One time, just to see... I secured a car seat, I hit it and the seat went flying (no child was hurt in my experiment). Sure there was no child in it, but then again the force I hit it with is nothing like when either the pilot hits the brakes, you hit heavy turbulance or worse.
If your children are 5mo and 3, it should actually be ok since one will most probably sleep through a lot of it and the older can watch movies and be entertained with other things, food, etc. We flew easyjet, they seemed more accomodating with offering more space with free seats around us, Swiss air crew was not so eager to help but got us some free toys, bib, etc.
Our child was really fine as an infant, as long as she was nursing or drinking tea during the take offs and landing, that's the most ear painful part. Just make sure your wife has all ready on hands, food, snacks, toys, blankets, etc and keep the stuff she needs for travelling to the minimum. I would call the airlines and ask if there are baby things available on board, since 8hrs is long and one cannot really take a lot for both of the kids. If she formula feeds then I would ask about preparing it on board. We used the baby loop as well, looped though a winter stroller bag, baby straped to me in it, each time we flew the aircon was blowing hard and was cold. Plus it was ready for the buggy when we got it right at the door.
The worst was actually checking through the security and the waiting time at the airport, one has to go to the bathroom, and what do you do alone, with two kids? So, that would be something to rehears in one's head before - it is good to use handicap toilets, a lot of space for stroller, changin the baby, taking kids with you if you need to go, etc. If I was to travel with 2 little kids I would seriously consider having a relative or friend flying with me to help. I think booking a night flight would be the easiest option, so both children sleep and your wife can rest.
Goodluck to your wife it will indeed be a long flight for her, I hope someone can meet her at the destination. I second the recommendation for a night flight. Hopefully the kids will sleep and the cabin crew may have more time to help out when needed.
Larissa
I can't imagine 'doping' my kids to fly - because I think it'd make it much more difficult to tell what they needed, and also it may cause them to have a very nasty association with flying (being sick, out of their brain) - and that may not help for the flight home!
My tip - ask for anything you need, fly overnight and bring their pyjamas on the plane, get them changed into 'sleeping clothes' at a reasonable time and turn off all the electronics around you - cover the screens if possible, and turn off the lights as well...
The Father had booked the tickets from Australia. They had massive problems at Heathrow because they did not have the relevant booking details or corresponding credit card. They were only allowed to fly as the son's passport number had been referred to.
With Cathay Pacific, they allowed both of us to sit near the bassinet, for free. I'd imagine most airlines allow this within reason (i.e. two parents, one child).
Swiss allows one parent to sit near the bassinet for free, but the other must pay 115CHF each leg!! Or chance that the seat is still available at check in. I find this ing pathetic to be honest.
I already know the service and food is going to be better on Cathay, but this just makes me even more at Swiss.
My Suggestions
1) Fill up the milk bottle , and fed the baby while the flight is on the runway.
When the baby is drinking during TakeOff, pressure doesnot harm the ears of baby.
2) Cough Medicines may harm the baby
3) As the swiss air is night flight, if baby sleeping pattern is night then no worries.
Also dont bother about others , as it is natural babies may cry during the flight takeoff.
What ́s with this thread that it got resurrected after 9 years?