long haul flight with a new born

Best to do while you are still breastfeeding, and before they are mobile, ie crawling or creeping. Once they are mobile, it's a whole different ball game.

Without a doubt 9 weeks. Much easier the younger they are.

I was on a flight with a 10 day old baby (after a cesarean) and it was easy and people were supportive. However, he was my second child and it does take a bit of time to adjust to number one. You might be fine to travel after a couple of weeks, or it might take you a lot longer. Having booked plane tickets looming over you for 9 weeks after the birth... might be added pressure you don't need. My advice is think about your own needs here--the baby will be fine to travel at either age.

Definitely 9 weeks. I've flown alone with my daughter (on a 12 hour flight so admittedly not nearly as long as your journey) three times now at 12 weeks, 6 months and 1.5 years and it got a bit harder each time. At 3 months she slept pretty much the whole way, waking to nurse and then doze again. No need to sort out toys or entertainment or anything, it was definitely the easiest journey before she could sit up or move or anything. Plus I think there is something really special about taking a tiny baby home to meet the family.

Once you know when you're traveling, phone the airline and reserve the bulkhead seating with bassinet. Most long haul flights and planes will have them. They are bassinets that attach to the bulkhead wall at the front of each section and if you're fortunate enough to get them they're absolutely great. You'll be able to put your baby down to sleep just a foot or 2 in front of you. The bassinet is usually good up to about 10-12 kg — so you'll be fine regardless of when you choose to fly home. BUT, you have to reserve those seats.

Good luck.

David Robert Hogg,
Publisher of My Little Nomads

Absolutely younger is easier.

I'd also recommend taking an extra change of clothes in your carry-on for YOU as well as the baby!

Explanation: my mom took me and my brother as six month old twins along with our two year old sister to Hungary, and in small quarters my brother got fussy and knocked over some apple juice about an hour into the flight into my mother's lap. She still talks about how she had to endure the rest of that flight in wet clothes, and how she never traveled without a spare change again while we were little (and needed them more than once).

We did Aust to UK via Singapore with 3 mth old and returned when she was 6 mth.
Both trips very easy at these ages but am planning a trip now with a very active 14mth old and am not expecting the same.
Sinagporeans were wonderful - we went to a bar at our hotel where they were teaching ball room dancing.
Our daughter was swept up by three different locals for a dance.
One thing to consider - although baby slept on the plane we did not so the 12 hours at the hotel was dreadful as we really couldn't keep our eyes open and she was wide awake. A hotel with babysitting would be a great option.