Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Would you fly longish haul with 3mo and 2yo on your own?

28 replies

redrum29 · 26/08/2014 18:01

I'm thinking of heading to see my parents next month with my newish born and toddler. As we live abroad, they don't see these particular grandchildren that often. I am also going back at Christmas with my husband.
I will definitely travel with the baby, but wondering if it is insane to even think of travelling with both baby and my 2.3 yo toddler, who is quite wilful and apt to run off. Has anyone done it alone (my husband can't join b/c of work), and is it worth it, or should I just wait till December...? I find travelling with a newborn stressful at the best of times..
Grateful for any thoughts.

OP posts:
Original poster
redrum29 · 26/08/2014 18:02

and i should mention that the trip involves a connection..

OP posts:
Justgotosleepnow · 26/08/2014 18:05

I think you are crazy to consider it! I've done one return flight for 1 hour with a 9mo and never again. Well not til she's a child at least.

Hopefully others can give you better advice!

StripyBanana · 26/08/2014 18:08

Er no I wouldnt.... I put off travelling to Australia with 2 that age WITH my husband for a few years ;)

If you could go with just the baby at least he/she can just feed/sleep. 11 months was an AWFUL age to travel longhaul in our experience (too big really for skycot, wouldn't sleep ever) so 2 months maybe better than later...

It's so trickywhen its family isn't it? Is there any chance they can come over to you... (and help/cook/look after you ;))

sanfairyanne · 26/08/2014 18:11

how far?

i did it a couple of times with no real problems. obviously it is easier with someone else, but it was ok

my flights were 3 hours plus one hour so not too far/long

addictedtosugar · 26/08/2014 18:12

Is the baby here yet?
Are they easy going, or hard work?

If you have an easy going baby, a sling, and reins, I think I'd risk it to see my parents.

I think it will be really hard work. I've done M1 and trains with 2 little people on my own.

We've done 2 parents and 2 kids long haul. DH was on the other side of the aisle, and when the cabin crew thought I was travelling alone with them, they were full of "call us if you need to leave one of them to go to the loo". They were pretty good when they discovered DH was also on the plane.
DH has done a 2 yr old long haul on his own, with a long connection. It was tough, but OK.

Playdoughcaterpillar · 26/08/2014 18:13

No I wouldn't I don't think and I am usually pretty brave!

LetticeKnollys · 26/08/2014 18:19

I predict that I would probably be daft enough to attempt it and then regret it. Wink

BackforGood · 26/08/2014 18:30

No, I wouldn't.
I think if there were some really pressing reason, like it were the only opportunity to see them in 15 years or something, but NO WAY if you are doing it at Christmas anyway.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 26/08/2014 18:31

No and especially so if it involves a connection. Travelling later on and with your H would be a lot easier all round.

citysnow · 26/08/2014 18:35

I plan to do this next year! I think it will be worth it (but plan is to come back with DH who will join us later)

Booboostoo · 26/08/2014 20:04

Sorry but it sounds like a nightmare. Why put yourself through that? I'd only do it if it was an absolute emergency.

Original poster
redrum29 · 27/08/2014 07:46

yes, perhaps would be a nightmare... it's really weighing up whether better for the toddler to be with a non-working parent, seeing cousins etc or otherwise in childcare for most of day while I am away.. and I guess a lot depends on the attitude of the airline. I had an awful experience once with KLM where I was told off by air hostess for not getting my 18 month old to sleep.

OP posts:
AMillionNameChangesLater · 27/08/2014 07:49

I'm doing it in 2 weeks, again one connection. Only mine is just turning 3 when we're over there and I have a 7 month old. So not totally the same, but very close. I'll report back if that helps?
When I flew klm with ds1 at 15 months they couldn't be nicer. I think it'll depend on who is working. This time we're flying Emirates

Figster · 27/08/2014 07:50

Can't they come to you?

Archduke · 27/08/2014 07:57

I did it with an 8 month old and a just 3 year old. 24 hrs from Oz to UK (and back again). It was pretty hard going but I was desperate to come home and see my family so I just kept my eye on the prize. The kids were mostly fine actually, just a couple of freak outs and the airline staff were amazing (until I got to Heathrow where they were utterly shit).

If you have a change check with the airline to see if they'll offer you help. Malaysian Airlines were wonderful and I got heaps of help at KL airport.

Archduke · 27/08/2014 07:58

I had to let the airline know I was travelling alone with 2 small children and they made sure I was met at the gate at KL - all my hand luggage (quite a lot with 2 small kids) was carried so I could concentrate on the kids, we were taken to a lounge and then picked up again before the connecting flight. Was ace.

diggerdigsdogs · 27/08/2014 08:08

Yep I've done it a number of times.

Perth to Sydney (5 odd hrs) from about 4 months and 2.2yrs with Virgin and qantas
Sydney to LA via NZ when 6 months and 2.4yrs
Sydney to uk via Singapore at 7 months and 2.5yrs.
Sydney to uk via HK at 1.4yrs and 3yrs.
Plus multiple trips to Perth.

(We have bags of frequent flier points due to DHs work - not mega loaded)

It is frankly FAR easier when the youngest is tiny. It only gets harder ime.

It's also ony stressful for a maximum of 24 hours each way. It's not the end of the world and (for me) I could suck it up. People are generally kind and helpful.

Bring lots of food and changes of clothes for both kids and you. iPads galore. Toys etc.

I've found qantas, Cathay and Singapore all great with kids. Emirates too. BA were great when my d was tiny but haven't travelled with them in ages so can't comment.

Honestly it's not impossible it's not that hard.

StripyBanana · 27/08/2014 09:39

Digger - we did uk/singapore/oz and yes it really WAS that hard. Probably depends partly on children too. Mine just did not sleep and sat either bf or crying on my lap the whole way. The break in singapore was ace though.

Singapore airlines were amazing though (kids meals brought out first,staff come and introduce themselves to them etc) and singapore airport is ace for kids (butterfly garden, fish, play areas.)

We're really looking forwards to travelling to oz next year with a 6 and 3 year old and booked extra time in sigapore!

sanfairyanne · 27/08/2014 09:40

if it is just a question of taking or leaving the toddler, then i would take him. its not so bad, honestly, and even if it is, you then have family to look after you all

rubyflipper · 27/08/2014 10:02

Well, if you fly Malaysian you'll have the plane to yourselves. Have you seen the photos of deserted cabins?

diggerdigsdogs · 27/08/2014 13:50

Stripy that's true re depending on your kids.

:o next August I'll be flying to my brother's wedding. It will be me, dd4, ds2 and dc unknown sex of 5 months.

StripyBanana · 27/08/2014 14:28

Its 11 - 18 months I wanted to avoid from our experience...so you should be ok -older ome tv/films little one sleep/feed and middle one sleep/stickers? :) have fun.

Pastperfect · 28/08/2014 07:31

I've done similar several times.
Three months is pretty easy IME, but the age crawling to when they can be distracted with cartoons is hardest, so I would expect the challenge to lie with your toddler.

That being said if you already know that you find traveling with a baby stressful then it's probably best avoided

foodfairy · 06/09/2014 01:58

I have 3 kids and due both sets of grandparents living abroad have flown long haul a lot. I find the hardest age is about 1 until 21/2. When they are moving but not happy to watch tv for hours. I did a 7 hour flight on my own with kids of exactly the same age. We took a night flight stuck them both in pjs and despite being delayed by 3 hours it was fine. We all slept. 3 month old easiest of all as she slept lots, fed lots anyway and didn't bother with jet lag. Depends on how essential trip is to you and what kids are like generally. If you find it hard going at home might be harder still on a plane. On a plus point my older kids are now great - plug into entertainment system and don't hear from them for hours!!!

DancingDinosaur · 06/09/2014 02:05

Yes. I think you would find it easier now whilst one a tiny baby that does not run around. I think this is probably the best time, as the younger one gets more active you might find it is some years before you consider it again. Its easier to keep control of one active child than it is two. I would do it.