When you are flying for work, the experience is often a very relaxed one, especially if you’ve become somewhat of a pro and have gotten used to traveling by plane. But believe me, when you are flying with children, everything changes. You cannot go to the airport with just a small carry-on and you need to be careful that everything goes as smoothly as possible. It can be quite a challenge.
In order to make the experience a lot simpler and more enjoyable, here are the very best tips that will come in handy whenever you want to fly with children.
Early Boarding Privilege
There is one big benefit of flying with children and that’s the magical privilege of early boarding. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Let me explain. Shortly before the official boarding process, an announcement is made to let people know that those traveling with small children or people that need extra boarding assistance can go to the gate. As soon as you hear the announcement, run to your gate- okay, walk civilly, but get there and make use of it. Early boarding allows you to guarantee yourself a place for your carry-on luggage and gets you to board before other passengers.
Learn About Your Rights
It is always better to be safe when you travel with children. This includes knowing exactly what your rights are. Flightright, a company specialized in helping people that had to deal with flight delays and cancels, highlight that there are many more delayed flights than expected. So it’s a good idea to follow their recommendation to get to know the policies your airline has for situations like that. There are always differences but there are policies in place for all airlines, ranging from Ryanair to Turkish Airlines.
Talk With Other Parents
When you stay in the airport waiting area, get to know other parents that will take the same flight as you. You can talk about their children and share experiences. Admittedly, you will most likely not make friends for life but the trip will surely be a lot more enjoyable. This is especially the case if your kids need a little playmate or they end up throwing a tantrum. At least someone will understand you.
Talk With The Flight Attendant
When flying with a baby or a child that is younger than 2 years old, it means they fly for free. This means you need to talk with a flight attendant as you get on the plane. The flight attendant will not be enthusiastic about the chat but you will be given some important tips that you want to know. This includes how the baby needs to be held when landing and taking off.
Always Bring Activities With You
You do not have to ask for a cocktail napkin or a pencil so the child has something to do. Remember that children get bored fast so you need to bring as many activities with you as possible when you’re flying with children. This includes a Kindle, a colouring book, a pop-up book, pencils, crayons, markers, stuffed animals, a Nintendo DS and practically anything else that you know will keep your kids busy during the trip. Dry-erase books are also a brilliant addition to your kids’ backpacks. Anything mess-free is a winner if you ask me!
Have Snacks On You
Believe me, when I tell you that most children will not like the food served inside an air-plane and even if they do, the food your child loves might run out by the time the food cart reaches your seat. Therefore, it is a good idea to have some snacks with you. Don’t start experimenting and just take whatever your child likes to eat. Now is not the time to risk a tantrum. Also, grab a bag of surprise treats. They are a God-sent when you’re trying to cheer up a cranky toddler or pre-schooler and are even said to calm down a grumpy teen. Sucking on bonbons will also help with ear pressure during landing and take off. So it’s good to come prepared!
What are your top tips for parents that are flying with children?
This is a collaborative post
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