Florida on Wednesday, what food/drink can I take for 20mth old ? (virgin flight)

[Mojomummy]

We are flying from Gatwick to Orlando on Wednesday. We haven't book a seat for DD2, but am assuming she will be given a meal.

In case she isn't & we are flying at lunch time, we're intending on taking her a lunch & also something for DD1 (who is 4yrs 10mths).

Would like to know what the rules are - am thinking 2 x tropicana go drinks, which are sealed, 2 x sandwiches 2 x fruit (or maybe those yogurt tubes). Will this go through ok & should I buy DD2 one of those sealed Heinz/Hipp toddler meals ? Can we take bottles of water ? does it all have to be in bottles less than a certain amount ? (100ml ?)

Anyone else on our flight ?!

You still can't take more than 100ml containers through security. Can buy airside though if choice mroe limited.

Check with the airline about toddler lunches, some of them only provide for 3+ years old.

I'm not sure about the drinks but I'm sure you can get them in the area after security. Having said that, being a flight to the US is difficult to know what to expect. Check with the airline.

Toddler meals... as long as they don't require heating should be Ok.

I would not assume that your dd will be given a meal if she doesn't have a seat, though Virgin are usually fairly good. Personally I would phone and check as I vaguely remember one trip where ds1 fell into a gap - they had jars of 4m baby food on board but nothing for a toddler, and he wasn't included in meal allocations as he didn't have a seat.

100ml rule still applies, but you can buy loads of stuff in Boots at Gatwick after security.

Bring baby food and fruit/snacks etc, but buy drinks once you've gone through security/check in. They'll confiscate anything over 100ml otherwise (although I think they make an exception for formula milk).

thanks - will little juice cartons be ok then, with the straws if they are less than 100ml ? Am thinking things to suck on when taking off.

Last year we flew to Majorca & had to ditch are 500ml bottles of evian at the check-in. I wasn't happy as I like to drink on the plane.

little cartons are 200ml. You can buy airside though.

I'm afraid they will ask you to try each container so... no much use to have so many cartons open before boarding the plane. I would buy them before getting into the plane. And whatever you manage to get into the plane don't give them sweets/sugary drinks during the trip! (In the interest of your sanity, of course )

BTW you can't get 200ml cartons pass security anymore, they have to be less than 100 and so far I have not found anything that small. (You can carry them with a doctor note in case of allergies, but even with it it is an absolute pain!)

You need to book a child's meal with Virgin at least 3 days in advance otherwise you may not get any food for her. Child's meals on Virgin are not great anyway, you are better off with your own food.

TBH I would not rely on the airline to provide anyway but instead to take along with you her own favourite foodstuffs. Gatwick security are very strict with regards to liquids and are confiscating any liqud over 100ml (went through there yesterday). We had to get rid of our bottle of evian water before the security checkpoint. (also they do not allow baggage trollies through the security checkpoint).

Wear comfy shoes because you will have a long walk to arrivals once you get to Orlando. You can take your suitcases now onto the tram (if poss I would suggest you do this as it will save time).

Bring an umbrella too, its been raining here today on and off!!.

HTH

Attila in Orlando

Aha you're already there !

Well the only drinks I have are innocent which are 180ml - I assume they'll be no good, so we'll be sure to buy once through check-in.

Have bought 2 x toddler meals, can I take bananas on the plane ?

Always wear comfy shoes - will warn my friend who wears high heels.

Have got kagoul & umbrella's at the ready.
Do you think I'll need a raincover for the pushchair too ?

Thanks