Thanks for adding your experiences and tips to the conversation!

Take some of his favorite candies and snacks . We took some rubber candies he likes , and chupa-chups.

If you have an laptop or any tablet computer, record his favorites movies.It can distract and relax the kid during the flight.Favorite books and toys are also good.

If the child is bigger, you can have some color pencils and do some painting during the flight.

Dress your self and your child in comfort clothes ,and don’t forget to pack an extra set in your carry-on bag.

Grab an extra blanket and pillow, it could be cold during the flight.

Excellent and enlightening tips which bring up points I had no idea about or would have even considered. Thanks for taking the time to share them here.

A couple people mentioned the bassinet but I need to emphasize just how great it is – if you can get it. Most airplanes can attach a bassinet to the front of the each cabin section if you have those seats at the front of the bulkhead. It’s like a free seat and with any luck you can lay your kid out in it and they’ll sleep like – uhm, gotta say it – a baby. We were fortunate enough to get it 3 out 4 legs of our trip to Bali and our youngest got a good 15 hours of sleep in it all together.

Take a couple changes of clothes. I had one flight where my youngest got sick and we went through 3 or 4 different outfits. You never know what’s going to happen or how long you could be in that plane.

Most flights won’t have milk. If you’re child drinks – and depends on – cow’s milk you’ll need to take it with you, probably buying it from a shop in the airport after you pass security. Though technically you should be able to take it through it’s usually just easier to get it on the plane-side of the security check.

If you’re crossing a border and traveling as a solo parent be sure to have a signed affidavit from the other parent showing they consent to the child’s travel plans or you might not be able to board the plane.

Final tip: you can usually send anything big, say a stroller, under the plane into cargo at the actual gate. So for example, you could use your stroller to get around the airport, wheel it up to the gate as you board the plane and they’ll tag it and take it away. When you get off the plane at your destination it’ll be waiting there for you just as you exit the aircraft.

Hope that helps anyone planning a trip.

David

Wow, can’t believe that couple made things so tight for them and the baby! I can barely fit into a seat myself let along imagine the scenario you described. Thanks for adding to the conversation and the insight!