Flying with kids
The family flying guide
Airports, long-hauls, toddler meltdowns, and everything in between — here's how to make flying with kids actually enjoyable.
10 min read
Flying with children doesn't have to be the white-knuckle experience everyone warns you about. With the right preparation, the right gear, and realistic expectations, it can even be fun. This guide covers everything from booking to landing — so you arrive at your destination ready to explore, not recover.
Booking smart
- Book seats together as soon as you pay — airlines are not legally required to seat families together on many routes.
- Bulkhead seats give you a bassinet slot for babies under 6 months and extra legroom for wriggly toddlers.
- Early morning flights have fewer delays and tired kids often sleep through them.
- Check the airline's family policy — some offer priority boarding, others charge for it.
At the airport
- Arrive 30 minutes earlier than you think you need to. Security with a buggy and a toddler takes longer than you expect.
- Pack a change of clothes for every child in your carry-on — and one for yourself.
- Let kids burn energy in the terminal before boarding. Find a quiet corner or a kids' play area if the airport has one.
- Download boarding passes in advance and keep passports in one dedicated pouch — never in a bag pocket.
On the plane
- New snacks and small wrapped surprises work better than screens alone for keeping young children occupied.
- Download films and shows before you fly — in-flight Wi-Fi is unreliable and expensive.
- Noise-cancelling headphones for kids are worth every penny on a long-haul flight.
- Walk the aisle every 90 minutes on long flights — it prevents restlessness and reduces DVT risk for older children.
Surviving long-haul
- Adjust to the destination timezone as soon as you board — set watches forward and encourage sleep accordingly.
- A small backpack that belongs entirely to each child — packed by them — gives ownership and keeps them occupied.
- Adjust sleep schedules a few days before departure by shifting bedtimes gradually towards the destination timezone. Expose children to natural light on arrival to help reset their body clock.
- Accept that it won't be perfect. One difficult flight is worth a lifetime of travel memories.
Carry-on essentials
Snacks (more than you think you need)
Noise-cancelling kids' headphones
Tablet loaded with offline content
Change of clothes per child
Small wrapped surprises / activity packs
Wipes, hand sanitiser, sick bags
Dummy / comfort toy for babies
Paracetamol and antihistamine (age-appropriate)
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