9.5 Hour Flight w/Kids (and Not Paying to Guarantee Seating Together?)

[Cyrano]

You could always give the little one some Piriton to assist with sleep !

Why was I not surprised that you'd make that comment

 

[alisonbestford]

You could always give the little one some Piriton to assist with sleep !

Watch out for the flames.......

 

[paulfoel]

Hmmmmm - I think we'll *definitely* be planning on getting to the airport early now. I can just imagine the horror on some poor passenger's face when (s)he realises they've been stuck next to an unaccompanied 23 month old!

I'm starting to feel a bit cheap for not wanting to pay the £100. As of this morning, though, Stephen was starting to swither on the 2 extra leg room seats as he's leaning towards wanting to sit with the kids. He said he doesn't want to leave his dad on his own in an extra leg room seat, but I don't think he'd thought about the fact that there's no guarantee that *those* seats would be together either!

And now I have another question- the CAA guidelines which were kindly posted, state that the under 2s need to be either on an adult's lap or in an approved car seat during turbulence/takeoff/landing. We have bought Amber her own seat on the plane, but had no intention of bringing her car seat (mostly because having flown with Connor to DLP at around the same age, I can't imagine having had him squished in a car seat for a long flight). I take it that she'll need to sit on my lap during takeoff etc or would we be better off reconsidering bringing her carseat?

The pay extra for guaranteed seats thing is a complete rip-off. I reckon its just a scam by the cheap airlines to make the price look cheap and then charge you for all the extras.

I'd be very surprised if they made a two -year old sit alone...

I bet you all get to sit together anyway. I'm sure they try this scam by playing on peoples fears etc.

I remember when they started bringing in the old pay for food thing. £10 for some pre-packed rubbish, please !!!!

Last time I went on a cheap flight to Menorca they just gave everyone food anyway (because only a few hadnt paid for it - including me!)

 

[PChef]

We had a nightmare journey back from Majorca once when we were really late checking in at Palma (due to late transfer bus) and the only 3 seats left on plane were scattered all over the cabin. DS was 2 and this was about midnight local time. DH got to sit up front on his own and the stewardess managed to move people so DS and I were across an aisle, so at least he could see me and hold my hand on take-off! I was pregnant and very stressed out.

My advice: check in early!!! I don't mind paying to guarantee we sit together as it ruins the journey if we can't. It will be our first long haul with the kids (8&5) in February.

 

[Jets fan]

When my nephew was younger we brought 5 little gifts for him, wrapped them up and gave them to him one by one during the flight. I think the first one was a playmobil cowboy and horse, follwed by a book and so on. As he was so young TV only held his attention for a small time.

With small children it's always going to be hard, but hopefully they'll have a nap after lunch is served.

 

[Laurafoster]

We have been 9 times now, always with someone under the age of 12 in the party and never paid to prebook seats - actually ive been hoping we wouldnt be sat together but unfortunately for me we always are!

I really dont think you will have a problem!

 

[mushumadness]

we just travelled with my niece shes 2 on wednesday, and she screamed for two hours each way! we were not popular lol, but hey it was a strange thing for her, my advice get a portable dvd player for her and some movies she loves we did this and it saved the rest of the flight (and I have now seen little einsteins one too many times) also take something she likes to eat erin wouldnt touch the plane food.

her mum had a right bag of tricks for her and once she calmed down it kept her very happy for the rest of the journey

 

[paulfoel]

Why was I not surprised that you'd make that comment

Cyrano - I'm confused...

Do we know each other or something ???

Where'd u get that idea from?

 

[chocolate mouse]

Hi, I definitely agree with the earlier comment about taking little gifts. I did this in March for dd8 and ds3 and it worked a treat - I had comments about how well behaved they were! It doesn't have to be anything expensive - a bag of 10p sweets, a small book, crayons and a small colouring book - wrapped up and given out every so often. Along with in-flight entertainment, a couple of storybooks and a meal on the plane it's surprising how the time flies!!! (I know, bad pun)

 

[opticalhazer]

We always pay to sit together. It's only an extra £80 or thereabouts and why take a chance when you have paid so much. It takes the extra worry away.

 

[gbrchill]

In the past we have found sticker books to work well too.

The long and the short of it is lots of little things that can be used to occupy the children.

DS was 3 the first time he went to Orlando. He stayed awake the entire journey only to fall asleep as we started the descent.

Chris.