Tips For Air Travel With Small Children
Family Holidays >>
Travelling with small children is never easy, and flying can be particularly challenging. Here are some tips to help you get a good start to a family holiday rather than an exhausting one.
Plan ahead
Try to book flights that will fit into your child's routine. Flying at night is a great idea for long journeys as it's easier to get them to sleep, which means less time dealing with boredom. If you have a small baby request a bassinette in advance with the airline, and make sure you pre-order the kids meals at the same time. Consider booking a seat for your child regardless of age. Children under the age of two can fly free if they sit in your lap, but consider the realities of this option before booking.
Break the journey
Deciding whether to fly direct or stop over depends on your child’s age and temperament. If you make a stopover it helps to avoid jetlag, but it means having to disembark and keep tabs on your child in a foreign airport while juggling hand luggage. Stopovers in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore can be child friendly.
Takeoff and landing
Babies and young children may cry on take off and landing due to the brief 'popping' in their ears as air pressure changes. The best way to avoid this is to give your baby a bottle or breastfeed them at this time. For older children, the 'popping' sensation can be eased by chewing on a toffee or sweet.
On board survival kit
Try to minimise on-board luggage. Toddlers can wheel their own small bag of toys on board provided it will fit under the seat in front. Take colouring-in books, a favourite soft toy and a portable DVD player if you have one. Make use of any packages the airline provides for children. Babies will need large quantities of nappies, bottles and spare clothing, but they don't need toys.
Behaviour
Consider the comfort of your fellow passengers. Don't allow children to kick the seat in front, or stand on seats and annoy other people. On long flights when there is time to sleep, change your small children into their pyjamas and settle them in their seat or on your lap. The more normal their routine, the more likely they are to sleep. Don’t expect to get much sleep.
Be prepared
Missing luggage does happen so spread everyone's clothing between several bags. Make sure you have enough snacks and drinks to cope with long delays on the tarmac, and check that your travel insurance covers any unexpected extras.