What tips do you have to make a long flight more bearable?

Put them in the luggage hold and let them play with the contents? LOL I'll be following this thread with interest as I'm flying from Canada to Britain in Sept., and need some pointers of my own to keep from losing my tiny little mind! LOL

Keeping kids entertained is always the hardest part of a flight or long journey, because they always get restless and want to move about after a while I would bring anything that may keep them amused, like colouring books, portable games consoles, literally anything. Or you could slip them some chloroform during the flight, but do this at your own risk

Ok, the suggestions I have were given to me when my son was little and we had a long flight. No sweet or fizzy drinks, no sweets with colours or e-numbers in, avoid overexcitement but keep them occupied with books, colouring pencils etc. Try to get them tired before you board the flight, they should settle down fairly quickly and sleep.

I dont know how many hours it takes from England to Australia, but when I flight from Europe to Asia is it around 13 hours flight and most my friends that take such a long trip will try to stay awake a whole night so they will sleep in the flight. Maybe not such a good idea for your daugher thought, since they are so young... But bring something that they like, maybe some games they like and some give them some snacks during the flight. Atleast that will makes me feel less bored, but make them sleep will be the best way.

I suggest that your friends bring a portable gaming console like a psp or nintendo that could keep them busy. bring ipods or a portable dvd player that could entertain them by playing their favorite movies. or bring some board games all of them can play like monopoly etc. Don't let them eat or drink stimulants like chocolate, tea, read meat and even avoid some spices and spicy food.

Make sure they have lots to do so take some books, paper, notebooks, a Nintendo DS (if they have one) food always keeps my two girls quiet for a while and I took a couple of hand puppets with me and we put on a show. With it being such a long flight, mum and dad should also encourage them to walk around the plane. I found it hard enough on the three hour flight back home from England at Christmas, but these are the things I took with me.

HI Louisfrank. I have traveled with my nine year old son from Malta to Australia Melbourne last December. It took us about 24 hours flight. the plane was equipped with a small television set in each seat. Besides this, they have a lot of channels, movies to choose from and a lot of interactive games to play. The air hostess gave my son a drawing book but I had another one just in case he gets bored. He stayed playing games and watching tv during the whole flight.

It depends on the airline too to a certain extent....does Your Friends' proposed airline have customer forums you could query on how child friendly they are? What facilities they'd provide for Younger passengers? We don't yet have fully direct flights to Oz from the UK,AFAIK..most break the Journey with a stop en route..

In January 2009 I flew from London to Cape Town with you 20 month old son. I got a look of 'oh no' when we sat down in our seats. Other passengers thought that my son might be annoying. It was quite the opposite and they all said thank you for him being so very well behaved when the 12 hour flight arrived in South Africa. I was 18 weeks pregnant with my daughter on that trip. I shall be flying from London to Vancouver this summer. My son will be three years old and my daughter will be eleven months old. Are your friends going to fly on a direct flight from England to Australia? Maybe they will stop over in Singapore for a couple of days to break up the journey. If they will be on the plane for around 24 hours I suggest some picture books, small games and activity books. They could take some colored pencils. I suggest a stamp on a piece of paper counting of each hour of the long journey. I think they could take a travel pillow each for extra comfort. If their plane lands and then they board another flight a walk around the airport will help. Good luck to your friends.

I would take snacks and fun activities for them to do. Also I would explain the entire process to them before the flight so they know what is expected of them. Small quarters, bathroom situation, manners, not being loud or anoying to others. All that will save alot of time and trouble. And maybe a promise of some wonderful prize when they arrive if they are good.

I could use some of those tips! I am preparing to travel from the US to Spain and since I will be flying alone I am worried I will get restless on the long trip. I don't know if I want to travel with my laptop and I doubt reading material will cover it.

Keep some board games handy small enough to travel with them. Don't let them drink a lot of fluids or have a lot of simple sugars. This will make them hyper and have to use the restroom a lot. Pack their favorite pillow and blanket and encourage them to take a nap or two during the flight. Its not easy traveling in general, but small children that makes it very difficult indeed. Just keep things handy that will keep them busy and try to prevent trips to the bathroom.

Make them sleep by tiring them out, usually helps a lot, as they WILL sleep if they are tired of playing, and has they are young they will also love playing. Also, don't give them anything that might keep them waken up, like energy drinks, phones, electronic devices, or anything that might keep them entertained. But DO bring something to keep them entertained in worst-case-scenario.

I have never been flying in an airplane for longer than like 2-3 hours... Most likely it is hard to sleep in an airplane but... Just a quick idea - how would it work out if the person in question doesn`t really sleep before the flights (many flights are usually in the very early mornings or during the night), so you are very tired when you get on the plane and you just can`t stay awake. Woudn`t be the most comfortable sleeping of the day but you prolly would be able to sleep most of the long flight which is a good thing on the other hand.

Listen to music and sleep