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We did a 12 hour flight at 16 months, and it was brutal...that being said, I think 22 months is better because your LO will hopefully have the attention span to watch a full movie and just generally be more ok with staying in a confined space than a really young toddler. I am conflicted about the seating--it would be awesome to have the extra space in business, but when we flew, we went economy and took the carseat because I didn't think he'd be able to sleep comfortably in just a seat. In a business class seat it might be different. Oh wait, just saw that she'd be sleeping in a chair with you or your DH...not sure then in that case.

I think it's definitely do able, just have low expectations for the flight and remember that it's a finite length of time!

What is your Lo's temperament like? My oldest LO did a number of long haul flights (US to Australia) as a toddler and was a dream as she has a really mellow, calm personality. We flew 29 hrs with her (with layovers) at 23 months old, and then I flew solo to Europe with her at 25 months old, along with 5 month old LO2 and once again, she was a dream.

Now LO2, on the other hand, is a spirited child who has no qualms about expressing her opinions/feelings quite loudly, through tantrums, screaming, and whatever else. I just flew solo with her and LO1 to Europe from the States this past weekend and it was absolute hell. She is 23 months old and was seriously the living, breathing example of every stereotype out there of toddlers flying. I anticipated it being bad though and just accepted it was going to be awful, although I must say, she exceeded my expectations of how bad it could really be!

Anyway, I don't mean to scare you, that is all just to say that I don't think it's the age so much as it is the personality. With the trip you described, I would have done it in a second with LO1 at that age. With LO2, you couldn't pay me all the money in the world! Oh, and it also second the idea of ditching the car seat - not worth the hassle!

@peachykeen: Yes, sleep is the big thing! LO1 can sleep on an airplane just fine - we've always been able to keep to her normal schedule whilst flying long haul and that really helps. LO2 has never been a good sleeper on planes - even as a tiny infant (2 and 3 months old), she didn't sleep well on them, and that has just continued as she gets older. This weekend's hellish journey was an overnight flight that she just would not sleep on and being so overtired made her a monster. In a 24 hr period, she had precisely 1.5 hrs of sleep (that was her short nap at home before we left for the airport), so I knew why she was being a nightmare, but it didn't really make it any easier.....

So if your LO sleeps on planes, you should be ok I would think.....

ETA: also, we knew our LO2 was a spirited child from the time she was about 6 weeks old - it didn't just come on gradually, so if your LO has been pretty easy so far, chances are she's not going to suddenly change overnight!

I think you can do it! I haven't flown that far with LO, just lots of domestic flights around the country. I just always go in with low expectations.

In this situation, I think having a seat for LO and the car seat would help with sleep, unless your LO is the type who likes to cuddle up and sleep with you? Mine is not, so I would get a seat and hope for the best.

I think the hardest part about flying with a toddler is how DH and I react to things. We need to just take a sip of wine and relax sometimes and realize that people can shoot dagger stares at us as much as they want. We are always doing the best we can so they can mind their own business!

@peachykeen: Exactly. I loveeee Thailand, I would go back in a heartbeat. Maybe I should ask DH if he wants to try taking LO there? (he's 17 months and high energy so... yeah! that would be an adventure!)

We're taking a 17ish hour trip (1 stop) in April when DS will be 20mo. He is "spirited" and I'm scared! Our last 2hr flight was hard...