jerryhung

My boy is 7 MO - planning to take a long haul >15 hour flight

Anyone have any experience?

1. Would it be stressful for baby and not a good idea?
2. If I am travelling alone, how can I deal with baby when I need to go to the toilet. I plan to travel economy and premium (MAX!) - the toilets are usually so narrow even when it's just me what are ways I can deal with this?
3. If I don't reserve a seat for baby, is it safe for him and do I need to bring a car seat?
4. Any other tips, warnings , things to consider?

Thanks!

Siouxie

I travelled with my son from Hong Kong to various places when he was very young (from 5 months) but didn't undergo a 15+ hour flight until he was about 18 months. Is there any way you could stop over for a night, breaking the journey into 7-8 hour lengths? I think 15 hours with one so young could be a hell of a strain on you if you are travelling alone.

I have lots of suggestions for a slightly older child, but at 7 months it won't be easy to occupy him for that many hours. When my son was very young, I used to get the bulkhead seat and ask for a sky cot (bassinet), as at least then there's somewhere to change them / put them down for a snooze / let them play safely! I've also bought a baby-size sleeping bag and put him on the floor before, lol.

You may want to check with the airline about using a car seat as quite a few don't allow it - and if you were intending on bringing it to Canada, it may not be certified for use here anyway. If you are concerned about visiting the toilet/washroom, perhaps a front baby sling would be a way of keeping him with you - or you could be lucky and have a nice flight host(ess) who will hold your little one. I was once on a flight where my son flew first class with the stewardess, lol.

Do check with the airline as to what facilities/amenities they offer when travelling with a baby - some provide a bag with nappies etc., baby food and toys.

Take lots of wet wipes, nappies and a spare change of clothes for both of you (nothing worse than sitting in pukey clothes)!

I'm sure others who have done similar trips with babies will be along to offer suggestions..

Best of luck!



Edited to add - there's some suggestions for sleep solutions (equipment) here: https://www.bebevoyage.com/flying-beds-kids/

Danny B

We took a night flight from LHR > MNL (about 14hrs) with my Son at 9 months in 1995 and it was hell back then.

Nowadays you have technology to keep them occupied (depending on their age of course)

Shard

You should aim to get the bulkhead seat and the airline will supply you with a bassinet for the baby to sleep. The washrooms have more than enough room to do diaper changes and have diaper tables. Not a major issue if you have to leave the LO alone for a few minutes...he won't be going anywhere! Actually, small babies are much easier to travel long-haul with than small children (who get incredibly bored).

Aviator

Many carriers charge extra for a bulkhead seat now.

Siouxie

This website has some useful info on bulkhead/bassinet seats.

The Ultimate Guide to Airline Baby Bassinets



Edited to add, there's some useful info on travelling with babies here: https://www.flyingwithababy.com/category/in-flight/

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bats

Pit him up for adoption and get a new one once you get here.

DandNHill

Yes they do.

We paid extra for bulkhead seats as I have long legs... So we board the plane and what do we find? A young woman with her baby occupying the other seat. I got to have a sky cot "on my lap" for the whole flight! So effectively we paid more to be worse off.

On the positive side, because I am nice, when the Mum needed to go to the bathroom I took care of the baby...

Shard

One recent fad I'm a bit on is when new parents hand out "sorry in advance" packs to adjacent travellers with a little cutesy note about junior, some candy and some ear plugs...it's just a bit OTT IMO.

Aviator

Fly club, far more civilised.

Atlantic Xpat

Your fellow club pax tend to look at you a bit askance when you board with a small person in tow. Not that there is any reason that if you have the coin you shouldn't fly with kids in club.

Novocastrian

What did you do with the corpse?

Siouxie

Wouldn't the emergency exit seats give you more legroom?

Aviator

I was thinking more the people needing extra leg room than those with kids in tow.

DandNHill

Possibly and we have had those seats before. I'm not sure why we had the bulkhead. Maybe the emergency exits were all booked up... can't remember. Anyway the only response we got from Air Transat was along the lines of "so..?"