Feeling really nervous about kids first flight

We leave for the states on Tuesday and I'm super nervous about the 10 hour flight.

The girls are only 20 months so we've only bought one seat. We had hoped to get a bulkhead seat so that we'd have more room but we didn't know that BA  allow seat reservations before check in, so we missed our opportunity. We're not sat all the way in the back where the plane narrows so that you only have two seats on the side. The other parent will be on the other side of the aisle but there is a small amount of space back there that we can let the kids play around in.

I'm hoping, wishing and praying that the flight isn't so full that we can nab another seat. I'm terrified at spending 10 hours in a tight space with two toddlers.

Thankfully the flight doesn't leave until 3pm so I'm hoping that the girls will fall asleep for the most part but then if they do it means they won't sleep well when we arrive in Phx.

We've bought some new toys to bring out when/if needed. Doing some research for tips on carry on luggage for babies. I'm only planning on a backpack for me which will double as a diaper bag. Jon will have all the electronics (that effing laptop) with him, so he's totally useless in carrying stuff.

I'm so dreading the flight that I actually feel ill when I think of it.

Any advice? Tips? Reassurances? Commiserations?

Expect the worst and they will surprise you!    It sucks flying with kids.  We just did a UK round trip with a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old and it was hard work, we were tired as hell, but the girls were great all things considered. 

Your husband sounds like mine.  He may be able to fit like one toy and diaper in his bag, because he has to bring 17 gadgets.  Grrr.   Since you have the extra seat, keep your bag underneath that one, so that your stuff is accessible during takeoff/landing.  Bring a change of shirt for you.  I always manage to come out looking as if I purposely smeared food onto my shirt. 

Re: seats.  If you haven't called BA, it might be worth a shot to plead your case.  If not just keep asking when you get to the airport. 

One last tip:  Pack or pick up something for you to eat with one hand.  We were really able to eat the meals on this last flight because at least one of us always had a child in our lap.  Oh and order a kids meal for the extra seat.  It comes with some pretty tasty snacks.

my kids are older now, but i travelled 3 times a year for 8 yrs with them...  i found that the key to a good trip was for me to stay relaxed.  if you are stressed, the kids will be stressed.  plan properly (great idea to get an extra seat!) take plenty of snacks and milk, don't worry about schedules and just keep them happy:)  mine always slept well as i would run them around the lounge before flying and tire them out.  even if they don't watch tv at home, they may enjoy watching on board.  also, if they don't eat it, tiny tubs of play doh are great because you can make so many new things for them to squash!

i would definitely call BA.  they should be able to sort you out with bulkhead as they have to save some of those till checkin.  if you are a frequent flyer call that number as they may be more helpful.

I feel for you and will be in the same boat on the 18th.  I am traveling alone with my 22 month old and 3.5 year old.  OUr flight leaves at 10am so I am hoping to get a little energy out of them.  I love the idea of the play dough and might run and grab some before the flight.

Let me know how it goes for you!!!

Thanks everyone.

Expect the worst and they will surprise you!    It sucks flying with kids.  We just did a UK round trip with a 2.5 year old and a 6 month old and it was hard work, we were tired as hell, but the girls were great all things considered. 

Your husband sounds like mine.  He may be able to fit like one toy and diaper in his bag, because he has to bring 17 gadgets.  Grrr.   Since you have the extra seat, keep your bag underneath that one, so that your stuff is accessible during takeoff/landing.  Bring a change of shirt for you.  I always manage to come out looking as if I purposely smeared food onto my shirt. 

Re: seats.  If you haven't called BA, it might be worth a shot to plead your case.  If not just keep asking when you get to the airport. 

One last tip:  Pack or pick up something for you to eat with one hand.  We were really able to eat the meals on this last flight because at least one of us always had a child in our lap.  Oh and order a kids meal for the extra seat.  It comes with some pretty tasty snacks.

We seem to be thinking on the same level. I totally plan to get to the checkin desk and ask them what they can do for us. I plan on being that mother who makes a massive fuss about the whole thing.

Thanks for the food tip. I've been trying to figure out how the parent with the kid on the lap is going to eat if we don't luck out and get a spare seat. I was thinking that we'd just have to take turns but we'll see.

When I flew home this past summer a woman was in your situation without the bulkhead seat. The stewardess asked for volunteers to move and 2 out of 3 refused One guy did move which was really nice of him. I would try calling BA before the flight just to see if there is anything you can do. They didn't seem overly accommodating when I flew with them this summer though the seats were comfy and the food nice!! Movies were good too but I don't know if you will have a chance to watch them Have a wonderful time at home and I look forward to any tips you have-I'll be making the flight with a 4.5 month old in May!

The thing is, if you have paid extra and/or are a premier frequent flier and have reserved those seats ahead of time, you kind of don't want to have to move.  I say that as both a mother of a toddler and a frequent flier.  Now if they offered to upgrade the bulkhead passengers or gave them an equally good seat, I think they'd be happier to accommodate the parents.  It's just not a really good situation all around.

I was recently on a flight from the East Coast to the West Coast of the US with my husband and son.  We had reserved seats in economy plus way in advance. When we reached the desk to check our bags, we had been moved to completely random seats with me in the middle of an economy plus row and DH at the very back of the plane.  It was because of a plane change. I kicked up a fuss and said that was absolutely unacceptable as I was not about to sit apart from my husband on a six hour flight with a toddler.  They accommodated me but it was primarily because I was an elite flyer. Do your best to get your seats changed but don't count on it.

Last time I flew they seated me and my six year old son in different aisles and said when I get to the front desk to speak to someone there, so I did, and they gave me the bulkhead seats. Don't assume that they are taken, the might just hold off on filling them but claim that they are.

I always just think (when I fly alone with my two kids) that its only one day out of my life, if I am miserable, its just for a few hours and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and when we get into JFK, my whole family will be there to meet me and the stresses of the flight will all melt away. Thats my happy place. It will be fine! Good luck!

Do your best to get your seats changed but don't count on it.

Sorry, I must have misspoke, I don't intend on getting the seats changed. They're not the ones we want but I'm not going to fuss over it. I only hope to nab a spare one nearby. But I will be making a whole fuss about being on a plane for the first time with toddlers. I'm just hoping the crew has an ace up their sleeve that will help make the whole flight go smoothly.

Good luck! The experience may pleasantly surprise you (hope it does!)

And just remember, if things going horribly sour, all flights eventually end. And you'll never have to see the people on your flight again!