Ok! Planning major trip over east from Perth to visit family. Need advice. Travelling with toddler and on a budget so I am trying to get the best deal flights wise. Please could you lovely ladies tell me positive stories about either Tigerair, Jetstar or Virgin when travelling with your little bundle of energy. When did you find was the best time to fly? I was thinking over night so the 11:55pm - 6:10am flight, am I crazy or is it doable? Also, could you take your car seat on board to use during the flight? Thank you so much in advance!
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Ive had excellent experiences with virgin. I travel with my child with autism and they have always been very good. There seems to be a lot less hidden costs with virgin. I always check in at home on the computer and print my boarding pass so I only have to drop the luggage once I get to the airport. It's a lot less waiting around. Unless you are really confident at your toddlers ability to sleep on the plane I would not do an overnight flight. The seats on those flights are not comfortable and you will probably end up being awake the entire time yourself holding the toddler even if they fall asleep. I'd pick an early morning departure time myself when your toddler is likely to be fresh and happy and easier to entertain, and your body isn't telling you it's time to sleep. No you can't take a carseat on board to use during the flight. Firstly there is nothing to strap it to and the space is really really small. It would probably be over the on board luggage allowance too. Also you would have to be able to carry it on and off the plane yourself while managing your toddler yourself plus what ever online bag(s) you have and you wouldn't be able to fit it through the xray machine at security!
I usually take a back pack for everything Im going to take onboard so that I can have my hands free for my child. I usually pack drinks, snacks and some entertainment for my son as the food on planes is mostly geared towards adults. I treat him to a pack of pringles that are purchased on the plane.
My daughter is 2 and a bit and has been on well over 40 flights. I 3 over seas. Most all with Virgin. Virgin are fantastic 80-90% of the time on overseas. DO NOT fly over night if you can avoid it!!! Nap time is better- I'm Breast feeding still and even then it can be hard to let her have a good sleep- as a baby over night is great as a toddler not so much. 11:55 what with happen is he will get 2-3 hours before you wake him up to go to the airport which should be just enough for him to make it to 12:30 easy. Then he will be excited on the plan so you won't get him down till 1 at best. Wakes at 5:30 when the lights come one and your had no sleep yourself and you start your holiday needing to sleep and a toddler who at best is overtired but excited to be in a new place at worst is just over tired
Day flights trust me. It's annoying cos you can't relax but better than the alternative.
Take lots of stickers. Colour books. Dvds. New toys. My daughter never gets chocolate but I don't travel without m and Ms ..... The are my emergency can't ge her to stop getting out of her seat so she gets about 10 m and Ms one by one and it can buy me another 15 minutes. Books if he likes reading .
We've always flown Jetstar purely because of the cheap prices. They're okay, don't really offer any extra services or help though. In terms of the time, it's a tricky one. Can your toddler sleep in places other than bed? We flew interstate with two toddlers during their nap time and it was the biggest mistake ever. Our youngest wasn't able to get comfy at all (belly sleeper) and so pretty much screamed the whole time we weren't keeping her entertained, we were exhausted. So if they can sleep in other places, go at night, but otherwise I'd go during the day when it'll be easier to keep them occupied with toys, food etc :)