Your guide to flying with kids of every age

April 2, 2024
2:01 pm

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Your passport to an enjoyable flight with your kids involves patience, planning, a bag of travel treats, entertainment, and perhaps a little luck to manage inflight restlessness. You’ll need to pack plenty of distractions; between cramped seats, meal options that vary wildly depending on the airline, fees for checked bags and an increasing lack of travel etiquette, flying under the best of circumstances is a challenge.

Whether you’re taking that first flight with a baby or dealing with cranky toddlers or moody teens, here’s how to survive the flight as painlessly as possible.

General tips for flying with kids

Regardless of your child’s age, here are some tips to make your family travel adventure a lot less stressful:

Bring the right documentation

Step one is carrying identification for your child(ren). You may not always be asked for it when flying domestically (except when flying with a lap infant), but with international destinations, you’ll need a passport for each family member, regardless of age.

If you think you may travel internationally after your baby is born and you have a birth certificate, it’s time to get your child a passport. Having a passport for your child is great documentation as it has their age and photo. Just remember that children’s passports are good for just five years (and actually only 4 1/2 years of true use) as opposed to adult passports, which are valid for 10 years.

Even if your kids don’t need identity documentation at your final destination, it’s good to have at least a copy of the birth certificate at the ready. Some LGBTQ+ families have also expressed to TPG that they have been asked to show additional documentation regarding their children at times.

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Choose the right airline

The airline you choose can have a significant impact on the quality of your trip, especially when it comes to traveling with kids. For example, some airlines charge more for lap-infant tickets, whereas others offer more spacious seating and better schedules and routes out of your home airport. Some airlines offer better and more reliable inflight entertainment and a more generous family boarding time — which matters when you have a baby, stroller, car seat and more to get on and settled.

All in all, certain airlines are more family-friendly, so it pays to consider these factors when booking a trip for your crew.

Pack extra necessities but don’t go overboard

Don’t get stuck without the necessities if your luggage is lost or delayed. Pack a carry-on with a few belongings for the kids and yourself to get you through around 24 hours or an onboard “accident.” Don’t overpack because the extra weight will end up being more of a hassle than it’s worth, but you do want to make sure you have the basics covered.

You’ll likely be able to find (almost) anything you’d need at your destination, but you don’t want to run out of diapers, formula or clean clothes before that happens.

Get Global Entry

When parents have Global Entry, the whole family also has access to the TSA PreCheck program, since children age 13 and under can use the PreCheck line when accompanied by an eligible adult. This makes a huge difference when clearing security with your kids. Drop all your gear on the belt of the X-ray machine, keep your shoes on and your iPads tucked away, walk through the metal detector, grab your kids and go.

If you travel internationally at least once a year, it makes sense to sign your kids up for Global Entry as well, because (unlike with PreCheck) every person in the family must have their own Global Entry when using the expedited immigration lines. A five-year membership to Global Entry also includes five years of access to TSA PreCheck — just make sure to add your Known Traveler Number to your airline reservations at the time of booking. You can also add it when checking in for your flight online or at the airport.

You could also sign up for Clear, which offers expedited security checks at airports and public venues like stadiums. The bonus here is that you can have your identity checked using only your eye scan, and children under 18 can use it with you for free.

Flying with a baby

While it may not feel like it at times, babies spend most of their days eating and sleeping, especially for the first three or four months. Even when they are awake, they’re not mobile like toddlers. So while it may sound intimidating to fly with a baby, you have a few things working to your advantage.

But there’s a lot you need to know, like how to fly with breast milk in the U.S. and these tips for award travel with a lap child.

Flying with toddlers

Unlike infants, who want to be held pretty much all the time, toddlers want to move. And while travel with toddlers is absolutely possible, know that from about 9 months old until around 18 to 24 months is often one of the hardest ages to keep little ones still and happy.

Here are ways to channel that extra energy and (hopefully) avoid tantrums:

Wipe everything down

These days, this is really good advice for all ages of travelers, but toddlers especially are guaranteed to touch just about every square inch of the available space on the plane, so bring some cleaning wipes and make sure your area is clean before turning your child loose to touch the tray table and beyond.

KAREN AKPAN

Strategically plan your toys

Don’t show the kiddos everything you brought for them all at once.

Make sure you have toys planned to keep them busy for the duration of the flight and bring them out one at a time as needed. In addition to tech solutions, it’s smart to pack activities such as travel games or a good coloring book to keep them entertained.

Pack snacks galore

Toys are a great distraction, but food can be even better. Set aside different snacks for different points of the flight to ensure your kids stay busy and full. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the cabin crew to help warm up food or a bottle, though it may not always be possible, especially on some domestic flights.

Go for walks

You don’t like sitting in an airplane seat for hours, so why would your rambunctious toddler? A brief stroll down the aisle will help break up the time doing activities in their seats and may ward off a meltdown if your toddler gets restless.

Embrace technology — or choose analog

For most families, electronic devices are the most effective means to keep kids occupied during a long flight. For children under 5 years old, movies, TV shows or videos are the most helpful in keeping children occupied, followed by devices to play games. Don’t forget your charger (and adapter, if needed).

But tech isn’t for every family, and there are plenty of travel-friendly games and activities to keep kids entertained on board. As we discussed earlier, don’t pull everything out at once. Organize the flight into 20-minute activity cycles, each with a different theme and sensory diversion. Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! activity books are a great hit with little ones on the fly — just fill the wand with a bit of water and you have a coloring book that can be used over and over again. Then bring out a picture book or two (bonus if it’s a “look and find” book where they can find specific items on the pages), then perhaps introduce a learning toy like the Boogie Board tablet. Another tip is to gift wrap fun, random items from Dollar Tree and pull them out at fussier moments.

Talk to each other

Enjoy talking to your toddler about your destination and get them excited — if it’s an international flight, perhaps teach them a few words they may hear in the country you are visiting, and talk about the different sights and sounds that they are likely to encounter on a plane.

Flying with school-age kids

Luckily, children who are in kindergarten through elementary school have longer attention spans and fewer tantrums. But it can still be a challenge to keep a young child happy during a long flight. Here’s what can help:

Make it a special occasion

Whether it’s going to a birthday party, getting ice cream after school or swimming at night, kids love it when they get to do something out of the ordinary. Use that same approach for a flight by making it a fun event and packing a special bag.

Items like crayons, small toys and a few pieces of their favorite candy work wonders. Extend the idea of a special occasion by letting them choose a movie or TV show they wouldn’t usually get to watch or having a snack not allowed at home.

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Introduce seatback games

It can be a lot to pack games that will keep a child entertained for hours, so don’t depend solely on what you brought. Let your child explore the seatback entertainment system, if there is one. Many offer games that are meant to keep people distracted for hours. They can even play against other people on the plane; just show them how to start and they’ll be set for hours.

Bring a book about the destination

Children in elementary school are all about learning — use that to your advantage. If you’re headed someplace new, bring a book about that destination. Letting them help plan the activities you’ll do, once you arrive, will keep them entertained during the flight and get them excited for the vacation.

Sit with other kids

Kids have more fun sitting with other kids, so unless the sibling rivalry is too intense, letting the kids sit together (with you nearby) can be an effective strategy, especially as the kids creep into the tween and teen years.

Flying with teens

The biggest problem parents have on board is staving off restlessness and boredom, both of which lead to children (er, little adults) acting out in a variety of ways. In the case of teenagers, their “angsty” side might come out after a while. Help make it the bonding experience you dream of by trying the tactics below:

Have a meal as a family

A flight is a perfect time for family members to switch seats with each other so everyone has a chance to sit next to a different family member, assuming you are all in the same cabin and it won’t be too disruptive to trade. It’s a good time to eat and chat with one another without watching TV or checking cellphones.

Start a conversation

Being stuck on a plane together can be a great opportunity to interact with your kids. Imagine their undivided (OK, partially divided) attention for hours on end. Strike up a conversation with questions like what they’re most looking forward to during the trip.

Don’t push, though — teens need space, even when sitting right next to you.

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Book a flight with Wi-Fi

Of course, we know teenagers need to stay connected with their friends, even at 35,000 feet in the air, so take advantage of onboard Wi-Fi when you can. Choosing the right airline or the right credit card can even make Wi-Fi a free treat.

While inflight connectivity can cost $10 to $35 per device on some airlines and flights, on Delta Air Lines and JetBlue, Wi-Fi is free, and on Southwest Airlines, all-day inflight Wi-Fi is just $8.

Bottom line

No matter the age of your children, keeping them happy, comfortable and entertained while in flight takes some effort and planning on your part. But, it’s worth it to enjoy a new and exciting experience with those you love.

Your demeanor rubs off on your kids. Keeping a positive attitude (even if things go awry) can go a long way in making the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Plan for what you can but otherwise, just roll with it. It’s all about making the time spent getting to and from your destination part of the fun.