Long-Haul Flight

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A long-haul flight with young children need not be such a long haul if you prepare properly. Here's a flying start for getting your journey off the ground

When you're on the plane, don't be the family from hell - be organised and enjoy that trip of a lifetime

Taking young children on a long-haul flight will not win you any popularity awards from other passengers. Crammed into seats that are better-designed for small children than full-grown adults, in a position that no self-respecting yoga-guru would ever contemplate trying, breathing dry, re-cycled air for hours only to end up with chronic jetlag and lost luggage, does not put even the most child-friendly person in the party mood. No, sitting next to or close to a family with young children is definitely drawing the short straw when it comes to a long-haul flight.

That said, parents can do a lot to minimise the inconvenience to other passengers on long-haul flights as well as reducing the strain on their own nerves. So, don't miss out on that holiday of a lifetime because you are afraid of taking your kids on a long-haul flight, take precautions, prepare well and enjoy yourself.

The first step in preparing for a long haul flight is to sort out all of your children's favourite small toys (small because of luggage and weight restrictions). Don't choose anything with small pieces that you will almost certainly lose between the seats leaving you grovelling on the floor underneath the feet of other passengers who are too irritated to be amused. 'Pack' these toys well in advance so that they have some 'magic' in them when you produce them on the plane.

Secretly pack some new toys and games which can be brought out as a surprise when boredom is beginning to set in. Again, make sure that the toys are small, quiet and don't require boisterous movements. Depending on the age of the children, colouring or puzzle books are old stand-bys.

Stock up on sugar-free sweets and, under no circumstances whatsoever, hand out chocolate - not unless you really want fireworks. Don't allow the children sugary drinks either - maybe a quiet word with the stewardess will get them taken 'off the menu' for a moment.

Have a few low-sugar, tasty, filling snacks on hand in case the on-flight meals are delayed. Don't forget the more that goes in one end, the more that can come out ... wherever. Dehydration is a real enemy so have plenty of low-sugar drinks available.

If possible, choose a long-haul airline with DVD's in the backs of the seats which screen children's programmes of different ages and which has seating arrangements to suit the needs of families. Young children will probably not be able to see a large screen and will not appreciate the 'general' in-flight entertainment aimed at the adult passengers - they need their own.

Some children might actually benefit from a red-eye flight. Keep them up all day and then take a flight which leaves at about their bedtime. Yes, they will be very cranky for an hour or two but after that exhaustion will take over and they should sleep for the rest of the night. Only do this if you are confident that it will work (perhaps try it out on a car journey first) as other red-eye passengers are notoriously intolerant.

Play down the traditionally frightening times of take-off and landing even if you are terrified yourself. Ask questions like 'How far can you see?', 'What's that over there?' and 'Can they see us?' to distract worried children. Laugh and imitate the sound when you hear the jet engines roar.

Very young children will not really be aware of their change of environment but will be kept awake by the bright lights and talk. Try to have something on hand that can screen their eyes from lights and dull out some of the background noise. Obviously they will want to sleep with a familiar toy and have something on-hand to chew.

Finally, visit your local pharmacist beforehand and have travel-sickness pills and, possibly, a mild children's sedative to give to them just before you board. Anything that will just take the edge off their behaviour will definitely be a plus.

If other passengers can see you have made an effort to 'control' the problem, you will find the majority much more amenable and keen to help - like watch one youngster for you while you take another to the bathroom.

This type of journey is not easy for anyone, least of all young children but hopefully we have given you a few ideas for minimising the problems of taking young children on a long-haul flight.

Taking Young Children On A Long-Haul Flight