Flying with a Toddler, Advice?

[Delaneysdad]

Just a couple of my own thoughts on the subject...
Delaney's first flight was when she was 7 days old, since then she's logged 30K Miles on Southwest and 15K on Alaska to Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, New Orleans, Oahu, Sitka, and too many trips to Southern Cal
Her first long flight was to Hawaii when she was 2.
she's now 6


That being said, we used all of the above mentioned tricks, Benedrill, DVD, Carseat, bouncing her in the isle, bottle or gum on descent, trying to keep her from kicking the seat in front, trying to keep her from playing with the tray, every flight was different. only you know what calms your kid. just make sure you bring stuff for them to play with, or they will play with everything else!
Just go with the flow, try to fly the redeye so they can sleep, and you can get quick nap too.

Some airlines make you check the carseat at the gate, some let it in the seat, it's a crapshoot as to how security will react to anything today, I've quit trying to guess, and travle really light, that's not an option when traveling with a child, and I'm glad she can pull her own carryon by herself now.

My favorite flying with Delaney story goes like this...

Scene 1...

Plane on ground in Reno, Delaney and I flying without Mom back to Vegas, we are Seated in the very back row next to the galley and flight attendant.
Delaney: " are we flyin yet?"
Dad: "No"
Delaney: "Are we flying yet?" (Repeated twenty or more times)
Dad: "No, not yet" (Repeated twenty times)

Scene 2:

Plane takes off, and experiences violent turbulence from ground up to 10,000ft. most passengers really, really quiet

Delaney: (Jumping up and yelling loudly) "We're really flyin' now Dad, aren't we?"
Flight attendant: (Laughing) "Yes sugar, we're really flying now"

That seemed to break the silence of the flight, many people were looking back laughing at the brave little girl who loves to fly.

have a good trip, and remember they grow up way too fast.
after they turn 5 you can't preboard...

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Just remember, since 9/11 the flight crew *really* frowns upon anyone standing in the aisles or galley/door areas, for security reasons....whether you're traveling with a small child or not.

[buffettbride]

Just remember, since 9/11 the flight crew *really* frowns upon anyone standing in the aisles or galley/door areas, for security reasons....whether you're traveling with a small child or not.

I agree. We're not the "wander the aisles" kind of family. We're more of the "sit down and shush up or you'll be in big trouble mister" kind of family.


As a side note, we've been out to eat 3 Thursdays in a row and we are 3 for 3 on the good behavior. He's really making progress on his sit-stillness.

[Brown Eyed Girl]

Just remember, since 9/11 the flight crew *really* frowns upon anyone standing in the aisles or galley/door areas, for security reasons....whether you're traveling with a small child or not.

I agree. We're not the "wander the aisles" kind of family. We're more of the "sit down and shush up or you'll be in big trouble mister" kind of family.


As a side note, we've been out to eat 3 Thursdays in a row and we are 3 for 3 on the good behavior. He's really making progress on his sit-stillness.

WooooHoooo!!! Way to go, Tony!

And he had good reason to be the child from hell on your last flight, poor little thing. I know his pain, I felt like screaming too on my last flight. When he gets older we can compare ruptured eardrum stories.

oh that reminds me...incoming, Mal.

[buffettbride]

Just remember, since 9/11 the flight crew *really* frowns upon anyone standing in the aisles or galley/door areas, for security reasons....whether you're traveling with a small child or not.

I agree. We're not the "wander the aisles" kind of family. We're more of the "sit down and shush up or you'll be in big trouble mister" kind of family.


As a side note, we've been out to eat 3 Thursdays in a row and we are 3 for 3 on the good behavior. He's really making progress on his sit-stillness.

WooooHoooo!!! Way to go, Tony!

And he had good reason to be the child from hell on your last flight, poor little thing. I know his pain, I felt like screaming too on my last flight. When he gets older we can compare ruptured eardrum stories.

oh that reminds me...incoming, Mal.

He's come a LONG way since October. I no longer fear taking him places like I used to, which probably was part of the problem to begin with. I've also taken him grocery shopping several times and he has done absolutely stellar. The meltdowns he has had have ended as a win in the mommy column, not the Tony column. My biggest win was not giving in to the really heavy, awkward carts that have the Little-Tykes cars built into them. They don't hold as much as a standard cart and are just MISERABLE to push around the store. I refuse to use them, and Tony now understands this.

Yeah, flying with the ear infection had to be miserable. I really feel for the 'lil guy now that I think of it.

Oooohhh! Incoming!!

[BHAkeet00]

i recently just came back from a trip to florida...we went to disney with my mom...and my 3 year-old brother was very good on the plane...i expected him to be a real pain but he was very good. we flew airtran airways from chicgao to orlando and the flight was at 7 AM. I brought along my portable DVD player, his color wonder markers and books, and a few reading books about airplanes. I also packed his little airplane toys and the Jay- Jay the Jet Plane toys he has. That way it got him a little excited about flying. We were planning on taking a car seat and having him sit in it, but when we got to the security they recommened leaving it in the place right before you get on the plane....becasue there is just NO ROOM!!! and the other young toddlers that were on the plane also didn't have a car seat.... with the stroller, we had it until we got on the plane...it was a way for us to carry somethings and it kept my brother from getting into other things at the airport. with the ear popping thing....me and my brother made a game out of it....you hold your nose, make your cheeks pop out, and breathe....or we made monkey faces .... that kept his mind off of the ear popping. And on the way down, we gave him licorice and fruit snacks and that kept him chewing....i would also recommend to give your daughter her own seat...when we flew airtran, you didn't have a choice onto wheter a child got to sit in a lap.....except whe the seat-belt sing went off....but i hope this is ok advice and have a great trip! (my mom flew by herself with a 3 year old, 11 year-old, and a 15 year-old on cruthces and in a wheelchair! i know it will be a smooth flight and let us know how it goes!) have a great vacation!

[Missing B'dos]

Nonsense! Our oldest flew to Louisiana when she was 2 and was no trouble. And this was pre car seats on board. She flew alone to UK when 9 to see her cousins, too.
What you want are the bulkhead seats more space so that your child can have space to play, and to explain to the child ahead what will happen, and maybe the Benadryl. Also a backpack of enticing things to do while on board, new crayons, small toys, etc. which the child helps pack. Also a map so the child can help understand where they are going... a 22 month old child can be included...our younger one won an art contest at that age,they are not stupid at that age.
Two flights would be better than a car ride. Can you fly to Bangor? View this as an adventure and invest that feeling in your child by including them in as much as you can. You will have fun! We have met people hiking in the Ontario wilderness with kids as young as yours along, and having fun. Have a great trip.