flying with toddlers

So I decided I want to go down to Florida to see my grandma before she passes. She's in her mid 80's and has Alzheimer's. I haven't seen her in about 3 years, and I've never seen her for more than a week at a time. I'm sad that I didn't get to spend more of my childhood with her, but I was raised on the other side of the country. But my dad did take me down there several times as a child after my parents divorced. She has also never met my kids. My husband says he has too much going on this year to make this kind of a trip. He is about to start a new job at the hospital, so I can understand that he can't ask for time off right now. So I called my dad today and asked him if he wants to go with me to Florida in a couple months. He is so excited! I think he really misses his mom and also wants to see her before she passes. So this is where my problem comes in. I've taken a 20 hour car trip with my kids. But I've never taken them on a plane. They are 2 years old and 13 months old. I know for my oldest, he will have to have his own ticket, and I can hold the baby on my lap. But is it difficult to take toddlers on a plane and through air ports? Is there anything that anyone can tell me that might make it easier? Any advice would be appreciated!

If you can afford it you want to buy them both a ticket and let them sit in the their car seats on the plane. Its much safer for them and everyone else. Take lots of snacks and toys. Try to fly during nap time. Take a few new toys. Something to play movies on. I fly quite a lot with my kids and its usually pretty easy.

Quoting Jennybananna:" If you can afford it you want to buy them both a ticket and let them sit in the their car seats on the ... [snip!] ... during nap time. Take a few new toys. Something to play movies on. I fly quite a lot with my kids and its usually pretty easy. "

Yeah I can definately afford a ticket for both of them, especially with getting our taxes back. But I didn't think it was necessary. Flying is the safest form of travel, it's not like being in a car.

Quoting Stephanie Onyembi:" Yeah I can definately afford a ticket for both of them, especially with getting our taxes back. But I didn't think it was necessary. Flying is the safest form of travel, it's not like being in a car."

If you hit a patch of turbulence your lap child could become a projectile hurting them and other passengers. The FAA highly recommends that all children be restrained on a car seat or booster on the plane.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/travel/columnist/mcgee/2008-07-29-lap-children_N.htm

http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/18/are_lap_children_safe_on_plane/

Quoting Jennybananna:" If you hit a patch of turbulence your lap child could become a projectile hurting them and other passengers. ... [snip!] ... http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/18/are_lap_children_safe_on_plane/"

Ok thanks, I obviously need to do a lot more research before we go LOL. I just want it to go as smooth as possible.

Quoting Stephanie Onyembi:" Ok thanks, I obviously need to do a lot more research before we go LOL. I just want it to go as smooth as possible."

Its pretty easy just can take a bit longer to get through security. You can take milk and juice through security it just needs extra screening. Usually mine just sleep on the plane.