Tips for flying long haul

[gingermary]

We live in south africa and used to come home to the UK annually and I felt like I'd got flying with kids sussed. Due to covid and the increased costs of flying we haven't now been since 2019 and go later this month, 2 changeovers, in a local airport and then Dubai. The kids are now 9 and 12 and perfectly sensible, so no need for all the little treats and mystery presents I used to take when they were toddlers. I've always taken them alone. But, I'm suddenly pretty nervous that I've forgotten how to do it. So what are your top tips for flying, what to take on the flight, what not to take etc. What have I forgotten?

Dress in layers and if you’re not wearing socks with your shoes, take a pair in your hand luggage. It gets chilly!
Don’t pack anything in your hold luggage that you can’t do without for a few days, or anything for sentimental value that can’t be replaced.
Take chargers for your devices in hand luggage because you can plug them in at the airport and sometimes even on your flight if they’re getting low on battery.
Take some hard boiled sweets to suck on take off and landing, to help with ear pressure
Don’t make the mistake of having tea, coffee or coke after or with your meal if you want to sleep, unless you ask especially for decaf.

You have made it difficult by not flying direct! Why not fly direct from Joburg or CT?

You need something for them to occupy themselves with. Books/devices? Maybe a hoodie for warmth? Do wear socks but it SA winter anyway. We always took a change of clothes and anything expensive in hand luggage. Airports have shops if you do not have everything! Keep all passports in one place. Do not let DC have loads of “stuff” they will forget and leave on the plane!

Have fun. Dc are hardly babies!

Flying direct was way too expensive this time, there are a lot less airlines offering direct flights now between SA and UK than pre-Covid. We have to fly to CT or Joburg anyway.

These flights usually do cost more but are quicker usually. Even changing terminals at Joburg! Lost luggage central! Your DC will be fine though. Dubai is a great shopping airport!

Bring chargers for their devices and download content if can't get on wifi

At least they are old enough to toilet/feed/walk themselves now.

Depending what they include in your onboard pack nowadays- I take ear plugs, eye mask, lip gloves and moisturiser.

I also take socks and those slip on hotel type slippers. I take my shoes/socks off when I get in- put on the warmer socks and use the slippers if I walk around. The toilets are always wet on the floor with who knows what- which I don't want on my socks for many hours 😱When I return to my seat, I tuck the slippers under my seat and remain in my clean socks.

I agree with layers too. I also take a thinnish pashmina which can cover your shoulders if cold, be rolled up as a pillow and not too large to fit into a backpack.

Some familiar snacks/sweets/fruit if allowed

I forgot. I'm not sure at what age children stop having the 'childrens' meal on a flight, but when DH and I have travelled, we often choose something different you can pre-arrange. Sometimes I've had a vegetarian option and he will just chose whatever is on the flight. It means we can mix/match a bit more. I know there are generally 2 choices anyways (chicken or beef for example) but might be worth looking at. Some airlines have far more choices to pre-order than others.

Pack devices, chargers and back up batteries. Whenever possible charge so that all devices are as full as possible for as long as possible

Comfy headphones for all, if you have ones that need to be charged, see point above and take a back ip pair of normal ones

Layers of clothing and a hoodie on the top, the hood can be used to cut down the lighting if they want to sleep

Each child has to carry their own bags thru the airport

Each child needs a neck pillow, pick one that can be attached to the outside of their carryon bag

Each child should pack a bag of snacks they would like to eat. Make sure they also have a way of clipping shut anything that is larger than a single serving, some wipes and a rubbish baggie. One of my dc always packs a huge tube of crackers he likes and a clip, the other packs individual raisin boxes and pretzel packs, the third prefers meat jerky and crisps and the fourth always wants to eat the plane food and sweets - so I make him take some back up carby things

Pack a long lasting sucky style sweet or gum for each take off and landing to manage ear issues. Remind them to not put it in their mouths until the last minute

A collapsible water bottle for each person, fill it once you are through security (there are always water fountains. Open with caution once you are in the air as the pressure will change

Remind them about bathroom etiquette on the plane, and they cant just go whenever they want (seatbelt signs on, takeoff and landing) floors will be awful, dont let trousers legs drop onto them and always wear shoes etc

Remind them that their seat back is someone else’s tray table and their tray table is someone elses seat back and so they need to be thoughtful .

Talk through the entire trip before you go, so they have it in their minds eye and can plan their own patience accordingly.

Consider letting them take the lead in navigating through the airport, checking in, finding the gate so that when they need to do it themselves solo, they have an idea as they havent just been trailing mindlessly behind you for years and not engaging their own brains

See if you can start to time shift your body clocks before you go to minimise jet lag..so get up early/late. Shift meal times by a hour and then another hour (if possible)

Have Fun

• your kids will be fine - mine just binge on the in-flight entertainment
• noise-cancelling headphones can be useful, if you have them
• layers as planes are often too hot or cold
• carry medications, chargers and a spare set of underwear in your hand luggage
• don't forget that any liquids have to be <100ml per bottle or you'll made to throw them away
• don't forget to request special meals in advance, if you require them

I always take these packs

• hotel slippers that can be binned. Shoes off, disposable slippers on

• Comfort pack - soluble paracetamol, tissues, lip balm, hair band, comb, moisturiser, hand cream, face wipes, clear plastic bag to decant liquids.

• toilet pack - anti bac wipes, tissues, tampax (teen DD), compostable sacks

• sleep pack - mask, ear plugs, melatonin

• electric pack - earphones, charger cable.

My magic travel bag (Longchamp large shoulder). Each pack varies in size, but are cloth or like small wash bags.

Unfortunately it means I get constant requests for stuff!

I must be a lightweight flyer. Rarely take any of that stuff. Didn’t for DDs either. Do DC have pashminas now? None of the flights are long which in my view is the bigger issue. Not much sleep time! Eye masks for DC? Neck thingies? They really will survive on inflight entertainment and food. Plus hoodies. Keep shoes on. It’s a total faff trying to find shoes under seats. Don’t throw things away either! In club/business I take shoes off, otherwise I would not bother. Or stripping off loads of clothes. Where are you going to put them? T shirt and hoodie type clothes are fine. Maybe a fold away Mac for here!?

your replies are rather great @TizerorFizz As you fly business on your far flung trips, you’ll get more comfort than most on here. A few things that can make a long flight easier (regardless of whether it’s all in one hop, or not) are worth considering, even if discounted

I have flown economy when we had Dc! Also these flights are not that long and DC are not little! We just didn’t take loads of crap and still don’t. You get fed, you get drinks, you get entertainment and you get a seat. SA to Dubai then Dubai to UK are not very long flights! Durban to Dubai is around 8 hours so this is the worst. I also assume this is Emirates if it’s non stop. We found DC slept pretty easily and just needed the entertainment they chose. I didn’t want to chase up missing things and leave stuff behind in the plane. DH leaves books behind! He’s the worst.

Air tags or equivalent in your luggage is a good idea and good fun!

Other than that it's an easy flight even with the changes. I wouldn't be worried about it at with kids your ages.

I take a shopping bag inside my carry on to put junk in while I'm on the flight.

Use Emirate stickers if they still use them eg "Do not wake for drinks" etc....

Thanks for all the replies, some really useful tips.

I think we are kindred spirits!
Same bag, same contents, same requests to borrow stuff

I do joke that I’m part mum, part pack mule.

I did forget to add - water bottle!