You Are Now Free To Fly With Children
A Practical Guide to Air Travel with Young Children
Orville Wright said, “the airplane stays up because it doesn’t have the time to fall.” In a simple sentence, he deftly explains the constant upwards momentum, forward movement, and perpetual energy that keeps planes flying. At Village, we know that parents keep going because they don’t have the time to stop. Traveling on an airplane with young children only heightens these demands. But don’t worry! We’ve got all the tips you need to help your family smooth out the turbulence, sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.
As part of our series summer series on traveling with children, this article will delve into navigating air travel, focusing on how to keep your children entertained & comfortable and meeting their physical needs while on the plane. We’ve broken it down by:
Age Groups: Infants, Toddlers, & School Aged
Planning: Food, Entertainment, Comfort, & In Your Little Ones’ Carry-Ons
Managing anxiety & navigating the unusual circumstances with expectations, autonomy, & schedule
Selecting flight itineraries
What to do in the airport itself
Proper planning & packing across each of our categories is key to a successful journey. Let these tips & tricks make up your pre-flight checklist so a smooth flight.
Managing Anxiety
Mike, our co-founder & CEO, will freely tell you that he’s terrified of flying. Whether you share his concerns or just get caught up in all the considerations, air travel can make all of us anxious. As always, your children, even your baby, will pick up on and reflect everything you are feeling & expressing. Make sure to take extra time to check in with yourself and stay calm, cool, & relaxed so your kids know everything is okay.
Unusual Circumstances
No matter your child’s age, air travel, and traveling in general, represent a significant departure from what they consider “normal” circumstances. They are unusually physically constrained - by seat belts, as well as the size of the plane itself. They do not have access to all of their toys, comfort corners, snacks, and the other things that help them at home. In these situations, the themes & guidelines of our approach to discipline become even more important.
Expectations
Setting the proper expectations for behavior is a key step on any adventure with your child. Discuss how to behave in the airport & on the plane. Walk them through what happens at both stages, including what they will have to feel entertained & comfortable, so they know how to act & are not surprised by the experience. As always, have your child fill in the blank or repeat expectations so you know they have understood - and so they know it as well.
Autonomy
As children are already extra constrained, their desire for autonomy & the ability to make decisions increases accordingly. Involving them in packing and providing them with choices before & during the flight will go a long way towards reaffirming their sense of control.
Schedule
To whatever extent possible, try to keep your children on their normal schedule with respect to naps, meals, and playtime. Your schedule should be aligned with their physical needs so it will help with behavior and it will also make the experience feel more normal to them. This is much more difficult during air travel than on road trips so remember to give yourself grace and just do the best that you can.
Direct Flights
When possible, direct flights are always the best option, but this is particularly true for babies and the youngest children. The shorter duration will help reduce any complications and the corresponding stress. However, as children get older, they are more capable of managing themselves on these trips, allowing you to be less hands on which should make longer trips with layovers more manageable.
In the Airport
Remember that you need to plan for your children in the airport as well as on the plane. Some things are easier in the airport and some are easier on the plane. For example, you have more space for your children to explore in the airport, but your hands might be more full. Here are some great tips to you in the airport.
1) Airport Expectations
- The Airport Book by Lisa Brown is a step-by-step guide through the airport. This story uses a simple story to teach young children about the airport, what to expect, and when it will happen.
- For older children, we love The Airport by John Walton for a more in depth look at all of the inner workings of the airport. From security to where luggage goes, this inclusive book has it covered!
2) Interactive Games
1) Airport Expectations
- The Airport Book by Lisa Brown is a step-by-step guide through the airport. This story uses a simple story to teach young children about the airport, what to expect, and when it will happen.
- For older children, we love The Airport by John Walton for a more in depth look at all of the inner workings of the airport. From security to where luggage goes, this inclusive book has it covered!
2) Interactive Games
3) Play Areas
Keep an eye out for and take advantage of play areas with the airport. They can be a perfect place for your little ones to burn off some of that energy before your flight.
4) Look to the Skies
This is definitely the easiest one. Kids have been fascinated by planes since they took to the sky. What better place to watch them land and take off than the airport! Make up stories about where the plane is going. Ask them “who might be on the plane?” and “why are they traveling?” to help them exercise their creative muscles. The options are endless!
Infants
A flexible carrier worn on your chest will free up your hands, making it easier to get around the airport and do everything you need to do. Try to keep your infant on their normal diet and feeding schedule. However, we also recommend feeding - either breast or bottle - during the initial ascent and descent (when it is safe to do so). This will help relieve pressure buildup in the ears during these parts of the flight and keep your baby more comfortable.
Airplanes, on their own, generate a lot of white noise which should encourage comfort & sleep. Protective ear muffs can help your baby sleep in the airport and during more noisy parts of the flight.
Make sure that you pack extra essentials that you can easily access during your trip. Beyond your normal travel amount, additional diapers, wipes, clothes, and baby food can help you avoid a lot of headaches and you will be glad you have them if you need them. You might be able to offer them to other parents, which will make the journey easier for everyone.
Toddlers
Keep your toddler entertained with interactive toys & games that they can play with in their seat. As with road trips, we love water pens, busy books, magnetic puzzles, and other toys & books which do not make a mess or a lot of noise. Bring a variety so they have choices. Have them take some of their favorites in their own carry-on so they always have access to them and feel included in the travel. Just make sure it is nothing too heavy or breakable and also something they can lose without causing too much fuss.
he plane itself presents a lot to keep a young mind occupied. Choose a window seat so they can enjoy the view. Just like adults, children take great joy in that view from above the clouds. And, of course, there are screens.
It is a reality of modern air travel that screens will be unavoidable on most planes. Stay tuned for a deeper discussion on screen time & digital wellbeing (and check out the abbreviated version on our Facebook & Instagram), but for now, know that screens can be used in a healthy manner while traveling which will not interfere with your normal policy on screen time. Set expectations appropriately, remind them that it is a special treat for a special situation, and talk with them about what they are watching to help them relate it to their lives. Create a selection of educational apps, movies, & TV shows so they have choices and download them ahead of time so there are no loading issues. Make sure that you bring comfortable headphones for your child as the ones provided on airplanes are made for larger ears.
Plan ahead to meet their physical needs. A sucker with a stick, drinking, and having something to chew (or a pacifier, if you use) will all help to alleviate ear pressure. Check the inflight menu ahead of time to make sure there’s something your child will enjoy and pack their favorite snacks in spill-proof containers and sippy cups so they can help themselves without making a mess. As always, a variety here is a good way to provide your child with choices & autonomy on the trip. Your toddler will need to expend more energy than older children so make sure you plan walks up & down the aisle.
School Aged
School aged children should be able to participate more in the trip and manage themselves. Involve them in the packing process so they feel included and in control. They should be able to pack their own carry on so they have access to what they need, when they need it. They should have a variety of entertainment options with a focus on goals and problem solving. As with toddlers, screens are a good option when managed appropriately (see the section above).
Toddlers will need to expend more energy, but school aged children might have their own concerns & anxiety around air travel. Be sure to talk to them about security & airplane protocol so they know what is keeping them safe. Remember that older children might inadvertently pass their own anxieties down to their younger siblings (just ask Mike about that) and be sure to make sure you have spoken to everyone.
You are more likely to find a food option on the inflight menu that your school aged child will like, but it is always a good idea to take a variety of healthy snacks so they have options. As always, try to stick to their normal schedules as much as possible. If you & your child are comfortable with it, you can let your child exercise some autonomy on the plane by walking in the aisle by themselves.
Happy Travels!
We hope these tips help you as you’re flying with your young children. Remember Amelia Earhart’s words: “Flying isn’t just about controlling the machine; it’s about understanding and controlling yourself.” You are not flying the plane, but you are the captain, flight crew, and air traffic control for your family; know your family & plan ahead so you can manage yourself while managing your family. Make sure your children know how special & wonderful air travel is and help them take joy in the whole experience. Have a safe & happy flight!
These planning & packing tips are just for the journey, not the destination - stay tuned for a piece on that coming up!
