V-Flyer

Does anyone have experience flying with a 2 year old in Upper Class? I notice that the infant seat that is available in other classes isn't available in UC, but I'm also reading that Virgin doesn't allow car seats to be taken onto the aircraft. Is this accurate? Should I pack some duct tape to ensure he stays safely in his seat?

I think Mdvipond is the exact person that you are looking for. He went all the way to SYD in UCS with his young one! Send him a PM. Am sure he will help you out- his TR's may also be of use to you.

Will is quite correct. Our resident UC with Jnr. expert Mdvipond is your best bet, he actually gave some great tips and advice in this thread from not too long ago. The first part of the reply is about BGI but keep reading as there are some great tips for travelling with a toddler in UC.

Might also be worth reading a couple of his excellent TR's which will not only give a good laugh but also will give you a feel of how the flight process works for them when travelling with Jnr.

Neil

Thank you both. I just read Mdvipond's last trip report and I am rather scared. I think the duct tape is definitely in order [:)] I will follow-up with the PM. Thanks again!

His Grace the Lord Richard of Mannion might advise the use of duct tape...on the child's mouth.

GJ

There is a new child seat that has been installed on the entire fleet which can be used in the Upper Class cabin.

That's right, LRoM sure does like his duct tape - as does, I hear, LSoM. Oh yes. But it's not for us mere commoners to muse on the goings-on behind the sturdy portals of Mannion Towers...

baldbrit - hello. Thanks for the PM, I don't get many and it's lovely to feel wanted. Thought it might be best if I relpied in this thread so that it's there for reference for any other mug who's thinking about travelling with a sprog.

It's true that the UC seatbelt is way too big for your average 2 year old. Thankfully, those clever boffins at VS have developed an ingenious piece of kit to help improve matters:



Yes. It's a pillow. If you've skimmed through my last TR you'll be aware that jr. discovered that standing up was an awfully good way of getting out of her seatbelt however, and different measures need to be employed to try and avoid this. M&Ms worked well for us and you can never have enough toys, books, stickers etc. to try and keep them distracted.

And as a parent yourself you'll already know this, but don't underestimate the power of bribery and threats. If staying sat down until the seatbelt sign goes off can result in a reward or - conversely - a good beating, then jr. will be much more motivated to keep his/her arse firmly planted on that coveted purple leather. OK, maybe not a beating. Just tell him Santa won't come next Christmas, that tends to work...

Hope that goes some small way to putting your mind at rest. You'll be fine, stress not, I'm sure he's a good kid and they do tend to rise to the occasion. Enjoy your flight.

Originally posted by StarGuy
There is a new child seat that has been installed on the entire fleet which can be used in the Upper Class cabin.

Really? That would be terribly handy. Wish we'd had one in December.

Do tell more...

Originally posted by mdvipond

Originally posted by StarGuy
There is a new child seat that has been installed on the entire fleet which can be used in the Upper Class cabin.

Really? That would be terribly handy. Wish we'd had one in December.

Do tell more...

Basically it is a new seat that has been introduced for children from birth up to 20kg (44lbs) in weight or 100cm (40in) in height. It can be arranged either forward or aft facing dependant on the age and weight of the child. It's covered in purple leather to match the suite, it can be used in all seats including ones with an airbags seatbelt except those immediated foward or aft of an exit.

mdvipond, that is one heck of a cute picture [:D]

I'm not sure if reasoning with my son will work. He is only just 2 and doesn't quite get the concept yet, or chooses not to (probably the latter). So the Santa type approach isn't gong to work. Now bribery he gets, M&Ms he gets, so I definitely see the plan of action I need.

Thanks again everyone for the help. I'm trying to get more information on this new chair (thanks StarGuy) and will post the details if I have any luck.

Meanwhile, if I find any M&Ms in my seat, I know who to blame!

Originally posted by baldbrit
mdvipond, that is one heck of a cute picture [:D]

I'm not sure if reasoning with my son will work. He is only just 2 and doesn't quite get the concept yet, or chooses not to (probably the latter). So the Santa type approach isn't gong to work. Now bribery he gets, M&Ms he gets, so I definitely see the plan of action I need.

Thanks again everyone for the help. I'm trying to get more information on this new chair (thanks StarGuy) and will post the details if I have any luck.

Meanwhile, if I find any M&Ms in my seat, I know who to blame!

Also, it's a boy/girl thing. My son is nearly 3 and he has a very short attenton span like must of his friends but our friend has a girl who is also nearly 3 and she will sit down and do activities.

So Mr Mdvipond, you're a very lucky man!

This new Upper child seat sound like the dog's dangly bits! Here's hoping that they remember to load sufficient numbers of them onto the relevant fligths.

Possibly a girl/boy thing. Stick to bribery, it usually works. We have a little campaign ongoing to get mdvipond jr. to 'put esses on your yesses'. So, asked her if she'd like to go to Disney to see Micky Mouse - 'Yeah' she replied. I told her that she couldn't see Micky unless she put 'esses on her yesses'. Her retort? 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Mouse'. Too bright for their own good sometimes...

Originally posted by baldbrit
Thanks again everyone for the help. I'm trying to get more information on this new chair (thanks StarGuy) and will post the details if I have any luck.

From Virgin's Customer Services:
'Thank you for your email.

I am pleased to inform you that Child Safety Seat is available when travelling in Upper Class.

For healthy and safety reasons we will not allow passengers to use their own car or child seats onboard our aircraft. Passengers requiring the use of a child seat onboard may utilise Virgin Atlantic's own Infant Care Chair (ICC).

Virgin Atlantic was the first airline to carry an ICC designed to meet with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) specifications. The ICC can be used throughout the flight including during take off, landing and when the 'fasten seat belt' sign is switched on. The CAA has authorised the use of our ICC for children aged 6 months to 3 years. Passengers who require use of an ICC will need to have purchased a seat for the child at the applicable child fare.

Passengers may check into the hold their own child seats in addition to their free baggage allowance at no extra cost provided they are suitably packed.

To book an ICC, please speak with our Contact Centre:

Tel: 0870 380 2007

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/customer ... /phone.jsp

Any of our advisors will be pleased to help.

We look forward to welcome you onboard soon.

Kind Regards'

Originally posted by mdvipond
This new Upper child seat sound like the dog's dangly bits! Here's hoping that they remember to load sufficient numbers of them onto the relevant fligths.

Possibly a girl/boy thing. Stick to bribery, it usually works. We have a little campaign ongoing to get mdvipond jr. to 'put esses on your yesses'. So, asked her if she'd like to go to Disney to see Micky Mouse - 'Yeah' she replied. I told her that she couldn't see Micky unless she put 'esses on her yesses'. Her retort? 'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Mouse'. Too bright for their own good sometimes...

I wish my son would say 'yes', instead of 'Of Course' or 'No'. I said along time ago in a previous post that I would never go and see the Mouse. However, it's not going to be too long before we do. Curses, Playhouse Disney!!!!

Originally posted by DarkAuror
I wish my son would say 'yes', instead of 'Of Course' or 'No'. I said along time ago in a previous post that I would never go and see the Mouse. However, it's not going to be too long before we do. Curses, Playhouse Disney!!!!

We were going to try and avoid the whole Disney thing for many years to come, but our recent jaunt to Hong Kong put pay to that. Didn't even realise there was a Disneyland out there until a couple of weeks before we went! She loved it, even though she's only 2. We'll be trying the 'proper' one Stateside in Nov.

Back OT - the-now Mrs mdvipond has just 'phoned VS and booked an ICC for our upcoming BGI flights, so we'll have to see how it goes and report back.

Originally posted by mdvipond

We were going to try and avoid the whole Disney thing for many years to come, but our recent jaunt to Hong Kong put pay to that. Didn't even realise there was a Disneyland out there until a couple of weeks before we went! She loved it, even though she's only 2. We'll be trying the 'proper' one Stateside in Nov.

Back OT - the-now Mrs mdvipond has just 'phoned VS and booked an ICC for our upcoming BGI flights, so we'll have to see how it goes and report back.

Can't wait to read your TR and how jr. get on with the ICC.[:)]

The information Starguy gave is correct, the information from Virgin relates to the Infant Care Chair, which has now been replaced by the Infant Care Seat. The seat is NOT from six months to three years, that's the chair. The seat is from birth to 20kg (or 100cm). Virgin's infromation is out of date. There are three onboard.

Can the care chair be used in any economy seat or are there limitations? Appreciate that exit rows would be inappropriate but what about bulkheads?

Yes they can be used anywhere in economy, apart from the usual places like exit rows and the row behind. They can be used with airbag seat belts. They are designed to fit on any seat in the aircraft now, and are very secure. Bulkhead seats are fine.

Thanks for clarifying - off to get the super glue to keep my 20 month old in the chair when we go next sunday!

Make sure you request one now as there are only three on the aircraft. They are also very fiddly to attach to the seat, and it means the crew can have the infant care seat fitted before you board. Have a great trip.

I believe it is also possible for extra seats to be loaded on to the aircraft if there are more than 3 going to be required, but they would have to be booked in advance.

These infant seats weren't mentioned to us when we travelled in UC to Orlando with our two year old daughter Izzie a couple of years ago(yes - to see the Mouse!). The flights were great - apart from take off and landing when my wife had to retire to empty seats in PE with Izzie as we couldnt pursuade her to stay belted up in the suite on her own. With my wife sitting next to he in PE she was fine! I of course had to stay in UC to make sure that my 7 yr old was ok!!! Hope your trip goes well!

Originally posted by Flyoilybird
These infant seats weren't mentioned to us when we travelled in UC to Orlando with our two year old daughter Izzie a couple of years ago(yes - to see the Mouse!). The flights were great - apart from take off and landing when my wife had to retire to empty seats in PE with Izzie as we couldnt pursuade her to stay belted up in the suite on her own. With my wife sitting next to he in PE she was fine! I of course had to stay in UC to make sure that my 7 yr old was ok!!! Hope your trip goes well!

The installation of the new child seat started late last year and was complete in the last month or so.

New information including pix is now on the VS website link