Long haul holiday (from UK) with a 1.5 year old

[Beaufort89]

Hello!

Looking for advice on a semi adventurous holiday with a 1.5 year old.

I have a BA reward flight to use and I want to use it on a long haul business class flight. I have to use it within a year which for certain destinations it means booking now. We had a baby at the start of this year so she will be around 1.5 when we travel.

My husband and I travelled a lot before baby. We’re from the UK and spent a couple years travelling so have visited South America, Asia, Australia etc. Lots of Europe of course.

I would love to go to Japan but I don’t know if that would be amazing with little one? Other places on my list are Nepal, Vietnam, Bali. All maybe not great with a baby. We have travelled a lot with her already. She’s been to Morocco, Spain twice and Greece twice so she is pretty good on an aeroplane. Longest flight she’s done is 4.5hrs.

I’m considering Hawaii with a stop in San Francisco. Is Hawaii worth it from the UK? Because it’s a lot of money… Is it Amercian Tenerife? We have been to the Galapagos and I was told that is Hawaii without the destroyed eco systems.

Other thoughts were Mauritius? Caribbean would be an option but we’ve missed the boat on using the reward flight for that because it would be hurricane season in August/September.

Would love any advice or suggestions thanks.

If you’re thinking Caribbean, I highly recommend Bermuda. Direct 5/6 hour flight, perfect beaches and great in July/August because it’s further north. It’s very much a beautiful beach holiday though - there’s not loads to do except enjoy the beaches!

Edit to add I would be very hesitant to do Mauritius/Japan/Hawaii flights with such a small one but that’s just me - people do do it! If you just want a great beach, Bermuda ticks the box. If you want beach plus loads of cultural options, it may not be.

I’ve been to both Hawaii and Mauritius with a baby and toddler. Enjoyed both. I’d go back to Hawaii as there is so much to do. Mauritius was pretty and I enjoyed the food but. Fortnight was plenty.

we did take a pram to Vietnam but it was really difficult and we abandoned it a few days in. North and central Vietnam is horribly hot and humid in July and August though, I’d really avoid those months. Fascinating place though.

Sorry to rain on your parade, but after a hellish few years and a major birthday, DH and I are treating ourselves to a round-the-world trip, business all the way, stopping at numerous places I never made it to while working. Truly a once in a lifetime trip. However, I absolutely dread being seated very close to a baby/toddler while revelling in the joy of business class. That was a never-to-be-forgotten trip years ago...to NZ, economy, behind a baby who hardly ever stopped screaming. Not mine, I hasten to add. I had three, 9 grandies, teacher for 47 years...I now cherish peace and quiet.

Look, I'm not being a grouch, but what is a baby going to get out of a long-haul business class flight/holiday somewhere exotic? "Business" was originally intended for businessmen needing quiet to work or prepare for meetings etc. There are quiet coaches on trains. How can you be sure that your toddler won't scream non-stop to Hawai'i or wherever? Even with noise-cancelling headphones, a single baby can completely ruin a trip for everyone who have paid big money for something special.

You could of course give the child a sedative. DB used to fly his family across the USA in a small plane, little/no oxygen...the kids slept like, well, babies.

((waits for the shrieking))

The bonus of South Africa is the flight is usually overnight. I’ve done it every year since mine were babies - lack of jet lag is fantastic and because it’s overnight you have a better chance of them sleeping.

there is crime absolutely but avoid joburg,
keep your wits about you and be sensible and as a tourist you’ll generally be fine (wouldn’t live there though) . I’m heading to cape town again soon and can’t wait!

Yep know all the tricks in the book. Yes very nervy waiting for the return flights to become available too. Gives me mega anxiety. Managed to bag 8 return companion flights to and from SA in either business or first over the years. But oh so stressful booking them.

Consider Japan next year in April or in November.
The weather would be good for exploring then .
its very child friendly, clean and safe environment and I genuinely don’t think you’d miss out on anything .

Goodness me, where to begin with this one!

Top tip, if you don’t want to be seated “very near” to a baby then don’t book seats near the bassinet positions. Our baby doesn’t “get” anything out of business class, but we parents do, same as all the other people on the flight and I’m afraid our money is just as good as yours.

I’m afraid you might be in for a surprise if this is your first business class flight as babies are pretty common in BC cabins. May I suggest chartering a private jet if you really can’t bear to sit in the vicinity of other paying members of the public.

This is what BA says. Carrycots for under 6 months. Infant seats over 6 months and under 2 years. What is not clear is what pod seats have access to the infant seats. I have never seen one.

The infant seat is like a bouncer that’s attached to the bassinet position, I’ve flown like this many times so I’m not sure what your issue is? It’s very clear which seats are the bassinet seats, it’s on the flaming seat map!

@YaWeeFurryBastard You have to get one of the seats though. On a reward flight it might be difficult. Thanks so much for your nasty response. It’s not needed thanks.

South Africa is not on the safe list. I would not go alone, but definitely not with a child.

How weird. They exist, it’s a sort of adjustable bassinet. Do you wander round the cabin inspecting all of the seats? “I’ve never seen one” 🤣

It’s not difficult because there’s 2-4 available per business class cabin and they are blocked to anyone without an infant. If OP is booking 355 days before hand she’s pretty much guaranteed to get one of the bassinet spots.

I don’t mean to come across as nasty but I don’t understand why you keep contradicting me and others who have recent experience of flying BA with infants!

Have you been?

Congrats on the new little travel buddy — and on having a BA reward to burn! With a 1.5-year-old, I’d pick places with (1) simple logistics, (2) forgiving time zones, (3) good baby facilities, and (4) predictable weather.

@Beaufort89

How about Costa Rica? Jungle, cloud forests and beaches.

BA now has direct flights to the main international airport (SJO).

Lots and lots of bugs as well as other wildlife! I found the bugs a bit stressful to deal with!

Oh I wouldn’t want to go any further than Majorca with a 15 months old.. baby will be on the move at that age with no survival instinct and no attention span.. we flew to Lanzarote at almost 3 years of age and that was just about doable and a combination of a nap & tablet & stickers & chasing her up and down the isle did the job.. any longer than that flight and it would be tricky for us , but your baby may be more chilled than ours haha!

Has it got much worse in the last few years then? I went in 2023, a week in cape town using the cape town pass with ho ho bus round the surrounding areas ( excellent deal) If went out for dinner/ drinks at night then just used uber

Then hired car and drove the garden route down to port Elizabeth stopping at a few towns each way

Had a lovely time and no hassle

Or even better buy tickets FOR the grandparents and stay at home with the baby. LOL

Same here, I’ve been twice and it’s the best place I’ve ever been to.

Well if you were with the passenger we had, very very unwelcome. He punched the back of the seat when my DD was screaming, having some sort of meltdown. I was doing my best but she screamed for about 3 hours. Swore I’d never do it again!

Agree. Been 10/11 times, never any issues. Safer than London these days!