Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

Advice??? We're flying to California in August. Riley will be just over 2.

When is the best time of day to travel? (We kind of have no choice -DH has to work all day, and the next day is the wedding ugh).
Should I bring our own carseat?
Bring a stroller?

Holy COW how do you travel with all this STUFF?? How do you decide what's necessary and what's not?

How'd you manage? Thank you so much!

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

We're experts

My advice... Fly Jetblue and splurge on the extra leg room seats in row 1.

It really is all that helped us! Even if you only buy 2 seats for you and DH - which is what we did on the way to CA.

Row 1 has a little wall that separates it from where the flight attendants are and having that is the BEST THING. Loey sat on the floor for most of the time when the seatbelt light was off and we brought him a ton of toys and it was like having a TINY playpen for him. We lucked out and had a nice woman sitting next to us.

Bring lots of fun snacks - new ones that she's never eaten before. We also bought brand new toys and put the batteries in and didn't give them to him until we were already flying.

Loey isn't a big TV watcher, so that didn't really do much for us... but if she likes TV, the TVs will be great for her!

He had fun just sitting on the floor and playing. We took turns taking walks with him up and down the cabin when we could. We had to take a morning flight for that one.


On the way back from CA, we bought 2 seats again and lucked out on being able to get a 3rd seat because the flight was empty. At that time, we were able to bring his carseat on the plane and he slept the whole time. We did his night routine before the plane took off (we took a redeye flight purposely) and he literally slept from before takeoff until we were getting off the plane.

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

Oh also, my mom's a FA with JetBlue. Let me know when you're flying and I'll see if she can either work the flight (she always does long turns) or if she knows the flight attendants and she can try to tell them about you :)

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

We flew Jet Blue to CA when DS was 20 months old. We brought a stroller and car seat. DS sat in the car seat on the plane. We definitely needed the stroller b/c we went to the zoo, Lego Land, Disneyland, etc. Bring lots of snacks, favorite toys, books and some new toys to entertain DC on the flight. Our flight to CA was late afternoon or early evening and our flight back was around 11 a.m. DS did much better on the flight there.

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

Thanks so much Hayley- you know, I figured you'd be the expert. You are so sweet- I'll let you know! And thanks Brooke!

So...Riley will be over 2, don't I have to purchase a seat for her? I'm thinking since I have to bring the carseat anyway, might as well buy a seat so she can sit in it and...I pray...stay seated and sleep!

I guess it won't be that bad leaving late on a Friday - like 7pm. At least that's her bedtime and will probably sleep on the plane...but I can imagine the transfer out of the plane, into the car, to the hotel... all during her sleepy hours. Poor thing. And the next day is the wedding and she's a flower girl

How much luggage did you carry, between yourself and your LO?

Thanks again girls

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

try not to overpack

I brought new toys (drawing etc) that she didnt get to see until she was super restless.

I did NOT bring a carseat

I did bring her pillow and blanket

She didnt even realize she was IN the plane really. We played a game of counting while walking our fingers up her arm (once she put them on the rests) then stopping at 7 then quickly 8-9-10 to tickle her chin. She loved it and kept her still before take off

No one make announcements anymore but with a toddler you can (and should) board first after the handicap and any soldiers of course and before or with first class.

That extra time was crucial for us to settle her and US in. They let us bring sippy cups filled on board, huge win.

Good Luck!

Oh and I traveled when AJ was 28m to Hawaii!

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

We took Kaydyn to LA and Disneyland when she was 18months. Our flight was at 8pm. We thought she'd sleep the whole way and then we'd transfer her when we got there. She was awake the whole flight and then konked out in the airport while we were getting our luggage.

We brought her car seat and stroller cause we needed them there. Also it was nice to have her car seat on the plane to strap her in. She does not sit still for a minute she I knew she'd be up and down like crazy.

We brought the DVD player, books, snacks, dinner for her, sippy cups, stickers, a notebook and crayons. She was really good both ways.

ETA: We took 2 suitcases, 2 carryons, the car seat and the stroller

Message edited 4/30/2011 10:03:02 PM.

Re: Anyone have experience flying to the west coast with a toddler?

thanks everyone!

As far as the stroller, would we have to check that in or can that go on the plane? I would imagine we'll bring the carseat on the plane too...

Thanks!!