travling with a 10 1/2 old?

Do you mean 10.5 month old? Otherwise I don't see the problem

Ask for the bulkhead seat. they provide a bassinet. If your little girl is anything like my chub, she'll be too big, but it doesn't matter as then you have the bulkhead seat which gives a litttle more legroom. I blocked off either side and let jake run around. I was lucky enough to have a few seats either side. that was on my flight to NZ from japan. When flying to aus or from aus, what airline are you using? I flew airnz and they were brilliant. they havea little pack for the kids but I found it too old for jake at one year old. Take some snacks as feeds are few and far between. take a bottle as sometimes the air pressure while landing can effect bubba ears. jake's were fine, but better to be safe than sorry. A toothbrush provided a lot a fun. Jake chewed on his for an hour! Books and even noisy things weren't oo bad as the aircraft noise disguised it well enough.
If you a re flying freedom, you may want a backpack. the first time I flew the crew were wonderful and helpful. I even emailed them to say thank you.   the second time, I was eight months pregnant wqith a one year old and got NO help whatsoever. luckily a nice passasnger gave me a hand. I would strongly suggest backpacks.

I would definately book the seats by the bassinet even if you dont intend on using the actual bassinet there is heaps more room plus you are one of the first off. If you are flying freedom it will cost $5 a seat each way and I dont think airnz charge but you need to get them before others do. We took a bag with things to entertain, I went to the $2 and got a heaps of little cheap things that didnt matter if they got left on the plane and when he got bored I was able to pull out another new toy. Also if you need ot heat a bottle allow a bit of time because they heat it in water and sometimes forget to go back and check so it can take a while.

If people don't help - ask the flight attendants to. they are paid for that kinda thing. Also, go to the loo and cahnge bubs BEFORE the flight. Another thing - you can leave baby in the psuhchair and push it to the gate, where they'll put it in the storage hold - lots easier than trying to carry everything.
they also let you board early, but boarding last is quite good. When they board you MUST restrain bubs, which doesn't go down too wel. Boarding last means the less time restrained.

Good ideas here, our Ella was 16 months when we went to Australia, she was really good on the way there but bored on the way back. The $2 shop toy thing is a great idea.

We have an Ella Rose too! I have met so many of them now, I want to change her name

I love the name ella! I heard Ellie is also popular.

or have numbers so there will be ella 1 ella 2 ella 3 haha

well the flying went well even though ella was due for asleep i think because there was so much going on she didn't want to she made friends with a 9 month old they had crawling races up and down the aisle very amusing i ended up with soggy cracker everywhere all through my hair u name the place it was there ella ended up falling asleep just as the wheels of the plane hit brisbane airport and the same happened on the way back as we were landing in palmy like 3 minutes she was out to it trip was awesome don't think i will do it again by myself im very over tired ella adjusted well and her ears didn't play up once!! thanks for all the helpful advice though

renee,r u another palmy mum??