Tips for Surviving Long Haul Flights With Kids

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.

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 :-).

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 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 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.

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!