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Original poster

Waking children up at 1 am to go on flight

65 replies

CookiezndCream · 21/04/2024 07:08

Hi there
Really hope you can help.
I don't do holidays .... and I'm now going abroad on Sunday night.
My partner and his mum booked the plane times - flying at 6 am. Having to get up at 1 am to drive to the airport.

I'm already incredibly out of my comfort zone but this is pushing me over the edge. I did try to say not to book middle of the night flights but unfortunately its just worked out that way with cost / where we're going.

My youngest daughter is autistic and this is what I'm really worried about
Have you got any tips for me / her please?
I'm hoping she will sleep in the car on the way there but even pmxe we're at the airport it'll only be 2.30am . So not sure what we do then?!

I'm worrying so much!!
I know it's only one night but also she's only just started sleeping through about 6 months ago so I'm hoping this won't mess her routine up.

I know I'm probably overthinking but this is such a big thing for me as I don't really get out much!

Thank you in advance.

OP posts:

penjil · 21/04/2024 10:18

ontheflighttosingapore · 21/04/2024 08:21

If you have an hour and a half car journey for 6 am flight you don't need to leave until 4am earliest ? there will be zero traffic Why are you leaving so early

Leaving at 4am for a 6am flight will make them miss the flight.

They'll arrive at 5.30am, park the car, and probably not even be in the terminal until 6am.

For an international flight, you need to be there at least 2 hours before, although they recommend 3 hours, and if her children have SEN, then extra time will be needed.

Flamingos89 · 21/04/2024 10:22

We did this last year! Saved us £300 pounds. Which is too much to turn down when you are paying for parking aswell ect.

In all honesty - we were all shattered. But it also meant we were all in bed early that first night and ready to go with bells on the next morning.

My 2 year old adapted to the chaotic day better than we did tbh. As parents we were totally shattered ha!

Absolutely a late morning or afternoon flight is best, would never ever argue otherwise- but when you are talking saving hundreds of pounds I’d say just embrace the chaos for a day, knowing it will indeed be chaos.

We have another holiday with a 1am wake up coming up this year (6am flight) 🙈🙈 - tbf this one was down to the options we had not cost. Had to fly out on a specific day and it was that, or a really late flight (6pm)…. We decided to go for the morning as we know what we are getting now x

WhamBamThankU · 21/04/2024 10:29

We're going on holiday in a few months and to keep my ASD son calm we're staying in a hotel near the airport the night before.

Longma · 21/04/2024 10:43

Which airport are you flying from and will you have checked luggage?

For a 6am flight at most airports you won't need to do bag drop until then means you won't have as long just sat around at the airport. My experience of recent early flights is that there is minimal places open once you go through - usually just the main food court and maybe 1mor 2 smaller coffee shops/stalls.

If your dc has autism it may be worth having a sunflower lanyard and you can also use the express lane for security and bag check, you may also be able to do so at bag drop too, having checked in online beforehand.

If possible stay at a hotel nearby so you don't need to worry about traffic issues. This lets you get up a couple of hours or so later.
Early night, comfy clothes for the flight and try and doze on the plane. have a quiet day and then early night on your first evening on holiday.

WhatWouldYouDo33 · 21/04/2024 12:52

I have a 6am flight and Easyjet let us drop luggage the night before. Check with your airline if it’s possible.

Ginmonkeyagain · 21/04/2024 15:12

You can stay at the airport, that is probably the easiest option. However you really don't need to be at the airport for 2.30am for a 6.30am flight, 4.30am will be more than fine.

We flew to Boston from London Heathrow last Saturday and arrived at 7.30am for a 9.30am flight and it was fine - we had plenty of time to check in our bags and get breakfast. If you only have cabin baggage you can cut that time down even further.

TribeofFfive · 21/04/2024 15:14

Absolutely perfect time to fly with children. I purposefully book 5/6/7am flights and we have 5DC.
wake children up at 1/2am, they’re excited, keep them awake in the car radio on etc
By the time you board, they’re tired again and sleep on the flight. It’s never failed for me and our eldest is 11 and we go abroad 2/3 times a year. The eldest sometimes doesn’t sleep now but will happily read or have her airpods in but the younger ones usually fall asleep before we take off.

elevens24 · 21/04/2024 16:11

The excitement of going on holiday usually outweighs the tiredness. My dc would just catch up on sleep in car or on the plane.

BangingOn · 21/04/2024 16:15

My DS’s favourite holiday memory is getting up in the middle of the night to go to the airport. Every year he asks if we can do it again.

jennylamb1 · 21/04/2024 16:19

I would book a hotel, also get a sunflower lanyard at the airport so if your daughter feels overwhelmed you can ask for some help. We took our autistic son on an early morning flight and he got a bit stressed with the queues and overstimulation at the airport after having had very little sleep, staff saw the lanyard and whisked us through, which really helped his anxiety.

TheSnowyOwl · 21/04/2024 16:20

Book special assistance and if you don’t already, and are in the U.K., look into getting an Access Card to support her needing this at the airport. Where are you flying from? Some eg Gatwick have sensory rooms or quiet areas assigned for those who need them. You can get the necessary lanyard at the airport and also be able to priority board to allow your daughter to settle into her seat before the plane gets busy. I’d also look on YouTube to show her what she can expect at the airport and talk her through it. Sometimes you can have a higher luggage allowance to accommodate her needs. I’d pack extra things she might need - a blanket or something to hide under, ear defenders, fidget toys, reassurance toy, a tablet etc - whatever works for her. Prepare her with descriptions and videos as much as possible and ensure she has comfortable clothes. Good luck. To be honest, sometimes it’s all an overstimulated over sensory loaded shit show regardless but the airport staff and airline will understand and be very helpful.

TheBirdintheCave · 21/04/2024 17:58

jennylamb1 · 21/04/2024 16:19

Yes. I love my lanyard. It definitely helps get through the stressful parts of the airport smoothly.

NeedthatFridayfeeling · 21/04/2024 18:14

My daughter is not autistic so i appreciate this is different, but she's so excited about the holiday she doesn't care when we wake her up. We make sure the car is loaded, everything else done so that we wake her, dress her then we get her into the car so hopefully she might fall back to sleep, we ensure her favourite blanket and teddy is to hand to help. Also take a tub of dry cereal or a cereal bar for when she gets hungry! All the best Op and i hope you enjoy your holiday

fairymom6 · 27/05/2025 12:20

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Evilspiritgin · 27/05/2025 16:11

I wonder if the planning behind going at 1am is that you can stay awake rather than going to bed and risk not waking up at 3.30 and missing the flight

also before the obvious pile on about mil and dh booking the flights at 6.00, this holiday sounds like it was very last minute and maybe they were the only times left

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