The prospect of flying with crying kids on a long flight full of strangers will scare most parents. While flying with kids does present some challenges, a good preparation will go a long way. As a travel loving family living in Western Australia, we are certainly no stranger to long flights. Our very first long flight with kids was to Germany when our eldest was just 11 months old! Since then have done it so many times, including our most recent trip with two boys to Croatia. Both our sons are now used to flying 20 hours plus flights to Europe.
Like grownups some kids are easier to fly with than others. During any flight your kids will act like kids and other passengers will generally be understanding. While preparation needed for long flights will vary depending on your child’s age, always remember to never let your own anxiety get the better of you. Don’t ever allow your child run up and down the aisles. You will be annoying other passengers and it is also dangerous in case of sudden turbulence.
The basic idea is to break long flights into sections of: Play, Read, Song, Movie, Eat and Sleep. Well.. Hopefully you get to reach sleep!
Here are Lets Go Bear Travels 18 Tips for surviving long Flights with Kids:
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT AIRLINE
Some airlines simply cater to family travellers much better than others. Pay attention to things such as children meals on offer and bassinet priority if you need one. A helpful flight crew will make your journey much easier.
2. CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL FLIGHT TIME
Don’t assume children will maintain their usual sleep pattern during long flights. Most parents prefer to choose flight time just before their kids are meant to be falling asleep. If your lucky stars align they just may simply snooze away. However, this can also easily backfire. Kids trying to sleep in an unfamiliar setting and the general excitement of flying can mean that they have trouble sleeping.
We recommend choosing departure time when your kids is at their happiest. For us this means flying out on early morning flights. Our sons would board the plane fresh, all happy from a good night sleep (and us too!). They can enjoy the early part of the flight and eventually dose off later whenever they are ready for nap.
3. GIVE YOURSELF RECHARGE TIME BETWEEN FLIGHTS.
Before having kids we preferred to find the shortest transit time possible, we don’t even mind running to the next flight’s boarding gate!
As you may guess this is not a good idea when travelling with children. On longer journeys aim for transit time that is around 2-3 hours long. This will give you enough time to have some proper meals at the airport, stretch your legs and recharge without rushing. Having that extra buffer is also for your peace of mind just in case your first flight is delayed. When flying with your partner, make sure you take turns taking care of your kids.
4. FOR BABIES: REQUEST BASSINET SEAT IN ADVANCE
Check directly with your airline. Each will have different seat priority booking policy, different bassinet sizes and weight capacity. From our past travels, Singapore Airlines seem to offer the largest bassinet with maximum weight capacity of 14kg.
5. FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS OLDS: CONSIDER BUYING A SEAT
At first, you might think it is crazy having to pay for a ticket when kids can still fly for free before their 2nd birthday. But depending on their size and the duration of your flight, paying for that extra space and comfort is absolutely worth the money. Expecting a child to sit still on your lap for hours and hours… and hours is just unfair. Buy a seat and in exchange you will get a happy – well rested kid, who won’t be bothering other passengers. Arriving at your destination well rested is the best way to start a family holiday.
6. SIMPLE BACKPACK = YOUR HAND CARRY
Leave your designer bags at home! Put all your little ones necessities into one easy to carry backpack. Make sure you have easy access while on board to take out things like nappies and wipes. Minimise other carry-ons and say no to Duty free shopping.
Do bring extra pair of clothes for you and your baby. There may be times when accidental leaks and vomits happen on board. Check out what to bring in our packing checklists section.
7. FOR BABIES & YOUNGER TODDLERS: USE A CARRIER
Little kids can easily get overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of airports. Keeping them close to you will help them feel secure. Baby carriers, such as Ergobaby, will also keep both your hands free. Allowing you to get your family through the airport quickly.
If you need to settle your child inside the plane, go for a wonder with your child inside the carrier. Your back will thank you for it.
8. DRESS THEM WELL
Dress them for comfort and not for Instagram photo session!
Even for us adults we want to be as comfortable as possible when travelling on long flights. The same rule applies when flying with kids. An impractically dressed child is an unhappy child. Cotton clothes with jumper for layering (if needed) plus socks are our go to baby travel outfit. If you expect your baby to fall asleep on the plane journey, wear something they would wear for sleeping back home.
You will also need to change your baby’s nappy on board. Easy zipped onesies or top and pants works great for easy changes in a small confined space (read our 7 Tips for Changing Nappies on a Plane)
9. ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT ON TIME
Don’t get stuck behind long lines at airport check in. Being in a rush is not a good way to start a long flight journey with kids. Make sure there are plenty of time to go through security, immigration and finally boarding the plane.
10. REQUEST A WINDOW SEAT
Window seat will allow your kids to look out to see airport happenings, luggages going in, airport buses going by, see flights taking off, spotting landmarks and clouds once flying. Choose seats away from toilets to avoid nasty smells.
11. BURN A BIT OF ENERGY BEFORE LONG FLIGHTS
Allow your kids to roam free before boarding and let them burn off some steam. It will be a while before they can run around again. Most airports will have a dedicated playground for children. Use them to your advantage. For babies, give them some floor time and let them crawl around the airport – under your supervision of course.
12. BOARD AIRPLANE EARLY
Almost all airlines allow those travelling with young kids to board the plane first (well after the first class and business class passengers that is). This is for your kids to enter a very spacious and empty plane as opposed to being the last one greeted by all these strangers staring back. At the same time you get to avoid long waits for other passengers to get seated.
At this point, give good first impression and be nice to flight attendants – you will need them.
13. PROVIDE FAMILIARITY
Settle into your seats and take out a few items from your backpack (drinking bottle, wet wipes, snacks, stickers, books and toys). If needed, also take out their favourite blanket or comforter. Your kids will feel much more comfortable and secure.
14. RELAX THE ROUTINES
During the long flights your kids may not follow their sleep routine, snack too much, not wanting to eat aeroplane food or watch the iPad longer than usual. Relax the routines.
Your main goal is to survive the flight and not driving everyone on board insane.
15. BRING ALONG TOYS & USE THE AIRLINE KIDS PACKS
One routine Dad Alfred and our sons usually do before going travelling is to visit a toy store to buy a few small toys for the trip. It can be something small like a Hot Wheels car or toy animals. We will then open them one by one during the flight journey to buy time. You can also bring other items like books, stickers, magnetic drawing board and Play Doh (just make sure you do clean up the mess afterwards). Avoid toys like Lego, balls or anything noisy – these will be lost.
Most airlines will also provide complimentary kids activity pack during long haul flights, use them to buy time.
16. EXPLORE THE IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
Before taking out your own electronic gadget, rely on the in-flight entertainment. Some in-flight entertainment screens can be too high for smaller toddlers, so do bring along your own electronic gadget as backup.
17. BRING TONS OF SNACKS
Snacks will buy you time, much more time than you think. Avoid handing out bags of lollies, juices and sweets. The idea is to buy time and keep them busy, not have kids sugar high running up and down the aisles. Most airlines do cater for infant food but it may not be age appropriate or not to your infant’s liking.
To make sure your kids enjoy flight meals available, consider pre-ordering them. As backup you can also bring food pouches and fruits that your little one likes.
18. FINALLY.. TAKE OUT THE IPAD
Day to day we prefer not to use electronic gadgets to entertain our son. But for long flights iPads will help keep your sanity. Load them with anything from TV shows, nursery rhymes, games and Disney films to keep them entertained. Also we use it to store our son’s nightly sleeping songs which we usually play before he goes to sleep at night during the trip.
For places we have visited, Checkout our website’s travel Destinations section. We buy our travel essentials online via Ebay
