Unless you're some weird type of parent breed that I wish I could channel, hearing "Are we there yet?" 50 million times on a 14hr flight is not something I look forward to. We've taken some pretty long trips with one or both of the girls including flights to Europe, Australia and Thailand from the US. Here is how we've managed their short attention spans and our sanity. Below you will find tips for both infants and older children. For Infants Select the right airline Some airlines really cater to families while others make you feel like your child is a burden. Read my review on Qatar Airlines to find out the type of airline you want to be flying when traveling with your kids. Although we haven't flown the the following airlines, they received some amazing feedback on our Instagram conversation on the best airlines to fly when traveling with your kids: International Flights
Domestic Flights
You can view the post here to read the personal stories from parents who've flown these airlines and others with their kids. Bassinet Once you book your flight call the airline to reserve a bassinet. This will allow you to sleep hand-free as your infant will have their own bed. Usually the weight limit is 25lbs but honestly even if your baby is over the weight limit or refuses to sleep in the bassinet you will be very thankful for the extra leg room you get with the bulkhead seat and the storage basket the bassinet becomes :-). Food Unfortunately a lot of airlines don't provide meals for unpaid lap infants regardless of age so be sure to pack enough food to last your child for the entire flight if you're not exclusively breastfeeding. My first long-haul flight with Jordyn was at 15 months and she was only eating table food. We were flying Delta and when the food service began and I asked for something for her the flight attendant rudely let me know "We don't feed lap kids." There are some airlines that do provide baby meals to babies such as Qatar Airways and Emirates and this is just one reason why the airline you choose can make a significant impact on your experience and what you have to pack. Even when we flew Qatar Airways the flight attendant asked if I wanted an extra yogurt or croissant for Kennedy since they assumed she was past the pureed food stage. Supplies Be sure to pack enough diapers and wipes for the entire flight and then some in case of delays taking off or in between landing and getting to your final destination. Entertainment Usually once your infant is past 4 months they have become active and just sitting still is a thing of the past. Pack some soft toys for them that don't make too much noise as not to distract the other passengers. If they are on the higher end of the under 2 lap child age, wrap a few new toys (from the dollar spot at Target) as it will keep their attention longer and unwrapping the toy will be a task in itself. I've seen some parents who have the bulkhead seat put a blanket on the floor with toys and allowed their child to play in that space. Comfort If you're breastfeeding be sure to nurse on take-off and landing to prevent the change in air pressure from hurting your child's ear. If you're not give them a pacifier or bottle or have then sip on some water or chew something. If they are sleeping don't wake them up as they will be fine. The bassinets may be fully reserved or you're baby may not be feeling them. Pack your carrier as it still allows you to be hands free making it easier for you to use the bathroom, eat or hold baby if they have gone to sleep. On long-haul flights most airlines provide blankets and pillows so don't bog you're carry-on luggage with these items. For general tips on flying with babies click here. For Older Children Select the right airline Some airlines really cater to families while others make you feel like your child is a burden. Read my review on Qatar Airlines to find out the type of airline you want to be flying when traveling with your kids. Although we haven't flown the the following airlines, they received some amazing feedback on our Instagram conversation on the best airlines to fly when traveling with your kids: International Flights
Domestic Flights
You can view the post here to read the personal stories from parents who've flown these airlines and others with their kids. Entertainment Unless you're flying a budget airline most aircraft's traveling across the world have personal TV's at each seat with movies or shows specifically for kids. Be sure to bring over the ear headphones for your child as in the ear ones aren't as safe for younger kids and most likely won't even fit your toddler. We bought a pair of volume controlling headphones for Jordyn so she couldn't listen to anything too loud especially if we fell asleep and weren't able to I don't want Jordyn watching 14hrs of TV and even she gets bored after a few hours of it so other types of entertainment are necessary. I always pack coloring books, crayons, stickers, books, flash cards, her tablet etc. to keep her entertained. There's a new great company Penguino Travel (use promo code thetravelingchild for 10% off), that will actually curate a travel box based on your child's age and interests and ship it directly to your home in time for your flight. This alleviates the stress of running around to get items that you don't have on hand. It also holds their attention longer as they haven't used the items in the box before and they will have to figure them out or enjoy hearing a new story. In addition to entertainment, the box also includes healthy snacks that are organic and can be wheat & gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and/or nut free. Here's what our Penguino Travel Box included for our flight to Thailand, the putty was Jordyn's favorite, she loved making things with it. Food Unless you're flying an airline that caters to families, you're child will receive the same meal as you which isn't always appetizing to the little ones. Packing a few sandwiches or purchasing something at the airport you know they will eat is a good idea as once you're in flight there are no options of getting them something to eat other than what is being offered. Even with the in-flight meal you're limited to eating only when the airline provides service. I usually get hungry before they serve a meal but as an adult I don't start yelling about my hunger, usually anyway :-). Be sure to pack tons of snacks to hold your little ones over in between meals. Comfort The more comfortable Jordyn is in her own seat always means I'm more comfortable. Since she's too big for a bassinet getting her to sleep comfortably usually involves her laying on myself or my husband which works great for her but is uncomfortable for us. I was so happy when we discovered Fly LegsUp, which is a flight hammock that allows her to lay flat and sleep comfortably in her own seat. Use promo code FLY CHILD to save 5% on your purchase. For general tips on Flying with Toddlers click here. What tips do you have for surviving a long-haul flight with kids? Drop them in the comments below! Disclosure: “Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. The commissions earned helps me offset the costs of running this blog so please support if you choose to purchase, it is much appreciated.”
3 Comments
Heather
2/22/2017 03:57:30 pm
For my daughter's first long haul at exactly four months old, I did my best to keep her bed time routine. It was a red eye, so right before boarding I changed her into her PJs, nursed her through take off, and got her to sleep. At that age it worked out well.
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Jordan
1/1/2018 08:10:07 am
I've been loving everything I've read on your blog so far, but I have one burning question:
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Monet
1/1/2018 04:49:19 pm
Hi Jordan,
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