L.M.
I have had a Sit n' Stroll for my daughter for 1 1/2 years now. I think it is great; when she falls asleep, I can leave her in the seat and just "convert" it to a stroller. It is best to have your son in his own seat for the flight, and therefore you will need a car seat (or the Sit n' Stroll.) It will not fit through most airline aislesways now, so you or your spouse will have to carry it aboard the plane. A "bulkhead" seat (front) will give you more room to stretch out, and even enough for your son to play on the floor some when "you are free to move about the cabin." You have no storage with a bulkhead seat though, except overhead. Some airlines won't let coach passengers use the front bathroom, so if being near a bathroom you can use is the priority, go with the back. If your son gets fussy, it really won't matter where you are on the plane (^o^). Invest in some new toys/activities that are surprises to him during the flight. Bring lots of his favorite snacks (as long as they don't contain liquid or gel.) Apples and bananas get past security, but I've seen oranges pulled out. My doctor recommended lollipops for take-offs and landings; the sucking action is best for pressurization in ears. If he won't lick a lollipop on demand, drinking (and therefore swallowing) is next best, but you can only bring 3 ounces or less through security (and all the juice packs, etc., are at least 4 ounces.) Once you are past security, you can purchase bottled water, etc. Eventually the flight attendants will offer you something during the flight. Make sure he gets lots of exercise before boarding. The portable DVD players only seem to last for about 1.5 movies (battery-wise; there's no electrical outlet to plug into.) You can use an extended layover to eat a "real" meal, freshen up, walk around, and recharge the battery some. When a layover is necessary, make it the longest you can; but if a direct flight is available, take that and get it over with, lol. Having your spouse available to "switch off with" will help, and don't be shy about walking with your son up and down the aisleways if that's what he wants to do (and the "seatbelts" light is off.) Strangers will usually prefer the inquisitiveness of a smiling youngster to his frustrated screaming in any seat. Flight attendants will often take young ones on mini tours when they have time. You're allowed one carry-on apiece, and making your son's a rolling backpack (maybe emblazened with his favorite characters) will give him a "big boy" job through the airport; just make sure you & your spouse can carry son and all carryons between the two of you, if necessary. My doctor also recommended a teaspoon of Sudafed one hour before the first flight (it can be repeated eight hours later) to help avoid ear pressurization problems. Hope this all helps!!
