We have returned from our mega journey to Spain. Please allow me to share with you some of the wisdom I collected on our 22 hour, 3 plane journey.
1. Pack your hand luggage lightly and strategically.
Needless to say we failed epically on this count and had to lug three tons of stuff through every security checkpoint. We were prepared for every eventuality though.
2. Begin or end your journey from an Asian country, preferably Thailand.
This might not be the most practical advice for your holiday but I stand by it. I avoided immigration and security queues (which were significant) both on the way in and out. In Suvarnabhumi airport, the baby and I was ushered into an empty security room where pleasant officers even helped me repack my bags.
3. Remember that the person carrying the baby through customs also needs to carry the milk.
As the Baby and I swanned, stress-free through priority security the Mummy was left in the regular line fighting to keep our 10 cartons of milk we had packed for our mammoth trip. Thankfully a sympathetic, parent security guard took pity on her. Phew.
4. Allow the baby to play on the floor for the hour after you board before you take off.
It’s nice getting on before everyone else and getting settled but it does mean that you’re on an hour before a long haul flight begins to taxi. Don’t make our mistake and get everyone buckled in too early.
5. Sleep when the baby sleeps.
Because you sure as heck wont be sleeping when he’s awake.
6. Prepare witty come backs for people who are mean about your baby.
A woman sitting near us with her baby was heard to admonish her fellow passenger with a loudly proclaimed: ‘My baby’s crying isn’t nearly as annoying as your snoring!’. The female passenger immediately ceased her sighing and tutting.
7. Know that your baby will choose the most inconvenient time to poop.
Ever tried to get out of the row when everyone has their meals on their tray tables in front of them? Try doing that with a grabby, poonami baby tucked under your arm.
8. Try to plan your first stop to be with family so you have something to look forward to.
Have you attempted a mega journey with kids? What advice would you offer?
I can really relate to this: I travel 26 hours across the world each summer by myself with two toddlers. By the time I land which ever way I am going I am a zoombie from planet pluto. If it’s still a planet or back to being a planet anymore I still feel that far away from human nature. lol The kids adapt though and it’s just one long day. We are about to take this journey again back to the UK in three weeks. I am a bit nervous but hoping we have done it a few times they will be pros. A girl can hope right? Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
LikeLike
Wow, two toddlers by yourself? Ouch. One between us was enough of a handful 🙂 Good luck getting back to the UK! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
This would be the reason I have not flown anywhere since my children were born. Luckily immediate family lives within driving distance. The next plane I catch will be my husband and I going on our first honeymoon. 😀 Oh wait…I mean our only one. Great post…something to laugh about now but I am sure at the time a bit stressful…especially people that stare like you want the baby to be screaming or pooping at dinner time. Just stare back and make funny faces…that’s what I do. #bestandworst
LikeLike
Haha 🙂 Staring and funny faces- noted. Have a lovely honeymoon. Are you getting away with the kids or without?
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s no plans as of yet. We’ve been married for over 6 years now but have never been on a vacation with just the 2 of us…couple over nighters here and there but that’s it. Someday 😉
LikeLike
Fingers crossed for you. Some coupley time is fantastic x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my god I don’t think I could ever, ever, ever fly on a plane with my cray, cray toddler and a newborn. I take my hat off to you. Thanks so much for linking up to the #bestandworst hope you can pop by again! xx
LikeLike
In fairness I wouldn’t be rushing to fly with two either. The two weeks of help and babysitting made it worth it. I’ll be back…if I can get my dozy brain to remember.
LikeLike
Brilliant! We have yet to take Zach abroad on a plane (an hour and a half ferry ride was long enough!). If we do though, I know just what to do! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
LikeLike
Here to help 🙂 Thanks for hosting x
LikeLike
As someone who is attempting to survive my first plane journey with my 15 month old – this was so useful! I’m going to get my partner to read it just so he understands we are NOT boarding first.
LikeLike
😀 Boarding is OK if there’s room for them to play by your feet for a bit.
LikeLike
I found your illustrations to be perfect! We have never traveled by plane with a baby. However, we have driven up in total 24 hours with a baby….and we plan on doing it again soon.
liz @ sundays with sophie
LikeLike
Wow, I think that’s even nuttier. How did you survive?
LikeLike
I’m gonna print this out and put it in my “Thing not to screw up” binder…might prove pretty helpful for our first family vacation on a plain ride with an 8 year old, two toddlers, and a new baby!
LikeLike
Wow, that’s a pretty extreme first flight. Is it a long one?
LikeLike
We just did a cross-country flight with our 2 year old. Only tip would be when packing her backpack, make it light enough that when you put it on her shoulders, she doesn’t fall over backwards… Yeah. Learned that one the hard way.
LikeLike
Bahahaha! Hilarious.
LikeLike
Brilliant 🙂 we have a long haul coming up with a 3 year old – can’t say I am looking forward to it – utter madness what possessed us! Thanks for the comic genius though will remind myself of this when I am pulling my hear out 🙂 #TwinklyTuesday
LikeLike
You’ll be fine….a few days after 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
From 3 the ipad works wonders!! Dubai is similar if you look sad and alone with 2kids on your own. That also worked in the uk…..
LikeLike
I’ll definitely give looking sad and alone a whirl next summer.:-)
LikeLike
The only plane journey we attempted was when Matthew was 10 months old but it was only 2 hours and he slept through it as it was his nap time when the plane departed. #sharewithme
LikeLike
Sounds perfect. We definitely should have been attempting something more like that.
LikeLike
Great tips – especially liked the one about shutting up rude passengers! Hope you enjoyed your holiday 🙂 #TwinklyTuesday
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
LikeLike
We had a fabulous time, thanks. Yeah, it was the highlight of the journey for me 😀
LikeLike
Points well noted! We’re off to Mexico next year and seriously dreading the flight with 4 little ones in tow. We’ll be “THAT” family on the plane!
LikeLike
People you’ll never see again- just chant that over and over and enjoy the free wine 🙂
LikeLike
How about never EVER go on more than 1 plane in one day!! xx #twinklytuesday
LikeLike
Good point but there’s no way my wife, I and our gayby were stopping over night Qatar
LikeLike
Wow that preferential treatment sounds fantastic – that is not the case in NYC. Going through security with 3 kids is a nightmare & getting all of our things gathered up again is not fun. Great tip to let baby loose until you have to buckle up. Love the witty come back to rude passengers as a top tip lol Welcome home, I’m looking forward to your other holiday posts! #TwinklyTuesday x
LikeLike
Thanks, Becky. It’s good to be back. I missed chatting and reading you guys. OMG, the special treatment made the trip almost stressfree. If only the rest of the world would catch on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your drawings! We’ve only flown 2hrs on holiday and it was a traumatic experience as I wanted to run up and down the gangway. My folks ended up keeping me occupied with the iPad! Phew! Hard work! #TwinklyTuesday
LikeLike
I’ve been on planes where toddlers have run circuits around the plane for the duration. I say go for it. Tires you out so hopefully you’ll sleep and anything beats screaming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so brave, we don’t dare venture further than France or Sweden with our little charmers. The first time we took Helen abroad she was about the baby’s age-I wish we had known point No.4 #twinklytuesday
LikeLike
Once I get back to Europe permanently I’m not getting on a flight for longer than 3 hours until he’s old enough to plug into an ipad for the duration.
Point 4 should be mentioned at boarding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny, I never took mine abroad till they were older
LikeLike
Sensible. Very sensible.
LikeLike
Hehehe, not tried flying with our mob yet, but I feel better prepared now if we do… I will remember the snoring comment!! lol! #twinklytuesdays
LikeLike
Just got back from a week long car trip to visit relatives and scatter great aunt’s ashes. The best, most amazing thing was the ‘box of stuff’. This magical box was about 8 square inches and there were literally hours spent with stuff being pulled out, handed to the designated baby watcher, and handed back to be returned to the box. Hours. Seriously. Magic.
LikeLike
Sounds magical! What stuff was in your box of stuff?…It wasn’t the urn…right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! It was a sand bucket with three scoops, and random other toys (pacifier, rattle, bottle, etc). I’m still amazed.
LikeLike
That’s a relief. Our boy quickly discards all toys when traveling but give him a set of keys and your golden for ages.
LikeLiked by 1 person