Tips for flying long haul with a toddler

[Teapig]

My DD is 16 months and next month we're off to sunny California. I'm getting so worried about the flight, it's our first time flying with a little one and it's an 11 hour flight, that I forget we're off to have fun. She has some serious food allergies which add to the stress of flying but that's another issue.

So what are your top tips for keeping a little amused on a flight?

hi teapig, i 'm in the same situation and asked for advice in a former post - here is the thread for your reference:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/longhaul/2166300-how-to-keep-a-toddler-entertained-top-tips-please
good luck!

Always ask for a bassinet/bulkhead until 2 years old. My dd used to sit bolt upright in hers at that age and beam and wave like the queen at all the other passengers! If you can get her to fit in the bassinet for a sleep, fold a blanket into a long thin piece and lie it crossways so the edges are easy to lift, then you can lift her out without waking her when the seatbelt light goes on.
If it's daytime, don't be afraid to move around the cabin, dd liked to walk around and soon had favourite people to wave to on every flight! For night flights, aim to have dd in pyjamas before getting on the plane and settle her down after meal service. Seats away from toilets are better, less light and movement.
Take many small, interesting, fiddly toys with you but nothing that falls to pieces - you don't want to be searching around for bits under chairs. Bring them out one at a time. New books.
Be prepared that the toilet will be either v.v.v. exciting or v.v.v. alarming. There is space to change a nappy in them. Take lots of nappies, altitude usually means more poo.
Air personnel are your friends, accept their help. Dd loves going and helping them in the galley!
Planes are noisy, even when you can hear her screaming, very few other people can.
Have a wonderful time and remember, you'll never see those people again!

Having just got back from Denver with 3yo DTs I would say book a night flight if at all possible, we were day time on the way out and it was horrendous. We had toys / books / ipads and all sorts but they just did not want to sit still for that long.

Night flight on the way back was fine as they just conked out. I will never fly daytime again longhaul even if it means booking different airlines due to schedules.