I'm planning on flying back to the UK for a couple of weeks with my DS, who will be about 9 months old. DH can't get the time off work so it will be just me and the wee one for the 20hr journey. I'm looking at primarily Singapore or Emirates from reading other reviews, but has anyone got any other input or suggestions?
Also, as it is a 20hr journey, it pretty much encompasses one day and one night. Am I better to fly in the morning when we are both fresh, and then hope he's not too tired to sleep at his bedtime/night time, or do I fly later in the day (afternoon or evening flight) when we have both been up for a while and hope he sleeps at his normalish time. In the latter scenario if he doesn't sleep then it's entirely possible that we could both be up for 3hrs by the time we land in London - not a nice thought!
Hey
We have flown to the UK 3 times with little ones. DS was the same age as your little one the first time he flew and i won't lie he was horrid horrid horrid!
When we did it with just DD1 she was fine made no sound whatsoever.
Anyway we always fly Singapore Airlines - we won't fly with anyone else they are great! And we try and go with the mid afternoon flight because then they will get tired and hopefully sleep through alot of the flight as they get bored on those things.
I went to the UK and back, just DS and me, when he was 7-8 months old. Going there was OK, coming back was atrocious (like MO2U2 said, horrid, horrid, horrid). I don’t think it really matters when you fly. For my DS everything was all so new and exciting, he just. did. not. sleep. well... he had an hour nap here and there but I had no sleep for the entire time.
Some tips that I found useful (or would have found useful):
- When you book and check in make sure you specify that you need a bassinet.
- When you check in ask if they can block out the seat next to you. Sometimes they will, sometimes they look at you like you’re from another planet, but it’s worth a try.
- For carry on luggage I had a backpack + small nappy bag + small handbag + DS. I carried DS in a carrier in front and with the backpack and other stuff it was too much. I would have preferred a small wheelie suitcase + handbag + DS. A baby carrier is essential IMO.
- Make sure you take your pram to the gate if you can (most airlines will let you). You won't get it in transit though, only at your final destination. I also cable tied my pram together so it wouldn't unfold (dodgy cheap clip). I could just imagine it unfolding and getting all mangled. I put a pair of scissors in a non-cable tied part of my checked baggage so I could easily cut them off at the other end. Some prams have proper travel covers though which would probably be good.
- I liked to swap with the person next to me if I'd been allocated a window seat so I could sit on the isle and get up and down like a yo-yo as I pleased. No one ever objected to swapping.
- DS had no problems with take off and landing, I breast fed him while this was happening so that probably helped. Don't start to feed until you are actually about to take off because you can sit on the tarmac for ages.
- Drink plenty of water, just ask for a big bottle and keep it with you.
- Of course you will bring a change of clothes for your DS but don't forget a change for you too, at least a top.
- Take 8 or so small toys and offer them to him one or two at a time, then take them away and swap them for new ones.
- Just let your DS crawl up and down the isles, don't worry about what other people think and most will love it.
We have flown with a bunch of different airlines and none of them have been noticeably better in the sky however when I landed in Dubai on my own with a baby the ground staff opened a new customs/immigration lane for me and then put me on a buggy to take me through the airport.
If time isn't pressing and finances allow it taking 24-48 hours to stopover so you can sleep in a bed before the second leg is a great option.
I prefer to leave at night so that they will sleep after take-off.
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Flying longhaul - flight times and which airline?
well... he had an hour nap here and there but I had no sleep for the entire time.
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