How to fly with kids

[grimmrad]

Hi there, simple question to all the parents: Family is flying to Germany to visit the grandparents, EWR to MUN, than HAM. EWR to MUN is a A330 (LH), seating is 2-4-2. Now, what do you think is better: Sitting 2 by 2 on the side (window-aisle) in 2 rows behind each other, which allows each kid to look out of the window - or all in the middle (no window). Kids are almost 4 years and 9 months old. To make it more complicate, we have no seat for the infant (infant ticket) and hope for a free seat next to us. Flight is in early January (9th). According to LH flight isn't crowded (yet)... Bulkhead (infant is too old already for a basinet I was told)?

Now, I know there is no absolute truth and it depends on the kids but I wanted to get some opinions. Much appreciated

[Tintop]

Simple answer ...... is Prep Prep Prep ........ either way with regards to the seating scenario will leave you with junior on your laps if the flight becomes full, so in my experience go for the middle seats and get little ones all comfy in the middle two, take it in turns with little on your lap and if there becomes a seat free near by, one of the grown ups goes and rests their feet leaving all little ones together.

Of course all the usual stuff should be taken care of - arrive early, bag full of small juice cartons, fruit, crayons, books ..... infact anything you can possibly carry without taking the kitchen sink ....

But most of all, just enjoy the experience and i'm sure the crew will help as much as they can ......

Enjoy your trip.

Tintop

[Capot]

Much simpler answer; send the kids as UMs, and go on a different flight, or even the same one (without telling them). They get looked after much better by a succession of pleasant staff, and you have a peaceful trip.

And if they lose them you get paid enormous compensation, whereas if you lose them you are hurled into chokey by the Police for negligence.

Failing that, book yourselves and the wife into economy and the kids into Business. They get looked after better that way round.


Edit: Sorry, just noticed you have an infant. Keep that with you, with copious Calpol...you'll have to buy that airside, of course. Unless you can persuade the other one to look after the infant in Business. The cabin staff will help out. (Tip; don't go Ryanair or Easyjet).

[lexxity]

Infant should be ok for the bassinet upto about 13/14months, go for the middle if you can get it. Take lots of toys, they may not play with them but well prepared is well armed when flying with kids. Take snacks, lots and lots of them just in case of delays and also to keep them sweet onboard. Lots of pottering up and down the cabin works well, get friendly with the crew and your life will be a lot easier. Lastly good luck and have a wonderful trip. :ok:

[grimmrad]

Thanks all for the reply. I guiess I wil check frequently with LH to see how full the flight is and than try to get the middle seats not much to be seen overnight anyway. Flew with the older one (even on my own) alone with some ezpected issues, not too bad. But not yet with both of them.

Love the idea of sending them to business but I would rather but me and the miss in there (leg room) and - by having those 2 kids already excludes business per definition (have you looked a the costs of daycare/schools in NYC recently...)

[Abusing_the_sky]

(Tip; don't go Ryanair or Easyjet).

Because...?
Please do enlighten us, the "Ryanair/Easyjet cabin staff" dahlin'. Would be very interested to hear/read the reasons behind your "tip".

Rgds,
ATS


PS: Lexxity's advice should be taken into consideration. The lady knows what she's talking about when giving advice, her little one is an absolute angel inflight and not only.

[boardingpass]

don't give em too much sugar! sugar free lollies, sugar free 'bubbles'. And if you need to, a bit of rum in the milk never hurt anyone.

[deltayankee]

Always have a stock of small, surprise toys that you can pull out every time they get awkward. Never give the stuff up front; wait till it is needed. Choose things that are airplane friendly -- that means stuff that is playable on a tray table and doesn't need the entire floor of the plane. Try also to find stuff that is ok to drop on a plane, so that means forget stuff like make-a-necklace bead outfits. Don't rely on electronic things like DVD players because you can't have them on for take off and landing. Toys don't need to be real toys. A pocket compass will keep mine busy for a while.

Beware of stomach issues, so don't rely on stuff like massive hunks of chocolate to keep them quiet. If they spray it all over the plane it is not so pleasant, especially just at the beginning of the take off roll.

Window seats are sometimes popular but don't count on that distraction. In winter low cloud can mean the view is dull. Mine loves window seats but many little ones just don't care.

Seat belts can be an issue. I found one way of preparing for this is to spend some time before the flight showing junior some cockpit takeoff and landing videos on youtube while he is sitting on my lap. As the appropriate moment I pretend my arms are the seatbelt and he has to put it on.

For pre-flight prep I also strongly recommend one of those books that shows what happens at the airport and in the plane. Go a few times through one of these and even the daft security checks with not surprise them (I have seen the security at MAN even look under a baby's beanie cap). Tell them security is a funny game. Which in a way it is.

Finally, never ever use the tray table as a toy to distract the little ones. Once they discover that game they will spend the whole flight making the table go up and down, so the grumpy person in the seat in front will start a new thread here proposing child free flights.

[Final 3 Greens]

Please do enlighten us, the "Ryanair/Easyjet cabin staff" dahlin'. Would be very interested to hear/read the reasons behind your "tip".


Considering the plan involves putting the kids in business class, I'd have thought that was a no brainer :ugh:

[Gibon2]

Tip; don't go Ryanair or Easyjet

Not sure what this meant, but in my own experience on several Easyjet flights with my infant daughter, the cabin crew have been an absolute delight - helpful, cheerful and supportive. Of the ten or so airlines I have flown with my daughter, I would rate Easyjet cabin crew as second only to Singapore Airlines in the kid-friendly-travel stakes.

[lexxity]

PS: Lexxity's advice should be taken into consideration. The lady knows what she's talking about when giving advice, her little one is an absolute angel inflight and not only.

You're embarrassing me.

The tip about the tray table is right. Even if it's in the armrest it could drive you crazy. Put that on the "only Mummy and Daddy" can do list.

Another tip is car seats. We always bring ours and the only airline that's refused to lets us use it was Virgin. On the 330 though you would be restricted to putting it in the window. The 767 is better for this as it's 3 in the middle.

Something you might want to get for your little ones is These. (http://www.dixonstaxfree.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=portable_audio.view&section=portable_audio&group=74,9003,9030,9031,9033,9011,1104,9004,9002,9025&pro_id=7000806) They are fab. They fit little heads and are noise cancelling! We have made great use of ours. Portable DVD's are worth bringing just in case. Leo get's bored with some of the inflight stuff so we have Thomas on standby. :ok:

Before you get onboard try and find a quietish spot in the departure lounge and let your two run around like mad. Get the energy out!

The sugar free thing is a good idea, but small little chocolates will also help in diffusing a situation with a four year old at 30,000ft. I know of what I speak! For take off and landing try lollipops for your older one. Something to suck on if they can't get the hang of holding the nose and blowing to clear their ears.

My last thing I can think of is get off last if you have time. That way you can calmly pack up and get your gear, but more importantly you can let the kids have a run on the way to immigration.

BA gave our son a nice little book in the inflight kiddie pack. "My First Flight" by Usborne books. I can't see it on their website, but if you can find it then get it. It's very nice and aimed at smaller children so can help explain the whole fliying gubbins.

[lexxity]

I found the book.

Usborne First Experiences (http://www.usborneonline.org/catalogue/browse.asp?org=LIN27683&css=1&cat=1&subject=EY&subcat=EYFE&id=1718)

[smith]

here's the best tip, don't fly with kids. Maybe I'm just unlucky but every time I spend my hard earned cash on a relaxing break in the sun I seem to get lumbered by screaming kids right beside or behind me. They scream and rant all the way for three hours, its abysmal. I wrote on this before that there should be a kids section and group all the children together to scream til their tonsils can't take any more. I am too long in the tooth to be bothered with screaming kids for 3 hours stuck in a hollow tube with no escape. I'll get me flak jacket on now :D

[Rwy in Sight]

smith,

I share your pain. On a very short haul trip last May I was hopping for the ATR to loose an engine as to return and escape from a crying and screaming little one with a mother doing nothing to stop it.
Ever since it is my worst flight nightmare to have a screaming baby or toddler sitting near by and I think smith is right to the point.

Way to go pal.

Rwy in Sight

[bsmasher]

Yes, there are lots of little screamers out there, but just once in a while you meet an example of how good children can be. Some time ago now on longhaul I was sitting next to the parents with their three children, probably in the range 8-12, in the row in front of me. the only time I heard from them was when one or other put their head over the seat and quietly asked for somehting else to keep them amused. No hassle no noise.
Well behaved children and parents prepared with things to keep them amused - pleasant flight for all.
The parents got a complement from me on arrival

D.

[gavin360]

Must agree had my wee man to orlando three times he turned 1 last week and what ever it took to keep him content for 9+hours we did so not to bother people on the flight a wee walk around the a/c for a change of scenery sometimes was all it took

[nicolai]

on several Easyjet flights with my infant daughter, the cabin crew have been an absolute delight
I don't have children, but I do fly Easyjet a lot, and I've several times observed the cabin crew deal very artfully with obstreperous small children by pulling out a small toy they stashed earlier, or distracting them in some other way. EZY cabin crew also have no compuction about ordering other passengers to move around such that families can be seated together in an arrangement that minimises stress. You could make that more smooth by paying for "speedy boarding" and asking the gate agents if you can board together near the front, I think they'll accommodate that too.
I rank Easyjet pretty highly for flying with children as well, both for the parents and for the non-parents.

[dany4kin]

As someone who has seen both sides of travelling with young'uns, where other people's kids can drive you mad, or when you're trying to keep your own entertained, you may find sitting towards the rear is helpful.

The reason I say this is that you only have the people in front to worry about upsetting and causing you problems. I'm the type to stress out about others so this can be a weight off your mind.

You may also (on a free seating flight) wish to sit near another family. We did this and were able to swap toys/pens/books and the kids kept themselves amused for a bit playing hide and seek between the seats.

Flying for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience, particularly the first takeoff, with the noise and acceleration. Nobody knows their kids better than the parents but we found making out like the takeoff was the most fun thing IN THE WORLD EVER with HUGE smiles and laughter turned a worried face into a smiling one.

We also had an issue when the takeoff involved a turn over the sea. Didn't like THAT very much and the word crash was used a few times so reassurance is vital even when you think you have it nailed.

Pick your moment wisely but a walk along the aisle can be a great idea, particularly if you can chat to a delightful easyJet cabin crew member in the rear galley.

I've heard of others who have kept children awake with the intention of them sleeping on the aircraft. I guess this might work well, but if it doesn't you're going to have a very cranky kid on your hands, so I'd go for the entertainment option everytime. As said before burning off excess energy in the departure lounge is a great idea.

[Michael SWS]

...the kids kept themselves amused for a bit playing hide and seek between the seats. ...As said before burning off excess energy in the departure lounge is a great idea.This typifies the selfish attitude that many parents have towards their kids' behaviour in public. Why should other passengers have to tolerate children misbehaving in this way? :mad:

[10DowningSt]

We also had an issue when the takeoff involved a turn over the sea.

Would that "issue" be a rear-end emission (issue), perhaps the result of fright? Or perhaps you suddenly found that you suddenly had an extra child (issue), possibly for the same reason? Or did the cabin staff give out (issue) tranquillisers?

Or does "had an issue" mean that your kids were frightened and let you know about it?

[Eboy]

Agree wirh no sugar so they are less hyper. In addition to no candy, this means no fruit juice or soda with sugar. Biggest mistake I ever made flying with kids was trying to "pacify" a toddler with apple juice on a long trip and it having the reverse effect.

[Moira]

Michael SWS:

if "hide and seek" just means that kids sitting right behind each other just peek over/around their seats and then hide again, I couldn't be bothered less, even if I was sitting right next to them.

And if you read the previous posts, Lexxity's advice was to "find a quietish spot in the departure lounge", so not too much trouble for others either ...

[Michael SWS]

A "quietish" spot in the departure lounge is likely to be occupied by adults seeking a little calm solitude before having to endure the horrors of air travel. What right do parents have to allow their children to "burn off excess energy" regardless of the inconvenience caused to others?

[lexxity]

Better the kids run around the departure lounge than go bonkers onboard. We've always managed to find an empty area of the lounge, like a very far gate or seating area and let him have a dash around there, obviously if a flight needs that area we move. It's not like I'm suggesting going down to the Biz lounge and having a child go mad there.
Normal people understand. Travelling with kids isn't easy, but if you prepare, like the OP has obviously tried to do then isn't that better for all. Please do not suggest not travelling with Children, if we all kept our Children at home and never went anywhere how would we raise a generation aware of others and their cultures and Countries?

[Load Toad]

Threads about flying with kids happen so often that they might as well be put in the FAQs.

One thing about flying with kids - you'll soon know how good a parent you've been; some kids will sit quite happily, enjoy the experience, watch the filums, eat the food, play with th' games and sleep...other kids are utter brats.

[Final 3 Greens]

It's not like I'm suggesting going down to the Biz lounge and having a child go mad there.

LGW had a kids section in the BA business lounge, a separate room where they could be kids and enjoy themselves.

I worked with the lady who project managed the lounge and always thought she was very smart to incorporate it, as BA had a reasonable amount of premium leisure traffic.

Why shouldn't kids enjoy themselves? Mine are teenagers now, but I still enjoy watching children being children :ok:

[TightSlot]

Threads about flying with kids happen so often that they might as well be put in the FAQs

And now are so... thanks

[Load Toad]

Our kids (now 9 & 10) have been flying fairly often since they were about 3 months old. By often they do perhaps 8 - 10 flights a year on average.

I don't understand this 'burning off energy bit' and I can't understand why kids should become a total pain in the jacksie for other passengers just because the kids can't sit down & be reasonably quiet for a few hours. And I and the wife are hardly strict disciplinarian type parents.

For a start - the bigger deal the parents make of the flight the more th' kids will think it's a big deal and act accordingly. Make out it's perfectly normal and matter of fact and they'll pick up that this isn't an opportunity to create drama.

That said the kids can be encouraged to look forward to something that they should very much enjoy and take interest in. Nowadays most flights over a couple of hours are going to have some kind of IFE so if your children can't keep still and quiet for 90 odd minutes you may want to reconsider taking any public transport.

The only time we had any problem with one of our kids the couple in the seats behind were trying to tease and play with our toddler daughter and trying to feed her chocolate. Quite honestly relying on feeding kids candies to keep them quiet isn't a good idea and when our daughter had had enough chocolate and enough teasing she was sick. So running around and eating isn't a great idea.

Before the flight - if your kids are old enough - show them the airport and show them what planes look like taking off and landing and just taxing around - if they aren't used to it it's fascinating. I'm 41 - it fascinates me. You don't need to feed them up, starve them or have them work out in the gym to get tired - nor do they need valium or methamphetimines. Act like it's a normal day and feed them accordingly.

If possible get them a seat with a window and an aisle. They (if there is more than one delightful little snowflake) can take turns to sit by the window - strangely enough most of them love looking outside. If you haven't filled their heads with ideas that the plane will fall out of the sky mostly they won't be remotely concerned.

Really little kids need stuff to keep them occupied. Keep the chocolates for grandma and try to give the kids things that take them ages to work out - opening in-flight cutlery packs can keep them amused for a while as can working out how to use the IFE controls - when the kids have worked it out they can show you - it'll save you time and heartache and you might get to watch a film all the way through.

After they've watched out of the windows, read books, played with the kid toys give away packs, eaten food, watched films and videos, eaten 'treats', drank pop, gone to the toilet a dozen times, played with surprise toys, ran around playing hide an seek, kicked the back of the seats in front, pulled the head rest back a few times and puked up they might be tired - let them go to sleep. Please.

[Gibon2]

Something I hadn't encountered before that may be of interest to those flying with babies and young children: you may not be able to sit together.

Mrs Gibon2 and I recently flew on Easyjet for a few days' "break" with the kids (there's never really a break) - daughter aged 3, son aged 18 months, and daughter aged 4 months. Experienced travellers with two kids, this was our first attempt on a plane with all three. We joined the boarding ruckus ready to occupy a row of three seats, our elder daughter with her own seat, my wife with our younger daughter on her lap, and me with our son on mine. Simple, right?

But the when the nice Easyjet CC welcomed us aboard and looked at our boarding passes, she said "Er, sorry, but you can't all sit in the same row". Turns out there are only four oxygen masks for each row of three seats (this on an A319 - presume it is the same for 737 etc), so you can't have five people sitting there (even if two of them are very small people).

No big drama, but it meant some hasty reorganisation of the various carry-on paraphernalia that parents are saddled with. On the return trip we were accordingly prepared.

I presume that on allocated-seating services, the separation would be taken care of automatically, but parents may be interested to know why they have been split up.

[mrmrsmith]

Michael SWS is a boring person that hasn't any or never travels with his children. Or one of the children should be seen and not heard brigade, I was once till I had kids..... , my 7 and 9 yr old have traveled all round the world, and the way to keep them happy is

"Before you get onboard try and find a quietish spot in the departure lounge and let your two run around like mad. Get the energy out!"
if at a large airport like JFK or other it could be 45 mins before you taxi on to the runway, esp for US to UK.

if poss fly long haul in a 747, for all ages, esp toddlers so you can get up and about with them, with out getting in the way of CC doing there job, can't speak of the 380 not don't that one yet !

and yes have you kids to have there own bag full of toys that can be lost, you will be amazed how far bits from toys can travel under seats in flight, but have a few suprizes in you own bag, as said already,

and make sure they keep there seat belts on at all times when in there seats, you never know when things can go bad turbulance wise, never seen it happen, thuogh read about people getting insured bad when it happens....

and most important enough it and your kids, have a glass of wine and them the fizzy soft drinks diet or zero if poss !!!