Traveling with Children - Airplane Tips

[jujubee]

We all love to take vacations, but we dread the long hours in the airplane with the kids. Let’s share some tips to help make those long flights more fun!

[jujubee]

Traveling with children in an airplane is hard enough, but now with the newest restrictions regarding carryon luggage it’s even more difficult. Here are some things to consider when flying with children:

The safest way for a child to travel in an airplane is in a car seat. Check the back of your car seat for the “Approved for use in aircraft” safety notice. I know car seats are heavy and a pain to deal with, but think about the safety of your child. In addition to the overall safety aspect, children are more apt to sit still and content when traveling in the comfort of their familiar seat. Note: Booster seats are not safe or approved for use on aircraft.

When using a car seat on the plane, you will be instructed to place the seat next to the window. This is an FAA restriction, and there are no exceptions. A lot of parents want their child to be placed between the two of them, but when the car seat is placed in the middle or aisle seats it blocks the quickest exit for the person on the inside seats. In an emergency evacuation seconds become valuable; you want to be able to unbuckle your child, turn and go without having to hurdle or jump over a car seat that is blocking your path.

The FAA does allow children under the age of 2 to ride in the lap of an adult. While the monetary benefits of this are attractive, again, I personally do not recommend it. If you do, however, please know that the safest way to ride is with your lap belt low and tight around your waist, while you hold the child in your arms. The belt should not be around both of you.

Carrying snacks for children is a must. Some airlines do not provide any snacks with the beverage service, and some only offer a small bag of pretzels or peanuts. Do not rely on that to keep your child’s hunger pangs away. Easy items to carry are granola bars, fruit snacks, trail mix, cheese sticks, etc. However, if you want more than one bag of the snack offered onboard, don’t hesitate to ask the flight attendant. I do suggest asking while she is at your seat passing out the snacks, and not when she is passing you collecting garbage.

Liquids can no longer be brought through security, and this is tough for parents. I suggest bringing an empty sippy cup with your carryon. Bottled water, milk, or juice can be bought once you are in the secure area and then you can bring that on the plane. Also, some airlines now offer bottled water for sale on board (otherwise they’ll just offer you a cup), but I have found it to be cheaper to buy at the vendors in the airport. Again, if you want more than the little cup offered, just ask the flight attendant for the whole can. It’s better to ask while she has her cart at your seat, unless you really want her to make you a drink with the dirty hands she just picked up garbage with! (ETA: Flight attendants are compulsive about hand-washing, but it just amazes me how many people want the flight attendant to make them a drink after they’ve just watched her pick up garbage from 100 strangers!)

Don’t forget entertainment! Most parents will swear by the portable DVD player, but if you don’t have one, be sure to pack some fun goodies. Coloring books, crayons, stickers, books, etc, are all easy to pack and carry. It’s fun to get a few new things that your child hasn’t seen before to keep them entertained longer.

[Sioned]

After many long haul flights with children, I used these strategies:-

Use a stroller which folds and will accommodate your hand luggage. Check with the airline, but you should be able to gate-check it. It will help in the airport, particularly if you have to rush.

If you don't need a stroller or have someone with you to push it, use hand luggage which has wheels, and if you are letting older children carry their own hand luggage, make sure that has wheels too. You do not want to get onto the plane exhausted from lugging a heavy backpack across an airport.

Agree which child gets to sit by the window on which flight before you even leave the house. In fact, discuss in advance rules and expected behaviors with the emphasis on the goal being an enjoyable fight for everyone.

When you board, locate the airsickness bags in your seat pockets and put them where you can reach them quickly. As soon as your child starts to feel sick, give them a bag. Bring a change of clothes for younger children. I also bring a hand towel which can have a number of uses. I also bring plastic grocery bags and hook one on the seat pocket to collect our garbage in - do keep it out of reach of young children . Bring a travel pack of wipes and hand sanitizer. If your hand luggage is bulky, remove the items which you know you will need and keep in a smaller separate bag which you can stow under the seat in front of you before you take off.

Make sure you have all the blankets/pillows that you need before the plane takes off when the flight attendants have time to look for them. Be as cooperative as you can to the flight attendants. Smile and take lots of deep breaths.

Even if a meal is served, assume that your child will not eat it and bring plenty of food which you know that they do like. I always pack a bar of chocolate and share out pieces of it as it seems to be very comforting. I do however avoid all other sugar and definitely avoid fizzy drinks.

Bring a treat for yourself to eat or splurge on an expensive juice or energy drink in the airport as you need to stay cheerful and relaxed.

If you bring new toys/books hand them out gradually. I also try to teach them a new card game/ trick or puzzle. Cards keep older children happy.

Ensure that you and older children understand the safety procedures. It will make you all be and feel safer.

How often do you get to just sit and play with your children for a few hours? Enjoy!

[Whispered]

I know i'm going to get smacked for this, lol, but its really no fun or fair, to the other
passengers, to have to listen to a kid scream for literally hrs, on the plane..
(i was just on one, and for an hr and half, this kid screamed bloody heck ! and believe me, it wasn't fun..~it wasn't only me, there were a lot of unhappy faces)
Lots of snacks, NOTHING W/ CAFFINE!!!!!!!...cough medicine!!!
toys, coloring books, books games and talk to your child before he gets on the plane and explain what behavoir is expected and also what the trip is going to be like..
and no kicking the chairs! (of course, some adults are just as bad at this too, lol)

Yes, I know its hard to sit still!!! I hate it too, lol..

and oh yeah, bring his/her blankie!!.. familiar smells..

I'm always amazed at how many parents, just take their kids, to a big huge rambling airport and don't bother to explain whats going to happen.. how busy its going to, lots of people.. and also what fun it is!