Tips Flying Long Haul Flight with Toddler with Etihad Airways

So this is my first time flying with my toddler son who is just turned to 2 years old on this November. I was so nervous as many articles mentioned that flying with kids are terrible since they could get bored easily, crying, or worse screaming on the flight. So here is my experience flying with 2 years old toddler from Jakarta to Paris and transit in Abu Dhabi. Our flight were not so red-eye because our flight was at 17.50PM Indonesian time. We flighted with Etihad Airways. The reason we chose Etihad is because we are frequent flyer of Etihad Airways and Etihad offered us great deal. We sat in Economy class but the cabin is quite comfortable with big leg room. We did not pre-order menu for kids as Kawa can eat grown up meals. Besides we already brought a lot of snacks and biscuits for him. It’s easy to keep Kawa full but how to make the flight enjoyable flight? Here is the tips:

1. Keep toddler warm during the flight
Flight cabin could be cold and uncomfortable for kids, and if they are uncomfortable they will cry during the flight. So make toddler warm and comfortable is a must. Put on warm clothes with soft and warm socks for toddler. If they feel warm and comfortable, they will fall asleep.

2. Choose flight time according to toddler sleep time
It is important to keep you sane during the long haul flight and you can only get it if your toddler sleeps long during the flight. So you must choose the flight time that is same with your kids sleeping time. You dont have to give extra effort to make them asleep as it’s already their bedtime. The price of the flight might be a bit higher than normal price, but it is all worth it.

3. Bring toys and activity book
When Kawa is not sleep, he will find activity to do to spend his energy. So I brought some of his favorite toys such as cars and robots. With his toys and activity books, he could spent almost 2 hours busy yeayy!

4. Youtube and inflight entertainment
Well last resorts we could have is youtube and kids movies at inflight entertainment. Just make sure they don’t over watch. Usually youtube is quite effective to calm down the kids.

Those all the tips, feel free to add in the comment sections if you have other valuable tips to make flight with kids more enjoyable.

Love,

SR