Flying solo with 2 kids

[Laineymc7]

Hi
Has anyone flown one their own with their kids age 1 and 2.5. It’s a short haul flight to visit family. I always get someone to come either way with me but it means family booking flights they don’t need. Rather than do this I was thinking of just trying to do it on my own. Am I mad? Do you think I would cope?

Mine have a bigger age gap, but I’ve flown on my own with them a lot. It’s not great fun, but it is doable.

You're not mad. It will be fine. It might not be fun but you will get through it, it's only short haul.

Try to make life as easy as possible, i.e. book priority boarding and book a window and middle seat so you can block the toddlers in at the window with their toys on the seat (once you are airborne) and worry less about them kicking people or escaping. I really like the back row in the corner to minimise contact with other people!

Even if the 2.5 year old is toilet trained I would use a pull up to make life easier. Do a final change in departures and pray they don't poo! Quiet new toys/sticker books and a fully loaded tablet of their fave shows.

I travel lots and still have the occasional hellish flight if the toddler kicks off but you just get through it the best you can. It's not worth the time or cost of another adult doing extra flights.

Yeah, been there and survived. Load up the iPad, buy one of those kids magazines with stickers and a few snacks. Buggy through the airport for containment.

I don't book priority boarding - easyJet always let families on first anyway.

Yes I have. Long haul also. Three on one trip and, a few years later with four on another. I asked for all the assistance I could get, including the golf buggy round the airport treatment. It’s free, it’s there for a reason so make use. Cabin crew were also helpful. It’s doable, don’t stress too much.

Thanks so much for all the positive messages. I think with planning it will be doable. My eldest is potty trained but in such a situation I might need to explain that we need to pop a nappy on for the plane. We will see how we go. I have an out and about double buggy so can bring that. Will he hard folding it up at the gate and hoping the kids don’t try and run away etc. My youngest could go in a sling just to get on the plane and my eldest can walk. It just the part from getting off the plane to getting luggage is such a long walk without a buggy.

You can usually bring your buggy to the bottom of the aircraft steps and pick it up at the same place when you disembark - only Heathrow didn’t give me the buggy back until luggage reclaim.

Most airports return the buggy at the steps of aircraft but not all so I always take a sling just in case. The walk can be long.

I can't believe the previous poster who suggested getting special treatment at the airport and ferried around! Ok that person had 4 on her own, but can you imagine if every parent travelling alone with 2 kids asked for VIP treatment? Sometimes you just have to get on with it. Normal people and gate staff are helpful if there are stairs to negotiate at gate with buggy and cases. Other tip, kids usually have an allowance, certainly over 2s so it's much easier to take rucksacks than a wheelie case.

Notanotherjaffacake Gatwick also don’t bring your buggy back to the aircraft when you land in there. It’s a really long walk to baggage reclaim from the plane. This is the part of the journey I’m most worried about.

Will defo pack iPad and water pen for colouring and stickers. Lots of snacks. I always use a rucksack so my hands are free.

How about reins for the older one when you're in the airport? I've never flown just me and DS but he was a bugger for running off at that age.

I have a little life backpack that I can use.

If u ask the cabin crew after landing they can get the pushchair at the steps of the aircraft. They just ask the ground staff.