Best time for long haul layover

[Fairycakes86]

Hello - first time mum here. Will be taking LO to south east Asia at around 10 months old.

Looking at flights, there is no non stop, and the 1-2 hour stop overs could be in the Middle East, with 6-7 hour journey on either side, or closer to the end destination (12-14 hours for first leg), with an hour second flight to go at the end (and vice versa on the way back). Stop over would also be 1-2 hours.

What would be the best option and why?

bump

What time of day are the layovers in relation to Uk time/destination time ?

For me it all depends on departure time. If an evening departure I'd do the 12 hour leg in the hope baby slept most of it. If it's a morning or afternoon departure I'd do the mid journey stop

I’ve done lots of long haul with babies/tots and it does not really matter. Normal bedtimes go out of the window, flights are delayed, stuff happens. The only thing I advice is to always book a seat for the baby, and to bring a car seat/baby seat that fits in plane seat

(Check the rules on what is allowed)

I once did long haul with a babe in arms, 9 months, we got a seat with a little cot in front, and the baby did not fit in the cot thing…

good luck, it will be fine

Doesn’t matter, routine will all go to shit anyway and that is a tough age because they will probably be mobile, definitely will have a limited attention span and are highly unlikely to fit in a bassinet. I’d go with the cheapest option and put the saving towards buying baby their own seat as that will help more than the timing of the stopover.

You would be max to fly anywhere with just 1-2 hours between flights right now. We were 3 hours late departing a few weeks ago. What would you do then? I strongly recommend much longer.,

When that happens, the airline will rebook you and put you up in a hotel in the meantime if needed.

I would much rather risk that than voluntarily booking a 4/5h+ layover. That’s just unnecessarily long, especially with children. The vast majority of flights are still arriving to their destinations on time.

There are so many delays now with leaving the UK, I cannot see how a hotel is better! You might be really hanging around for that and having to get the info and get on a coach with your luggage. That’s madness with children.

It’s really better to build in around 4 hours between flights. Or make a conscious decision to break the journey. I would never ever do 1-2 hours now. A local flight was delayed on our Canada holiday recently. Some people had big issues as their onward bound flights were after arrival time. It’s simply not worth this anxiety. There are not just new flights with spare seats sitting together or even in your class of seat. Flights are not scheduled as they were. It’s a different world out there and you need to build enough time into two journeys. 1-2 hours is ridiculously tight.

Look at the times, and go for something that gives you (the adult) the best chance of functioning. Dubai Airport at 3am with tired, fractious kids is not fun! It is slightly less painful at 3pm.

It’s simply not worth this anxiety.

Different people, different opinions and all that. For some people it’s not anxiety inducing.

If you’re going to Asia and transiting through the Middle East, there won’t be a coach to get on with your luggage. They’ll arrange an in-terminal room and take care of your bags for you. They’re not budget airlines.

1-2 hours is ridiculously tight.

I fly several times a month, most of them with multiple layovers. Over the past 6 weeks I haven’t missed one single connection and I’ve never had more than 2 hours between them. I recently went through Newark at EU arrival peak time, and made it through in 45 minutes, catching my 2h connection. Some coworkers with more comfortable gaps missed flights because it’s luck of the draw, but 90% of us had no issues.

Delays make the news but normal flights going to schedule don’t. Of course some people are more risk averse and would rather have a long layover. For others, it’s worth the (small) risk of being delayed en route. That’s why I replied to ‘what would you do then’. Well, you’d have a free night in a luxurious hotel at Abu Dhabi airport, extra loyalty points and some free food.

My just turned 1yr old did, only just mind, but she did!
OP, it honestly doesn't matter, do what's easiest for you, babies are portable, I did it on my own and we survived.
Layover was in Bangkok if that helps.

I would consider the stopover airport carefully, eg when flying Aus - Europe I always transit in Singapore if I can as the airport is great and easy to navigate and if anything happened and you got stuck there for a while it's a nice place to hang out.