Tips for Family Air Travel

Whether you’re traveling across the country or internationally this summer break, you may be wondering how to make the air travel experience a positive one for your child. At KLA Schools, we pride ourselves on collaborating with parents to make their lives easier. Try these 8 tips to help reduce your travel stress this summer.

  1. Investigate airline fees and regulations. Ensure you’re informed about any airline fees and regulations specifically regarding infants and toddlers. These policies differ by airline.
  2. Set expectations with your child. Many parents take a more lenient approach to things such as tablet time while travelling, but it’s still important to set expectations with your child. For example, you may want to remind your child to use their indoor voice on the plane, and explain why they must stay in their seat.
  3. Print boarding passes beforehand. Printing out your boarding pass before you leave home means less time waiting in an airport line with excited or tired children.
  4. Get to the airport early. Most flights offer early priority boarding to passengers with young children or needing extra assistance. Getting to your gate early enough to take advantage of priority boarding means you can get everyone settled in before everyone else starts to file in and look for their seats.
  5. Bring snacks. Snacks are key to helping avoid hunger-related meltdowns on the plane. The TSA has special considerations in place for bringing breastmilk and formula on a plane, so be sure to check their guidelines before you leave home. Additionally, the act of chewing can help your child alleviate ear discomfort that comes with altitude changes.
  6. Bring toys and games. Bring along some of your child’s favorite travel toys and games, such as coloring books, stickers, pop-up books, and playing cards. Of course, ensure any toys and tablets are quiet ones, and bring child-friendly headphones to use watching videos.
  7. Choose appropriate clothing. Dress your child in clothes that are both comfortable for them, and easy for you to get on and off for quick diaper changes. Soft, manageable layers are ideal for traveling with young children, especially when you may experience varying temperatures on the way. Accidents happen even to the most prepared parents, so pack a spare outfit for your child in your carry-on bag.
  8. Take breaks to walk around. Taking your child for a walk up and down the aisle will help them stretch their legs and alleviate any boredom. It’s a great excuse for you to move around too.