Tips for Flying with Kids

Most of my work as a freelance writer involves travel. One of my regular clients specifically focuses on the latest news and changes in the airline industry. I write for this client three to four times each week and am always learning something new. Furthermore, we often choose to fly on our family vacations and have done so since well before #1 came along. Over the years, I have come to really understand what makes a flight horrible, merely bearable, or lots of fun. I also have learned how to get the most bang for my buck and many other tips that makes flying a breeze. If you don't feel like reading through my wordy explanations, the best tips are in bold.

Choosing Your Seats
The family that flies together does not always sit together. If you fly on a low-cost airline as many families do, you may not have been able to book your seats at the time of purchase. Southwest became famous for its no-frills flights, which include first-come, first-served seating. The downside is that Southwest, and others that are following suit, do not guarantee that families can sit together. Once upon a time, families had preferred seating on planes. Not anymore. Now, preferred seating goes to anyone who pays extra for aisle and window seats. This means that if you squeezed your pennies to get the cheapest flight, you may have to beg strangers, who paid more than you for their seat, to move.

With fewer flights in the air, don't expect to see this sight. Ever.

If you are able to, and can afford it, go with a carrier that allows you to pick your seats at the time of purchase. If that is not an option, you can purchase a preferred plan that allows you seating before others, though you should be warned that this does not guarantee sitting together. Your last option is to do what we plan to do on our upcoming trip to Orlando - check in online as soon as possible and hope for the kindness of strangers. Caution: Some carriers no longer allow passengers to change seats, even if this means not sitting with young children.


Luggage
Everyone knows, or should know, that airlines charge for checked bags. Southwest and JetBlue are popular choices for families because each member of the family can check a bag for free.  If you pack wisely, you can get away without having to pay for any piece of luggage. However, most carriers do charge up to $35 for bags on domestic flights. Try to check more than one bag per person and you could be paying as much as $100 extra for your luggage alone.

Do not attempt this away from home.

Many people attempt to place all of their items in carry-on. This saves them the hassle of having to go through baggage claim and saves the cost of checked bags. Some carriers, such as Spirit and Allegiant, are aware of this practice and are now charging for carry-on bags. Make sure that you are aware of costs associated with checked and carry-on bags before you purchase your ticket. The FAA requires that all airlines display baggage costs on their websites, but some carriers hide the costs so well that the average family may be caught by surprise when asked to pay $100 for that bag of snacks and toys for the kids. Many families now choose to ship their luggage to their destination, which is often cheaper than paying your air carrier to do it for you.


Carry On: What to Pack vs. What Not to Pack
TSA rules should be your guide as far as what is legally allowed on flights. The rules are not as difficult as most people would believe. Any toiletries must be travel sized, no sharp objects are allowed, and if you have prescription drugs, be prepared to show the accompanying prescription or doctor's note. The best and fastest way to get through the security screening is to have all items well-organized and easy to find. I place everything that is even slightly questionable in plastic baggies. I have one for snacks, one for toiletries, and one for small toys. With any luck, you should slide through security easily. Just remember to discard any opened drinks before you get into the security line and make sure that there are no razors or full-sized objects in your or your husband's toiletry bag.

TSA Recommendation for In-Flight Toiletries

As for what you should pack, make sure that you have adequate entertainment and snacks for children on the flight. I always have one carry-on that is only activities for the kids. Remember that the flight time is not the only time the kids will need to be entertained. If you follow TSA recommendations, like my family does, you may have a couple of hours of airport time before you even step foot on the plane. At that point, it could be another 30 minutes before takeoff and if your flight is delayed, it could be hours longer.

Navigating the Terminal
Getting through the terminal with children is not as difficult as it may seem. The real key here is keeping luggage to a minimum. Some parents insist on strollers in airports while others, like us, feel they create more of a hassle. If you check-in online, at home, you can avoid most long lines. The most difficult spot is security. Please, please, PLEASE remember to be considerate of those around you. Nothing is more frustrating, or creates longer lines, than those who wait until the last moment to remove their shoes, fish out their ID, and unload their personal junk from their pockets. Do all of this as soon as you get in line or sooner. Also, wear slip-on shoes so that you may easily remove them. The TSA has recently implemented policies allowing children aged 12 and under to keep their shoes on.

Chilling in the Airport Terminal, January '11

Once you are in the terminal, the waiting game begins. Don't use up all of your snacks and entertainment while waiting for the plane. We generally set up camp somewhere then take turns letting the kids explore. Let the children walk and play as much as possible while you're waiting for the plane. With any luck, they will wear themselves out and sleep through the plane ride. It's never happened for us, but I still keep my fingers crossed.

Getting Ready for Take-Off
It should go without saying, but make sure that little ones use the restroom prior to boarding the plane. This will be much easier than trying to fit an adult and a child into an airplane restroom. Also, make sure kids have snacks, drinks, or pacifiers at the ready during take-off. This keeps their ears from popping. Furthermore, be prepared for motion sickness. I've been very fortunate that my children do not suffer from motion sickness, however, many others are not so lucky. I myself have a long-standing relationship with motion sickness and have found many ways to combat it. Ginger drops and ginger ale are great solutions, as are certain candies like peppermints and root beer barrels. I have tried acupressure for motion sickness, which didn't work at all. Pills, even the non-drowsy type, put me to sleep almost immediately. If you want to try these pills on your children, check with your doctor first.

The general rules for traveling with kids are pretty much the same: make sure they are occupied and well fed, and the flight will pass. However, each group has their own unique needs.

Flying with Babies
Flying with babies starts at home. Children under the age of two do not need their own ticket if they will be seated on a parent's lap. You will need to bring a birth certificate with you to verify age. Wen packing for babies, to save room, I often choose to purchase diapers and other large objects once we reach our destination. As I said earlier, we are among the group that would rather not carry a stroller. When we need one, we rent.

Renting a double stroller gives older kids a place to rest on long days.

Crying, diapering, and feeding on airplanes are the tip-top concerns for parents of babies, and for good reason. When you place a child in a new environment, it can be thrilling or upsetting, and you never know what is going to happen until you're in the situation. My six-year-old has been on at least a dozen flights and he has always been amazing, except the long flight from Washington D.C. when he screamed the entire time.

Airplane bathrooms do have changing tables. They are small, but they get the job done. When I change the baby on a plane, I do not take my entire bag - just a diaper and a package of wipes. The less I have to deal with the better. If you are nursing your baby, you can do so in-flight. I always tried to be considerate of others who may feel uncomfortable by using a cover-up and I never, not once, had anyone say anything or even look at me. I've heard horror stories, but I've never experienced it firsthand. And if your baby cries? So be it. A crying baby may just have to cry it out. Those around you might get annoyed or even outraged, but those are likely the ones who have never flown with children. Yet.

Flying with Toddlers
Toddlers are fun to fly with. They get excited by watching the wings of the plane, the clouds go by, and the little houses that look like toys. Then they are not so fun to fly with. They get tired of sitting still and want to get up and move. The FAA recommends safety seats for toddlers on planes. We have never used one, but they seem like a great idea. They both restrain a child who is eager to get up and play and keep them from flying around the cabin every time the plane hits turbulence. My one most vital piece of advice when flying with toddlers is to make sure you have lots and lots and LOTS of toys. I purchase special toys just for flights that the kids have never seen before. This gives them something new to get excited about for a solid five to 10 minutes before they get bored and need the next thing.

Gus, age 3, eagerly awaiting take-off

Flying with Older Children
Do you have an iPad? I don't, and our portable DVD player bit the dust last fall. Instead of replacing it with a new portable player, we bought DVD players for the car. I loaded some videos on my phone and hoped against hope that this would be enough to keep my six year old entertained for a three hour flight. Gus, like me, is a planner, so giving him literature and brochures about the upcoming trip is another good way to keep him excited. Like toddlers, new toys and books are fun for older kids. Bonus cool mom points: wrap them in pretty paper and let the kids unwrap their "travel presents" as they fly.


Baggage Claim
Moms are not off the hook once the flight is over. After the flight, the kids are restless (as are the adults) and anxious to get to the hotel/back home as soon as possible. If you managed not to check luggage, congratulations! You are among the few parents who have figured out the magic of expedient packing. For the rest of us, another hour or so waits while we wait for our bags to catch up with us, the shuttle arrives, or we pick up a rental car. Plan for games like "I Spy" to occupy little minds. Older kids can handle small responsibilities, like looking for your bags as they come out of the shoot. If you're able to, divide and conquer. Let your husband arrange the rental car while you take the kids to the bathroom and purchase bottles of milk for the kids and heavily caffeinated beverages for the adults.