Flying with kids is an adventure in itself and it is never easy. Whether it is a family vacation or a visit to relatives, flying with children can test your patience and parenting skills. It requires thorough planning and a bit of creativity to make the journey more enjoyable and stress-free. Here are some tips that might be helpful for flying comfortably with kids.
Plan Ahead
The key to having a smooth and comfortable flying experience with kids is to plan everything ahead. When booking your flight, make sure that you book direct flights whenever possible. When a direct flight is not available, choose the flight that has the least stopovers. The fewer stops, the better because you don’t have to deal with rushing to make connecting flights, delayed layovers, multiple takeoffs, etc. Consider your children’s schedule too and try to opt for flights that align with their usual wake and sleep times.
Create a well-organized checklist of everything that you will need for your children, from documents like passports and birth certificates to essentials like diapers and snacks. Make sure to pack medicines and comfort items too. Moreover, prefer to arrive at the airport early because with kids you never know. So it is better to arrive early and have extra time for check-in and security.
Select the Right Seats
Selecting the right seats is very important and it can make a huge difference in your entire traveling experience. If you are traveling with more than one child or your entire family, pick your seats together, even if it means paying a little extra. There is always the option available to ask other passengers to trade seats, but that option is not always reliable. Therefore, make sure that you choose adjacent seats so that you are seated together with your family.
Additionally, you can book the bulkhead seats as these offer extra legroom and can provide more space for your child to move around and play. If you have an active child, you can consider booking an aisle seat too.
Choose Child-Friendly Airlines
Choosing child-friendly airlines is also necessary because not all airlines are equal when it comes to traveling with kids and families. Multiple airlines are known for their excellent services for children, including JetBlue, Southwest, and Alaska. These airlines provide special amenities and services, such as children’s meals, activity kits, and in-flight entertainment like Southwest WiFi for kids. Make sure that you choose the right airline when traveling with kids.
Keep them Entertained and Distracted
If you are going on a long flight with children, pack enough entertainment and distraction so that you have some tricks up your sleeve. You can bring a variety of entertainment options for your children to keep them busy. This can include electronic devices preloaded with games or movies, coloring books, and their favorite toys. Oh and make sure that you have fully charged power banks too!
Additionally, you can also try the in-flight entertainment service or in-flight WiFi service like Delta WiFi provided by the airline to keep the children occupied. Some airlines provide children-friendly in-flight entertainment, with an extensive selection of children’s movies, TV shows, and games.
Take Care of Their Health and Comfort
Long flights can be tiring for children and it is important to keep your children comfortable and healthy during flights. As mentioned, choose a flight according to your children’s schedule so that their naptime and bedtime align with the destination’s time zone. Bring a familiar blanket that can help them sleep.
Keep them properly hydrated by encouraging them to drink water regularly or diluted fruit juice. Pack your carry-on bag with essentials like snacks, a change of clothes, diapers, wipes, and any necessary medications, as these can be a game-changer during the flight.
