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flight to australia with 2 under fives - top tips please!

22 replies

smother · 04/11/2010 21:46

I'm flying to sydney with a 2 year old and a 4 year old.... top tips on how to survive the flight would be very welcome! thanks.

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tefal · 05/11/2010 14:28

First thing is hopefully you have booked the night flights out of London?

If you have hopefully they will sleep lots of the longhaul bit.

Where are you flying through and how long do you stop for?

Pens, paper, stickers - things that can easily go into their backpack. Snacks if they have a favourite and just let them watch the movies on offer.

It is never as bad as you think.

smother · 06/11/2010 10:37

thanks. yes, we've got night flights.... and a 6-hour stop over.

As for movies, did your kids get on alright with the headphones provided on the plane?

I think 'it's never as bad as you think' is good advice... fingers crossed.

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bunkers · 06/11/2010 11:05

We found that the headphones weren't very comfortable for dd 4yrs when we last flew to the uk, even though Singapore has child size ones. We bought some JVC Tiny Phones for the return flight. They were really comfy for her to wear and have a volume limiter, so they don't go too loud.

If you have either a laptop or portable dvd player, they can be useful for playing a favorite film or dvd. Especially for your 2yo.

Prebook your seats if you can. Also check whether your airline offers special child meals. You'll need to order them in advance, which you can probably do on-line.

Also, they always call families to board the plane first. This isn't necessarily a good thing as your dc have to sit still while everyone else gets on the plane, which takes ages. Next time we fly, we'll wait a bit before boarding.

Have something for the dc to munch on or drink during take off and landing to help clear their ears.

The flight probably wont be as bad as you think. And if it is, just remember it will all be over soon!

tefal · 06/11/2010 13:06

I agree, we always are one of the last to board the flight.

Where is your 6 hour stop? If Singapore there is loads to do. Swimming pool and play areas. You can also book the transit hotel for that 6 hours or part thereof so you can have a shower, lie down or just quiet space if you need it.

smother · 07/11/2010 19:28

thanks, all very helpful. stopover is in Taipei and I'm planning on having a shower there. will be back with more questions.... but please keep tips coming, it's helping keep me calm!

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applesandcider · 08/11/2010 01:05

If you search (or scroll down the topic list in longhaul), there is loads of info on the forum with tips, advice, etc.

differentnameforthis · 08/11/2010 03:17

Take something with you that they haven't played with for ages or buy something new. We took a few things that kept dd occupied for a good while, as it was new! We took play dough for dd, not sure if you can now, with all the new rules tho.

Take changes of clothes for everyone in hand luggage. Dd (20mths) at the time, spilt milk all over dh, who didn't pack spares (he didn't think he'd need them) luckily, I had some for him in my carry on!

We stayed behind until everyone was off, as it was easier than fighting with everyone to get off.

If your 2yr is in nappies, consider pull ups for the flight. I hate pull ups, but they were a god send in such a small place!

And please don't rely on them sleeping. It is all very exciting & different. Dd didn't sleep much at all. I don't say that to be difficult, but lots of people seem to think that a night flight will make them sleepy. Dd was awake most of the day & sleeps very well at night, just not this time!

Snacks, snacks, snacks! Most airlines are great with children, but having flown several, they never seemed to have what dd wanted. She couldn't eat at the set meals times (body clock all over the place) so we kept anything that was sealed & offered her that when she wanted something!

Some may recommend giving your children a sedative of sorts (I think piriton is popular) but it can also have the opposite affect! Keep sugary foods to a minimum.

Very comfy clothes for all! We travelled in joggers & Ts. Don't underestimate comfort!

SofiaAmes · 08/11/2010 03:38

Snacks, sippee cups and change of clothes for yourself (I had ds vomit all over me 1/2 hour into 11 hour flight when I was pregnant with dd and ds was in my lap for whole flight. I had a change of clothes for him, but not for me!!! It was Virgin and they were most unhelpful. Will never fly that airline again with children.)
Headphones, like others have said. Drawing pads/utensils. Audiobook for yourself.

smother · 09/11/2010 22:31

ok, please talk me through any possible restrictions on taking food and drink for toddlers on board - how much milk and other fluids can I take? were there any restrictions re crisps, biscuits etc?

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differentnameforthis · 10/11/2010 02:00

I can't answer that, smother, as I haven't flown internationally for a while. Not since new regs etc.

Call the airline you are travelling with or check their website.

tefal · 10/11/2010 07:30

The only restriction is with liquids. You can't take anything over 100ml through security. Best to wait until you are at the shops airside and stock up with what you need.

There are no food restrictions unless they contain liquid such as say a yoghurt.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 10/11/2010 07:37

Be careful when you do the flight between Taipei and Sydney. If you bring in ANY food to Australia it has to be declared on arrival.

HowsTheSerenity · 10/11/2010 07:41

I would ask the airline if you are allowed to fly with two young children. Some airlines like to have one adult per child if they are especially young.

Also, make sure that you have a document that allows you to take the kids out of the country. Again, some airlines/countries require this in case you are kidnapping the DC's.

REmind the airlines over and over again that you have young children and would like anything special thay can throw your way.

smother · 10/11/2010 10:23

brilliant - thank you all.

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kiwidreamer · 12/11/2010 18:32

I'm flying to NZ in a couple of weeks, these are the tips I've been given from friends and family -

comfy clothes and spares for everyone, favourite snacks, sticker books, colour wonder from crayola so if little one scribbles on seat it draws clear, felt farm/gruffalo set, small jigsaws, playdoh and shapes, animal snap, lolly pop or chewy sweet (wine gum) for take off / landing (only LOL), buy decent bottle of water or juice after security as hostesses will be busy and when a toddler wants a drink it can all go down hill quickly if you dont have one to hand, mini aqua draw,run them around during transit and b*gger what anyone thinks of you (HK has a soft play area btw), Rescue Remedy for all of you regularly (can put it in toddler juice / water)

Funny enough the most experienced flyer with 3 children of various ages said 'expect the worst and anything better will be a nice surprise'

My mentality personally (flying with DS 2.4yrs and 16wks preg) is that the flight is just something to survive, it wont be pretty but once we get off at our destination we'll have sunshine and beaches and family and toffee pops and sunshine and it will all be worth it Smile Smile

SofiaAmes · 14/11/2010 05:04

Save your money and bring empty bottles through security and then fill them up on other side (at cafe or at drinking fountains).

smother · 16/11/2010 09:44

thanks everyone.

I had forgotten that you have to declare any food on entry to australia. is it better just not to bring any in? sounds silly but i was thinking of packing some of their favourite biscuits etc for when we're in sydney but is it just not worth the hassle?

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Thefearlessfreak · 16/11/2010 13:06

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

SofiaAmes · 17/11/2010 03:18

Biscuits will not be a problem. Meats cheeses etc. and definitely fruits will be. I'm sure you can find details online.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/11/2010 07:38

Even biscuits have to be declared on arrival into Sydney airport (these were fine btw but you still need to declare them). The form that is given to passengers on the plane into Australia is quite specific re food (it basically asks if you have anything like this with you).

smother · 17/11/2010 21:29

Ok, so I can take biscuits through - thanks. I'll look this up too and check the guidelines.

While I'm here... DVDs on planes... did you have an adaptor of any kind so you could plug your laptop or DVD player in or were you reliant on batteries that only last a couple of hours or so? (I'm technologically illiterate by the way so please talk me through this step by step!)

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Blissbird · 22/11/2010 13:10

Hi Smother
We arrived in Australia from London on Saturday evening.
We took 2 laptops, 1 DVD player, 1 iPad and two iPhones fully charged for our 2.5 yr old. There is no where to plug in unless your in 1st class, which I'm guessing your not other wise your nanny would be in economy with the kids and you would have no need to ask for assistance, he he.
We had more than enough charge and didnt run out on one thing as he didn't watch much He he found two friends sitting by us and they all played with trains and planes most of the time. Make sure you get bulk head seats as then you get the most room in front of you. Plus other families very close by, don' t underestimate the support other parents will give you.
As for snacks take anything you can get through UK airport security and tell Aussie customs when you arrive what you have. If they don't like it they will take it off you. We took fruit pouches which UK security had us taste one and let the rest through so take a few extra. We flew with Emirates and the kids food was great for ours but he just wanted to snack as his sleep was all over the place.
We took a car seat for him to sit on on his own seat, a god send and I am so glad we did. We took the Britax Eclipse and it worked perfectly. One thing to note is that if you don't get bulk head seats with a car seat the person in front will not be able to recline their seat. When we pointed this out the check-in lady moved three people out of their bulk head seats and gave them to us. Emeriates could not have been more helpful.
Also I agree with the other person who said its never as bad as you think and totally worth it when you arrive and its sunny.
Good Luck

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