flying with a 1 year old

[UK Basketball Fan]

This summer we will be flying with our kid who will be right at 12 months when we travel. Any advice before we book our flight?

[jeffus]

Doh! - All bow before the master traveller! :prayer:

We're not worthy! He's a god among men....(X-men II).

[Bollux]

having recently traveled with a 21 month old, i can say this.....




AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

ok sorry. He screamed a bit cause he was nto able to run about or move but for the most part it wasnt bad. We flew delta song which had a tv infront of every seat with liek 32 channel satelite tv for free and like 6 ppv movies. Overall not a bad experience.

[Will'sdad]

I'm going to print out Louis' response and put it on my refrigerator for future reference. Some great advice there!!

[SideShowCecil]

We’ve traveled quite a bit with our son too.

Everything Louis said is gold!

Double your lead times, it can sometimes take longer to get through security with a stroller.

When it’s possible we travel by train, sleeper class. The fairs are usually comparable to flying. It makes for a longer trip but I’ve found it far more relaxing. A private sleeper has enough space for a restless toddler to run in circles and its pretty kid proof.

[Groveinc]

After a few solo trips with my daughter in the past year, here is what has helped me along the way.

1. Buy an extra seat for your child. Should be able to get one for half price on most airlines. It worth the $ to have the space.

2. My daughter dosen't have a flat spot on her butt, so I use the above extra seat for her car seat and keep her strapped in durring the flight.

3. Being right handed, I find it much easier to have my daughter sit to my left. Her in the window seat (A) and me in the center (B).

4. Buy a new surprise toy for the trip..someting small and quiet...and save it for when the going gets rough

5. I have a different opinion regarding bulk head seats...they make you put all bags in the overheads and that can make for difficult times durring taxi, takeoffs and landings.

6. Get there early and don't be in a hurry for anything.

7. Food, food, food for you and the baby.

8. Don't forget, in most cases, you can buy whatever you need or don't want to cary when you get there. Just take enough for the flight and any surpirses.

Good luck and have fun.

[alecz_dad]

if your baby is still under 2, and is still allowed to travel on your lap, you could save yourself the cost of an extra seat by using a gizmo called the Baby B'Air:
http://www.babybair.com/product.html

it's a baby harness that hooks on to you and your lap belt.

haven't tried it myself, but i ran across this when i was researching for a possible trip.

cheers,
michael

PS BTW, "hi there!"

[Jackson's Dad]

We'll be flying with our two year old soon, and I am not looking forward to it. My plan is to ignore it for as long as possible, and hope the whole thing solves itself. :wink:

[chopperglide]

wow....lots of good stuff here....i may copy and stickie this in my meetup group, if thats okay with you boys. i just think it would be helpful for all these Navy wives that are always traveling.

[Bollux]

I know someone has said it before but i didn't know until we flew to florida, but keep the stroller with you until about to board the plane. They ticket it and put it on the plane last and then when you arive the stoller is there as soon as you get off the plane. Very handy so you don't have the kinder too mobile while waiting to board the plane. I know the one thing now that haunts me will be the inevitable trip to hawaii next year. Something like 8 hours in flight. yikes! I will definitely break out the movie player and bring a ton of movies for that. Should make it easier.

For us the extra seat was not worth it as he wanted to run about the cabin not just sit there. He had moments of crying and screaming but eventually it settled. The new toy idea works for a bit, we did that with the buzz lightyear action figure thingie we got for him while in disney. When he got a bit unruley we opened it up and it was good to quiet him down for a bit. The food and snacks are a must as depending on the length og the flight and what airline it is food is not included. We flew delta song and all you got was a cup of drink nothing else. Though I had packed tons of snacks for us and the kinder. mmmm jerky!

[jeffus]

Something like 8 hours in flight. yikes!

No, it's more like 11 hours. DOH!

But Hawaii........it's really nice!

If you dive, it's heaven......