Toddlers on Airplanes

[Goofy]

If you read my 2004 trip report ( <a target=_blank href="http://mb.disneymouselinks.com/shwmessage.aspx?ForumID=4&amp;MessageID=14">Dinsyeland June 2004 - Dad's Version&nbsp<img src='images/emotions/wink.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Wink' align='absmiddle'> you would notice that I insisted that we would in no uncertain terms drive next time.
Of course just like last year we decided to fly again. We just can't waste 3-4 days of our vacation driving.
Alex's 1st trip on a plane he was 14 months old. (2003) We upgraded to 1st class because he did not have his own seat and we felt the extra room would help.
Well... he started screaming 15 minutes before the flight took off which was very unusual for him . The plane had already left the gate so we could not carry him anywhere. Horrible feeling... a quiet plane except for Alex.
Other then that he was pretty good except for takeoff and landing he would cry but not too bad. I do remember coming back the infant in the seat behind us starting screaming during landing and I did a little fist-pump because it was her and not Alex.
Last year (2004) at 1 1/2 + he was real good on the trip out even though our morning flight was canceled and it was 6:00Pm before we got out. Coming back he was grumpy but only bothered the people around us for a very short time.
This year (2005) he is 2 1/2 + and I <[i]think </[i]he will be ok. We are on Frontier and they now have TVs on all planes. Plus we will have a portable DVD player.
But... I expect he will require 100% attention for the 2+ hours on the plane.
This topic is for people to post their best Tips for making traveling on airplanes with toddlers easy. Come up with several good tips that work for us on our trip and I'll send you a Disney Video.
I'll admit that I stress over the flight (and leaving our dogs for a week) more then anything else.
Andy

[Arielfan]

Thats too bad you have had such awful luck on the planes.

Sarah is 5 and has been on 7 or 8 return flights and I haven't had any realy issues with her. Some flights being really long ones as well (like to Hawaii). We have flown at a variety of times of the day as well ( flights from Hawaii leave there at midnight typically).

Phil has only been on 2 return flights so far, but again no major issues ( other then when he was 6 months old he spent much of the flight puking on me... that wasn't related to anything other then a bug he had).

But I have been on flights when kids scream, etc.. I always feel so bad for the parents and the child.. obviously something is bothering them, but I also know that the family also paid for their flight and they are not enjoying their child crying or whatever either....

One thing we always do is bring the kids car seats on the plane. I know it is sometimes a hassle to carry one more heavy thing through security and the airports, but (at least my kids) are used to spending a fair amount of time in those seats so they relax instantly. We too have brought a DVD player ( the last time to Hawaii)and some headphones for Sarah. It was nice, I watched the movie they showed on the plane, Sarah watched some new DVD's we brought her and Jim watched a show on his laptop. Phil was sleeping and puking most of the time <img src='images/emotions/wink.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Wink' align='absmiddle'>.

We will bring a DVD player with us to DL this time as well for Sarah. Phil still has little to no interest in watching tv or movies so for him (and Sarah) we will pack a bunch of little cars/toys and books plus lots of snacks (things like lollypops always seem to work on our drives to the cabin (2 hours).

Anyways, as I think of some little tips I will post them for you...

Carole

[Tink]

Miniture Balloon animals. Yep, you see it here. That is actually what got Alex to quiet down last time on the way home. The man in the row in front of us made Alex balloon animals. He loved them.
So, I picked up a kit. Determined to make Alex happy with balloon animals. And I broke every single one I tried. What is the deal???? Anyway, if you can make balloon animals, those are great. All toddlers like balloons.
Tink/Leanne