Family Vacation Tips - Traveling by Plane

Many families that are short on time are traveling by plane these days to their favorite vacation spot.  Flying saves a great deal of time, but once the excitement of the jet's takeoff has waned, parents are still left with a few hours of bored, hungry or uncomfortable children. Planning ahead can make a traveling by plane a more harmonious and enjoyable part of the family vacation.

Planning Your Kid-Friendly Flight

Book your flight as early as you can. The best deals can only be found months in advance. Six months should leave you plenty of time to shop around either online or with the assistance of a travel agent.

While finding flights online is fairly simple these days, you might want to consider booking through a travel agent, instead.  The agent may be able to suggest which airlines and airports are kid friendly. Some airlines, for example, provide activity packs and special meals for children. Some foreign airports lack amenities, such as a choice of restaurants, which can make traveling with children more difficult.

You also might want to consider the arrival and departure times and layovers. When preparing for a flight from the east to west, a late evening departure may encourage your children to sleep, allowing you to rest as well. When traveling from west to east, try to arrive at your destination in late evening. The darkness may encourage sleep and lessen jet lag. A stopover in a foreign city may provide not only a chance to rest but also a chance to explore another location before you reach your final destination.

Seating Arrangements on the Plane

Once you decide to book a flight, make sure that your seats are located next to each other. Nothing is worse or more embarrassing than having to beg, bargain and plead with fellow passengers to give up their seat when they’re trying to get their own families or themselves settled. If the airline you are traveling with doesn’t assign seats until you check in, then be sure to arrive as early as possible. Also, book a child seat for small children.  These child seats resemble a combination of a booster seat and a car seat and are more secure than the typical lap belt.

Some airlines allow customers to print their boarding passes online a day in advance. If that’s not an option, some airports have kiosks that will allow you to print them yourself when you arrive. Take advantage of these opportunities to save time and avoid painfully long lines.

Packing for the Flight - Tricks to Keep Children Entertained

Before boarding, you need to consider what to pack and what you can take on the plane. Pack as light as you can, and make sure your baggage complies with airline requirement of not being too large or too heavy. If possible, combine your children’s luggage with your luggage in order to decrease the risk of losing a bag.

Medications and passports are essential carry-on items.  Backpacks are the best form of carry-on luggage for both children and adults because they are both spacious and hands-free. Smaller children find it easier to handle smaller backpacks, so make sure their carry-on is size-appropriate.

Let your children participate in packing. Allow them to pick out their favorite clothing and a few of their favorite quiet games, toys and books for the flight. A coloring book with crayons or a portable DVD player can keep them entertained in the air. Don’t forget to pack extra batteries for electronic devices.

Without telling your kids in advance, add a few goodies to your own carry-on. Children often tire of the toys they pack, so bring new reading books, coloring books or crayons in your own bag as a special surprise. Many children like to eat little snacks all day long, so pack some nutritious munchies like string cheese or apple slices in your bag. Extra drinks with straws can help prevent dehydration (without the possibility of spillage). Avoid sugary snacks and drinks as they can cause agitation or increase dehydration. Hand wipes or simple baby wipes are also important for clean-up of sticky faces, hands, or seat trays.

Traveling with children can be both a challenge and a joy. Simple research, early preparation, and light packing can make your family’s next airplane trip an enjoyable experience.

"Family Vacation Tips - Traveling by Plane" contributed by Georgia Millinowski