• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Shop
  • Blog Coaching
  • Disclosures
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Amazon
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
I mean c’mon there is not one reason, look at th I mean c’mon there is not one reason, look at this view from the top of the Kloof Corner hike! The biggest way we’re able to afford traveling so much is by letting the deals dictate where we go. Cape Town has been on our bucket list forever but with flights typically costing $1,200-$1,800 it hasn’t been a priority. But when Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going, I don’t like the new name but that’s besides the point) dropped this Cape Town deal for less than half of what it normally costs we jumped on it!

So often I hear “but there are no deals during school breaks”, YES THERE ARE! We went to Cape Town for Thanksgiving and the girls get the entire week off of school so they missed no days. Plus since there seasons are opposite it was late spring and the weather was amazing. Scott’s emails deals directly to your inbox for the airports you choose (we select our home airport and airports we can easily fly direct to and always have cheap flights because sometimes it’s worth flying to a city for a deal (known as a repositioning flight). They offer a free version but you don’t get all the deals so we have the Premium subscription which costs $49 for a year and you can tap the link in my bio and use code TRAVELINGCHILD20 for 20% off. They have an Elite membership level for business class seats. Because someone always asks, yes they give deals for nonstop flights but please remember you can’t fly everywhere nonstop. Beloved if you’re going to Thailand from the US you’re going to have a layover.

Anyway when in Cape Town you must hike, there are so many amazing ones! This Kloof’s Corner hike is perfect for sunset. It’s not stroller or wheelchair accessible as there are stairs but if Jordyn and Kennedy can hike it in 40mins (one way up) I promise you don’t have to be super fit!

P.S. when booking a flight from the US you have 24 hours to cancel & get a refund (on flights booked 7 days in advance). So many ppl told me they hesitated on this deal because they had to see if they could get off work/what dates worked for their travel partners. Always book first, think second & just cancel within 24hrs if you can’t make it work! What’s the best flight deal you’ve booked?
Hello from Cape Town, South Africa! Here’s every Hello from Cape Town, South Africa! Here’s everything you need to know about getting into South Africa (save + share this post):

1. Your passport must be valid for 30 days after your scheduled date of departure.

2. You must have 2 consecutive empty pages in your passport.

3. There is no visa required for US citizens for visits less than 90 days.

4. There are no shots required to travel to South Africa, unless you are traveling from or transiting through yellow-fever deemed countries, then a yellow fever shot is required. You can find a list of these countries online.

5. South Africa has opposite seasons than the US so our winter is their summer. December to February are peak travel due to the weather but if you visit in November like we did you’ll get good weather and avoid the massive crowds of peak season.

Have you visited South Africa? If so, which part? If not, is it on your list?
Because why do y’all do this to us trip planners Because why do y’all do this to us trip planners? Are you the one in your group that plans the trip or do you just show up? If you’re the planner tag your friends 😅. If you just show up do you look at the itinerary or ask all the questions even though the info was given to you 👀?

Original reel idea credit goes to @kryssedeal, sis really nailed exactly how I feel!!
#sponsored Last year we were able to cross some am #sponsored Last year we were able to cross some amazing places off our bucket list. We want you to do the same so we’ve teamed up with @vrbo to give you the opportunity to win $3,500 and turn your bucket list trip into a book-it-list one! 

Just head over to the giveaway post on @vrbo, make sure you’re following them and tag 3 people you’d want to join you on your trip! 

So what is your book-it list vacation this year?

*T&Cs apply – link in bio

 #VrboTogether #BookItList
Things to do in Istanbul (save and share this post Things to do in Istanbul (save and share this post):

1. Visit the various houses of worship like Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque. Suleymaniye Camii, Ortakoy Mosque, Chora Church and the Camlica Mosque

2. Tour palaces like Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace

3. Climb the Galata Tower for amazing views of Istanbul. You can even enjoy a meal here at the restaurant on the top floor.

4. Take a cruise of the Bosphorus to see both the European and Asia side of Istanbul.

5. Visit the cities Bazaars, the Grand Bazaar where you can shop your heart out and the Spice Bazaar where you can eat your heart out. Don’t leave without trying a Turkish delight!

6. If you want to go shopping Istiklal is the place to do so. They have a wide range of stores including international chains like Zara.

7. See a Dervish show at Hodjapasha.

8. Walk across the Galata Bridge to see fisherman at work and then walk under it to taste their fresh catches.

9. Take a day trip to the Princes’ Islands.

10. Experience a Turkish Hammam.

11. Explore the neighborhood of Balet, enjoying the colorful building and have some traditional Turkish tea or my favorite Apple Tea.

12. Turkey has some amazing food so go on a food tour or take a cooking class. If you don’t do either just make sure not to leave without having a traditional Turkish breakfast!

I recommend at least 5 days in Istanbul but you can easily spend a week or more exploring the city.

Have you been to Istanbul? If not is it on your list? For those that have been what was your favorite thing to do?

#istanbul #bucketlistadventures
Our Egypt Itinerary (save + share this post): 3 n Our Egypt Itinerary (save + share this post):

3 nights Siwa: Shali Fortress, 4x4 safari in the Great Sand Sea, sunset on Fatnas Island, emple of Amun and Temple of the Oracle, take a look or a dip into Cleopatra Spring, Mountain of the Dead, House of Siwa Museum, float in the salt lakes.

5 nights Cairo: Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx,  Egyptian Museum, Saqqara, Khal Al Khalil, Old and Coptic Cairo: Hanging Church, Mohamed Ali Mosque, Al Azhar Mosque and the Fortress of Babylon, see an Al Tannoura Egyptian Dance Heritage Show at Wekalet El Ghouri. For a break from the historical things with kids spend a day at Dreamland Park, Kidzania, or Ski Egypt. Stay at Marriott Mena House.

3 nights Luxor: Hot air balloon ride, Luxor Museum, Mummification museum, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Karnak, Temple of Luxor, Colossi Statue of Memnon and Hatshpsut

3 nights Aswan: High Dam, Temple of Philae, Nubian Villages, Sail on the Nile by Felucca, Nubian Museum, Abu Simbel

On the way to Aswan from Luxor you can also stop to see the Temple of Horus and Kim Ombo Temple. If you have extra time visit Alexandria, Bahariya Oasis, and White Desert National Park to see the White Desert.

Have you been to Egypt? Is it on your list? There is so much to see outside of Cairo! 

#bucketlisttravel #cairoegypt #luxoregypt #aswan
OUR MOROCCO ITINERARY (save + share this post):

🇲🇦2 nights Chefchaouen- painting class, hiking, enjoying the Blue City and more.

🇲🇦3 nights Fes- Royal palaces, Moroccan dance class, visit the tannery and more

🇲🇦6 nights Marrakech- Majorelle Gardens, explore the Medina, explore the various mosques, stay in a riad, take a Moroccan cooking class and more.

🇲🇦3 nights Sahara Desert- ATV tour, sand boarding, Bedouin experience and more.

For all the details of each trip tap the link in my bio for the itineraries of each city. Have you been to Morocco? Is it on your list?

P.S. the girls were 3 and 5 on this trip

#moroccotrip #thisisafrica #travellingwithkids

The Traveling Child

If kids live there, kids can visit!

  • Affording Travel
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Kenya
      • Morocco
    • Asia
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
    • Australia
    • Caribbean
      • Aruba
      • The Bahamas
      • Barbados
      • Cuba
      • Grand Cayman
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • Trinidad
    • Central America
      • Costa Rica
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • France
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • The Netherlands
    • North America
      • Alaska
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Florida
      • Georgia
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
      • Kansas
      • Louisiana
      • Mexico
      • Nevada
      • New York
      • South Carolina
      • South Dakota
      • Tennessee
      • Texas
      • Utah
      • West Virginia
      • Wisconsin
    • South America
      • Brazil
      • Colombia
  • Travel Tips
    • Tips on Traveling with Kids
    • Trip Planning Tips
  • Reviews
    • Airline Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Product Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Buy Our Book
  • Blog Coaching

Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights With Kids

February 20, 2017      Tips on Traveling with Kids

This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more information. All opinions are my own.

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 Kenya, Europe, Australia and Thailand from the US. While I have general tips on flying with babies and flying with toddlers, here is how we’ve managed their short attention spans and our sanity on long haul flights with kids.

two toddler standing in the aisle on an airplane

Surviving Long Haul Flights with 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 following airlines, they received some amazing feedback on our Instagram conversation on the best airlines to fly when traveling with your kids:

International Flights

  • Emirates
  • Air Canada
  • Norwegian

Domestic Flights

  • JetBlue
  • Hawaiian
  • Alaska
  • Southwest

You can view the post here to read the personal stories from parents who’ve flown these airlines and others with their kids.

Request a 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 :-).

baby bassinet on airplane baby sleeping in a bassinet on a plane

Be Prepared with Your Own Food 

Unfortunately a lot of airlines don’t provide meals for unpaid lap infants regardless of age. 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 kids was when my  daughter was 15 months and she was only eating table food. We were flying Delta and when the food service began a meal wasn’t provided to her. 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 such as Qatar Airways. 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 croissants for youngest daughter. She was 11 months and past the pureed food stage. This service was greatly appreciated.

Pack all Your 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.

Have Entertainment Prepared

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 do not give them a pacifier or bottle or have then sip on some water or chew something. When kids are sleeping there’s no need to wake them up, they’ll be fine. The bassinets may be fully reserved or your 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 your baby if they have gone to sleep. On long-haul flights, most airlines provide blankets and pillows so don’t your carry-on luggage with these items.

For general tips on flying with babies click here.


Surviving Long Haul Flights with 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 following airlines, they received some amazing feedback on our Instagram conversation on the best airlines to fly when traveling with your kids: International Flights

  • Emirates
  • Air Canada
  • Norwegian

Domestic Flights

  • JetBlue
  • Hawaiian
  • Alaska
  • Southwest

You can view the post here to read the personal stories from parents who’ve flown these airlines and others with their kids.

Be Prepared with 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 controlled headphones so my daughter couldn’t listen to anything too loudly especially if we fell asleep and weren’t able to monitor the volume.

Kids get bored easily so packing a variety of items is necessary. I always pack their coloring books, crayons, stickers, books, flashcards, tablets etc. to keep them entertained. I don’t want to have to buy new things for every flight we have so I love things like the new Etch A Sketch and Melissa & Dough reusable coloring books and sticker pads that make these items last a little longer.



Pack Snacks from Home

Unless you’re flying an airline that caters to families, your 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.

Make Your Child Comfortable

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.

little girl sleeping on the plane

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!

The Traveling Child is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Share28
Tweet
Pin31
Email
Share
59 Shares

Newsletter Subscribtion

 
Join Our Mailing List
You'll get tips on affordable travel, flight deals and detailed itineraries for every trip we've been on (family, girlfriends getaway, baecations and solo) to make your planning process easier.
Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather says

    February 22, 2017 at 3:57 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.

  2. Jordan says

    January 1, 2018 at 8:10 am

    I’ve been loving everything I’ve read on your blog so far, but I have one burning question:
    How and when did you get that amazing shot of your baby in the cockpit with the pilots?
    Thank you!

    • Monet says

      January 1, 2018 at 4:49 pm

      Hi Jordan,
      Thank you so much, so glad you are enjoying my posts. So we got this on an American Airlines flight on the way home from Vegas. We were boarding and the flight attendants actually asked if she wanted to go inside. I didn’t even know they still let people do that and was more shocked when she said I could take pictures.
      Monet

Primary Sidebar

  • Amazon
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

Hi! We’re The Hambricks

If kids live there, kids can visit! That's our motto and you'll often find us exploring destinations most don't find "kid friendly". We've traveled to 35 countries on 6 continents with our children since they were 10 weeks old and share tips to make it easier and affordable. But mom and dad are people too so we also write about solo travel, baecations and girlfriend getaways.

Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter
You'll get tips on affordable travel, flight deals and detailed itineraries for every trip we've been on (family, girlfriends getaway, baecations and solo) to make your planning process easier.
Thank you for subscribing!

Recent Posts

  • The Best Christmas Markets in Europe
  • The Best Christmas Markets in the USA
  • The 11 Best Eiffel Tower Photo Spots
  • The Best Places to Go for Halloween
  • Things to Do in Southern Idaho

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Facebook

FOLLOW US ON PINTEREST

Copyright © 2023 The Traveling Child, LLC.