Travelling with 18 month old

[Friendshipissue]

Looking to go visit parents in September with 18 month old. The flight will have a layover in Heathrow for a few hours. The initial leg is 1 hour and then another 4 hours. We travelled a lot last year when he wasn't mobile and it was ok, but dreading this one as he doesn't want to sit still much. Any advice?

Will he have a seat? I did 4 hours in June with an 18mo and honestly, if it wasn't for the miracle we had no one sitting next to us in a row of 3 both there and back (was due to be on our laps) I'm not sure how we would have survived!

Ive done 2 flights with my toddler. One was when she was 15 months to Dubai, she didn't sleep a wink but was delightful both ways and had a great time.

20 months to Spain. Absolute nightmare: was overtired and didn't want to sit on my lap for takeoff. It was hell. Even if they have their own seat they have to be on your lap for take off and Landing until they're 2.

One of the mistakes was that we were in the lounge and she just ate for 2 hours so wasn't hungry on the flight. When we went to Dubai she ate loads of snacks which helped. Download loads of TV. Amazon do really good reusable sticker books.

We've got another flight coming up and my husband has actually ordered an extender belt to practice at home 🫠🫠🫠

Reading your comments it seems I will book him a seat. I know it will probably be a nightmare and we will go back to work with DH to get some rest but I want him to have memories with his grandparents 😢