Travelling long haul first class with a baby

PaulA

One small point - the bassinet isn't a seat as such, it's a fold down table that the crew strap either a cot or car-style seat to. A one year old will be quite big to sit in it all the time but hopefully will sleep in it.

During take off and landing you will have to take her out and have her on your lap and you are also supposed to during turbulence (likely over Himalayas / Indian ocean). If you get a jobsworth crew member they will make you take her out even if asleep.

Are you going via Bangkok or Singapore?

Actiongirl_2

squirrelchops wrote: »

I hope you really enjoy your trip. As a person without child i have to admit I am the person who crosses theri fingers and hopes 'the child' doesn't end up sitting next to me on flights!

However, the less selfish side of me thinks....Good for you. If you can afford it then why not and from experience travel broadens one's mind in a way other experiences cannot.

It certainly gives me something to think about that I hadn't before in terms of how others react to a person with child.

Good luck and have a great holiday.

I just think it is ironic that people can be so intolerant of children when supposedly we are a 'child focused' society!!!!!!! Supposedly!

Don't worry - I don't blame anyone for the way they would react to a baby on a plane!

2 yrs ago, I worked for a Bank in Canary Wharf (i know, boo, hiss) wore high heels, lovely suits and would have been the one hoping not to sit next to a snotty child! Now, I wear jeans everyday, have said snot somewhere on whatever I am wearing and hope we don't get sat next to the suit on the plane!!

All of these different perspectives change for an individual as they experience different things.

Actiongirl_2

PaulA wrote: »

One small point - the bassinet isn't a seat as such, it's a fold down table that the crew strap either a cot or car-style seat to. A one year old will be quite big to sit in it all the time but hopefully will sleep in it.

During take off and landing you will have to take her out and have her on your lap and you are also supposed to during turbulence (likely over Himalayas / Indian ocean). If you get a jobsworth crew member they will make you take her out even if asleep.

Are you going via Bangkok or Singapore?

Thanks, yes we know about the bassinet thing. I am relying on the fact that she may well sleep on one of our beds and we will get shoved to the end! I am also aware about the turbulence thing. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can get a few hours sleep under our belts before we hit it, meaning the early wake won't be so bad for her. We are stopping at Singapore. I understand that there is the option to stay on the plane which is sometimes advisable as they keep you in a small room airside...?

When she is older, I am going to tell her just how much energy and strategising went into getting her to the other side of the world with the least possible hassle!!

Rikki

Make sure you have something she can suck on when landing. There is nothing worse than an inconsolable child when their ears hurt. (you know how painful it can be)

Mine were over two before they flew for the first time and I had sweets and chewing gum for them.

Actiongirl_2

Rikki wrote: »

Make sure you have something she can suck on when landing. There is nothing worse than an inconsolable child when their ears hurt. (you know how painful it can be)

Mine were over two before they flew for the first time and I had sweets and chewing gum for them.

Yep, planning on a dummy and a bottle if that fails. She is still little enough for three feeds a day, so going to try and time them.

PaulA

Actiongirl wrote: »

We are stopping at Singapore. I understand that there is the option to stay on the plane which is sometimes advisable as they keep you in a small room airside...?

No you will have to get off and take everything with you but it's easier at Singapore as there is less distance to walk. You go into the transit lounge where there are loads of shops and cafes but have to go through security into a gate lounge before re-boarding.

The Singapore flights are on 777s which probably have a slightly better layout in First for a couple with a baby.

Some of the other pax will probably be annoyed but all they can do is complain to the crew, try and change seat and give you funny looks. Others will make a big fuss of the baby.

Actiongirl_2

PaulA wrote: »

No you will have to get off and take everything with you but it's easier at Singapore as there is less distance to walk. You go into the transit lounge where there are loads of shops and cafes but have to go through security into a gate lounge before re-boarding.

The Singapore flights are on 777s which probably have a slightly better layout in First for a couple with a baby.

Some of the other pax will probably be annoyed but all they can do is complain to the crew, try and change seat and give you funny looks. Others will make a big fuss of the baby.

Thats fine. We maintain that we have paid a significant amount of money for two seats plus several hundred pounds for our daughter and we have the right to be there...its not like an upgrade or anything.

We are also both used to the kind of attitudes we might experience (see post above - husband does a similar thing) and I think (hope) less likely to be intimidated by them.

No-one wants to make life unpleasant for themselves by causing an atmosphere when you know you are likely to be in the same space for so long.

Sassa

Wow, what a wonderful present - enjoy it!! Don't worry about the other passengers; they are still human, even if they do have the money to fly 1st! They may even enjoy having a little toddler on board, just because you fly first doesn;t mean you don't like children! By enquiring at this early stage about how to entertain your little one just shows that you will manage it brilliantly! When I worked as an au-pair I used to wrap up small gifts for the children to open at different stages of long haul flights.

Have a fantastic time - just remember you and your baby have paid for the service, just like everyone else, so don't let your concerns spoil your trip !

Actiongirl_2

Sassa wrote: »

Wow, what a wonderful present - enjoy it!! Don't worry about the other passengers; they are still human, even if they do have the money to fly 1st! They may even enjoy having a little toddler on board, just because you fly first doesn;t mean you don't like children! By enquiring at this early stage about how to entertain your little one just shows that you will manage it brilliantly! When I worked as an au-pair I used to wrap up small gifts for the children to open at different stages of long haul flights.

Have a fantastic time - just remember you and your baby have paid for the service, just like everyone else, so don't let your concerns spoil your trip !

That is a genius idea! Makes it more exciting than just giving her toys. She was really into xmas, so that will be a winner. Thank you!:j

Actiongirl_2

davidla wrote: »

I flew with a 6 month old from London to Hong Kong in Business Class (actually we were booked in Economy but got upgraded to Business because they didn't have a bassinet for us )
Seeing as you're on a night flight, see if you can keep her awake until after take off (although obviously you don't want her to get tetchy!). Hopefully after an hour or two of excitement she should go to sleep.
Airlines do have kid's meals which you should pre-order although they are designed for older kids. Probably a good idea to take some baby food as well if she is still eating it just in case she doesn't like the kids food.
Our son was a very quiet baby, but on Cathay every time he made any kind of noise the cabin crew came along and gave him a cuddle and a walk. When we fell asleep (he slept with me) I slept really deeply - those chairs are pretty comfortable. Just ignore anyone who gives you the evil eye regarding your daughter making a noise.
Don't be afraid to walk her up and down the plane - it's a long walk all the way to the back of Economy.
Don't forget they have TV/films - so she can be entertained that way.
And you can do nappy change in the toilets - they have a pull down thingy.
Finally, don't worry too much about it - this is your holiday, go and enjoy it!
David

Thank you, that is very useful - I had missed your post before, wasn't ignoring. Thanks for the advice!