As part of modern adulthood, flying large distances is not something that we pay a lot of attention to any more. Not until we have kids. Then everything changes - we worry and fret about how to get the whole family over to see the grandparents, or how to make that first long haul flight of an extended vacation.
Well the good news is that it often seems worse than it is. Thousands of people fly witheir children successfully every year. I have, and you can too. With a bit of forethought and planning, you can decrease the chances of having a smooth and pleasant flight- perhaps even enjoying it.
Here are a few tips I have found useful:
1. Timing the flight. If you have any freedom at all in your flight plans, choose a time of day that suits your kids’ sleep patterns. This is the time to make sacrifices for the sake of a peaceful journey. Try to avoid super early or very late flights. The 6 am flight may be cheaper, but have you ever woken your little darlings at 3am before? Flights that cover nap-time may be helpful for toddlers. In the case of really long-haul trips, consider stopping off halfway and taking a day or two to look around. En-route from Europe to Australia, Hong Kong or Taiwan could be a good option.
2. Pack extra necessities. With babies and small kids this is automatic for most parents, as even a trip to the mall needs some nappy/diaper change supplies. Just remember to take enough for the duration of the flight and a few extra nappies and maybe a complete change of clothes for small ones, in case of delays of unexpected spills or leaks.
3. Pack Fun stuff. Assuming the kids are too young to read or amuse themselves for long without causing an in-air incident, your aim should be to give the kids a mix of activities that are all passable fun for mummy/daddy too. Put this stuff in a separate bag or pocket, and don’t pack it in the overhead luggage bins. Here is where you can get really creative: A few tubs of plastecine/playdough can be great fun for a range of ages. I have had success with Small Jigsaw puzzles (smaller than an airplane tray-table.) Books are an absolute must – they don’t take up too much space, and they can occupy more than one child at a time. I tend to buy a new story book to read for flights, to guarantee avid attention. Colouring books, join the dots or activity books like puzzle farm or "Where’s Waldo?" can also be a big hit. A blank pad and some coloured pencils are also a must. Do get involved, rather than expecting your offspring to just get on with it. Teach them how to draw a tricky animal using circles and squares, older kids may enjoy a game of hangman.
4. Choose your seats. In case of budget flights with no allocated seats, families with children are often allowed PB or Priority Boarding status, so you have a few seconds to choose the perfect location for the next few hours. I don’t recommend the first row of seats by an emergency exit, as you have to put all your baggage up in the overhead bins, and you’ll be needing access to your bags continuously. It can sometimes be helpful to sit near other parents with small kids, so that they can amuse each other, but this may not last too long, and has to be weighed against the possibility of a screaming fit in the seat behind you, while your child is snoozing. On long haul flights, the staff may place you in the front row so that you can use a bassinet (a baby bed that hangs on the bulkhead wall right in front of you.)
5. Take off and landing is snack time. To avoid problems with pressurization, simply feed the kids during these times. For nursing mothers, this may be easy, but others can have a bottle of water ready, and some small snacks – peeled carrots, mandarins, or bananas are easy. Raisins or dried fruit are also good. Older kids may enjoy some chewing gum. It's worth packing sandwiches or other easy food, so that you don't have to beg for the food service when your children suddenly get hungry. This is also useful in case of delays.
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