stressful of all.
who are you flying with? we went with singapore and they were brilliant, very helpful and nothing too much trouble.
my top tip would be when you check in ask if the flight is full and if it isn't ask if they can block off any seats next to you so you have more space. Say kids are quite noisy, don't want to disturb people etc, we had the row of 4 which we had been allocated, plus the row of 3 next to it so made lots of difference. then when boys were asleep I had a few glasses of wine and watched a film!
Be prepared to walk around the plane a lot, and also there's bound to be other kids on the flight, it won't be just yours making the noise!

Have you paid for a seat for the 18 month old?

Thanks for that,we're flying with Singapore Airlines, and yes have booked a seat for DS!

Take DSs car seat. If you've paid for his seat they@ll let you take any standard British kitemarked carseat. This means you can strap him down properly and he'll prob sleep quite well. Recently flew back from Brisbane on Singapore airlines with DS - 22m and DD 4.5y. Had 5 day stopover in Singapore. are you stopping or flying all the way in one go. It will be better than you expect (probably!)

Make sure that you reserve kids meals because they don't keep spares on board. Your older child will be able to watch TV for as long as you'll let her. The inflight entertainment system is amazing - programmes on demand. If you're lucky your little one might watch a bit. Mine didn't.

Agree with the tip about lots of little toys. Biggest hit with DS was some of those tiny plastic planes that you can get in supermarket for kids party bags. Pull off all the loose bits then just keep getting out another plane when he loses one. Kept him amused for ages

hostesses are brilliant - will get you warm milk and pretty much anything you need. They learnt the kids names so that they could address them personally.

Have a great time

Thanks nappybaglady, I didn't know you could take a carseat. Do you have to let them know or just turn up with it? We were hoping to take a single buggy too, is it best to contact the airline or travel agent to forewarn? We're flying direct, as Dh is restricted with annual leave , and I want to spend as much time as possible with the family. Next time will try going alone so I can stay longer, but really can't face doing that this time. ( Despite soooooooo much family pressure to manage one way alone with the two children, I'd have to book myself in to a psychiatric unit on return i'm sure, they are challenging enough in their home enviroment!)
I'll be on the look out for those planes, great idea.
I've trawled through the archives since starting this, and feel better now I'm armed with handy tips. I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think!!!!
many thanks

You don't have to book or forewarn them about carseats but when you're at checkin make sure you tell them that you intend to take one so that they can give you an appropriate seat. Carseat obviuosly can't block access for others so they'll give you a window seat or one of the middle seats of middle block.

I've heard of people being refused carseats but we've just returned from a round the world trip (did I mention that anywhere on MN already )and we didn't have a problem with any of the airlines. Initially I was prepared to be quite assertive about it but didn't neeedto be. It is,after all, apiece of safety equipment. Also Singapore Airlines have one of the best repuations for customer service and common sense.

Having the carseat was great for us. Most of our long flights were overnight so we just strapped him in and let him snooze for 7-8 hours. Fantastic. It's also comforting for child to be in something familiar. And of course useful in transport once you've got where you're going.

Regarding buggies. At one point on our trip we had 2 of those bulky 3-wheeler buggies with us. We checked one into the hold with main luggage but took the other up to boarding gate with no hassles. Again just tell them at checkin what you intend to do and they'll tell you where/when you need to leave the buggy. As a rule it's probably better to 'tell' checkin staff what you intend to do rather than 'ask' them if you can. I know that sound s a bit rude but often they aren't familiar with their policy on carseast or buggies so a little assertiveness seemed to go a long way

whatever buggy you do take - make sure that all the dangly bits are strapped down so that they don't get caught on baggage/machinery

My daughter loved Australia zoo and if you're in that area stop in at the cafe near the Glasshouse Mountain lookout for a really good cup of tea and scones

enjoy...