oh help help!

[LionsnTigersnBears]

I've just found out that I've got to fly UK to California with DD for a family event in Sept and am in blind panic. DD will be 15 months old by then, so I'm thinking too old to sleep through and too young to be amused by anything much whilst confined to a seat. Has anyone flown long haul with a baby of this age and if so how/ did you survive? Please any advice, I can't get out of this. aaarrgh!!!!!

Buy an extra seat

You will need to fly during daylight hours as practically all these flights from the UK depart late morning/early afternoon. As you gain time leaving the flight whilst long is not overtly tiring.

The return flight back to the UK is the overnight flight arriving into the UK late morning/early afternoon.

Buy an extra seat for DD both ways if finances permit.

A portable DVD player is a good idea. Do not rely on the airline to fully provide.

Thanks Eldon, Madam and Attila,

great tips and will def. buy an extra seat for her. MadamDS, you flew with twins? RESPECT!!!!! Attila, portable DVD player? Will she be watching tv by then? She's my only child so I've got no idea what to expect, apart from complete carnage and the need for a or several. Its a family wedding and I can't get out of it but I am still in terror of the flight. 12 hours in midair with a baby that won't sit still - aargh aaargh!

(bumbles off toward the off license)

We flew to Dubai when DS was 20 months old. Chose to fly BA as they provide an excellent child seat which sits on the bulk overhead table and looks like a bouncy chair. He slept really well in it and also means you save yourself money by not buying extra seat and not having toddler on your lap for whole flight. We took laptop with cbbc favourItes downloaded onto it from BBC i player. We also now have iPad which has longer battery life which will definately come with us on next flight.

Lions, try not to worry too much about it, it won't be as bad as it seems now :)
I think all the advice you got here is brilliant, and if you can choose a night flight then you'll be very pleasantly surprised. I flew quite a bit with my DS at various ages and we were OK each time.
A good airline is crucial, can only recommend BA.
Try to look at the trip as something fun and exciting, if your DD senses you're tense on the day it will only make things worse.
Good luck!

Children aren't allowed to sit in emergency exit seats, but if you warn in advance you can get the bulkhead which gives more leg/faffing about room.