The Complete Guide to Flying with Kids: Everything You Need to Know for Stress-free Air Travel

Kids tend to do better when they have a sense of what’s going to happen. Discuss etiquette and role play a few different scenarios of how things might unfold.

Tips for parents flying with kids

Pre-flight preparation

Choosing the best flight

When flying with children, especially babies and toddlers, the fewer stops, the better. Purchase direct flights whenever possible so you don't have to deal with additional variables such as connecting flights, tedious layovers, multiple takeoffs, increased risk of lost luggage and exhaustion-fueled meltdowns.

Optimal times to fly with kids

If you fly in the morning, your chances of delays are significantly lower. Plus, airports tend to be less crowded early in the day. With airlines, any hiccup in scheduling has a domino effect as the day progresses. Issues with aircraft availability, weather or crew scheduling are more common later in the day.

Kids tend to unravel as the day wears on and are freshest earlier in the day to take on the challenges—and excitement—of travel. Red-eye flights do have a convenience factor if your child falls and stays asleep during the flight, but they can be a double-edged sword. If your young child can’t fall asleep or wakes up during the night, they might keep the entire plane awake.

Packing essentials

Dialing in the food

Make sure to pack mess-free snacks in easy-to-access containers or ziplock bags. Adding a sandwich or a wrap, especially on longer flights, might be wise as well. Along with the snacks, pack a water bottle you can fill up at a water fountain at the airport so you don’t have to wait for an attendant to bring water.

Keep it clean

Spills happen. Hand sanitizer and wipes will come in handy, as will a change of clothes for each family member if things go awry.

Powered up and plugged in

Make sure all your devices are fully charged and you have an extra power bank. Bring earbuds and headphones and download your kid’s favorite shows or a new movie they’re excited to watch in advance. It’s also smart to bring some craft items, like a sticker book, play dough or origami. A surprise toy and a new book can also be leveraged when attention starts to flag.

Here’s a list of flight essentials for flying with young children:

• Snacks and meals
• Water bottle
• Headphones
• New toy or book
• Charged electronics, power banks and chargers
• Change of clothes for you and your kids
• Blanket
• Comfort item
• Bags for trash
• Hand sanitizer and wipes
• Travel sickness lollipops

Packing tips

Pack essentials on board but don’t overpack to the extent that your carry-on bag becomes unwieldy and a chore to open. Have each child carry their own bag, sized appropriately for their age.

Take a stroller. It’ll make navigating the airport much easier and it’s free to gate check. If you have a travel stroller it’ll be less cumbersome to travel with, but any stroller is better than no stroller. After you deplane, the crew will have it ready for you as soon as you exit the aircraft. You can always use it for your carry-ons and take out any extra clothing if your child wants to be carried or walk.

For the airport and flight, dress your kids in layers and slip-on shoes. Planes can be extremely warm during boarding and then chilly while in the air, so having layers is key. Temperatures at your arrival airport can be drastically different from temps where you depart.

Navigating the airport with kids

Talk it through

Talk to your kids about what to expect from the time they leave home until they arrive at the destination. Kids tend to do better when they have a sense of what’s going to happen. Discuss etiquette and role play a few different scenarios of how things might unfold.

Give yourselves plenty of time

Get to the airport with a wide buffer of time to avoid frantic dashes to the gates with little kids in tow. For domestic flights, arrive at least two hours before your flight and three for international flights.

Airport security

Be prepared to have any items that will need to be removed during security handy to reach. According to TSA, formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) are allowed in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. TSA suggests storing formula and breast milk in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches, to make screening easier.

Make use of TSA cares

Parents with special needs children can call the TSA Cares line 72 hours in advance to request special assistance through airport security. For adults and children on the autism spectrum, TSA Cares has special screening procedures they can employ to make the security screening process more comfortable.

Managing delays or layovers

Delays have become commonplace. Maybe one-fifth of flights suffer from a delay of 15 minutes or more. Use the time to explore the airport—bookstores make particularly inspiring pit stops. Often, airports have an indoor play area with plane-themed equipment. Explore the terminal with a fresh eye. Ride the trams or trains.

In-flight tips for parents

Between leaky diapers, upset tummies, ear pains or motion sickness, a flight can be a minefield for potential temper tantrums. Do your best to be prepared for the most obvious eventualities and you’re off to a good start.

Keep kids entertained

Sure, they can play electronic games and watch movies, but also have some interactive options on hand. Think cards, arts and crafts, books and other toys your child loves.

Always have something up your sleeve

For when the going gets tough, pack a few surprises. Or use the time to talk about your trip and all the new places you want to explore and people you will see.

Pack pull-ups

It’s a good safety measure, even if your child has been potty trained for a few years. It’s an extra layer of protection in case the lavatories can’t be accessed or your child falls asleep and has an accident.

Opt out of aisle seats

Aisle seats can be dangerous for toddlers with busy hands and feet that can be bumped as people walk by or the food and beverage cart comes through. If possible, seat your child in a window seat. They can look out the window and you can be a buffer between your kid and other passengers in your section.

FAQs about flying with kids

What are the most child-friendly airlines?

Southwest

Although Southwest doesn’t assign seats, the airline allows those with small children (age six and under) to board together after the first group of passengers. At this point in the boarding process, the plane is typically only a third full, allowing ample time to find family seating. Additionally, the carrier’s checked bag policy allows for two free checked bags up to 50 lbs each.

Delta

Considered one of the most reliable airlines in the U.S., Delta offers priority boarding for those traveling with car seats and strollers and strives to seat family members together upon request. It also includes child-centric entertainment, including Disney and Pixar. However, Delta doesn’t have an airtight policy that guarantees families will be able to sit together. In this case, it’s important to find flights with seats next to each other and secure those seats at check-in.

United

United Airlines recently implemented a new policy allowing parents or other adults traveling with children younger than 12 to sit next to up to two children in their party for free. Like most major carriers, if you’re flying with a car seat and stroller, you can carry them on for free. Large or non-collapsible strollers and non-folding wagons have to be checked at the ticket counter and picked up at the gate at your destination.

American Airlines

According to American Airlines’ updated customer service plan, "Our goal is to have families seated together. We guarantee children 14 and under will be seated adjacent to an accompanying adult at no additional cost, including Basic Economy fares."

What are the rules for flying with a child?

• Infants on lap: Children under two can sit on a parent's lap during flights to any destination
• Infant seats: Infants can have their own seat if you bring an approved car seat and are willing to purchase a separate ticket
• All other kids: Children older than two will need a ticket and their own seat on the plane

What documents does a child need to fly within the US?

Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present a passport or photo ID for domestic U.S. travel. In some cases, an airline company might require you to show proof of your child's age—especially if they’re flying for free because they’re under 2—when you're checking in. A birth certificate or other state-issued ID is acceptable for traveling within the United States.

How to protect baby ears during flight?

Babies’ tiny ears are especially susceptible to cabin pressure changes during takeoff and landing. Pacifiers, bottles and breastfeeding can be effective tools for helping babies equalize their ear pressure while flying. The sucking helps open their Eustachian tubes, which allows air to flow more easily through their inner ear and helps prevent discomfort. If you’re flying with older children, you can bring gum or lollipops to help them “pop” their ears. Always consult a medical professional before flying with kids if you have concerns about your child’s ears or hearing.

Is it better to sit at the back of the plane with kids?

Choosing the right seats can be the most strategic decision of your trip. If you book the Economy Plus seats—the first few rows of the cabin— the rows have extra legroom. You can also board and deplane earlier. But if you’re sticking to a budget, the back of the cabin also has advantages, such as being conveniently close to the lavatory and to flight attendants. It’s worth noting that the last row of the cabin does not recline and should only be picked as a last resort.