Overseas Flight with Children? Check
We successfully made it back to Las Vegas in one piece yesterday afternoon.
The major hassle of the trip is that we booked round-trip tickets from Las Vegas to Frankfurt (because it was by far the cheapest) when we left in August, so I had to book separate tickets to get us down to Frankfurt yesterday morning.
And since they were separate that meant I had to check our luggage in London then pick it up in Frankfurt, drag it up the departure desk again and recheck it a second time. Also, the Frankfurt airport is approximately the size of Texas and herding the girls while balancing two suitcases and two carseats on a luggage card was not easy (I left our beloved stroller behind in London for Bart to bring back because there was just no way I could manage pushing that and a luggage cart).
The girls were remarkably good on the plane. About two hours into the twelve hour flight, the stewardess kindly asked the guy sitting in our row (of three chairs) if he wanted to move to an aisle seat in the emergency row so he’d have more leg room and we’d have an extra seat for Ani. He quickly agreed and also, he’d already paid for the premium movie package on his TV, so they gave him a new one at his new seat and told us we could use his. So Ella had about six months of screen time yesterday.
And then a lady at baggage claim told Ella how awesome she was and then turned to Ani and said, “But YOU should have sat on the wing.” That wasn’t irritating at all, especially since Ani was perfectly well-behaved most of the flight.
Mainly I’m just glad that the flight is behind me. And that it’s 68 degrees in Las Vegas.
Also, a few things I’ve written over at Disney Baby this month:
You are a champion for making that long trip on your own. Bravo!
I'm in awe that you were able to do this on your own! I dread flying alone with the girls and much prefer driving if I can choose! So glad you got to spend most of the trip without your lap child in your actual lap!
And here I am dreading flying to wherever we move to with Kyle and Kinsley by myself! It's nice to know it's completely doable! That, and I shouldn't have a flight longer than 6 hours if we're still in the continental US! You're a rock star!
I am super impressed! I flew by myself with my one-year old on a one and half hour flight, and even though she was amazing, I was still super stressed and anxious about the whole thing! Good for you!!
Glad you had a safe trip back. I'm still trying to get over how quickly your time in London flew by (at least for me)!
After your Facebook post I wondered whether this statement was said to you directly or whether you just overheard it. (Still rude either way, of course.) I'm sure after the fact you thought of all the things you should have said.
The real title of this post should be: Overseas Flight with Two Small Children, Solo AND Pregnant. Honestly, that experience can never be topped in the realm of flying adventures. Also, I can attest that Frankfurt airport is as big as Texas.
Who would say such a thing to a pregnant mom with two kids on a flight alone? Please only encouraging things. I think some peoples parents didn't teach them "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all."
I am in total awe of you! You are a total rockstar.
Gosh I get a headache just thinking about it. I traveled so much with Atticus his first 2 years, often by myself, that I NEVER wanted to do anything international. Oh dread. And I can't believe someone would say that- boo.
Wow. GREAT JOB. I just flew three hours with my 1 year old to Florida, and I thought I was going to die. I'm sure it was a relief to set foot in Nevada. Can't believe that lady – people say the weirdest, rudest things sometimes.
Well that lady is getting my side eye from Texas. Seriously, big high fives to you for tackling that and, even better, it's behind you!
I would totally punch that lady in the nose for you! comments like that, especially from other women, really just get my blood boiling!!! I just flew from Japan to the states with my 5 yr old and 8 month old and flying solo is no small feat! so even had your girls screamed and cried the entire flight, I'd still say great job on just doing it with all of your hair still attached to your head 🙂