Hellobee Boards

Oh wow! How awesome! I'm sure it will go rather smoothly. I don't have any advice because I've never flown with the kids... but maybe your can inquire if there are cribs at the places you'll stay. I know in Canada and the US they have but maybe not in Europe or Asia.

I like the idea of photocopies of important documents (passports, birth certificats etc) good luck with the planning. When are you guys leaving?

Ask for the front row because it has the most space!
Get them each a backpack so they can carry some stuff of their own?
Keep some new toys/activities on reserve for when they get antsy.

Medications?
Call your pediatrician for country appropriate vaccines?

Ii remember recently reading a blog post about this but now I can't remember where from!
http://kidsgoglobal.wordpress.com/flying-with-baby/

P.S. it would be awesome to see a blog series on this when you come back from your trip! We're hoping to do a family trip to China when she's at least walking!

Your list looks pretty good. For such long flights space will probably be your best friend, so whatever you can do to get more would probably be super helpful. Flying across country, our LO actually did better when we flew overnight because it coincided with his usual bedtime. Is that something you can do?

You are really my heros, and I can't wait to hear about it when you return. We are still considering a 14 hour flight at the end of the year and your experiences will likely sway me one way or another.

That is quite the journey! The last time we flew international, my son was just 9 months old. Luckily, we were able to fly business so I was able to lay flat with LO for most of the flight. I was still nursing at the time as well so I didn't need to bring too much entertainment. Our last trip to NYC, our son did really well so I'm sure Charlie we be adjust pretty well for most of the flight. Prior to the trip, we pumped him up with lots of airplane talk and watched all the airplanes fly across the sky. He's been really into anything transportation related so we was so amped up to be on a plane. Every time, he started fussing we just started talking about the plane, looking at the clouds, the sound of the engine and that would distract him for a while. I also went got a bunch of toys from the dollar store (stuff I can just throw away after the flight if I don't want to carry around), and wrapped each one up so he can open one every once in a while. And as a bonus, in some of the packages, I would include a few snacks. I didn't have to use any of it with him though, so we ended up bringing it all back and I eventually used them as potty rewards. I always bring my ergo so I can strap the baby in during security check. My son used to sleep a long time on flights in the ergo. But if you can swing it, business class would really help, even if it's for one of you with the baby. Definitely opt for seats with more leg room. I also try to be friendly with our neighbors on the flight. They always seem to be able to entertain the kids for a bit. Both my kids just love the attention.
My son always knew, somehow, when we're on vacation and is always happier and better behaved. I think you guys will have a great trip!

I thought of two more things:

take photographs of all things you check in just in case they don't arrive. It's a lot easier to show a picture of your black suitcase than try to explain it.

Also, on your way home, what's your first point of entry into the US? If it's not your home destination, you have to clear immigration and collect your checked items, so you need a good cushion of time. In case you can't get your stroller from a gate check, then consider using the Quinny Zapp, it's so small you can carry it on board.

Wow, have a great trip!

Some of my experience from our plane ride, more relevant for Charlie since DD is closer to his age:

1. I packed a lot of snacks from home for the plane ride but we ended up buying a lot of snacks at the airport so I could have saved myself the trouble. Having new snacks probably kept DD entertained more than the same ole stuff from home anyway.

2. Is Charlie used to using headphones? We tried them on DD a few times at home to get her used to them but she didn't like them on the flight so that was kind of a waste.

3. We thought that she would be entertained by the iPad but she didn't care to use it at all so we were kinda screwed because I didn't have enough little toys on our outbound flight. But I think maybe Charlie gets to use the iPad at home so hopefully he likes it more. DD didn't even want to watch shows on it for some reason. I bought a lot of little toys from the dollar section at Target for our return flight to entertain her.

4. This airport activity book kept DD entertained for quite a while. You can buy different versions.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Airport-Sticker-Activity-Dover/dp/0486412725/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343567336&sr=8-1&keywords=airport+sticker+activity+book

5. This is probably hard for international travel but we didn't bring a car seat, stroller, or travel crib and rented stuff at our destination. Well, we didn't use a stroller at all and the hotel had a crib.

6. I think Charlie has a little rolly suitcase/bag? DD LOVED her rolling suitcase and I put all of her snacks and toys in there and she rolled it around the entire trip so that really freed us up from having to carry her and her stuff/or push her around.

How exciting! Get bulk head seating on the plane and request for a bassinet for Olive, especially if she's going to be a lap baby. Double check with the agent at the gate that they have it for her when you get there. As for sleeping, I found the Kidco PeaPod Plus a great buy for travelling. It comes with a sleeping bag which I never use b/c it's bulky and hot. I find the inside of the sleep tent itself a little warmer than the outside temperature. We use ours every time we travel. Totally love it. And I think Nicholas likes that he sleeps in a tent. It folds flat and you can put it in a large suitcase. They have three different versions but the PeaPod Plus is the largest one. The red and green one comes with a pump so if you decide to get this get the one of those. I think the yellow one comes with an inflatable mattress which I think might be bulky to travel with.

I did notice that Amazon, who usually carries lots of these, are out of it and diapers.com as well. They must be changing colors or something.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know. Wow, 2 days of flying. And just an FYI, if you're flying United, they don't let families board first anymore. Sucks.