Long Haul travel with a 22 month old.

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We have just got back from a 2 week holiday in Seattle USA with our 22 month old and wanted to share some of our experiences.

Firstly the flight- if at all possible book a seat for them. Most airlines don't expect you to book one so you have to do it on the phone rather than online but it really is worth the money. We thought we had booked one on the outgoing journey only to find out that infact we didn't have one. (Needless to say we booked one for the return journey)
HAve lots of different activities for them. I had put everything in small ziplock bags so that you can get things out easily. We packed lots of small books, cars, threading beads, craft materials and even glue ( I got one less that 100ml) and we even made puppets out of the flight socks. Aquadraw make portable sheets which were great and we also packed the portable DVD player which was a real godsend at some points when we needed a bit of down time.
Take lots of small snacks with in ziplocks so that you can access them. I also carried on a small cool bag with several different meal options. This was great as we could feed our son whenever.

Thanks for this. This is really useful.

We're off to DC and Boston with our 21 month old and 4 year old in October and I'm quite nervous about it.

We've travelled longhaul before - California when DS was 8 months (very easy), and New York and DC when DS was 3 and DD 8 months (again found this quite easy).

This time, however, DD is at that age where she doesn't take too kindly to sitting down when she doesn't want to, doesn't want to go in a buggy etc etc - a real independent little madam. We haven't booked a seat for her either (yes, I know, but we just didn't think) so I can see take off and landing being a nightmare and I'm just praying she'll sleep lots or watch some TV.

Will report back in mid October.

ohh, can I add some more tips (flew with 16 mth old & 3.5 yo to Minneapolis ealier in the year, was so easy I nearly had to find a hat & eat it)

BOOK BULKHEAD SEATS ... or if you're too late to do that ring the airline, beg, wheddle then turn up early at check in (we got bulkhead seats both ways AND a spare seat both ways, having not booked seat for dd)
Wrap all new activities - unwrapping is always interesting , even if item is dull!
Military hand luggage packing - eg all 'normal' snacks in one sidepocket, emergancy treat snacks in another (we didn't have to use our emergancy ones, so i had a chocolate button fest on our return home!)
Remember you have two journies! Buy enough toys for both.
Sounds obvious, I know...

I agree on booking bulkhead seats as they give lots of extra room. We didn't take lots of toys, just a few, but were lucky that there was another kid on board of about the same age so kids played together. Airline staff were also fab and would take dd off for tours of the airplane! Guess that depends on the airline, we were on Qantas to Sydney with DD at 22 months. Was fine, on way back the plane was empty so she could just run around. We booked night flights both ways so she slept a lot of the way too.

This is just what I was looking for. Am travelling alone to Antigua in couple of weeks with DD 3.5 years and DS 16 months - very active. Have booked a sat for DS and planning to take a car seat for him in the vain hope he might sleep for an hour (it is a daytime flight). If anyone has anymore useful tips to help me through I would really appreciate feedback. DS particularly likes footballs which are probably not very aircraft friendly!

great tips there! I read the post with interest as I had posted last month asking for tips on how to occupy a very active 16 month old on long haul.
Great idea wrapping everything-have been buying litle bits and pieces so I have a goody bag full of new toys to entertain him however I have a feeling I will be spending most of the flight walking up and down the aisle! I have phoned ahead and requested the bulk head seats. Apparently if there are babies on board they get priority as thats where the sky cots are but if there are no babies then we will be seated there.Fingers crossed!