Upper class flight with a toddler!

I am due to fly to Dubai with my 2 year old and have managed to book UC using my miles. My son has not flown before and I am nervous about how he will be on the plane and I really don't want him to disturb anyone else's flight.

Can anyone recommend which seats I should book?

He should be in a child seat (similar to a car seat I think)but I am nervous about take off and landing - will he be able to see me in the opposite seat?

Also, the flight out is a night flight and he should sleep all the way - how can I make sure he doesn't get disturbed and that he doesn't disturb anyone else?

All advice gratefully received!!!!

A few V-Flyers have 'toddlers' and fly in Upper Class. I suggest you trawl through a few TR's (especially those by MDVIPOND) for some inspiration.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome to V-Flyer.

This is an oft discussed, and sometimes emotive subject. [;)][8D]

This thread and this one, are two examples.

Our resident child experts will no doubt be along shortly with specific advice, but HG's advice about mdvipond's great TRs is spot on.

Nick

mmm toddler in UC....

I hear they have some good toddler suitable seats in Economy..

quote:Originally posted by LiamRugby
mmm toddler in UC....

I hear they have some good toddler suitable seats in Economy..


and don't forget the hours of fun to be had in the cargo hold ... and some of the smaller ones could fit into the overhead lockers ...

[:D][:D][:D]

[fozzyo]

Now now boys lets behave ourselves and make our new member feel welcome!

I can't remember which seats in Upper have basinets available for babies - a quick call to Flying Club / Customer Services will help you with this, and its worth doing that to request such a seat for the flight.

A stupid question maybe - but does he get his own seat for the flight? One of the great things about eh suites is when its in bed mode it forms a great little flat play area for the little one to amuse themselves in.

Mat

quote:Originally posted by wornoutmum
I am due to fly to Dubai with my 2 year old and have managed to book UC using my miles. My son has not flown before and I am nervous about how he will be on the plane and I really don't want him to disturb anyone else's flight.

Can anyone recommend which seats I should book?

He should be in a child seat (similar to a car seat I think)but I am nervous about take off and landing - will he be able to see me in the opposite seat?

Also, the flight out is a night flight and he should sleep all the way - how can I make sure he doesn't get disturbed and that he doesn't disturb anyone else?
All advice gratefully received!!!!


Welcome!
Fear not, these individuals only mock... There are a few of us around who do actually have to Fly with the ankle biters, Mvipond being the obvious for UC hints..(I do however pre-warn you about his bar chat..[:0])

Obvious things also help...tire them out/ keep them awake as much as poss, so they sleep on the plane (falling asleep onroute to the airport being the usual trick [n])
Take-off and landing - sipping drinks- helps the ears (we tend to take an empty 'fruitshoot' style container and fill with something suitable airside (Rum [}:)])- not original fruitshoot content though as makes mini nh wired! The ear issue has never been issue for mini nh (long-hauling from age of 8wks), apparently if starts hurting-crying will clear.
Age of two- usual cbeebies style magazines/ snap cards/ Crayola 'mess-free' scribbling kits. Anything different. Although IFE has some bits- suggest portable DVD player, and record some Cbeebies/Panorama/University challenge etc
Always take fav toy + a back up. Limited stuff for this age in VS's kids kit.
NB- most import for you- Don't fret and enjoy the flight, but remember to pack something as change of clothes in handluggage as accidents do and have happened.... [:I]

hope these help

Mike

quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
Now now boys lets behave ourselves and make our new member feel welcome!




So your saying that the cargo hold and overhead lockers are not suitable play spaces for a 2-year old?

It's 'elf and safety gone mad I tells ye!

Next you'll be telling me children arn't allowed down mines or to sweep chimneys !

One learns so much on here !

[:o)][:o)][:o)]

quote:Originally posted by northernhenry

Obvious things also help...tire them out/ keep them awake as much as poss, so they sleep on the plane (falling asleep onroute to the airport being the usual trick [n])
Take-off and landing - sipping drinks- helps the ears (we tend to take an empty 'fruitshoot' style container and fill with something suitable airside (Rum [}:)])- not original fruitshoot content though as makes mini nh wired! The ear issue has never been issue for mini nh (long-hauling from age of 8wks), apparently if starts hurting-crying will clear.
Age of two- usual cbeebies style magazines/ snap cards/ Crayola 'mess-free' scribbling kits. Anything different. Although IFE has some bits- suggest portable DVD player, and record some Cbeebies/Panorama/University challenge etc
Always take fav toy + a back up. Limited stuff for this age in VS's kids kit.


That's my flight prepared for. [;)]

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
[So your saying that the cargo hold and overhead lockers are not suitable play spaces for a 2-year old?

It's 'elf and safety gone mad I tells ye!

Next you'll be telling me children arn't allowed down mines or to sweep chimneys !

One learns so much on here !

[:o)][:o)][:o)]

Sorry but all this just obliges me to post this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbnRRGISLQE&feature=PlayList&p=2FAC52B4CA452938&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13

Sorry in advance!! [:w]

quote:
Sorry but all this just obliges me to post this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbnRRGISLQE&feature=PlayList&p=2FAC52B4CA452938&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13
Sorry in advance!! [:w]


[:o)][:o)][:o)][^][^][^] [y]

Classic!

I have flown with my nephew in UC and he was two at the time; he was very well behaved and a joy to be with. Yes I know you are all saying this is a biased opinion.

On another occasion I was in UC and a family with two young girls came aboard. The parents seemed to apologise from the start; I don't know why as the girls were lovely. It was a night flight and for some reason I always get the snoring man next to me who keeps on kicking the divide, which results in no sleep for me. Oh no not this time, I had a great night's sleep as one of the girls had the suite next to me, not a snore in sight. I was absolutely over the moon and made sure I thanked the parents in the morning.

Just because they are children, it does not mean they will be badly behaved. I have flown with some pretty vile adults in my time; having to go into a toilet to smell vomit and faeces riddled with the stench of regurgitated alcohol is not my idea of funyes folks this was in UC.

quote:Originally posted by ClaireAW


Just because they are children, it does not mean they will be badly behaved. I have flown with some pretty vile adults in my time; having to go into a toilet to smell vomit and faeces riddled with the stench of regurgitated alcohol is not my idea of funyes folks this was in UC.



Sometimes the parents are worse behaved than the children!

It is a joy when children are well behaved on flights. If the parents prepare the child for the flight with toys, books, DVD's etc then there are generally no problems. It is when the parents who think that they don't need to look after their children on a plane, that the problems arise.

I quite agree Tinkerbelle

I've just some back from BGI with my little boy (slightly older at 3 but also did the same flight with him when he was just under 2) & although I worried he might disturb other passengers (each time we flew) he was really well behaved & the flights were much better than I'd anticipated!

Firstly, only flown on 747 & A340-300 with my son so could only comment on the seats we had on those aircraft - do you know which AC you're due to fly on? The one thing I'd say is to try to sit away from the bar & not too close to the toilets.

This time we got one of the 'car seats' which we pre-booked in advance (although I think they keep some in the hold anyway & he was on our knee the previous time). I think the best thing to do is to sit either in front or behind your son (rather than across the aisle) as you can hold his hand or pass things like drinks & snacks over to him during take off/landing. Then after take off I'd ask the crew to turn over your bed (leaving your son in his 'car seat') & you can sit on the ottoman at the end of his seat & you can put him straight to bed & sit with him until he's settled. Then the crew can take out the car seat & stow it until landing & you can have the seat to relax/make into a bed. You can then put the car seat back on the seat before getting him out of bed as near to landing as possible. Hope that all make sense. I was really glad my son had a 'car seat' even though I think he was borderline being too big, 'cos a little one (slightly younger than my son) was sitting across the aisle from his parents & got out of his seat as we were landing & his dad had to get up & strap him back in [:0] (while being strongly spoken to by the crew who were also seated for landing!!!).

If you're going to use the Clubhouse before you fly, I'd try to feed your son before you board so you can get him to sleep asap after take off (also the kids food has never been too brill IMHO!). Also I find getting him into pyjamas as soon as you take off (or even before you board) rather than keeping him in his clothes will probably help get him in the mood for going to bed. Also take a couple of familiar bedtime toys/books or even a pillow to make thing a bit more familiar.

Other than that (epic!) I'd echo what others have said. Try to tire him out & not let him sleep too close to the flight (but let him have a nap if he's used to it 'cos I know from experience being over tired can make it more difficult to get them to sleep at night). Make sure you've got plenty to occupy him - portable dvd players with some favourite programs are great (& also useful for going out for meals at night on holiday), little toys wrapped in party bags for him to open every now & then (possibly not necessary for your night flight but handy for day flight), stickers, books, cars & drawing stuff, snacks & a juice bottle to put something in for take off/landing. Take some calpol just in case he's poorly & a spare change of clothes for you both.

Finally, try to enjoy the flight & as long as you're doing your best to occupy him, people hopefully can't grumble too much! [;)] & again like people have said, it's usually the kids that are the best behaved [:w]

Spacecadet

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by spacecadet

Finally, try to enjoy the flight & as long as you're doing your best to occupy him, people hopefully can't grumble too much! [;)] & again like people have said, it's usually the kids that are the best behaved [:w]

Spacecadet




Yep. Never been on a flight where the kids have drunk all the champagne and gin. [:D]

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by spacecadet


Finally, try to enjoy the flight & as long as you're doing your best to occupy him, people hopefully can't grumble too much! [;)] & again like people have said, it's usually the kids that are the best behaved [:w]

Spacecadet




Spacecadet

I salute you[oo]

You clearly plan your trips so that your little boy is not ignored and such planning will always pay off.

You deserve the respect of your fellow passengers[oo][oo]

buns

Thanks to everyone for the tips and for making me feel so welcome.[:D] It's really useful to know that my son can easily fit in the overhead lockers if it all gets a bit too much
[:w]

I can understand that some people have reservations about little ones on board but rest assured that I'll do everything I can to make sure he doesn't disturb anyone else. I certainly won't be taking my eyes off him for a moment for fear of finding him fiddling with the emergency exit at 30,000 feet!

We are all prepared for the trip now - with lots of sticker/colouring books, a DVD player and all the peppa pig dvds you can buy! Let's hope he doesn't go off Peppa between now and then!

For info, I ended up having to speak to VS as I couldn't book my son's seat on-line and was worried that if we left it until check-in, we wouldn't all be able to sit together. The premier team were very helpful and advised that one of us has to sit in the suite behind his for safety etc so we have booked this and also one in the suite opposite his. I was also advised that as he will only just be 2 when we fly, the cc may allow him to be seated on one of our laps for take-off/landing.

Also, for the benefit of anyone else in this position, I checked that I would be able to get some warm milk on-board for him to drink during take off - I was advised to get the milk in the clubhouse before boarding and then to get the cc to warm it.

Now we just need to decide whether to potty train before or after the trip but that is definitely for another forum!

Thanks again

quote:Originally posted by wornoutmum
Now we just need to decide whether to potty train before or after the trip but that is definitely for another forum!

Another forum?!? I think not, dear lady! We're more than capable of handling all of your child-rearing queries on here, thank you very much.

From experience, I recommend suspending potty training plans until after your trip. An awful lot easier to let the nappy take the strain at a time when you might find yourself unable to get the little one to the loo (take off, for instance). And it gives you something to look forward to upon your return...

[buns]

Mum

Enjoy your flight as much as everyone else will on board because of your preparations[y][y]

buns

quote:Originally posted by wornoutmum


We are all prepared for the trip now - with lots of sticker/colouring books, a DVD player and all the peppa pig dvds you can buy! Let's hope he doesn't go off Peppa between now and then!

NB...

One note however...Which needs re-enforcing..

Make sure YOU Relax! & Enjoy the trip. [y]

On my flight from MCO to MAN there was a boy of arround 15 months, he was so well behaved it was amazing, a few trips to explore just before take off and then slept the entire flight (and I do mean that, he was still sleeping when we left the plane).
His blue all in one sleep suit was also much nicer than the boring black everyone else had.

quote:Originally posted by 15isto2
His blue all in one sleep suit was also much nicer than the boring black everyone else had.

And doubtless it was much cleaner...

quote:Originally posted by mdvipond
quote:Originally posted by 15isto2
His blue all in one sleep suit was also much nicer than the boring black everyone else had.

And doubtless it was much cleaner...





They do wash those things, don't they???

GJ

quote:Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes

They do wash those things, don't they???

GJ


Yes I am sure the baby gets a wash !