Fabb we are going Air Canada so we are out of luck in the basinette department

Hi, we travelled several times with a young child of similar age about 2 years ago; similar length of time.
My plan of attack was: 1. try and work to a routine even though travelling; so when lights go out encourage sleep - it can take a while but just follow normal sleep routine. We did bottle, books, and a dummy and made sure the favourite toy was always there.
2. lots of small snacks, anything that keeps well like dried fruit. We used these for take off and landing (really important for the ears); either eating or drinking at these times for the child.
3. some travellers love children, this may mean a person who will just play hide and peek over a seat for a while. If a person looks inclined just leave them to entertain your child for a while.
4. Ask for a bassinet seat (up the front of sections); you get lots more leg room even if you decide not to use the cot. And ask if there are spare seats on the flight, and whether you can have an extra one. It sounds cheeky, but we found check in staff were only too willing to block off a seat in a row of 4 if there are 3 of you travelling (for example); no charge.
Try not to worry, it always went better than we anticipated, but a bit tiring.

I travelled with my mum and my 13 month old son to England.
I was borrowing a buggy when I got there so I took an Ergo instead. It was great that I had extra help putting him in it and it meant my hands were free. I got my mum to carry all our documentation so it was all in one place. Also we waited till everyone else got off the aircraft as we took up a bit of room getting him in the Ergo. But what we found was that we ended up catching up with everyone at the luggage claim. It was a bit sweaty in KL but other than that it was fine to wear.
I found with this age they are mostly distracted by people and not toys and I was still breastfeeding so that was extremely handy.
I agree about researching the airports you will be visiting and find out where the change stations and playgrounds are!
We also made use of a transit hotel.
I was refused a bassinet at first but I rang back a few weeks later and they gave me one so keep pestering. Awesome to have extra legroom and no one in front of you. The baby food was useless and we could sometimes get him to eat some crackers and cheese but yeah he was not interested in much else.
I reckon taking some Pamol with you is not a bad idea as well as a syringe as its easier to squirt it in.

I travelled to the UK and then Canada with my then 15 month old twins. They were OK but its definately not an experience I want to have again. Air NZ were fantastic and were very helpful, we had the bassinet seats and they slept quite well.

Air Canada were truly awful. I've vowed never to fly with them again. Everything was too much of a bother, the staff were bitchy, they had NO food for 15 month olds despite requesting toddler meals, they put us in the bulkhead then told us we couldn't use the bassinet even though we were under the weight limit. They also didn't let us set up wee beds at our feet with blankets etc.. We had to have them on our laps the whole way (12hr flight). They also don't have toddler seat belts as they aren't 'approved'!

Good luck with the flight, I didn't want to scare you with my experience but I guess its best to be prepared for bad service - I hope you don't get it.

Debsilou - because of my job I have had to travel with Air Canada a fair bit, and also know many people who regularly do: your experience is not a one-off, I have lost count of the number of complaints re. Air Canada.
It certainly makes you realise how great AirNZ is...

Yup air Canda suck, we flew with them 2 years ago when the boys were 2 and 4, but it is just the way our flights worked out this time, we are partly using air points for them so we did not have a choice. I am fully prepared for terrible service.
Last time we had paid for a seat for DS2 but he sat on Dh's lap for take off and the hostie asked Dh that since he was not using the seat maybe she could give it to someone else. he was like WTF??? we paid for the seat and now we are just going to give it away, I don't think so!!

We have just done Europe-NZ about 3 weeks ago with a 5 year old and 1 year old, not walking.

She had her own seat and a carseat.

it was NOT easy, but I just had heaps of snacks and a dark towel I threw over the car seat (It was a rear facing capsule for us up to 13kg as she is still small) so it was easy.. and I just let her grizzle herself to sleep. The noise of the plane actually does drown out alot of baby noises..

The people in front of us admitted that when they got on they went "oh fark... good one, look who is behind us" but said when we went to get off that they never even heard the girls!!!

Take heaps of wee toys, and just be prepared to entertain, entertain, entertain!!!