Flying to Australia with 3.5yr old - would it be madness?

[LauraGas]

I'm a very nervous flyer and we are contemplating visit family in Melbourne in Jan/Feb. We are considering flying in a premier economy class so will have a bit more space than std economy but I'm seriously concerned about how to cope with a 3.5yr old DS on such a long flight. My DH will be with us so I won't be on my own but do you think it would be madness to even consider it? We have been lucky to have been given this opportunity now - it's probably not something we would be able to do when DS is older.

I flit between being excited and then panicking at the the thought of it.

You will so survive. We travel with a 2.4 yr old and a 3.5 yr old and it is fine. Choose night flights for the long stretch if you can and guaranteed your lo will sleep. they are very adaptable. There are loads of us in Melboure, where do they live ??

Send him on ahead...

We did the nz journey when dd was 3.5 and it was fine!

you will be fine - I travelled to au on my own with my dd2 at 3 years and dd1 9 years. The airlines are usually good on long haul and they did get us onthe plane first etc.

I found that dd3 would all alseep before the flight or as we just got on and sleep for about three quarters of the flight.

We broke the journey and had a stop of in Thailand on the way and HK on the way back.

nither of the dd's got jet lag either...ahh not fair is it they travel so much better than adults.

If you look at the flights from uk to au a lot start at night - around 10pm and the same from thai - eve flights, so the dc will sleep.

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lauragas - my boss wouldn't fly at all, she went to a flight day and they gave her some tecniques to help her get on a plane and fly.

One was a cd

Could you go and get some help for your nervousness?

something like this

cause I get the feeling form your post it may be you are wanting to use the dc age as a reason not to fly as its to far....sorry if I am wrong

Thanks for all your posts.

IvyKaty - yep you may be right to a certain extent. The thought of the flight (any flight) fills me with dread but the thought of having to copy with my DS as well makes it seem even worse. I don't find being a mother comes naturally and manage to find any little thing to worry about in most situations (according to DH!!).

I suffered a stroke in August and feel so lucky to be here and to be relatively well and mobile. It's really made us want to start living to the full and this seems like such a great thing to do (in theory!).

So long as that plane stays up there!!!

Most airlines to Australia don't do premium economy. Virgin do but they only go to Sydney. Double check this just in case but I am pretty confident on the airlines out here it is just first, business and cattle.

British Airways do premium economy (World Traveller Plus). They code share with Qantas, who do not do premium economy. So you may find that you can get premium economy to Singapore, but then have only economy from Singapore to Melbourne.

I am going to Aus next week (on my own) with a 6 year old and a (just) 4 year old, it will be the 6 year olds third trip to Aus and the 4 year olds 2nd trip. I pack a bag with lots of stickers/small toys/pens paper, books and sweets and another with a change of clothes and toiletries. It is 24 hours and I will never see the people on the plane again so even if dd2 does kick off at some point I will just remember that. Also most planes these days have small screens for films/computer games and most airlines do special travel packs for children with stuff for them to play with.

I always go with the mindset that it may be the worst 24hours in my life but it will end. However, it had never been that bad and the dd's have always been amazing.

I think it is quite a good age THB. I've seen lots of older toddlers on the London to Melbourne flights and they are usually very excited and content to make friends, do colouring, sleep etc. They fit easily in the seats so are usually more comfortable than the adults.

My DS will be 2 when we next go and I am dreading it though so I know where you are coming from!

Two adults and one child? Easy

We did London-Perth in 2007 with our three daughters, who were then nearly 9, 3.5 and 13 months. It was a loooong 24 hours but honestly it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We went via Dubai and the girls slept a bit, ate a lot, watched a ton of TV (personal screens for DDs1 and 2 helped) and played with some mini Aquadraw mats, sticker books, colouring books etc.

And it is so worth it when you get there!

3 words - Portable DVD player.

The best money I've ever spent.It means that your DS can watch his favourite programmes back to back (esp. if you buy one with a 6hr+ rechargable battery). You can't rely on the inflight entertainment. I picked up a fab Sony one from Argos for about £120.
Since moving to Aus I've flown backwards and forwards with DD to UK on my own plenty of times, and although she's been pretty good we've had our "moments" where I've actually started to go a bit loopy. But the DVD player worked like magic! She actually refused to leave her seat on the way back to Sydney this time!! It gave me the opportunity to actually watch an entire film and eat my meal without the usual distractions.

Night flights are a must and if you can I would recommend a night/ 2nights stop over in Singapore/Bangkok. Also, depending on the cost, look at Singapore Air flights on the A380. Much bigger plane - amazing staff. You won't need to upgrade from economy plus you hardly know that you've taken off. I'm a nervous flier too and that was an added bonus.

Def.loads of stickers, books, pencils pens colouring books, plastic figures/animals that he won't miss if they get stuck down seat or roll down aisle. Small pack of plasticine. I always pack Dd a "treat" bag that is full of things she'll take ages to look through. Snap is another good timewaster. Also a pillow/ favourite toy for sleeping.

Your worries about being a nervous flier - well, all I can say is that because you will be totally involved in keeping DS happy, you'll tend to forget that you're on a plane. Really worked for me and I hate flying. Large glass of red wine also helps!

Good luck - you'll be absolutely fine!

Agree with other posters, it will be fine. Have done trip to NZ several times with DS's. They were 2.5 and 4 last time.

Take lots of little toys, books, stickers, crayons etc. Not expensive stuff, just bits and pieces really. Present DS with something 'new' every hour or so and he'll be more than happy.

For night flight I put DS's into pyjamas, at appropriate time once on board, as it mentally prepared them for sleep. And children really do sleep so much better than adults on planes. The downside was that DH and I struggle with jet lag, but DS's are bright and breezy!

Hopefully, knowing that you don't really need to worry about DS, you will be able to relax a bit yourself.

brightongirl totally agree re the A380 - I flew out to Oz last year on it with Singapore Airlines and it was great.

And yes to the DVD player, forgot to mention that. It was invaluable to us with DD2 who has SN and will only watch a few TV progs - she sat glued to an entire DVD of In The Night Garden! Especially useful as DH and I were separated on the Dubai-Perth leg as I needed a bassinet and they couldn't seat 4 of us together; I had the bulkhead with the bassinet and DH was 40 rows back with DDs 1 and 2...

OP I did the virgin lying without fear course earlier this month as I am also flying to Aus in Jan for a friends wedding. It was the best money I have ever spent as it has stopped my fear completely. It was £199 + VAT and BA do one at the same price I believe. You get to go on a flight at the end with the pilot explainig every noise and bump as it happens. It is really good and I would reccomend it if you can get to one - they are dotted around the country and if you are going soon you would have to be lucky to have one at your nearest airport before then.

Hope you have a good trip either way - so exciting to be going to Aus, I can't wait. I love that country so much!

Ha ha I meant flying without fear not lying without fear