Tips for an enjoyable (bearable?) journey

[kcodd]

As this will be our first trip to the USA (and only our second abroad, the first being a one hour flight to France) I would appreciate any tips from seasoned travellers on making the flight as pleasant as possible. We are a family of two adults and two boys (aged 9 and 10) and will be flying with Travel City Direct on their standard flights (which, having read the comments I'm starting to dread!)

Are items like portable DVD's, CD players and gameboys okay to take? Is it worth pre-booking our seats and, if it is which ones should we opt for?

I'm a complete novice at this so any advice at all will be gratefully received.

Kathleen

 

[arieliwish]

Hi Kathleen,

We flew with TCD last Aug/Sept and it was our first time to Florida. The flight out was fine, we had 3 seats from window and one in middle section across the aisle. Food, drinks, staff ok, only slight prob is floor could have been cleaner, but maybe that's just me!
Our two children DD9, DS6 took gameboys, books, colouring pads and pencils, so they were fairly happy, although they couldn't see over the seats to the movie 'screen' (Basically film was projected onto front wall - not very clear).
The flight back was a different story, but as TCD's reply to my complaint letter said, this was due to the hurricanes!! This time we had middle section seats which I have never found as comfortable. Plane was too hot, mid flight stop in Maine for fuel was endless, staff and refreshments were thin on the ground. Maybe it was just that it was the end of the holiday and we wanted to stay longer!!

All that said we would go with TCD again purely for the price and the fact that it is only to get you there and back - it's the magic that happens in between that counts!!

 

[udnylad]

I would take portable DVD's, CD players and gameboys, saves any problems with the very variable onboard entertainment of flights (pot luck due to age of plane). There are some restriction on when you can use them i.e. not during takefoff or landings. They are definate must takes for our children (10 & 8) for not just the flight but during the holidays i.e. for chilling time back at the hotel room. This year we have bought some mp3 players for the kids, saves carting about loads of CD's.

HTH

 

[carolfoy]

I totally agree with the gameboy, dvd suggestions really does alleviate boredom, also snacks, crisps and sweets etc, really expensive to buy on the plane and does keep them quiet. I know its not great to let them stuff themselves with a load of crap but it does pass the time.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We took a portable DVD for our Autistic little boy earlier this year.
I could highly recommend them, we had 2 battery packs and it really helped us a lot.

We hate the travelling, it's such a long flight, however, the thought of such a fantastic holiday spurs us on.
I am sure you will be fine. Just try and think about the fun you will have when you get there.

I must admit I do have a 'very' strange way of looking at the time spent on the plane, I try and not look at my watch for at least a couple of hours aftre take off and then I tick off each hour as it passes, so if it is a nine hour flight I will say to myself right 2 hours gone 7 to go, 4/5, 5/4 etc - sad but it seems to help me a little.

 

[eyoreaud]

Hi Kathleen

Have you thought of wrapping some small inexpensive gifts (like colouring books, pencils, playing cards, magazines, puzzlebooks etc...) then giving them out a couple at a time? I got this tip a few years ago and found it to be great fun! both for the kids and us . It's a nice surprise and gives the little dears something to look forward to especially if they're of the "how long now/ are we there yet" type LOL.

Also, if you expect the flight to be basic then it can only be a surprise if it's any better .

Hope this helps,
Luv Audrey,
xxxxxxxxxx

 

[Miffy2003]

We always take gameboys, puzzle books, books, walkmans, and snacks. The snacks are always a good distraction especially if the plane food isn't appealing for my children!

Invariably having taken all those things they will sit there and watch the TV for 9 hours though

 

[alisonbestford]

I'd go with 'take anything you have and can'
We travelled with Virgin this year and my seat tv didn't work (old plane). The cabin crew lent me a portable DVD which was invaluable for later when DD's (6) seat back tv and GameBoy gave up the ghost
Luckily she'd packed her GameBoy too which made life easier.
What I find makes it all easier these days is that we're no longer expected to stay seated throughout the entire journey - unless there's turbulence of course! I've never considered the flight socks as I know I'll never get chance to sit still that long......
We recently bought a portable DVD ourselves which proved invaluable on a recent trip to Scarborough for a family wedding - read 'nothing for small children to do if staying in a hotel
I find the trip home more difficult but that has always been a night flight so not so bad.

 

[PENCOYS PIRATE]

Hi And Welcome
Game boys definately if you have them, (JUST MAKE SURE YOU REMEMBER TO PICK THEM UP WHEN YOU GET OFF THE PLANE)we lost a game boy with about a dozen games last year!!!!
I always get a bag for my 2 girls 8 & 9 and put things like books colouring stuff, recent comic, Reading book, some of those small travel games, Top trump crads are popular and always go down well.
Some goodies ie pringles, chocolate some drinks and generally things they can snack on.
I also generally get them a diary that they can use for there hols and a disposable camera.
So If They want they can start straight away by collecting ticket stubs, sick bags!!! napkins you name it my girls love saving all those little things
Hope you have a good time and if you really aren't sure what to do
Just order a large glass of wine, put your eye mask on and change your name to dad!!!!
Chucklechops

 

[alisonbestford]

...and there was I thinking I was the only one with their own supply of 'sick bags' ;-)

 

[MazdaUK]

If you think travel sickness might be an issue then keep a few sandwich bags handy - its most likely to occur during turbulence when you're strapped in, and I noticed (on Virgin) they no longer put a bag in front of each seat, just a supply at strategic points.

We packed stacks for the boys but they did just watch TV. Remember you might also need things for flight delays - I had a couple of colouring and sticker books plus some propelling crayons (less messy than felt tips!) tucked in the hand luggage which really came into its own during the 4-hour delay at Orlando on the way home.

 

[kcodd]

Just order a large glass of wine, put your eye mask on and change your name to dad!!!! [/QUOTE]

Definitely the best idea so far!

Thanks for all the tips everyone, anymore still greatly appreciated

 

[Dead-metal]

Just order a large glass of wine, put your eye mask on and change your name to dad!!!!
Chucklechops

I hope you are not saying all Dads ignore their kids for 10 hours?

That would be very sexist

 

[alisonbestford]

I hope you are not saying all Dads ignore their kids for 10 hours?

That would be very sexist

Maybe but it works in our house

 

[MazdaUK]

My DH sat across the aisle from me and the two boys on the way out, and just in front on the way back. He did swap with me for an hour or so to give me a break

Younger DS is a real mummy's boy and would not take kindly to me being too far away!

On the way back they did try to stick us in a centre 4 at check-in but we resisted firmly as we had pre-ordered window seats (and what's the point getting there early if you can't be sure of your seat

 

[tartangirl]

I may get shot down for this one but..

My biggest piece of advice is to give the kids a bit of leeway. We let our kids (8 & 11) wander around at tiumes during the flight - especially on the way over as no-one is trying to sleep. They enjoy meeting other children and it helps pass the time. I have seen other parents keep their kids in their seats and give them grief when they start moving around.

10 hours is a long time for kids that age to play gameboy, watch DVDs etc. and they will be excited.

We are more careful on the return journey as some people try and grab some sleep but certainly at the beginning of the flight there is an opportunity to catch up with friends made on the outward journey and compare autographs in their autograph books.

 

[alisonbestford]

I agree wholeheartedly .

You're encouraged to walk around the plane nowadays anyway - especially on such a long flight.

I've personally walked miles on a Florida flight when DD (6) was younger. Now she's old enough to take a little wander on her own which is great She'll usually head for the nearest baby or toddler to entertain for a while

As tartangirl says the flight home is often a night flight so different rules come into play and everyone obviously has to sit down when the seatbelt signs come on