Best seats for 3 us, and what to take with us

[SarfEasticated]

Tomorrow at 3pm we are flying to NZ with dd 2.5. I'm sure we'll get the seats we're given, but ideally what are the best seats. I have booked 3 together at the back with DD next to the window. But airNZ offer you the chance to buy a vacant seat next to you, so would 4 in the middle be best. Am I dreamin to think they may give us bulkhead seats

As far as toys go I have loads of C&L books, some sticker books, colouring, puzzles and some films on our iPhones. Anything else?

Am a bit stressy about 26hrs on a very small chair, so please give me some success stories!
Mind is slowly boggling...

seat guru to find the recommended seats

How old are your children??

You sound pretty prepared and sorted. Just take your time, don't be afraid of asking for help from the staff and best of luck.

You won't get bulkhead I don't think but definitely worth asking.

Put her in the middle of you (they don't really care about looking out of the window, ime) then you can flip up both arm rests and she can lie across you with seatbelt still on. If you can buy an extra seat, go for it, then you'll get a it more room.

Do lots of walking about up and down the aisle. There's always someone to distract them and crew can be good with them too.

The one thing missing from your list is SNACKS. More important than anything else. Take as many as you can and don't stress if she only eats garbage for the whole flight.

Also - not everyone agrees with this - but I'm very much in favour of drugging them to get to sleep on planes. Calpol works for us (but may not for you).

We did 24 hours to Sydney when dd was that age and it was fine. Honestly you'll get through it.

No bulkead because they give them to babies, not toddlers (I meant to also say).

I have a whole host of snacks - bananas, appples, raisins, smoothies, raisins, rice cakes - need to take some cows milk too - and jelly beans and chocolate, and medised (just in case). It is possible I am over prepared!
Not that bothered about not getting the bulkheads tbh, would rather have an extra seat.
Thanks for your replies

You won't be allowed to take the smoothies through security. Or the milk, unless it's in a bottle - and then they'll get you to taste it.

Really? bugger... Not even tiny ones? Or can we buy some in the departure lounge?

yes - Boots

Thank god!

Leave behind any uneaten fruit on the plane if you deplane in LA; you will not be able to bring that into the USA.

Do leave the smoothies and the milk carton at home; they'll be taken off you at security as they break the 100ml liquids rule. You should be able to buy such items airside (and if you get stuck re the milk, you can buy a cup of it from a coffee shop).

Do not think you'll get bulkhead seats either; these are usually reserved for people with newborns.

I have a feeling that we just get off of the plane at LAX hang around for a bit and then get back onto the same plane? Can we leave fruit on plane and then have it when we get back on? DD has a bit of a thing about nanas and grapes and can get through quite a lot of em! First leg is a night flight so she won't be able to eat it all on the way there.