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Kids have the wonderful ability to bring a whole new level of joy and wonder to any travel experience – they compel us to move through the world at a slower pace, taking time to appreciate small wonders we might otherwise miss. Whether you’re visiting far-away family and friends or introducing your children to the wonders of the wider world, a long flight has the potential to make or break the entire holiday. These are our top tips for flying with toddlers to ensure the best possible inflight experience:
In most cases, you will have many options for reaching your long-haul destination, and it’s important to weigh all the key factors when deciding which is best for your family. A cheaper option may seem more appealing at first glance, but closer inspection may reveal longer layovers en route to your destination, or departure and arrival times that clash horrendously with your toddler’s predicted sleep schedule. Some airlines also offer additional facilities that are designed to make the journey a little easier for their youngest passengers – your personal travel manager can help you decide which one is best for you.
Consider breaking up your journey into more manageable segments by planning a night or two at a stopover destination. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you’ve planned and prepared – for whatever reason, your toddler is not having any of it. The knowledge that there are comfy beds and a quiet environment waiting for you at the end of the flight can make even the most challenging inflight meltdown feel more manageable.
Although under-twos can travel on an adult’s lap, it’s a great idea to book a seat for them too if your budget allows. You can bring their car seat onboard or invest in an airline-approved toddler harness that works with the existing lap belt. Even if your child spends most of the flight in your lap, this will provide you with vital extra space, especially in those moments when you need to be hands-free.
Factors to consider when pre-selecting your seats include extra legroom and proximity to the bathroom. Choosing an aisle seat makes it easier to manage regular trips to the bathroom; pacing the aisles can be a great way to sooth a restless toddler when everyone else is sound asleep. Alternatively, some parents find that a window seat offers an invaluable source of entertainment, especially during take-off and landing. It’s also a good idea to request bulkhead seats if they are available – the additional legroom can even double as an impromptu play space.
Check your chosen airline’s policy on strollers – many allow you to take an umbrella-fold stroller as an additional carry-on item, which can be an absolute life saver for little legs. Some kids love to have their own luggage to look after, and there are plenty of great options for kids’ suitcases which your toddler can ride on if they decide they’ve walked far enough. There’s nothing more terrifying than losing a small person in the vast space of an airport terminal – even if it’s only for a split second. A cute animal themed backpack (with a tail that secretly doubles as a leash) can be a fun solution if your tiny travel companion has a tendency to take off. Stock it with a refillable water bottle, some snacks and a toy and they’ll be all set for their big adventure.
Be sure to pre-book age-appropriate special meals for your kids, as not every airline provides them automatically. There is usually something to tempt even the pickiest of eaters, and the novelty of the experience can serve as a helpful distraction to break up the long journey. As adults, we understand that unexpected delays and long queues are just part of the air travel experience, but toddlers tend to be less forgiving, especially when they are feeling hangry. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a selection of kid-friendly snacks on hand that you can pull out when it’s been too long between meals or the airline’s culinary offering just isn’t cutting it.
Toddlers on long-haul flights
Whether you opt for age-appropriate digital entertainment or an assortment of favourite toys and books, it’s all about the art of distraction. Many airlines now offer inflight wi-fi, but it’s not always reliable so we recommend ensuring you have downloaded sufficient games and movies to see you through. Child-friendly headphones serve dual purposes – creating a quiet space when your kids need it while protecting other passengers from an endless loop of Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig. Mess-free colouring books are a lightweight options for filling in time if you’re keen to minimise screen time.
As a seasoned traveller, you’re presumably well accustomed to taking care of your own wellbeing on international flights: for example, staying hydrated and being active. It’s just as important that your toddler follows the same guidelines, so ensure that they drink plenty of water and have opportunities to stretch out and move around. Good hydration, along with baby ibuprofen or paracetamol administered half an hour prior, can also help to prevent ear pain caused by pressure changes during take-off and landing. Taking them for a romp along the aisle on a regular basis lets them burn off a little excess energy while breaking up the tedium of being contained in a small space for a long time.
If you’ve opted for an overnight flight, packing their favourite pyjamas is an effective way of signalling to your toddler that it’s time for sleep. You can employ a variety of familiar cues to create a semblance of normal bedtime routine when gearing up for their inflight nap, such as brushing their teeth, reading a favourite bed-time story and falling asleep under a cosy blanket with a pillow and a beloved toy.
This is probably our most essential tip when it comes to flying with a toddler. There’s no getting away from the fact that you’re travelling with a tiny dictator – even the most chilled-out child can lose their cool when least expected. Your fellow passengers might accept this with a knowing, ‘been-there, done-that’ smile when they see you boarding the plane… or they might endure the flight with maximum eye-rolling, huffing and puffing. You can’t control their reaction – in fact, as a parent, you are probably accustomed to feeling that there’s very little you can control! Focus on managing what you can, and ask the cabin crew for help if you need it. Keep in mind that the flight, although it may seem interminable at the time, is just a single stage that you’ll be able to look back on as the beginning of an amazing adventure together.
Embrace the unpredictability that’s part of travelling with a toddler, and you’ll create space for cherished moments and unique memories that will last a lifetime. Be sure to ask your personal travel manager for more top tips and tricks on travelling with children.
We at Travel Managers Australia recognise the traditional owners of the country where we live and work. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous people and their enduring cultures and connections to the land and waters of New South Wales.
