The question was, “Can a mommy go to Europe with a baby and still feel like they are on vacation?”
The answer is a clear yes. It just takes a lot of preparation.. The first part of our experience began by doing the unthinkable to many which was flying overseas with a 12 month old baby. After a lot of research we decided to fly with Virgin Atlantic for our journey and after two long flights we could not recommend them more. Especially if you have a baby. I am not endorsed by Virgin Atlantic but I will be endorsing them after this experience! So here we go…Easy E and my tips and tricks of flying with a baby.
Fly Virgin Atlantic overseas if you have a baby:
If you are going to fly with a baby they could not make you feel more welcome. To save money we chose to not get Mags her own seat. However, if you fly Virgin Atlantic your lap infant still gets:
A Free Checked Bag: For an 18 day trip this was amazing as we needed all the help we could get.
A Baby Meal: They brought us over a full supply of fruit pouches and veggies. The ones we didn’t use on the plane we took with us on our journey!
A Carry On: I have a “less is more” policy while on the plane so we didn’t utilize this but we could have.
You also get to bring a stroller at no additional cost which they take upon entering the plane.
Things to keep in mind flying Virgin:
Booking: We booked through Expedia and there was a mix up at the airport where her reservation was not linked to ours since we didn’t book directly through the airline. My advice would be to call Virgin and confirm your reservations are linked before going to the airport as it took almost 40 minutes for them to sort out.
Baby Bassinet: One of the best things is that if you book a lap infant you get priority seating in the bulkhead row. THIS IS AN ULTIMATE MOMMY FOR THE WIN move. Make sure you call the airline ahead of time to request it. Keep in mind you can’t check in until physically at the airport but as long as there are not a surplus of babies on board you have nothing to worry about. The baby bassinet was more like a car seat that attached to the wall. We didn’t use it but Easy E liked having it as a shelf. Flying home Mags was awake for about 5 of the 7 hours we flew and it was amazing to have free space for her in front of us.
Ultimate Helpfulness: So, I hate flying. On top of a severe fear of flying put on top of it that my feeling is that taking a domestic flight is the equivalent to a public bus in the air. However, Virgin made flying feel like a luxury. The flight attendants were incredible professional, kind, friendly, and truly patient with me, my family, and our firecracker of a baby. They checked in on us, brought us extra blankets, offered extra snacks. Mostly though, they made us feel welcome. The food, booze, and incredible movie selection on Virgin is a given but the flight attendants brought the above and beyond that make you want to only use that airline.
Tips for the airport:
Wear your baby: I was told if you wear your baby they can’t ask them to take the baby off during security checks. This was incredible. She loved being in front and honestly, anyone with a heart is a little nicer when they see you coming through with baby…even the TS
Buy a portable high chair: This is a major mommy for the win move. Especially in Europe. Our thing is at airports we always want to sit at high tops for our obligatory beer. For twenty dollars it’s nice not having to worry about finding a table that comfortably fits a high chair all the time.
Book your flight around your baby: We took off at Mag’s bedtime. Before boarding the plane we changed her diaper, put her in PJS and got very comfortable. We had a bottle of milk ready for take off that we usually give at bedtime. She slept 5 of the 6 hours in the air. Just be very prepared if you are the mommy to hold her. A good daddy will set up your movie for you and you’ll just be so grateful to have a peaceful sleeping baby.
Have a plan: Easy E and I had a plan. And a back up plan. And another plan. We learned long ago that if we go into something without talking we might realize that we both have totally different ideas of how things are going to go. Expectations are key.
Less is more on the plane: Pack as little as you can get away with. Because you will still have to go through that bag searching for wipes and diapers. And the less you have the better.
Pack Crap: We went to party city and bought 20 dollars worth of junk. Toys for a nickel, a dime, 100 pipe cleaners for a dollar. Pretty much I didn’t bring anything I had to pick up and clean. You fell to the ground….peace out. Also all that crap was very exciting for Mags. We went 18 days and brought one puppet, one penguin, five stacking cubs and Sophie the giraffe. That was it. But I whipped out pipe cleaners, tiny slinkies, little robots, and cars every time I could. And it helped.
When in doubt offer Puffs/Snacks: I don’t give snacks at home so they can be my ace in the hole out and it was. Anything to keep a baby calm. On the flight home she had a long stretch to be up and if it meant feeding her and feeding her and feeding her, that is fine. In her defense Easy E ate the entire flight too and he had no excuse.
Board Last: DO NOT STAY ON A PLANE WITH A BABY ANY LONGER THAN YOU MUST. BOARD LAST.
Pack all the food and drink you want: We brought bottles of milk, Poland Spring, baby purees and everything through security no problem. BUT, put it all in one area as they will have to inspect your bag differently.
Personally:
I loved flying Virgin. The service on the plane was incredible, the food was delicious, and I loved it. I loved that my baby didn’t cry because I just KNOW what people must think when they see a one year old sit down next to them on an overnight flight. Was it all glamourous?
NO.
The not glamourous moments:
I waited an hour until they came around for coffee service. I was dying for a coffee. And there they came. I treated myself to cream and sugar. I let it cool and then gingerly picked it up to finally savor. Mags waved her arms in her sleep and the whole coffee flew onto my legs. Anyone with a baby knows that coffee stayed on my legs as I was not risking moving her!
Changing a baby at 30,000 feet: I’m not a member of the Mile High Club but am very curious to how people pull this off. I could barely handle a wiggly 20 pound baby with her butt out.
I looked like Medusa after second flight: With few options for playing on a 7 hour flight Mags chose my hair as an available toy.
Final Thoughts:
If you are someone who is having a baby and loves to travel like Easy E and I….DO IT! It wasn’t bad at all. Is it long? Yes. Nerve wracking? Yeah. But worth it? Absolutely! Preparation is key, but with the right airline and plan it made the skies much more friendly.