How do I prepare my child for the first flight?

16 Tips for Flying With Toddlers and Young Kids
  1. Book an Early Morning Departure.
  2. Save Your Upgrades for Toddler-Free Travel.
  3. Talk to Your Kids About What to Expect.
  4. Dress in Layers and Skip Shoes With Laces.
  5. Bring Surprises.
  6. Consider Using a Smaller Stroller.
  7. Pack Just Enough.
  8. Plan Your Packing List.




People Also Ask

The best time to fly with kids The best times, most agree, are between three and nine months, when kids aren't yet mobile, and any time after age two or three. The idea here is to bypass the toddler phase, and, more importantly, to avoid flying with young infants. The latter is especially risky says Dr.

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12-18 Months Old One year olds are often highly mobile yet totally uncontrollable, making for a potentially dangerous travel combination. At this age, children are still too young to understand and follow instructions, so discipline is ineffective.

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If you're traveling with toddlers or young children, you should book an early morning departure. These give you the best chance of avoiding delays at takeoff and landing, a flight attendant named Patrick explains. They are usually less crowded, too, he says.

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Try and stick to flights during the day to make life a little easier for yourself. She explains: Everyone has a different opinion on this one, but I have always found flying during the day is best with toddlers and young children.

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The good news is, I think flying with a 2-year-old is much easier than traveling with a 1-year-old toddler. 1-year-olds have no attention span, and just want to crawl or walk and explore. 2-year-olds are slightly more reasonable, and a bit more easily bribed to sit for a while.

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Sit away from the engine.
Seats in the front rows are farthest away from the engine and therefore better for your hearing. However, if you have to sit farther back in the plane, choose an aisle seat as they are several decibels quieter than window seats.

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Also, airplane cabin noise levels are loud, especially during takeoff. Consider using cotton balls, noise-canceling headphones or small earplugs to limit your baby's exposure to this noise. This may help make it easier for your baby to sleep.

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Fifteen Best Activities for Toddlers on a Plane
  1. Window Gel Clings. This is such a super easy thing to bring along, and it can make for some great play. ...
  2. Water Wow Books. ...
  3. Lacing Cards. ...
  4. Lift-Flap Books. ...
  5. DoodlePro Trip. ...
  6. Little Cars. ...
  7. Little Figures. ...
  8. Electrical/Decorative Tape.


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You use a pump to blow up a gadget that takes up the space between the toddler's seat and the seat in front. Some (like Plane Pal) just fill the floor space, while others (like the Flyaway Kids Bed) extend to cover the seat to make a more level sleeping surface.

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Toddler Travel Essentials
  • Diapers or pull-ups, diaper cream, wipes and changing pad.
  • Potty seat (if toilet-trained)
  • Wipes or sanitizer for little hands.
  • Easy-on, easy-off outfits (the fewer the buttons, the better) and PJs.
  • At least two pairs of shoes (they're known to go missing...)
  • Rain and cold-weather gear.
  • Blankets.


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We're here to take you and your family wherever you need to go. Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free (within the United States) or at a reduced fare (for international travel).

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Just like us after a night of good sleep, airline circulation is freshest in the morning. If your flight departs in the morning, you are less likely to be affected by delays that stack up during the day and push back or cancel departure times.

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Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can't travel alone under any circumstances.

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