https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 02 May 2026 11:06:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822521 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:24:28 +0000 T-Mom 822521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In your situation, I would probably pay for the extra seat since that is a great price for a ticket, especially if you can afford it. My second choice would be to pay for the extra leg room so that your LO could potentially have some space in front of you in order to stand for a while. However, you could always just take advantage of her flying free and hope for the best! Sometimes it has worked out for us, and sometimes it hasn't. It's really been a crap shoot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822520 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:23:56 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 822520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: It's right at 4 hours... </p> <p>@wheres_c: Right now, it's pretty empty, but I'm sure that will change as we get closer. </p> <p>@swurlygurl: LOL! That thought may or may not have crossed my mind ;-) She's not a cuddler - AT ALL. Getting her to sit in our lap for more than a few minutes is a fight. But, it is 6 months from now, so maybe she'll be better by then? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822515 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:22:31 +0000 sandy 822515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: good point that it's likely a full flight for thanksgiving </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822509 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:21:25 +0000 sandy 822509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted to buy LO her own seat based on how you described her personality ...miss independent :)</p> <p>We flew with my LO at 16 months (Seattle to Alabama with layover in Houston). We didn't get her a seat BUT my husband is a genius...we picked an aisle and a window seat in the same row and prayed it would not be a full flight. No one picked the middle seat in our row so we ended up with all three seats. We figured if someone picked the middle seat we would just ask them to take the window or aisle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822505 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:19:24 +0000 regberadaisy 822505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Freckles: you have to pay for those on most airlines now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822504 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:18:11 +0000 erwoo 822504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've flown with one kid alone and with both kids alone and I'd say go for the extra seat for sideways comfort. You may even get an entire row to yourselves and your DD can have the window seat to look out the window. They always like that! Bring lots of distraction toys and walk her up and down the isle to help pass time. Before you know it it's time to land. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822490 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:12:12 +0000 heffalump 822490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got LO her own seat when we flew and it was a life saver. When she's strapped in her seat she's way less fussy because she doesn't think she's allowed to get up and move around.... as opposed to when she is in our laps and can easily wiggle her way off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822489 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:12:10 +0000 Espion 822489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Along the lines of @Freckles: An interesting tip I read is for you and your DH *not* to sit together. That way, your babe can be passed off between you at intervals if DD gets fussy. One person gets a break and DD may be distracted enough at seeing a new face/toys. Totally depends on your babe, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822470 Fri, 31 May 2013 15:05:03 +0000 Freckles 822470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could DH sit in the fire exit row (more leg room), and you and your LO have your own seats in a separate row? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822432 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:55:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 822432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How much extra leg room is it? I'm inclined to say the extra seat, since then your DH can put his legs in her space (she won't care!) as well as in the aisle. Unless you could get the bulkhead, where you could put DD on the floor in front of you potentially. </p> <p>Normally I'd say you could try the window and aisle seat trick and hope no one pays extra for the seat in between you, but I think at Thanksgiving that's just not gonna happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822423 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:53:20 +0000 wheres_c 822423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the flight isn't full, you can request an empty seat next to you for free....<br /> Have you checked how full it is? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822421 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:53:15 +0000 swurlygurl 822421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I said save the money, but I'm really cheap like that.</p> <p>Any chance since there will be a bunch of strangers and a new environment she'll be shy and want to cuddle/nap/sit quietly in your lap?</p> <p>Or, give her a dose of bourbon before you go - knock her out :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822379 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:41:55 +0000 looch 822379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long is the flight? If it's more than 3 hours, I'd get my LO his own seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822333 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:21:36 +0000 regberadaisy 822333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: If it were us I know DH would forfeit his comfort and spend the money to give LO a seat if we had the extra $200. ;) He's 6'3 and has the same issue. And we never pay for more leg room and I ask him each time we fly.</p> <p>If DD sat between you two it wouldn't be as bad? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822331 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:20:23 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 822331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: Yes, we can - I guess I'm trying to decide if it's actually worth it. ... Trying to figure out who needs to be more comfortable - me, DH or DD. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822314 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:13:55 +0000 regberadaisy 822314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you afford the extra 200 some odd dollars? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/flying-w-a-toddler-what-would-you-do#post-822300 Fri, 31 May 2013 14:09:02 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 822300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're flying to see my brother and SIL for Thanksgiving and found a great price for tickets. Since DD is only 16 months, she flies for free. </p> <p>Here's our predicament:<br /> - DH is 6'8", so he usually has to straddle the seat in front of him (w/ one leg in the aisle and one in my space)<br /> - 4 hour flight, ending around DD's nap time<br /> - DD hates to sit still, especially in someone's lap and will NOT fall asleep in anyone's arms</p> <p>**Upgraded leg space is $69 per person, per flight = $276<br /> **Give DD her own seat = $273 </p>