Flying Singapore with dd's 5 & 3 and mum 70+

[Billster]

Hi All

My friend is emigrating in a few weeks and although she is not saying I think she is pretty freaked about the flight - partic as her mum will do it on here own in reverse in 6 months time.

Any tips?

make sure her mum has flight socks and aspirin if she is allowed to take it pre flight.Make sure that any medical insurance covers her for that period of time and that any recent(check with insurance company as some ask about visits up to 18 months) visits to gp or hospital have been recorded otherwise insurance is null and void

We just did Singapore with 2.6 DS1 and 11 months old DS2 and it was fine. Ok, it wasn't fun for us, we were practically awake the whole flight 12.5 hours of it! DS1 took a lot of entertaining - DH read him about 200 books (ok, the 10 books about 20 times each!) and DS2 just didn't sleep much even though it was a night flight. But they didn't cry and we got a lot of compliment about how well-behaved they were! We got DS1 a Trunki and made a big deal about it and put lots of special things in it - books, his blankie, soft toys, stickers, colouring books, treats etc. You have to tell your friend that it's only 12.5 hours of her life, the time will pass, good or bad. After 4 hours have passed, it's only an eight-hour flight... if you see what I mean! The 5-year-old will be fine as she will be old enough to sit and watch the TV a lot of time. The 3-year-old will take a lot of entertaining but it really will not be that bad.

Is her mum flying by herself back? Or are you saying she will be flying back with the kids?

Singapore is a good airline to fly with. I think older people are more at risk from thrombosis so her mum needs to drink plenty of fluids and walk about/wriggle her feet regularly.

We fly out that way regularly as DH is Malaysian. Sometimes it's fine with the DC and sometimes it's horrible. Little snacks that are fiddly to eat are good, like cheerios and raisins.

One of the most useful things for a younger child is a soft zippy top which is a couple of sizes too large. If the child curls up on the seat and you hook the hood over their feet it's a good blanket. If they manage spill stuff on their clothes and their spare clothes then it's an emergency dress.

At least one change of clothes for everyone, perhaps an extra one for any child who gets travel sick.

Thanks v much - sorry should have said they are flying Singapore Airlines to Sydney.

Mum will be coming back on her own.

Thanks for the tips so far - keep them coming!

Are they changing at Singapore Airport? Depending on how long the change-over is it might be worth booking a room in one of the airside hotels. I think you pay by the hour and it's a relief to have a lovely shower and the chance of a lie-down for a bit.

Can they afford to upgrade the mother to business for the trip back? It's a lot more personal space and the seats are more comfortable.

Thanks guys - will pass all the info on - they were also wondering if it was quieter on a Wed or Sat flight. They are going on night flight on an airbus.