Flying with a one year old

libbyann · October 2009

We have a family reunion coming up and we're trying to decide if we're going to fly or drive. It's in Albuquerque, NM, so the drive would be long and likely require an overnight stay somewhere at a halfway point. Money is a big issue, so if we do fly, we'd probably only be able to afford 2 seats and Will would have to sit on our laps. From the looks of it, it'd be about a 4-5 hour trip. Not all of that would be spent in the air - the flight goes to Houston before going to NM. But we wouldn't get off the plane.

Am I crazy for even think about keeping a one-year-old entertained on my lap on a plane for four hours? I know we can't afford to buy him his own seat (it's going to cost about $500 round trip for DH and I...to add another seat is another $250 round trip), but I really really really don't want to drive. It's a 14-15 hr drive w/o a kid...we did the whole 10 hour drive to KS when he was 3 months old and it was okay. But I can't imagine keeping a 1-year old restrained in the car for that long!

Also, I don't fly regularly...is it better to buy tickets early (aka now) or wait until closer to the time the trip is? I definitely want DH and I to sit together, if that makes any difference.

mlf625 · October 2009

If your DH will be with you, you can totally handle Will not having his own seat! ?Get seats together and raise the armrest, and though it will still be tight, there will be room for all three of you. ?Pack snacks, a few toys that will be new to him, some books, etc. ?He'll likely be pretty distracted and entertained by all the commotion on the plane. ?And even if he's wild and crazy, with both?you and DH on board, you'll be totally fine. DH actually flew with us for a change last month (DS and I fly solo pretty often) and we just took turns walking him up and down the aisle when he got restless. ?

FWIW, I would absolutely rather endure a 4-5 hour flight with a 1 year old than a 2 day drive. ?100%.

btrrcupbride · October 2009

DH, DD1, DD2 and I all flew to Florida last year when DD2 was one. We had a plane change coming and going. Travel time was 5+ hours both ways.
She did fine. It was definitely work but it was manageable.

I got alot of great tips from the frequent travelers here about what to bring/pack that were lifesavers!

I say fly w/ him on your lap. The cost of gas both ways plus an overnight stay probably wouldn't save you much anyway.

ETA: I got some mini m&ms and when DD would not have anything else I could bribe her into behaving with one m&m at a time.

naclh2otaffy · October 2009

Not sure when you are traveling, but Southwest, American, Jet Blue, and Frontier are all having massive sales that end tomorrow night. Flights start at $25.

maribel922 · October 2009

Ditto to this 100%!

mlf625:

If your DH will be with you, you can totally handle Will not having his own seat! Get seats together and raise the armrest, and though it will still be tight, there will be room for all three of you. Pack snacks, a few toys that will be new to him, some books, etc. He'll likely be pretty distracted and entertained by all the commotion on the plane. And even if he's wild and crazy, with both you and DH on board, you'll be totally fine. DH actually flew with us for a change last month (DS and I fly solo pretty often) and we just took turns walking him up and down the aisle when he got restless.

FWIW, I would absolutely rather endure a 4-5 hour flight with a 1 year old than a 2 day drive. 100%.

libbyann · October 2009

naclh2otaffy:
Not sure when you are traveling, but Southwest, American, Jet Blue, and Frontier are all having massive sales that end tomorrow night. Flights start at $25.

I know - we're not traveling until May though. I'm tempted to buy some tickets to go somewhere just because, though!

jennynorene · October 2009

for sure fly rather than drive. it's nice to have a seat for a one year old but even if you had one there is no guarantee he would be ok sitting there the whole time anyway. not only would i prefer the flights over the drive, i would do the flights by myself before doing the drive! good luck!

BLONDIE6FT · October 2009

if you are going during the first part of may, i would wait a little while to buy tickets. the first 2 weeks of may is not as busy as later in the month. once kids are out of school ticket prices skyrocket, so end of may is pricier. i'm a flight attendant. normally when dh and i travel it's in april or first of may because the flights aren't as busy. with that said--you need to know what is going on in new mexico at that time. like we have sxsw, rodeo, football games, etc.....make sure you know if something big is going on that would fill up flights.

google 'fare predictors' . there are a few sites that might give you an idea of what the prices will be.

also, look for alternate airports like killeen, san antonio. you would be suprised at the price differences.

hope that helps!

libbyann · October 2009

BLONDIE6FT:
if you are going during the first part of may, i would wait a little while to buy tickets. the first 2 weeks of may is not as busy as later in the month. once kids are out of school ticket prices skyrocket, so end of may is pricier. i'm a flight attendant. normally when dh and i travel it's in april or first of may because the flights aren't as busy. with that said--you need to know what is going on in new mexico at that time. like we have sxsw, rodeo, football games, etc.....make sure you know if something big is going on that would fill up flights.

google 'fare predictors' . there are a few sites that might give you an idea of what the prices will be.

also, look for alternate airports like killeen, san antonio. you would be suprised at the price differences.

hope that helps!

Thanks!! That's helps a TON! We're flying in the last week of May, so I'll try to wait awhile before buying tickets.

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