Posted by
10
19 yrs ago
I know it's been discussed loads of time, but we still can't decide...
Long haul flight to UK with 16 month old baby - which airline?
Do we go with BA and hope they can give us one of those car seat type things (are BA the only airline that does this?) Do we have to buy a seat for this or does the car seat thing go on the bassinet shelf?
Do we go with Oasis because it's cheaper? Would we buy a seat for the bub? Is a 16 month old baby comfortable in such a big upright seat?
Do we go with Air New Zealand / Cathay / Qantas as they are all much more baby friendly? Again would we need to buy a seat for the baby?
We're mainly concerned about having the baby comfortable and able to sleep (too big for the bassinet already!)
What have you done when travelling with a 16 month old?
Thank you....
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Kwis
19 yrs ago
Whichever airline you choose, I would highly recommend buying the baby his own seat. We started buying ours his own when he turned 12 months, mainly because neither he nor any one of us would be comfy carrying him throughout a long-haul flight. They're pretty mobile at that age and would not take too kindly to sitting down and being held the whole time. Also, do ask for the middle row (usually 4 seats across, depending on configuration) and request that the seat next to you be blocked off. We've had this request granted on CX when the flights are not full and the little guy was able to lie flat across the two seats in the middle and sleep (with a seat belt on and with mum / dad on either end). Good luck!
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Kmom
19 yrs ago
my little one flew long haul for the first time when he was 13 months old. we did exactly as kwis mentioned, took Cathay pacific and was fortunate enough that flight wasn't full. We got the 4 seater middle seats and baby was comfortable having 2 seats just for him :-)
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Definitely buy a seat for a child of that age. You say you could give up your seat Simon, but her nap could happen right around food serving time, and then there's not a lot of places to go! For cabin pressure during take off and landing, make sure she has something to drink as swallowing helps the ears. We've always packed a few toys that they haven't seen before and can be brought out for emergency fusses. Above all, keep calm and don't stress about it...the more relaxed you are, the easier they become. I have been on many a flight with an anxious mother, screaming at her screaming child in frustration, but it only makes matters worse. Keep a sense of humour!
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We have flown long haul with fisrt one and now 2 children many times the advice about paying for the childs own seat is spot on. We took a trip from the UK to Mexico with a 16 month old on our laps and it was was the worst decission ever. As for care and service I have found that NZ Air have the better staff. They seem to have more experinced staff on their long haul and they seem to have more time to help if needed. BA would come a close second.
Good luck and try to take it in your stride becuase in my experience you can make all the plans in the world but if baby isn't happy then you haqve to go with the flow.
Enjoy, 9 out of 10 tmes it is fine.
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I have done several long haul flights on Cathy with my little one and started buying his own seat with 12 months. I always take his carseat along as he is not safe in the big seat on his own. He is 19mths now and we are going again next week.
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We took a long haul flight back to Australia when bub was 12 months old and made a mistake of not getting a seat for her. The flight was full and she can't fit in the bassinet anymore (well, we did try putting the bottom board down to expand the bassinet space upon recommendation of stewardess but bub couldn;t turn so constantly got up and cried in frustration) so in the end hubby and I took turns to carry her while she slept. So yes, do get a seat for her if $ is not an issue.
BTW, we take Cathy all the time (not by choice but we have ten of thousands of pts for redemption) but sorry to say their service is not as good as others. Slow and twice they forgot our booked bassinet, and another time they didn't give us the bulk seat when obviously the people sitting there didn't travel with children. Our experience anyway.
Good luck!
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10
19 yrs ago
Thanks so much for all your replies. We are definitely going to buy a seat for the bub. One last question - will the seat be comfortable enough or do we need to buy a car seat to go in the seat (we don't have a car so will buy a car seat especially if necessary).
Thanks again...
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no, i find the seat not very comfy for bub to lie on 'cos of the uneven curve of the seat cushion so once you are seated, ask the stewardess for 5-10 blankets, fold and stack them nicely to make an even and soft bed for bub. We also bring a blanket and a cotton sheet of our own to put on top of the airline blankets. No need to waste $ on car seat.
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We are travelling back in March so wanted to ask should we go for the bulk seat or one further back - the reason I ask is that the armrests are fixed on teh bulk head aren't they so cant lie child across two seats, is that right? Also, one thing I have found useful is using grobag onboard - really helps with our little wriggler! Any other tips would be really helpful? How does airline food for children measure up? Will take emergency jars too I think. What about security? Do I need to taste milk etc?
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Kwis
19 yrs ago
Agree with mummybee1 about the blankets. Get extra pillows, too, if you can, to cushion against the hard parts. You can use some of the blankets to make a tent of sorts over your little one in case some people sitting near you have their reading lights turned on.
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Kwis
19 yrs ago
Agree with mummybee1 about the blankets. Get extra pillows, too, if you can, to cushion against the hard parts. You can use some of the blankets to make a tent of sorts over your little one in case some people sitting near you have their reading lights turned on.
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Mummy, do you mean that BA would allow you to bring your own car seat if you have paid for a seat for the baby ? We are travelling with our 23 months old(by then) and have bought a seat for her. Can we bring our Maxi Cosi car seat, will it fit into the seat on the plane ?
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dss
19 yrs ago
The plane seat is very hard for the baby to sleep and airlines do limit their blankets when there is a full flight.
My friend uses a small light futon/comforter, folding and blending into the seat. She has baby essentials(formula, toys, own pillow, nappy change,futon) packed into a light bag. If full flight and you give up your seat for the baby, ask the hostess to allow you to use their seats, which are unoccupied most of the time.
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