Tips for Airline Travel with Kids
Flying with little kids can be easier than you’d think—but only if you’re prepared. We’ve gathered our best advice from seasoned parents on how to manage smooth travel with babies and toddlers.
With a little advance planning, flying with your kids can be a breeze. So whether you’re booking a trip to visit the grandparents or planning a sunny family vacation, use these tips to maximize the chances of the kiddos behaving and everyone getting there in one (sane) piece.
Did you know: Kids under two fly free! You don’t need to tell the airline in advance, but do bring their birth certificate to prove their age.
Anything you can do to save time—and skip lines—is a good idea. You should definitely check-in online and, if you plan far enough in advance, you can sign the whole family up from TSA pre-check.
Choosing the right seats and flight time can also be super helpful in keeping kids calm while traveling. If possible, try to book flights that don’t conflict with their sleep schedules. This will go a long way in preventing crankiness during travel time and will help keep them on track once you’ve arrived at your destination too. For babies, window seats are usually the better choice, so you can have more privacy for breastfeeding. On longer trips, you can even freeze dry breastmilk for longer shelf life and easier transportation. For toddlers who want to explore, choose an aisle seat so you can take them up and down the aisles.
It’s also important to be smart about what you pack in your personal item. We recommend bringing a backpack to easily stow all of the essentials. Be sure to bring extra clothes for babies or toddlers, in case of accidents. And, if you’re traveling with kids, you’ll likely need a checked bag, so if you can fit it, throw an extra outfit for yourself in your carry on, just in case your bags get lost. Use different colored packing cubes to easily differentiate everyone’s gear at a glance. Packing a fun activity kit can also help prevent boredom and distract the kiddos.
Related Links (from Eagle Creek blog):
How to Pack an Activities Kit for Young Travelers
