Tips please! trip to thailand via muscat with two DCs (2+4)

[Jewelsandgems]

So we got a great deal from virgin and booked it. And we have not been on a plane with the girls before.....a friend of mine said there was some seats near the emergancy exit that had more leg room or something, and that sometimes there is enough room for the girls to play on the floor there. Is this correct? And if so, how do I go about getting it?

Any luggage tips?

And what clothes will we need? Shoes? Is it a good idea to take a buggy?

(sorry for all questions, we have not been long haul for years anyway - even before having the children - so am I clueless!)

Thanks in advance oh wise ones!
J&G

I think you were given some incorrect information with regards to the seating. There are emergency row seats on VA but you will not be able to use them because of the children. Apart from anything else you have to nowadays pay to sit there (think its around the £60 per mark per seat).

You may be able to get bulkhead seats but sometimes these are allocated to families with newborns or very young babies. Your girls will not be allowed to play on the floor near the galley areas. Would also add that on many long haul flights other pax do congregate near the galley areas for various reasons e.g using the loo, chatting (there is more space) or obtaining more drinks.

Luggage tips - take half the clothes and twice the money!. Do stick rigidly to their luggage allowance as if you go over this you will be charged a fair bit.

If you take a buggy use something both small and lightweight and tie something bright and colourful onto it for easier identification. You should be allowed to take it to the departure gate then it will go into the aircraft hold.

Take the girls' favourite foodstuffs for them to eat on the plane, do not rely on the airline to provide.

Thanks for the tips! Re the seating thing, yes paying for those seats is no problem and don't worry - I was not meaning th girls would be allowed to play in any communal/public areas More that when my friend flew to Oz they flew VA and had lots of room in these emergancy exit seats (she had 2 year old twins + a 5 year old!)

Clothes-wise yes, I think I am likely to pack more than needed so will have to manage that more effectively or get DH to pack and he'll pack light regardless.

Thing with the buggy is I worry it would get broken - it is an expensive one. But I am not sure if it would be worth just getting one over there, or buying a cheapy one and taking it

Like the idea re taking the girls favourite food for the plane - I would have never have never thought of that!!

If you use a buggy board for the little one, just make sure to tape up the clips on the legs of the buggy (unless you are removing them) - every time we have flown in the last 3 years I have forgotten, and every time we arrive at the destination with one or both broken missing the little red bit that holds the board on, so unable to use the buggy board for entire duration of holiday (although suppliers have been angels and sent me limitless replacements!)

Sorry, I mean buggy board for the older one, although at 4 maybe not!

I ended up buying a cheap buggy for the flight/holiday, didn't mind what happened to it then.