Traveling With Children when Flying

What is a Vacation Without The Children?

If you are flying, then check for special rates.  It is usual for children under two years of age to be able to travel free of charge.  Also make sure that the offered menu is suitable for them.  If you are traveling with a very small baby, you will need to see if you can heat up the formula or baby food that you take on the plane with you, as it is very rare for an airline to provide this.  The airline stewards will not be able to assist you with changing diapers - as they are handling food, they will have certain restrictions and rules that they must follow in order to keep everyone safe.  

What is the baggage policy on your children's tickets?  If they have a free ticket, are they still allowed a baggage amount?  Is the child's baggage allowance the same as a full fare paying adult's?  Are you able to carry on your stroller and diaper bags, if so do they count as your hand luggage allowance?  All these things need to be checked, as you do not want any nasty surprises when you go to check-in for your flight.

Any child will want to be able to take their own hand luggage on the plane with them, whether this is a  backpack or a small rolled suitcase.  Pack your child’s hand luggage just as carefully as you pack your own, keeping a few favorite things at the top, so they can easily locate them, and don't forget to put their favorite toy in the hand luggage.  Make sure to include their medications, pediatrician’s name and phone number and any other items they need for at least 24-hours, just in case your luggage is lost or delayed. You may want to put their important medical information in your own hand luggage. Children can easily get bored and want to pick, so perhaps pack some of his favorite munchies to take on the trip.  This is especially important if your child is a bit of a fussy eater, as they may not like what is on offer when the food is served.  Remember though, that if you are traveling internationally there may well be restrictions on items such as fresh fruit that you will not be able to take through customs. Also try to pack an extra shirt for both you and your child - accidents do happen and it is best to have a clean one ready to change into.   

A final thing to consider when traveling with children is seating in the plane.  If you have small children, see if you can reserve bulkhead seating. Those seats tend to have more leg room and provide more of an area for your child to move around. There is a negative to bulkhead seating, and that is that you won't have the under seat storage area from the sea in front of you. 

If you are traveling with a baby, check to see if the Airline can provide a bassinet for you to place in the bulkhead area.  With many airlines only one child is allowed to sit on an adult’s lap for every three-seat row because of the limited number of oxygen masks available. If two adults are flying together and both are planning on having a child on their lap, you’ll need to book seats in different rows of the plane.