Hellobee Boards

@ElbieKay: Sounds like a great trip!
1. Strategies for getting through the airport - I agree, bring your stroller to the airport, you can check it at the gate (and if your LO wants to walk, you can pile carry-on bags in the stroller and wheel them to the gate).

2. Suggestions for small toys for in-flight entertainment. Note that we don't do very much screentime and I would prefer to avoid using the iPad - We always bring some books on the plane, and lots of snacks (cheerios, those little freeze-dried fruits). Things on the plane like the plastic and styrofoam cups from the beverage cart are very fun too. There are such cute iPad apps out there, I agree with @Habesbabe: that if you're up for it, this would be the time to make a screen time exception (DS almost never uses the iPad at home, but we let him use it on vacation as a special treat).

3a. Opinions about whether to bring a car seat or rent one when we arrive at our destination (Reykjavik) - I think you should definitely bring your own carseat. Not something you want to stress about when you arrive, who knows the condition and safety of the rental car seat, and you will be taking a road trip, so you'll *really* need a good car seat.

3b. If we bring a car seat, should we check it or have him use it on the plane? - Definitely use it on the plane. DS was way too wiggly at 2.5 to sit in an airplane seat without the carseat, and he slept very well in the carseat.

3c. Suggestions for dealing with toddler jet lag, and tips for getting your child to sleep on a plane. - My suggestion for jet lag is actually to adjust your LO to the time difference as little as possible. That way they will be awake and happy during normal adult dinner time, and will even sleep in a bit in the morning. Once we realized that, our international vacations got even better! As far as sleeping on the plane, doing some modified version of a bedtime routine may help - have him board the plane in his PJs, read a book, whatever you normally do. If the timing is right, hopefully he will sleep just fine.

Have a wonderful trip!

I would def bring an umbrella stroller and gate check it.

Be open to making an exception to the screen time rule and see if just 'watching' the screen is entertainment enough (my LO flew long haul and enjoyed just watching the movies without headset)...we aren't big ok it normally but anything goes on a plane!

Go for lots of adventures on the plane to the toilet, kitchen area and around the aisles.

Also we found letting him run around at the airport let him get tired enough to sleep! If it's an overnight flight they'll dim the lights which should help.

We never took car seat on the plane but checked it in so didn't have to deal with hiring one at the other end.

It's surprisingly easy at this age when you can still reason with them, and bribe them with special treat snacks if you get desperate

Enjoy!