Tips for flying Ryanair with 14mo?

[thetraveller]

14mo DS and I have got a 3.5 hour Ryanair flight coming up. I know it's not long in the grand scheme of things, but I'm dreading it as DS is v boisterous and even 20 minute bus journeys are a struggle! I'm planning on packing a small bag of toys / books etc, but would welcome any ideas for suitable things.

We've booked priority boarding, but I'm still not looking forward to the general bun-fight of getting a seat. Does anyone know if it's possible to get one of the seats at the front of the plane if you're with a toddler? Not sure if these seats are classified as emergency exit seats or not.

ime you can*t get a seat with children in exit rows. so now, not directly in the front.
but it is ok to get your elbows out when getting in the plane and to take your time sorting yourself out.
for ds, you can get one of those magazines (night garden or something) that have loads of stickers to stick everywhere, should keep him busy. just make sure you only have one bag + one nappy bag, RA can be very particular about hand luggage!
make sure you can carry ds + all your handluggage, because the steps to the plane are usually quite steep and wobbly - not safe for toddler!

Thanks mousymouse. Sticker magazine is a good idea - we haven't tried one of those before. Will definitely be getting elbows out when trying to find a seat!

I'd agree about carrying bags, you might be able to get someone to help if you ask but dont count on it. I dont think an infant gets its own baggage allowance so you need only one bag. Its best if you can fit what you need for the flight under the seat in front of you so you dont need to stand up to access your stuff. Try to take food you dont need heated up, the staff aren't generally helpful. Re toys, buggy books or anything you can clip on to the seat belt w those link things. If he needs warm milk at the beginning of the flight get it put in the bottle at starbucks in the terminal and stick it in your bag.

Have flown with Easyjet with baby/toddler. People with children were boarded first, but did notice that you have to get a wriggle on as people will happily push past you while you fold a buggy next to the aeroplane steps.

Sticker books are good, also small (cheap) toys like cards, plastic animals. The ones you get on the front of children's mags are good - and you don't mind if you leave them on the plane by accident. I also took lots of snacks, fruit, breadsticks, biscuits etc.

My other tip would be to consider not taking the buggy through the airport. I have done it with buggy and without (used sling instead) and found without much easier as I didn't have the hassle of folding it before we got on the plane, also not having to worry about lifts etc at the airport.

cars not cards

agree with the buggy, sling is a hundred percent better than to juggle + you have both arms free for the handluggage and tickets/passports.
(just came back yesterday and had to wait more than one hour at immigration before getting the buggy back, ergo carrier was my life saver)

I've bought DS a couple of those Cbeebies-type magazines with stickers/toys on the front for when we fly on Thursday.

He has one and a new book for the way out and another one and another new book - which shall be kept hidden so as to keep them new and exciting - for the way back!!!

Tesco are doing buy one get one free on some kids books at the moment. Got DS 2 Toy Story ones (his favourite thing at the moment) for a couple of quid.

Also included in my "activity pack" are a packet of sweets (to stop his ears popping as he chews and swallows - lollypops would be good too) and some colouring pencils for the colouring in bits in the mags. They also come with lots of stickers which should help.

I dont have one so cant personally recommend but aquadraw might be worth investigating. As far as i know ryanair dont board kids first like easyjet do so you'll have to fight it out w the other passengers. Good luck.

Carry your DS up the stairs onto the plane
I was at this story but not surprised.
I'm sure it will be fine - another tip I read on MN is to have things that aren't too small that will get dropped so you spend the whole journey scrabbling round on the floor picking things up.

OMG that's scary! We're not flying with RyanAir and I'll have DH with me thank goodness!!

We have Aquadraws. The mini ones. Should be perfect for a flight as long as we don't lose the pen! - will get them packed

OMG, can't believe that story, champagnesupernova. Fortunately DS can't walk yet, so I'll definitely be carrying him up the stairs. Really don't want to fly Ryanair, but unfortunately no other direct flights to our destination.

Thanks for all the tips everyone. The Aquadraws look like they could be a winner.

We have just flown with Ryanair and it was actually fine. If you do priority boarding you get on first so can locate a seat easily. Get one next to the window so your ds can stand up and look out of the window a lot.

I second a sling/hip carrier. And lots of small snacks, cheerios, raisins etc and drinks. Small new board books and lots of singing quietly from you.

Whatever you do, don't do what we did and turn up at the airport with only an hour to go before boarding. Even with the online check in there are still horrendous queues to drop the bags and get through security. We had to run and were the last ones to get on the plane . Even two hours before would have been tight going...