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Original poster

longhaul flight with 16m old but no seat!

11 replies

MumsaGem · 03/03/2011 15:44

we are traveling to mexico it will be a 12 hour flight but we didn't pay extra to get our 16month old his own seat has anyone else traveled this way what was it like?

OP posts:
Original poster
MumsaGem · 03/03/2011 15:45

we thought this would be suitable but speaking to people maybe we should have got the extra seat.

OP posts:
Alibobster · 03/03/2011 20:12

Mumsagem if possible I would get another seat. We went to Mexico last year with ds who is three and he now has to have his own seat but even at that you're still limited to space. He was lying on his own seat and across me and DH to sleep! It is a long flight to have a wee one sitting on your knee. The chances are they will become restless and not happy to sit still. It would also be uncomfortable for you. I know it's extra cash but it would be money well spent in my opinion x

BecauseImWorthIt · 03/03/2011 20:15

I think that you are being very, very foolish not to have a seat for him - there is little enough space as it is for you as adults.

And I have to say, if I was sitting next to you - because chances are you will have someone sitting with you, I would be really unhappy about it. Your son, no matter how lovely he is, will be fretful and fidgety for that length of time.

Book him his own seat now!

exexpat · 04/03/2011 10:54

I booked mine their own seats for long-haul flights from when they were babies - it makes a huge difference having that extra space.

With a toddler on your lap you can't pull down the table, so there is nowhere to put the tray for meals, it's difficult to eat, there is no surface for the toddler to draw or play on etc. If there are two adults I suppose you can take it in turns to eat and so on, but it is still very cramped and difficult to play. If you can possibly afford it and it is possible to change the booking, I would.

BigBadMummy · 04/03/2011 10:57

The only way to do it would be to ask for the bulk head seat so you get the cot. I flew with a 13 month old, on my own, and seven months pregnant back to Saudi (eight hours) and without that front row seat it would have been impossible.

Even whilst awake DD1 was able to sit up and play in the cot.

Most airlines will accommodate the request if you call them.

Lizcat · 07/03/2011 14:19

Your DS is almost certainly going to be too big for skycot they are only recommended for up to 12 months. You may still be able to get bulk head if there are not too many infants. I have done this you just have to accept that the child will be squashing you for the flight. To be honest with you I would do it again paying another £400 for DD to have a seat or 12 hours discomfort there and 12 hours discomfort back I would go for £400 to spend on holiday and discomfort there and back, it's only 12 hours after all.

boosmummie · 07/03/2011 14:25

Get a seat or make sure you can get a skycot when you book in. Some airlines will just give you a seat if the flight's not full, but that is a risk to count on for a 12hr flight.

weegiemum · 07/03/2011 14:36

I'v done this twice (return!).

First time was with ds when he was 15/16 months on 13 hour flight to west coast Canada - dh and I just took it in turns to hold him on our laps and as ew had dd1 (only dd at that point) in between us in 3 seat row, we put up the armrests and just had the 2 of them between us. It was harder going for me as I was pg with dd2 at the time (5 months) so less room on my lap!

Second time with dd2 (now 16mo) when we flew to Central America (via Canada for family reasons) so had a lot of time with her on our laps - lucj]ily me not pg this time!. We did a 13 hour flight to BC one day followed by 8 hours to Guatemala the following day. (but on the way back 8 hours to BC, 3 wees in Canada then return)

You just do it! Or you pay the extra £4-500 for the seat. Personally, we were prapared to take the discomfort for the duration of the flight in order to have the extra money to spend onthe holiday when we got there.

I think a lot of people get very precious about the flights. Its half a day - just put up with it! Or but medised or piriton and dose them up!!!

Just get there, and then enjoy your holiday, I eould say!

AlaskaHQ · 07/03/2011 14:44

What airline is it? My kids still fitted in the BA Britax reclining seat (which went on the same fold down bulkhead platform as the sky cot does) at that age.

So I would say, if it were BA, then should be fine, provided you definitely get the right bulkhead seat reservation - phone up reservations now to check, and keep mentioning every time you speak to some one, check-in, boarding, etc, etc.

16 months was still pretty OK for travelling I found ... 19/20 months became a nightmare, just wanting to escape everywhere DS could. (Both times were with BA)

Sidge · 07/03/2011 14:56

I flew London-Perth with DD3 on my lap, she was 13 months.

But luckily very diddy and I had the bassinet to park her in. Having said that she hardly slept and was awake all the way to Dubai. Then from Dubai to Perth we had lots of turbulence and the stewardess made me take her out of the bassinet every time we had to put our belts on.

It was bloody hard work. She played on the floor quite a bit and we did laps of the aisle. But my god it was the longest 20 hours ever. Especially as DH was 40 rows back with the other 2 DDs.... I had to clamp her between my feet if I wanted to eat.

If I had the money I would pay for the extra seat!

AmDramMam · 07/03/2011 15:11

We have done Return London-Australia twice - once with 15mo DS and again a couple of years later with him and 14mo DD. Neither time did we have the extra money for a seat for the toddler so we just coped with them on our lap!

They usually put all kids together in the bulkhead seats so if you check in early you should get one. This makes a difference as you get extra leg room and there's room for the toddler to play on the floor. Both my DCs also slept on the floor (a makeshift bed made from the pillows and blankets you get) as they were too big for the bassinet thing. Take plenty of books, toys and snacks. There will be moments when they kick off but all the other parents will be in the same boat!

Another thing to note is that as they don't have a seat, they don't get a meal. The baby meal is just a jar of puree so if you want something more substantial for your DC you'll need to bring it. They're good at warming milk but don't bother bringing any of your own, they have plenty on board.

It's pretty stressful and hideous but as Weegiemum says, you just do it. And when it's over you feel smug about the amount of money you saved (in our case £700.)

Good luck - A 12 hour flight is nothing compared to a 24-hour one!

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