Our Tips for Traveling on an Airplane with Kids. Part II

Traveling with kids is not as difficult as it looks, it’s like any other moment in your parenting journey with ups and downs. You will have to learn to adjust some things, but soon you will be an expert. Jerry and I had travel some with Isabella and we are sharing some of our tips here. Fore the first part on this topic please click here.

• Take snacks if you child can eat solids.  Isabella loves to eat and when she leaves her routine she usually wants to snack more. Don’t forget to pack that treat they love but they can’t eat often, like chocolates, or cookies. Keep them hidden and in case of emergency be ready to negotiate. If they don’t want to follow instructions or they are in the middle of a meltdown, offer the candy in exchange for good behavior. I normally won’t recommend something like this, but is a special situation and we want to avoid any difficult situations on an airplane.
• Flight schedules, I will say to take the ones that doesn’t interfere that much with your child’s routine. Of course this depends on the destination, duration of the trip and budget. If we travel abroad (normally it will be a very long flight), we try to book the longer part at night.  We do it this way because we can all sleep while we are on the plane and get to our destination in the morning. Plus Isabella will be sleeping her “normal time” . Think about your baby’s routine, the time of his naps or any other factor that is important to you. And if possible, choose a flight that best suits your family.

• This tip will only work on certain airlines and if the flight is not sold out, but is worth the try. If you are flying in an airline that doesn’t assign seats, choose the middle and aisle seat (for you and your toddler/or for you and your traveling companion if you have a lap child). If you’re traveling by yourself with your child and she is a lap one take the aisle seat. Why? Usually people (with no kids) prefer not to seat near kids on an airplane, so they will pass on sitting with you. Leaving you with an extra seat or maybe two, having more room and a more comfortable travel.
• Car seats and strollers travel free, if you need them, pack them. Some people decide not to check their stroller at the gate and this is ideal for kids that like the strollers because it helps when you are around the airport. In our case Isabella doesn’t like to be in the stroller unless she is napping or eating. So we check it with the rest of the suitcases.
• Baby carriers are very good to move around the airport and in your actual vacation. You have your baby close to you and you have freedom. So if your baby likes this go for it.

• If you are traveling abroad take into consideration the time it could take to enter back into the US, especially if you have a connecting flight. Lines can be very long and they don’t have a special line for families. There’s few options where you can shorten your time in line, do your research and decide what’s best for you.
• If you have a connecting flight, for us it is almost every time we travel, be conscious on the time you want to spend waiting for your next plane. You want to have enough time to at least have a snack, go to the bathroom, change diapers, stretch your legs and breath. But beware kids get board for long periods of time in the same place and parents, we get tired too.

• Get on time to the airport, remember everything takes longer with kids, checking in, security even seating on the plane.

No matter what happens on the airport, airplane or vacation keep calm and always patience. Try to resolve any difficult situation the best way possible. Remember our kids are always looking and can feel when we are upset, stressed, scared or mad. So let’s keep a positive attitude and travel the world with your children, it is the best thing.

What are your tips for traveling with your kids? Share them with us, ask us questions, let us know what you think.