Glasgow to Sydney on Emirates with 22 month old - via Bangkok - any tips welcome!

[Balthamos]

DP, DD and I are flying to Oz next month on Emirates from Glasgow via Bangkok. We have done the trip to Oz heaps of times (family there) but I have never flown Emirates and have never flown long haul with a 22 month old. I am very nervous about the journey and am worried about what Emirates are going to be like out of Glasgow i.e. will it be a crappy old aircraft (as it not a 'main' route), is it a big aircraft (so we can do lots of walking with DD), do the staff help, do they provide any food for kids, do they have seat back TVs etc.

We are staying in Bangkok for a few days on both on the way there and on the way back which will help to break things up. We know the city well from our pre-parent days, but are not so sure what to do with a 22 month old! Again, all tips welcomed!

I am not sure why I am so worried about this, as I have travelled the world as a backpacker and then later for business. I guess it is the uncontrollable toddler bit that is throwing me! So if anyone has tips, I'll be thrilled!

1. Get a bulkhead seat - they will provide them for under 2s if there are any available.

2. At that age, DS seemed to be regarded as part of the in flight entertainment by the other passengers as we went on (yet another) circuit of the flight deck....

3. Depending on the aircraft (and time of day), we found parents with little ones congregating in the nearest thing to open space by the doors... peer support, and space for a bit more movement

4. When changing nappies - get pull ups! A toddler that age does NOT fit onto the changing space in the toilets!

5. DS decided that the call button was the world's best toy - be warned! He was especially fascinated by the alarm button in the toilets...

6. We took several new small toys to play with. This helped for some of the time.

7. We also took a plentiful supply of snacks/fruit. Vital as DS took an instant dislike to the in-flight catering.

8. The flight attendants were very helpful with drinks/fruit when we ran out...

9. And a bottle to suck (unless you happen to be still BF-ing) for the descents. I had deliberately not completely weaned DS, and on one descent when we had depressurised more than normal (judging by the squashing of drinks bottles and the problems with ears that a lot of people had), DS was the only young child/baby not screaming.

I can't comment on Bangkok, nor the route (or what aircraft to expect) - but our experience of Emirates was very positive.

And remember - you are never going to see any of the other travellers again... so you can live anything untoward down quite quickly!

I dreaded our first long-haul (or indeed anylength) flight - DS was 22 months - but it was fine. We did do some preparation work by going to an airport to look at the planes a couple of weeks before we actually flew.

Thanks Donk. Some great advice - I particularly like the bit about remembering that I am never going to see any of the other passengers again ? that will help!

The silly thing is that we fly down to London once a month to see family, so it is not like DD doesn't know planes, it is just such a long journey and I am worried about meltdowns etc and what we will do to entertain her for such a long time.

We have just weaned, but I have a tiny bit of milk left, so I will keep that up for emergency moments on the journey.

Good luck - and have fun!

Emirates are a fabulous airline. Really top notch.

I've flown with them in the past and loved it. My parents have just come back form a trip to Australia (via Dubai) with them. They were delighted with the service.

You'll have a fab time.

ditto what Donk has suggested. For inflight entertainment and seats check out

seatguru.com