Flying to France in Coach with Kids - Is that Crazy?

[Anonymous]

Is it cruel to make kids sit in an aiplane for 8-10hrs in coach? Is it better to just not go? Is it possible if you fly overnight going there and just deal with the pain on the way back if it's a day flight? The cost difference between business and coach is the difference between can't go and can go. Any advice appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the child and how old they are. My dd loved the fact that she got her very own television at her seat! Plus there were lots of computer games to play.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's crazy at all. I've done it to France when my kids were little (3 and 5) and to Italy at ages 7 and 9. From the kid's perspective, there's very little down side of being in coach. If your kids are good travelers, it's not that bad. Just bring lots of stuff to do.

[Anonymous]

We have been to Australia with little kids. In coach. I wouldn't say it's cruel to the kids, they're little and fit just fine in those seats. It's more cruel to the parents.

Honestly, after having done a 15 hour flight (sandwiched between a 5 hour and a 2 hour flight), 8-10 just doesn't sound bad. Overnight would be terrific (and worked well for us), because the kids slept a lot of the flights.

[Anonymous]

It's not crazy - just depends on the age of the kids. We flew a lot with my daughter as a toddler to/from Europe and it's a pain for sure; got a bit easier when she was 3/almost 4.

Definitely make sure you schedule in some time to adjust to the time difference/jet lag but you will be fine. It's not impossible, although I have said openly I will not ever fly transatlantic again with anyone under age 4....

[Anonymous]

I agree-- for various family gatherings, my kid has flown to Europe at ages 3, 4, 5, and 6, and while it's not always a picnic, it's definitely doable. I would consider trying to research the planes being used by different airlines, if you have a choice (seatguru.com is helpful).

Sometimes we've tried to fly United because you could buy into "economy plus" (an extra 4-5 inches of legroom) relatively cheaply (although that was for the adults as much as the kids-- the biggest problem with small seat pitches for kids is the risk they will kick the seat in front of them). Recently we flew KLM and they had the seatback entertainment system which was a big hit.

[Anonymous]

We're flying to India via Paris with a 22 month old - in coach! He has his own seat, but let the games begin!!!

[Anonymous]

Slightly weird question, since all parents I know have relatives abroad and have endured long-distance flights with very young children - in coach of course.
We have gone to Paris and Tokyo several times (first time DS was in a bassinet). That's 8 hours and 12 hours respectively. We love Air France, the food is good and the attendants are usually kid-friendly.

1. Kids have great fun on planes, except for landing, because that's when little ears start to hurt. For this I recommend a bottle if they are young, or a snack if they are older.
2. Pack a diaper bag with little toys - bring them out slowly one by one!
3. Use the TV - they always have a kids channel or kid movies.
4. Get a window seat if you can for one kid - the view is fascinating and you can explain the mechanics of flying. I bought DS a toy airplane before we left. One japanese airline had the same idea and distributed airplanes for the kids during the flight.
5. International flights are great because they have two aisles: this means that while your toddler is running up and down one of them for his exercice, the drinks cart and the other passengers can still circulate on the other.
6. If you breastfeed, prepare to shoot nasty glances at heretics who might complain.
7. But also prepare graceful apologies for any spills or noises that disturb your neighbors.
8. Attendants always heat the milk bottle nearly to boiling point, so watch out! Time it so the milk can cool down before baby screams his head off.
9. HIGHLY recommend going with DH or another adult, so you can share the parenting. If not, don't expect to sleep very much.
10. A seat near the bathroom is handy if there is a diaper blow-out or a potty emergency.

Enjoy yourself

[Anonymous]

Foreign service kid here. Have survived many an insanely long plane trip, back in the days before t.v., videos etc. on tv. It is fine. At the end of the day, even if it is terrible, it is terrible for a finite period of time.

New toys/books and unexpected snack treats relieve the boredom.

Bon voyage!