When Flying with Children

Divorce and the Holidays: 10 Tips to Make Air Travel with Kids Easier

No matter how you travel, when you’re accompanied by one or more infants, kids or teens, the experience becomes that much more stressful and potentially frustrating – especially if your travels include a long car, bus, train or airplane ride where your kids will have to sit still for extended periods. If you’ll be traveling by air with multiple kids as a single parent, the challenges can be even greater.

To help make your holiday travels a bit easier, especially if you’ll be traveling by airplane, take advantage of the following 10 tips:

1. Book your reservations early and schedule non-stop flights whenever possible.

When making your reservations, explain you’ll be traveling alone with kids. Insist that the airline reserve your seats next to each other. This is important, since most flights during the holiday season are sold-out or even oversold. If you’re booking your travel online, you can typically select your own seats. If not, call the airline directly after making your reservations. You’ll want to confirm your seat assignments the day prior to your flight, and then again as you check in at the airport.

2. Before leaving home, have each child pack a backpack filled with a few toys, books and activities to keep them busy on the airplane.

Also, consider bringing your own portable DVD player and several movies, or a video iPod loaded with programming for your kids to watch. Don’t assume the onboard entertainment during a flight, if available, will be appropriate for your kids. Aside from backpacks, kid-size versions of carry-on luggage with wheels is available. This makes it easier for a child to carry their own stuff through the airport and onto the airplane.

3. In addition to allowing your kids to pack their own activities, in your own carry-on, pack a few surprise toys.

These can include drawing materials, books and/or activities to keep them busy during a long flight. Expect that they’ll eventually get bored with what they’ve brought themselves and the novelty of being on an airplane will fade quickly.

4. Be sure to pack a selection of your kids’ favorite pre-packaged snacks.

Keep in mind that liquid or gel substances can’t be brought onto an airplane (such as juice boxes or bottled water). Baby formula, however, is permitted, but must be declared as you pass through airport security. Most airlines no longer serve meals or even snacks. If snacks are served, chances are your kids won’t like what’s offered. Complimentary soft drinks, bottled water and milk should be available on all flights. As soon as you board, however, ask the flight attendant for milk, since this is often the first drink they run out of, especially if a handful of kids are flying on the same flight.

5. Dress your kids in comfortable, loose fitting clothing for the flight.

It often gets chilly aboard airplanes due to excessive air conditioning. Consider packing an extra change of clothing for your kids in your carry-on, in case of an accident.

6. Arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes to two hours early for domestic flights.

Also allow extra time to travel through security with your kids. Allow your kids to walk through the airport’s metal detectors by themselves. You should, however, carry your infant through security, but pass their child seat or carrier through the x-ray machine. If your kids are new to flying, be sure to explain to your kids what will happen to them at the security checkpoint, to eliminate any fear. Anyone over the age of 18 is required to have government-issued ID with them to travel. This includes a passport, military ID or driver’s license. To check in using an airline’s automatic kiosks (which is required at most airlines), you’ll also need a major credit card or debit card.

7. Consider having someone drive you to the airport and drop you off right in front of your airline’s terminal.

You can then use curbside check-in for your luggage. This will save you from having to find a parking spot, pay for airport parking, and then have to lug your luggage (and your kids) to the ticket counter to check in. The walk from the check-in/ticket counter to the airplane’s terminal can be rather long, depending on the airport, so make sure you’ll be able to handle your carry-on and kids simultaneously as you navigate through the airport. When you arrive at your destination, for between $2 and $3, you can rent a luggage cart to help you get from the baggage claim area to your ground transportation at the airport.

8. Once aboard the aircraft, try to keep your kids seated properly in their respective seat(s).

Don’t allow them to kick the seat in front of them or climb on the seats. If you need extra time to board, or require assistance setting up an infant’s seat, for example, request this just before boarding for your flight begins. If you’re traveling with a stroller, you can bring this to the aircraft itself and then gate check” the stroller right before you board the airplane (as opposed to checking it when you first arrive at the airport). Most strollers will not fit in the airplane cabin’s overhead storage bins.

9. If you’re traveling as a single adult with two or more kids, sit between them.

Allow them to take turns sitting in the window seat, if necessary. Try to anticipate what will cause your kids to fight or become frustrated or cranky, and then take steps in advance to avoid outbursts.