Anonymous wrote:I personally would go with the nonstop. I just flew nonstop to San Francisco from the east coast and back and there were several kids who looked as if they were your DD's age. They mostly played on their iPads the entire time or dozed. They all did extremely well on the plane with regards to behavior. I would also suggest bringing familiar snacks, as it is a long flight and there is no free food served any more (at least on United).

I thought I wasn't allowed to bring food from home? Are you talking about stuff bought from the terminal, like Auntie's pretzels or something? What food are they serving nowadays on flights from DC or Dulles to CA? Do they charge you like $5-$10 per snack on the plane?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From National or Dulles to San Fran. Should we do a layover so 4-yr old can run around for 1 or 2 hours, or try to survive a 6 hr non-stop flight?

NO, are you crazy!!!!! Always direct. Always.


Plus, you have a 4 year old, not a toddler. He'll be fine.

This. A 4 yo will be fine. I say this as a mom to a moderate/severe ASD child with ADHD. He consistently sits through the non-stops but the stopover, when unavoidable, are hell.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. 4 year old has only been on one other flight, a 2-hour to Orlando, and was really losing it towards the end. She hasn't napped AT ALL since she was an early 2-yr old, and is in constant motion...I will take your words for it and book the non-stop...so nervous...

When is your flight?
Remind her every day that there should be no screaming or whining on the plane, and that she can walk up and down the plane and stretch in her seat but not run. That she will have a reward for good behavior at the end of the flight. Experiment with situations where she needs to sit calmly and wait for something. Don't worry, some of it is bound to stick!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From National or Dulles to San Fran. Should we do a layover so 4-yr old can run around for 1 or 2 hours, or try to survive a 6 hr non-stop flight?

NO, are you crazy!!!!! Always direct. Always.


Plus, you have a 4 year old, not a toddler. He'll be fine.

+1. We flew direct to Hawaii with a 9th month old and 4 year old, but had to stop on the return. The return flight was awful because of the layover! Save yourself.

I personally would go with the nonstop. I just flew nonstop to San Francisco from the east coast and back and there were several kids who looked as if they were your DD's age. They mostly played on their iPads the entire time or dozed. They all did extremely well on the plane with regards to behavior. I would also suggest bringing familiar snacks, as it is a long flight and there is no free food served any more (at least on United).

OP here. 4 year old has only been on one other flight, a 2-hour to Orlando, and was really losing it towards the end. She hasn't napped AT ALL since she was an early 2-yr old, and is in constant motion...I will take your words for it and book the non-stop...so nervous...

absolutely ditto to all the PPs...go nonstop.

Anonymous wrote:Non stop on virgin. 4 year old will be fine. Just bring an iPad.

we did this with our then 3 yr old. It'll be fine. Just make sure you make him go to the bathroom regularly. That was the hardest part.

We are doing a 14 hour direct flight with a 4 and 9 year old. We've brought them to visit relatives in far-flung corners of the world since they were infants, and the toddler stage was definitely the worst, since toddlers want to run around and don't understand they're bothering people. My kids play the airline video games, watch movies, play with the little brain-teasers I bring or read their books. Then they sleep.

6 hours is not that long, and your child isn't a toddler anymore, but hopefully someone with a little more self-control. FYI, always pick the direct flight. Much less fatiguing.

I flew last year with 4 yo twins on Virgin America. They chillaxed the whole time, watching videos on the back-of-seat screens and playing games. They loved it and didn't get antsy at all.

Non stop on virgin. 4 year old will be fine. Just bring an iPad.

We have flown DC to San Francisco many, many, many times. Always, always non-stop. They get in a zone where they are used to the limitations of the flight, and it's fine. Bring little toys, lots of snacks, and an iPad.

It would be much worse to do a flight, feel relief at getting off the flight, and then have to get back on!

I vote for non-stop, too, to get it over with.

However, you know your kid best, and if you think he absolutely HAS to have a break to run around, there is a terrific play area at Chicago O'Hare.

Anonymous wrote:From National or Dulles to San Fran. Should we do a layover so 4-yr old can run around for 1 or 2 hours, or try to survive a 6 hr non-stop flight?

NO, are you crazy!!!!! Always direct. Always.


Plus, you have a 4 year old, not a toddler. He'll be fine.

From National or Dulles to San Fran. Should we do a layover so 4-yr old can run around for 1 or 2 hours, or try to survive a 6 hr non-stop flight?