How was your Child's first plane trip?

[PaulaSue]

Thanks, I was worried about posting about bringing a DVD player. Glad to know I am not the only one who thinks it is a good idea.

I actually stocked up on DVDs with the TRU sale a few weeks ago. They are cluless (were right there with me when I bought them) and I don't plan on giving them until that day.

MIL is looking into getting a bigger DVD for them, mine is 3.5" (unopened) Sso I have to figure what to do with it, maybe return for more DVDs. We don't have many, yet.

 

[sarsah]

My kids don't mind the small screen on the DVD player -- I wouldn't worry too much about that. Be sure to check out the battery life for your DVD player -- some are not very long. If the battery doesn't last too long, you may want to purchase a second battery. There is nothing worse than the battery going dead in the middle of a plane trip. At least in the car you can plug it in to the power point. Don't forget to bring the cord and charge the batteries once you arrive too, so they are ready for the trip home.

Also, invest in a headphone splitter (just a few dollars at Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, etc.). That way both kids can listen to the movie at the same time -- you'll need two sets of headphones.

I don't know what age your kids are, but mine (2 1/2 & 5 1/2) are quite happy to watch the same DVD over and over. For us, 2 new DVDs (one for there and another one for back) is pleanty.

MIL is looking into getting a bigger DVD for them, mine is 3.5" (unopened) Sso I have to figure what to do with it, maybe return for more DVDs. We don't have many, yet.

 

[Nank]

My DS (4 1/2) had his first plane right. It was so early in the morning on the way there that he was asleep when we took off. It was wonderful!

On the way home, that's another story!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we are flying down jetblue with ds6 and ds20 months
i am nervous
DH didtn get him
his own seat so he will sit on my lap during take off and i think its gonna be hard
i am thinking of buying a ticket for him anyway
what do you think?/

 

[sarsah]

I flew alone with both my DS -- ages 4 1/2 and 22 months last spring. What a nightmere. I didn't buy a seat for the 22 month old and I really wished I would have. He didn't want to sit on my lap, he wanted his own seat. I had to hold him for take-off and landing, but the rest of the flight, I ended up lifting up the arm rest and sharing two seats for the 3 of us.

Fortunately, for the flight home, we had an empty seat next to us, so he sat there.

I would definately buy a set for your little one -- however, you will have to take a car seat for him on the plane, or hold him for take-off & landing.

we are flying down jetblue with ds6 and ds20 months
i am nervous
DH didtn get him
his own seat so he will sit on my lap during take off and i think its gonna be hard
i am thinking of buying a ticket for him anyway
what do you think?/

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I flew alone with both my DS -- ages 4 1/2 and 22 months last spring. What a nightmere. I didn't buy a seat for the 22 month old and I really wished I would have. He didn't want to sit on my lap, he wanted his own seat. I had to hold him for take-off and landing, but the rest of the flight, I ended up lifting up the arm rest and sharing two seats for the 3 of us.

Fortunately, for the flight home, we had an empty seat next to us, so he sat there.

I would definately buy a set for your little one -- however, you will have to take a car seat for him on the plane, or hold him for take-off & landing.

yeah jetblue said i could hold him for take off and then lift the arm rest and there would be plenty of room
i am nervous but ds20 months is good about sitting and i was gonn apack him some snacks ad stuff like that a few toys i will keep him busy and ds6 will probably just watch tv and he will have his gameboy

 

[olivia in canada]

My boys were aged 5 and 7 when they had their first airplane ride. We went to the Dominican. It was approx a 4 hr flight. The flight left at an awful A.M. hour and the boys slept for a little while after take off. They did very well. They each had a back pack that they were responsible for. The had cars, (which they played with on the floor of the airport before take off LOL ) game boys, books, paper and markers, and of course food because they are walking stomachs. Little easily transportable snacks were great - fish crackers, raisins, etc... It was a successful trip and we look forward to our first trip to Disney in 26 days!!!

 

[smazarluvsdis]

My dd flew for the first time at 9 months, ds 6 months. First flight with dd, did not do her own seat...NEVER did that again!

Anyway, getting back to OP's question...DVD player super great idea. While it is only a 2 hour flight, sometimes the flight is delayed and you end up either at the airport for a VERY long time or on the tarmac for a very long time. Small screen, doesn't seem to be a big deal for my two, now age 4 and 6. I just buy new DVD's that we haven't seen before we travel. Also, new sticker books and blank tablets for them to color on...and twistable crayons for each. Markers are too messy...and they don't fight if they all have their own. Older kids, print off the journals to fill out, can keep them busy while on plane too.

Also, very important to have them all wear slip on shoes. When you go through security you will be SO thankful that you don't have to stop for everyone to buckle/tie their shoes after going through security. Also, traveling with kids you always have lots of paraphenalia. Try to limit yourself on what you carryon, security is so much longer now to get through and you don't want to be there forever.

If you have anyone still in sippy cup stage, bring one with you. They always serve drinks in open cups and either you or your child will be wearing it if not. (Can you tell I speak from experience?). Also, have them wear very comfy clothes...sweatpants and a tshirt if possible.

Try not to worry too much, I'm sure they will do fine. I always make mine sit crisscross applesauce on the flight, that way they cannot kick the seat in front of them.

HTH,
Shauna

 

[My2Cinderellas]

we are flying down jetblue with ds6 and ds20 months
i am nervous
DH didtn get him
his own seat so he will sit on my lap during take off and i think its gonna be hard
i am thinking of buying a ticket for him anyway
what do you think?/

buy the child a seat! I'm not familiar with Jet Blue's policies as they don't fly into Iowa, but many airlines offer discounted seats to children under 2. Not only is it much much safer for the child in case of turbulence or worse, it's a convenience thing for you. If you bring the car seat, which I recommend at this age, it is a familiar environment for the child. How he behaves on a car ride is a good predictor of how he'll do in the plane. My girls at that age both just went to sleep. I usually flew during the day and they napped on the plane, the vibrations lulled them to sleep. If carsickness is a problem, don't forget the dramamine - with the added bonus of causing drowsiness.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

buy the child a seat! I'm not familiar with Jet Blue's policies as they don't fly into Iowa, but many airlines offer discounted seats to children under 2. Not only is it much much safer for the child in case of turbulence or worse, it's a convenience thing for you. If you bring the car seat, which I recommend at this age, it is a familiar environment for the child. How he behaves on a car ride is a good predictor of how he'll do in the plane. My girls at that age both just went to sleep. I usually flew during the day and they napped on the plane, the vibrations lulled them to sleep. If carsickness is a problem, don't forget the dramamine - with the added bonus of causing drowsiness.

my son is great in the car
jetblue doesnt offer a discounted ticket for kids under 2 and when dh called them they told him it wasnt worth to buy the seat
its 150 for him to get a seat and i am considering just doing it

 

[kldmom2000]

Last year was our girls' first airplane trip-they were 2 and 4 at the time. I purposely planned the flight around noontime on a non-stop flight HOPING my youngest would fall asleep-I lucked out going to Disney and coming back! She slept almost the whole way in her carseat!!!! My 4 yr old daughter was easily entertained with coloring books, regular books that I read to her, a portable DVD player, snacks, play-doh, etc.... GL to you!!!

 

[Blondiex46]

fine and can I tell you that he was petrified that the plane was going to crash (last year) had to DVD player but he wanted nothing to do with it.

 

[Servants of Evan]

sometimes the flight is delayed and you end up either at the airport for a VERY long time or on the tarmac for a very long time.

Just a note -- if the aircraft cabin door is closed and you haven't gone beyond the initial ascent, the captain can still require that electronic devices be turned off and stowed -- even if you're just sitting on the tarmac. They'll let you know if it's okay to turn them on, but you should assume that it is NOT allright from the time the cabin door closes until told otherwise.

Servants of Evan

 

[jojowentbyby]

Our Dr also recomended we carry decongestant on our first flight incase the pressure is too much for their ears. We went up and our daughter screamed because her ears hurt(even with gum). We gave her the decongestant and it worked while landing. We gave her some B4 we came home and she was fine. Our other child had no problems.

 

[Magic2000]

We never really had a problem with my older two when they flew. (Oldest was 5 for her first flight - she colored the whole time; middle child was about 18 months and she slept most of the flight!) Haven't had any problems with them since.

But my youngest DD was 3 the first time she flew. Piece of cake! She slept the whole way there, and not only did she sleep the whole way back, she also slept through the restaurant that we stopped at after landing for dinner, and then slept until we pulled into the driveway - which was about an hour drive!!! Disney must have worn her out!!!!

However, on her second time flying, she was 5 yrs old and couldn't wait to be way up in the sky. She was even going to pass over her school so she could wave to all her classmates. Well, when the plane started to back up, she decided she didn't like that at all (she really wanted to get off the plane, and it had barely moved!!) When the plane revved up the engines and starting going fast down the runway for takeoff, my DD was screaming! She was so scared. She swore we were going to fall (she kept asking if there were any big drops - like on the rides). And once she started crying, about 7 or 8 other kids started crying! I kept reassuring her that everything was going to be fine and there were no big drops! She finally settled down and colored. I got a little nervous when it was almost time for landing, so we played a game of looking for the castle from the plane, and then guess when the plane touched the ground. It worked and she was fine. (I dreaded the flight back home!!! But she did pretty good - no screaming, although poor thing just had tears coming down her cheeks at first).

She's flown several times since then, and she'll usually color with her marker book. I always get her one of those clear markers that when you color on the page, it turns a color. That way, there's no mess. Thankfully, our flights are only about an hour and 20 minutes.

Good luck! Have a great trip! Allison and I are taking a quick trip to Disney in 24 more days - and she is so excited to be flying down! Can't wait!

 

[Breakfast@Tiffany's]

Where can I find earplanes? I've been really worried about dd4, who has a small comfort zone for everything. I'm wondering if they would drown out some of the plane noise in general, as well as helping her ears.