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Original poster

Help! Advice Needed - 20 month old Flying to US - One long flight or Break it up?

13 replies

Corrin · 28/04/2004 15:26

Can anyone give me some advice on my potential trip to the US?

My brother's geting married in California and we'd love to be there but I'm concerned about the flight and the jet lag...!

I'm unsure whether to break the flight up (you can do this free now)and spend a night in NY or whether to get it over with in one go.

I'm concerend about her being on a plane for that long (boredom) and trying to get used to the time difference.

We'd be flying to LA.

OP posts:

Northerner · 28/04/2004 15:28

Personally I'd break it up. But we had a bad experience with ds on a flight to Spain (only 2 hours)so I would say that. He was a similar age to your ds at the time.

hana · 28/04/2004 15:33

Longest flight I've had with dd has been 8 hours -to the east coast of NA - she was 3 months first trip and we've been back several times. DD is 2.6 now. I'd go for it in one go, get it overwith, and deal with the jetlag once you get there. There won't be a lot you can do about jetlag for little ones - they will sleep when they want to unfortunately. You didn't say how old your daughter was?? THere are some great threads about entertaining babies/toddlers on flights ( sorry can't do a fancy link). I've always found that heading west is ok, it's coming back to the UK when the time difference and jet lag catch up with her (and us!)

hana · 28/04/2004 15:34

oops - she is 20 months

Sari · 28/04/2004 15:38

I don't know how long it takes to get to LA but I'd do it in one go. That way, if the flight goes badly at least you'll know you don't have to do it again the next day. Also, you're unlikely to get much rest if you're spending a night in a strange place so you might as well get there and have longer to get over it.

We regularly do 14 hour flights plus another 1.5 hour one. Knowing that you have to get on another plane and do it all over again is awful, even if one of them is only a short flight.

Twinkie · 28/04/2004 15:39

I'd do it in one go and get it over with - think if you split it it will just seem a lot longer and more of a hassle!!

katierocket · 28/04/2004 15:41

do it in one go definitely.

Hulababy · 28/04/2004 15:43

I'd do it all in one and get it over with. We are planning on taking DD to Autralia next year and she'll be just 3 - doing that all in one too, as think 2 days on a plane would be worse than just getting it all done in one.

Tex111 · 28/04/2004 15:46

I flew to Texas with my 20 month old last month and it was fine all in one go. Make sure you ask for bulk head seats and get the skycot or skychair that most airlines have. I was alone and I could strap DS into the chair and go to the loo, etc.

One thing I did discover is that if the baby doesn't have a seat they don't provide a meal for him/her. I managed to get a meal for DS both ways just by asking but I would take along plenty of snacks just in case.

miserlyzebra · 28/04/2004 16:02

I have flown UK to California and back again... 3x? with children age 15m-3.5y. My only advice is to try to allow a week to get back into a sensible schedule/routine after you land, if that's very important to you. Otherwise, definitely one-go.

stace · 28/04/2004 16:27

definetly do it in one go, have done it a few times and have been lucky enough to have a good flier. Always used to take a bottle of milk ready for take off and one for landing so that any ear pressure problems would be helped by the sucking. Mine nearly always falls asleep through most of the flight (luck i know) the other thing is to take lots of little toys, macdonalds, burger king toys are good cos they are small etc and paper and pens, books, sticker books. etc. good luck!!!

suedonim · 28/04/2004 16:39

Do it in one. Checking into an hotel and out again is such a hassle. The length of flight can vary wildly to the W coast if you're needing a connection from outside London. I've found they vary between 13hrs and 27hrs!!

kalex · 29/04/2004 18:41

Definately do it in one. Have taken daughter to states once, and have travelled on my own to south africa with both children. I got a Backpack that I carried my then 5mth old. Absolute bliss. Not only did I carry hime everywhere it had a stand so that I could put him down in the backpack and feed him. By the end of it all had delevoped very strong back and arm muscles.

Whatever way you do, I'm sure you'll have agreat time!

Original poster

Corrin · 05/05/2004 10:31

Thanks to everyone who commented.

I've reserved a flight with BA from Heathrow which is direct to LA.

I would have broken the journey up thinking that was better, but have gone with your advice.

Thank you!

OP posts:

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