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What to take on a long haul flight?

45 replies

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 29/05/2023 18:21

Going to Mexico in a month with DH and 3xDD (ages 12, 10 and 5).

Just starting to think about what to take on the flight, specifically in the following categories:
Clothing
Footwear
Entertainment
Snacks
Sleeping

This is our first long haul flight and I feel like I could benefit from the wisdom of some seasoned travellers! Will the plane be cold? How can I get the DC to sleep comfortably? Will it be hell?

So many questions...

OP posts:
Randobelia · 29/05/2023 18:28

Eye masks

Water bottles

Kindles for the older two, does your little one read?

Maybe a sticker book?

Am assuming if it's long haul there will be loads of food and films to watch, so maybe something like cereal bars/a sweetie.

IME planes are usually roasting or freezing - helpful! Maybe something like joggers, t shirt and hoodie, that way can layer up or down.

Randobelia · 29/05/2023 18:29

Haven't flown long haul with DC yet, but I think on the way back just have to get through it. On the way there everyone is excited and in a good mood, way back is harder I think.

Ear plugs!!!

runwithme · 29/05/2023 18:31

Definitely sticker books. A great tip I learnt is to peel off the border of the stickers so that the little one can peel off the actual sticker without constant parental assistance!
Also, wrap little treats for them, sticker books, modelling clay, crayons...anything to drag it out so they are occupied longer!

Polkadotties · 29/05/2023 18:32

Planes are either freezing cold or boiling hot. They tend to turn the temperature up to make everyone go to sleep

Einszwei · 29/05/2023 18:33

Warm socks. An empty water bottle (fill up at the refill station after security). Snacks. Lip balm.

BriarHare · 29/05/2023 18:37

We have flown long haul with ours from when small babies onwards.

I’m always cold on planes but just wrap one of the blankets around me.

Your youngest is old enough to be entertained by the inflight system, but at that age, we always spent a LONG time playing Uno too 🥴I would take headphones that fit them, airline headphones are crap. If your kids have noise cancelling ones, even better.

We never bother with snacks as there’s loads to eat on the plane.

Ours always managed to sleep on the night flights home. Children seem not to mind the cramped conditions. You’re flying outside of the school holidays, so there might be spare seats to stretch out on.

CouldIHaveThatInEnglishPlease · 29/05/2023 18:41

Lip balm. Flights always dry my lips out.
eye mask
ear plugs (get nice ones)
get some snacks and maybe some food - be prepared for you dc to hate the aeroplane food (I ended up with 3 meals to myself last October because I seem to be the only person to actually enjoy the food)
empty water bottles to fill up after security.
Comfy socks

I wouldn’t worry about loads of things to keep the dc entertained - mine were happy with the onboard entertainment

Digestive28 · 29/05/2023 18:44

The excitement of the screens helps a lot. But agree to take own headphones.
its more the waiting around in airports that is tedious so some games, chargers for your phones (most airports have plugs can use) and drinks.
then slipper socks are useful and pack small in a bag and make it more comfy

PinkPondQueen · 29/05/2023 18:54

This!!! Nasal passages get really dry on a long haul flight and it's extremely uncomfortable and stings - this works instantly, just dab a bit around the nostrils.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ayr-Saline-Nasal-Soothing-0-5-Ounce/dp/B0010NSC1U

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ayr-Saline-Nasal-Soothing-0-5-Ounce/dp/B0010NSC1U?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-holidays-4816246-what-to-take-on-a-long-haul-flight

Qilin · 29/05/2023 19:06

Headphones - you'll get free ones to use but they are usually rubbish and uncomfortable.

Do your older children have tablets, like iPads? Fully charged iPads, with comfortable headphones and a charging cable. Most long haul planes have usb sockets these days. Things to watch or listen to which have been downloaded. Same with games, etc - they need to be downloaded and not need Wi-Fi to work.

There will be tv, films, music and some basic games in the inflight entertainment, you can normally check what will be on by logging into the flight company website.

Comfortable clothes. I find planes tend to be warmer rather than colder these days. So maybe layers. You'll be given a thin blanket and small pillow. Thin pair of socks.

Bottle of water each - buy when through or take an empty water bottle and fill up once through security, etc. Most airports have drinking water stations.

Smallest one - some small toys, sticker books, magnetic games, etc. Ideally don't bring all out at once - space them out a bit. Magazines often go down well. Most airlines will give the youngest some form of 'children's entertainment bag' with some basic things in - not much but it often feels excited to get it when you're little.

If your children are a bit fussy with food - some simply, easy to eat, non messy snacks.

Muncha · 29/05/2023 20:05

I take a foot hammock. I can't sleep unless my feet are up.

snoozeyoulosecruise · 29/05/2023 20:57

runwithme · 29/05/2023 18:31

Definitely sticker books. A great tip I learnt is to peel off the border of the stickers so that the little one can peel off the actual sticker without constant parental assistance!
Also, wrap little treats for them, sticker books, modelling clay, crayons...anything to drag it out so they are occupied longer!

Don't take modelling clay in hand luggage, I learnt the hard way with playdoh that had to swabbed!

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/05/2023 21:02

Muncha · 29/05/2023 20:05

I take a foot hammock. I can't sleep unless my feet are up.

RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE.

Sorry to shout but I hate sitting upright and have looked into these and got increasingly confused.

HermioneWeasley · 29/05/2023 21:17

Neck pillows
toothbrush and paste
lip balm, moisturiser, hand cream, eye drops (can you tell airplanes dry me out)
chargers and power banks

HermioneWeasley · 29/05/2023 21:18

Take any mediation in hand luggage
travel sickness pills
change of clothes and swimwear for everyone in case your suitcases get lodt

airtags in your checked bags

Muncha · 29/05/2023 21:56

@MrsTerryPratchett I got one like this, you put the tray down in front, put the strap over and then close it up Flat Travel Foot Rest Portable Adjustable Folding Hanging Foot Hammock - for Airplane, Office, Under Desk, Car, Home Relaxing Soft Padded in Flight Anti Swelling - by BlueSkye amzn.eu/d/iWfbdRw

TheMeaningOfLife · 30/05/2023 08:16

A change of clothes for everyone in hand luggage. I spilt red wine all over my cream linen pants when we hit turbulence on a flight a few weeks back. When I travelled with kids I always had a full change but grew lazy over the years. We had another 12 hours to go too.

lemonyellows · 30/05/2023 08:22

Neck pillows but ones which are flat at the back so neck doesn't get pushed forward.

IWantToVote · 31/05/2023 07:10

Fuzzy felt is good on flights. Modelling clay would be a bad idea.
Nintendo switch or iPads for kids and adults.

gogohmm · 31/05/2023 07:56

Long haul? Only things I have in addition to short haul is thick socks if I'm wearing sandals as my feet get cold (winter flights obviously aren't an issue) and also a cardigan though would always have them. Power bank can be useful too.

gogohmm · 31/05/2023 07:57

Which airline btw, some give you blankets , eye masks etc

HermioneWeasley · 31/05/2023 08:53

@gogohmm most full service carriers give a blanket long haul but eye masks etc are usually only for premium or business class

MavisTheMonkey · 31/05/2023 09:28

Kids take a backpack each with:
Headphones
Tablet
A book / magazine
Water bottle (empty, fill it up after security)

My / DH's backpack:
Same as above plus pens / paper for colouring, 3 x travel games - uno, dobble, top trumps are easily played by the age ranges you have and take up very little space.
Sandwiches and cereal bars as I can guarantee my kids won't eat the inflight meal
Foot hammocks - they are amazing and allow the kids to sleep. I have one too as I'm 5ft and made me much more comfortable- well worth the £20 each we paid.

cooldarkroom · 31/05/2023 09:51

a change of clothes each, sox, warm jumper/jacket I have a cachemire a travel poncho, so half jumper have blanket ! (always cold on the aisle seat) iPad plus charger, books, colouring books, sudoku, snack

Scrunchcake · 31/05/2023 09:56

Footwear that's easy to pop off and on (even if your feet swell a bit) for getting up to stretch your legs / go to toilet