Flying with kids can seem daunting because of such confined spaces. However, with some advance planning, it’s an ideal way to get more time on your vacation and the only way to get to fun and farther locations.
Top tips
I advise that you pack efficiently, keep your hands free, make sure your device is charged and be careful with leak-proof water bottles! 🙂
Picking Your Flight and Seats
Don’t pick early morning or late night flights if it will make everyone grumpy. When comparing prices, think through if you’ll need to pay for extras like seats and bags. Pick the nonstop option if you can. Southwest is often our preferred airline because of their flexibility around change fees and free checked bags. If we’re working with an airline where you pick seats (any airline not Southwest), we like to do two rows towards the back.
Packing
Get as much out of your hands as possible. I know it’s sometimes cheaper having just carry-ons but think through how you will navigate through the airport having to carry a kid. Check a bag if you can. On the plane, for the adults, you’ll need fully charged devices, headphones, snacks if necessary, and an extra outfit. For the kiddos, it will greatly depend on their age but make sure you have diapers, pacis, activities and empty gallon bags and/or diaper disposal bags. If they’ll be sleeping, pack pj’s. Once they are of walking age, we pack little backpacks for them that have a snack, a water bottle, small activities, and a sleeping buddy. Know that you may end up having to carry the bags for them 🙂 Read more about top tips for packinghere
Baggage check
If you have kids older than two, go ahead and check car seats at the baggage area or determine if there’s a way to go without. Since we travel to Hawaii often, we purchased seats that stay there. Some cities that can be managed with just public transportation. When checking the car seat, we use a car seat bag that keeps it semi-protected. If you have a really tiny baby, go ahead and bring the stroller and baby car seat to the gate to be tagged
Favorite Baby Items (Click on images to go to Amazon)
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Use PreCheck Benefits for Quick Security Lines
PreCheck is a program that offers faster TSA lines at airports. There are separate lines for PreCheck travelers, and you don’t have to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, etc. It is amazing and has saved us so much time and makes it SO much easier to travel with kids. For more on this benefit and how to use a credit card to receive it for free, see here.
Through the Airport
Think through your path at the airport. What can you consolidate or do to keep our hands free? I greatly prefer a backpack diaper bag. If you have a baby, you can baby wear and/or leave them in the car seat. Either way, you should bring the car seat with you through the airport with a good travel snap-in stroller. Go to your gate so you know where it is! If you have a credit card that comes with a lounge, this is a good place to hang out and get some free snacks.
At the Gate
Make sure you leave plenty of time to take potty breaks, refill water bottles and purchase snacks if needed. If you’re traveling with a stroller, go to the desk and ask for a gate check tag. If you have a kid in a bucket car seat and under 2, ask if there are open seats and if not, get a tag for that to be gate checked as well. Southwest is great for this because of its open seating policy
On the Plane
A sucking motion is good for ears on the ascent and descent. For babies, this might mean a paci, bottle, or breastfeeding. For bigger kids, do big pretend yawns or gum. I suggest having lots of snacks, apps, and extra battery for long trips. Always try to start with activities, snacks and save the screen time as long as possible because once it starts, it’s hard to stop. If you have an overnight portion, we like to change the kids into pj’s. Depending on the age, you might need to rock them up and down the aisle or play some lullabies, but know that no one is judging you as long as you look like you’re trying to help. 🙂 Also a super important note, the Contigo water bottles and other similar ones with leak proof tops explode water when pressurized and will get you and your things and your neighbors wet. Don’t do it.
Getting off the Plane
If you’re not in a rush to get to a connecting flight, take your time! Especially if a kiddo managed to fall asleep. You will have to wait for your bags anyway. Leave them for as long as possible and you can get off at the end. Double-check that you have everything, wait for your stroller and/or car seat to come off if you gate-checked it and be glad you’re not in a confined space any longer. You did it!
