12 Top Tips for Flying with Kids

Are you preparing for your first flight with kids? Or did you have a stressful experience flying with your kids and know you must be missing something?

Whether you’re going on a short domestic flight or a long-haul international journey, flying with kids requires a bit of planning and a lot of patience!

From thinking about entertainment and snacks, to booking the right flight, or even how to prepare them beforehand. There are countless strategies to make the trip as stress-free as possible. 

What’s in this post? 

In this post we cover our top 12 tips to flying with kids based on flying short and long haul with our own two children. 

We also answer some common questions about flying with kids including how to keep kids comfortable and entertained on a long flight, and if you’ll be allocated a kids and adult seat together.

If there’s something on this list you’re particularly interested in you can skip straight there by clicking on that section in the contents below. If not, then scroll down to read all of our top tips for flying with kids. 

12 tips to flying with kids

Find a quiet area of the gate to let the kids run their energy off 

This may not always be possible if you’re in a busy airport but even in the biggest of airports there’s normally a quiet corner or closed gate where you can let them run around and be kids before they have to sit still and quiet for a few hours. 

Snacks snacks and more snacks!

Snacks always help when you’re trying to keep entertained while flying! Make sure you pack plenty and a good variety too so they don’t get bored with the same food. 

Split clothes into different suitcases 

If one suitcase goes missing enroute it can take days, weeks or months to reappear and make it’s way to you. 

We always split our clothes so we have a couple of outfits per person in each suitcase. This means that if one case disappears we still have at least a couple of options to keep you going. 

Bring important items in your hand luggage

For the same reason as above, if there’s items that you cannot get by without or can’t buy elsewhere then put them in your hand luggage so they’re always with you. 

Things like medicines, the only phone charger, expensive jewellery, or money are things you should bring in hand luggage with you where possible.

Do a click and collect order for the airport

This is a hack I had no idea existed until I had kids but you can click and collect from some stores in the airport. You check in, go through security and collect from the store in the airport lounge and it doesn’t count towards your initial luggage allowance. Great for bulky items like nappies, formula or toiletries. 

Bring surprises

I always pack a go bag with snacks, toys, games, activity books and electronics to make my life easier when travelling. I always sneak a little surprise or two in there too – something they weren’t expecting to pull out if they’re getting a bit antsy or bored. 

Book long flights with an overnight departure

If it’s a long flight try and book an overnight flight. Once you get on the plane, take off and have some form of dinner or food it’s normally way past their bedtime and they’re ready for some sleep. 

Even if they don’t sleep all night, hopefully getting some sleep will set you and them up well for the rest of the flight. 

Book short flights with early morning departures

If it’s a short flight book an early morning departure – airport is usually quieter for the first few flights out and it’ll give you more time at the other end to get settled before bed time

Force bathroom breaks

We’ve all been there when you ask if anyone needs a toilet, receive a chorus of “no” only to be told they’re absolutely bursting 10 minutes later. To avoid any accidents while travelling in general but especially flying, force the bathroom breaks. 

I don’t ask if they need to go, I tell them we’re all going to the toilet at specific times (like just before security and ahead of boarding) and they always go, even if they don’t feel like they need it at the time.

Explain what’s going to happen

The best way to help kids feel confident when flying is to prepare them with what to expect when they’re in the airport and on the plane. Explain what they’ll do and hear – you can even use YouTube to show them what take off and landing are like. 

You can also get them involved while you’re preparing to leave the house like checking documents or helping to pack, or while you’re at the airport like finding the gate or navigating security. 

Fly direct

I know it can save money by booking indirect flights but when it comes to flying with kids I’d just pay the extra to have to worry about one airport and one flight. 

Choose a window seat

If you do book your seats choose a window one. Yeah, it can be easier to have an aisle seat if your child is going to want to get up and down for the toilet but if you’re on a short haul flight a well timed toilet break before boarding can stop this from happening. 

Then you can use the view to keep them distracted as well as all the other bits you bring for them to do and watch. 

FAQs for flying with kids

How to make kids comfortable on a plane

Wearing comfortable clothes – even PJs for a night flight, letting them take off their shoes or bringing a cuddly toy can all work to help kids feel comfortable on a plane. 

If it’s less comfort levels and more nervous about the flight then prepare them by explaining what’s going to happen and the noises they may hear, and watch some YouTube videos ahead of time so they know what to expect.

Do children have to sit next to parents on a flight? 

This really depends on the airline. If it’s important that you’re all sat together the safest way is to book your seats to guarantee this. However, some airlines have policies that state that a child (usually under 12) will always be seated with at least one adult. 

Check your airline’s policy and if in doubt just play it safe and book your seats!

How do you occupy kids on a long flight

It’s hard enough to keep yourself entertained on a long haul flight as an adult, never mind the kids! 

How we keep our kids entertained whenever we’ve flown anywhere for more than a few hours is to bring snacks, throw screen time rules out of the window and ration their toys or activities so they don’t do everything in the first hour. 

Summary: what to consider when flying with kids?

We use all of the above in some form or another when we travel so I’ve listed our top 3 tips for flying with kids below, 

1. Book short flights with an early morning departure so you’re flying when the kids are wide awake and not tired and grumpy
2. Do a click and collect order at the airport for nappies, formula, medicines or toiletries to save room in your luggage.
3. Pack surprises in their hand luggage so there’s something unexpected to keep them entertained on the flight. 

It’s not always smooth sailing and stress-free but there are things you can put in place to make flying with kids that bit easier.