Flight to Oz- June 07- with 2 year old?

missscarlet

Right, we are looking at going to Oz for a trip in June this year, with my 2 year old son (he will be 2 over there) and looking at cheap flights for all 3 of us, who's best to fly with, should we do a quick stop in Singapore as looking to go to Brisbane, also any tips about taking a child tis young. And just to add a fly to the oitment- would you fly this far being in early pregnancy or not?

Any moneysaving tips whilst there would be good too as need to fly and stay on a massive budget but still be good enough for Son to stay there!

I ask again the impossible from you guys and thank you for any help in advance.

eveyk

HI!

Not got any first hand advice........yet! (we are going to new zealand in 4 weeks )
our daughter who will be 2 while we are over there!

I have been looking into this as it is it is a h3ll of a long flight! we have booked our flights with Singapore Airlines as they seemed to be the best overall esp with children (from what other people have said anyway)

We hadn't planned to stay in Singapore but we have a 14 hour layover so have a hotel provided free by airline so we are hoping to explore singapore and wear our daughter out (hopefuly)

I presume you will be getting a seat for your son. I was told not to go for bulkhead (which are usually reserved for babies anyway) as arm rests do not come up because I suppose it would be easier for them to sleep across us.

Singapore airlines have tvs in the back of their seats so I am hoping this may keep my daughter entertained for a bit
Otherwise have also thought of aquadraw, books (my daughter esp likes baby and toddler big book of everything pics of cars, animals etc) also she loves keys so a padlock to play with (sounds a bit odd doesn't it?!)
I'm also getting my mum to wrap little presents up for her so she can look forward to them on the plane.
Other things I can't remember at mo!
I JUST HOPE ALL THESE THINGS WILL KEEP HER CALM (IF NOT THERE IS ALWAYS THE OPTION OF WALKING UP AND DOWN THE PLANE FOR 23 HRS NO CHANCE OF A DVT THEN!):rotfl:

You should be able to good some cheap flights as it will not be peak time when you are flying
HTH

E x

regarding early pregnancy and flying don't really have any advice but its more to do with later pregnancy when you can't fly as far as I am aware.

missscarlet

he he lol. Well, from your sense of humour I am sure you will keep her entertained for days- good tip with padlock!!!!!!!! I have visions of me doing mumble penguin dances up the aisles for all to see whilst the man in the next aisle comments on what medication I am on, tutting!!!!! He He. Being rude but, how did Singapore air compare with the other airlines for money- just was it massively dearer? Also, does it tell you before booking whether the hotel is included free on the flight (do you have any links to the website you used to book it?)

Well, good luck with the flight and let me know how you go- have loads of fun- are you staying in a hotel or with family/friends?

eveyk

Lol...........

That sounds a bit bad about the padlock although it could come in handy if she won't sit still......................:D

To be honest it is a bit daunting that long on a plane and no escape but I have always wanted to go to NZ and thought if we didn't go now we would never go! We don't have any family/friends over there so are going it alone.
I have really enjoyed planning the trip and accomdation, have found some really family freindly places farmstays seem a good option where you have a self contained cottage on a farm (obviously!) you can wander round I also like the idea to be able to ask locals for info as well.

I am sure there will be accomodation like this in Oz. Thorn tree forum on lonely planet website is good they have a special thread about travelling with kids. you could always post something on there.

You're not being rude about the flights. We booked ours in Aug with Southhall travel (on teletext and on line google it ) rang them in the end (go on say no to 0870 first!) .............
.............Just dug out my prices originally quoted £875 each per adult and £718(!) for our daughter from local travel care with southall paid £744 adult each and £608 (still a lot IMO) for our daughter. Quite a big difference.

My advice would be to get quite a few quotes ie travelbag etc then go to southall and say the price and they should match it or lower (advice Martin says on his 'cheap flights shpeel') Basically don't accept the first price!
You can also book direct with Singapore airlines itself sometimes just as cheap and you also get cashback with quidco (have just had a quick look at june for 2 adults and 1 child its coming up as £1892 for all 3 of you sound ok to me!)

We didn't really look at any other airlines but SA didn't seem to be a lot more than any other airline.
Regarding the hotel it is free because we are having a long wait in between flights if you do have a wait they don't tell you about a free hotel you need to ask them
But according to alot of people on here the airport is one of the best in the world!

My friend has just come back from havin 7 weeks in Oz and she had the luxury of flying buisness class with her son alright for some!!

Will have a chat to her and will PM you if thats ok with you if you want more info!

sorry this is sooooooo long!:rolleyes:

E x

missk_ensington

In my opinion I wouldn't go full stop, and dont be surprised if people are rude to you all the way there and all the way back because they happen to be the poor bawastard that got the seat behind the scriking kid for 24 hours cos if it were me (and I have a 3 year old child and regard myself as quite tolerant, knowing forst hand what its like travelling with young ones) I would say something and ask to be moved.

You just dont take kids that young on such a long flight, its bad mannered to the poor swines who have to listen to it all the way there and back and not to mention unfair on the kid who I can guarantee wont sit for long after take off, and also tiring on you (I stupidly took Oli to Malta aged 2 - less than a 3h flight and I needed a holiday to get over it)

Sorry if thats harsh but I think its massively selfish to gtake kids that age any further than a 2-3 hour flight. Thats what you give up who you have kids.

missscarlet

Well I have to say that I have taken my son on trips in the car "selfishly" for hours to Mid/South France and on 4-5 hour plane trip and he was commented on as being an angel! I see your point on the whole "thats what you gave up when you had kids" but we are thinking of emigrating there and feel it would be cruel to move him when he was at school! This being the case, I would prefer to visit the country first, obviously! Before I had children, I flew to Canada and it was a longer flight due to Scotland flights and refueling- I had a really wild child behind me, kicking the seat and his mum was trying to stop him- I just felt sympathy as the mother was trying and not at all annoyed with it- maybe I am a one off here though!

Anyway, enough of that, I appreciate any information from all- both good and bad as long as it is helpful!

EveyK- Thanks for that advice- will try that. Of course you can PM me- you r helping me out here! Still think the padlock idea is really good! Will you be giving your little one milk on the flight? If so, can you still take it on board? Need to look at that I think!

Thanks again- will let you know how I get on with flights and accom. looked at a lovely family room near Brisbane for about £800 for 3 weeks which didn't seem bad as it looks wonderful!

JessicaFishy

as someone who flies has flown long haul on many occasions- i dont really mind listening to grizzly babies- much better than listening to grizzly adults complaining about children IMO!!

richardw

If you are emigrating, consider Perth in WA, I'd go there if I had children.

missscarlet

Have you been there? What are the good bits about Perth for children? Thanks richardw- was just thinking Brisbane as IT jobs look good there and hubby's friend has moved there but open to other suggestions- have looked at Perth but seemed alot more expensive to live and work there????

missscarlet

lol @ Jessicafishy. Sorry- missed your post first! Seriously, do you hear lots of moaning as being serious, I would hate to upset the whole plane- although my son is good, they can have tired days and on a long flight this would be horrible for others I imagine- mind you if people complain enough, we may get moved to first class to keep him quiet- hmmmmm, how to turn him into a horror in 4 months..... let me think!!!!!! He He!

Voyager2002

missk_ensington wrote:

In my opinion I wouldn't go full stop, and dont be surprised if people are rude to you all the way there and all the way back because they happen to be the poor bawastard that got the seat behind the scriking kid for 24 hours cos if it were me (and I have a 3 year old child and regard myself as quite tolerant, knowing forst hand what its like travelling with young ones) I would say something and ask to be moved.

You just dont take kids that young on such a long flight, its bad mannered to the poor swines who have to listen to it all the way there and back and not to mention unfair on the kid who I can guarantee wont sit for long after take off, and also tiring on you (I stupidly took Oli to Malta aged 2 - less than a 3h flight and I needed a holiday to get over it)

Sorry if thats harsh but I think its massively selfish to gtake kids that age any further than a 2-3 hour flight. Thats what you give up who you have kids.

What utter nonsense!

When my son was around this age I had to move the family between England and South America because of my work. With some thought and preparation, which the OP is obviously doing, my son was fine. The people you should blame are those who take children for long journeys without bothering to prepare, and generally without accepting responsibility for them during the journey.

From my experience and observations since, most travellers (and airline staff) are sympthetic and helpful to parents who are obviously doing their best to look after young children and keep them entertained. The only parents who meet with hostility (which they deserve) are the ones who ignore disruptive behaviour by thier own children.

Oh: and a toddler who is well looked after on a long flight actually causes less nuisance to others than do adults discussing business or enjoying the free booze.