I am not afraid of taking my children out in public places.

If this were a long haul redeye--7 hours plus, I'd have no compunction in doing this. I've done the redeye to the UK with my kid at 18 months (as a lap kid, in business) and then again when he was 3. I'd do Hawai'i to east coast no problems.

The CA redeye is only five hours, though--which means, essentially, that you and your two year old will get maybe 3-4 hours of sleep and then have to be up and awake on east coast time.

If it were me, and time/cost/other variables were equal, I'd do a daytime flight with a layover before I did a nonstop redeye.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yes actually a red eye is for anyone paying for the flight. even babies and toddlers! and if you want to oay for your kids to sit first class they can do that too! if you want to be particular about who you fly with fly private.

op i have taken my 9 month old on many flights, including cross country and i always prefer to fly when she is sleeping.

+1

I've been a mom for two years and a business traveler for the past decade, and even pre-kid I would never give anyone the stink eye for coming on a flight -- redeye or not -- with a kid. I might privately worry about my sleep, but it is what it is, airplanes are public spaces and your ticket does not entitle you to silence. I'm taking a redeye with my toddler next month and I will do my best to keep her quiet and entertained. But if you give me the evil eye I'll stare you down right back.

+2
Do what you need to do and pay no heed to the sourpusses who think otherwise.
If they want complete silence they can charter private planes. Otherwise they can deal like the rest of us. Taking a nonstop redeye works well in my experience because the kids are likely to sleep through the flight. It's also great that you'll have an extra pair of hands to help out on things like diaper changes and cuddles if the kids get fussy. Pack a little activity pack of crayons, small toys and the like for the toddler just in case. Don't forget two nice snuggly baby blankets to keep the kids cozy and help them not feel so fussy. Ditto on their lovies. You'll do great. Have fun in Cali!

I've done it twice. First time with my kids at those ages and second time at 4/6. There were other kids on the plane, and, honestly, my kids were better behaved than some of the adults. The question is whether your kids will transition well from a stroller to the plane. For us, our kids fell asleep in the airport in the stroller (we walked up and down the corridor and then they fell asleep), and they were asleep when we put them on the plane (first trip). Second trip, they were way too excited, but older, but still fell asleep instantly. If your six month old is a pretty easy baby and will sleep through the night or sleep when fed, then I see no issue.

Anonymous wrote:yes actually a red eye is for anyone paying for the flight. even babies and toddlers! and if you want to oay for your kids to sit first class they can do that too! if you want to be particular about who you fly with fly private.

op i have taken my 9 month old on many flights, including cross country and i always prefer to fly when she is sleeping.

+1

I've been a mom for two years and a business traveler for the past decade, and even pre-kid I would never give anyone the stink eye for coming on a flight -- redeye or not -- with a kid. I might privately worry about my sleep, but it is what it is, airplanes are public spaces and your ticket does not entitle you to silence. I'm taking a redeye with my toddler next month and I will do my best to keep her quiet and entertained. But if you give me the evil eye I'll stare you down right back.

I would say go for it with a few caveats:

(1) If you know either kid is a bad sleeper and likely to scream instead of sleep, then perhaps not out of respect for your fellow passengers and your own ability to function the next day on 0 sleep. And,

(2) The redeye back from CA is so short that the kids will not get in a whole night's sleep, so that could be tricky when you get home and they've just "catnapped" for 4-5 hours. But, at least then you'll be home.

We brought our DS on a redeye from DC to London when he was 16 months, and on one from Hawaii back to DC when he was about 20 months. Neither time did we have a seat for him, although we did use a British Airways bassinet for part of the London flight. Both went fine, he slept pretty much the whole flight. We did not bother people around us.

I would do it. Eventually your child will wear out and probably sleep soundly the entire flight!

OP here - I will be flying back with my MIL and both kids. I will be purchasing a seat for my 2 year old, but was not planning on buying one for our infant. My infant is a great sleeper so I'm not too worried about how she will do. My 2 year old, like most 2 year olds, is active, talkative but usually pretty well-behaved in public. I am just not sure how she will fall asleep on the plane. I of course do not want her to be fussy because she won't sleep and bother any other passengers but the flight is so much more convenient.

yes actually a red eye is for anyone paying for the flight. even babies and toddlers! and if you want to oay for your kids to sit first class they can do that too! if you want to be particular about who you fly with fly private.

op i have taken my 9 month old on many flights, including cross country and i always prefer to fly when she is sleeping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea but even as a parent I would give you the major stinker if you we're sitting near me.

Do your kids sleep well? Will you be buying them each their own seat? I would err on the side of being majorly overly conservative if you do choose to do it.

I'm a parent of a 3 year old and a working mom. I would also be majorly pissed.

Red eye is not for kids.

+1

Just don't do it.

Anonymous wrote:I did it! We survived.

What about those around you?

Anonymous wrote:I have no idea but even as a parent I would give you the major stinker if you we're sitting near me.

Do your kids sleep well? Will you be buying them each their own seat? I would err on the side of being majorly overly conservative if you do choose to do it.

I'm a parent of a 3 year old and a working mom. I would also be majorly pissed.

Red eye is not for kids.

Are you going by yourself or with another adult? You'll need help. Maybe bring an Ipad or toys to keep your 2 year old busy and flying red eye helps, it's their bedtime after all.

Husband & I just returned from CA with 6 month old baby and there were 4 others under 1 year old sitting way in the back of the plane with us. In front of us was a lady traveling alone with her 2 year old and an infant, she really struggled with both. The next isle over was an older nice lady who expressed that she loves children, held that baby while the mom settled down the older child & kissed the baby in the cheek too. Eekkk!! I wish she's the grandmother, it's a sweet gesture but she's a stranger. She tried reaching out to my kid too but we tried limiting the contact as much as possible.

I did it! We survived.

I have no idea but even as a parent I would give you the major stinker if you we're sitting near me.

Do your kids sleep well? Will you be buying them each their own seat? I would err on the side of being majorly overly conservative if you do choose to do it.

Flying out to California in a couple of months. There is only 1 nonstop flight back to DCA which we live very close to but it's a redeye. There are a few more options for nonstop flights out of Dulles but that airport is an hour away and the flights are more expensive. Has anyone taken a 2 year old on a redeye? How did it go? Is it a really bad idea or possibly a good one? Thanks for any input.