Flying with children can be a unique adventure filled with excitement, challenges, and opportunities for memorable experiences. Whether you’re embarking on a short domestic flight or a long-haul journey, travelling with kids requires thoughtful preparation and a touch of flexibility.
Consider buying your child a Seat
Many families travel on a budget, but it’s important to recognize that costs come in different forms. Sometimes, saving money in one area can lead to higher levels of stress and inconvenience elsewhere. The allure of not paying for a seat for a child under two is tempting, especially during peak travel times like holidays and given the rising costs of air travel. However, it’s wise to weigh the trade-offs before making your final decision.
Reserve Your Seats in Advance
If you’re travelling with more than just your baby—perhaps with multiple children or the entire family—it’s important to choose your seats together. Even if it requires paying a bit more for assigned seating, it’s worth the investment. While you can request seat changes from other passengers, as Victoria points out, this approach carries some risk.
Pack snacks
Bring plenty of snacks. On the plane, your child may become extremely hungry, and you’ll likely be left with only pretzels and cookies, which they might not enjoy. Even for a short flight, like the 45-minute trip from Dallas to Austin, your child might get peckish!
Get your kids up to speed
This is particularly crucial if your kids are flying for the first time or haven’t flown in a while. Explain everything about the airport to them, including the check-in process, what to expect at security, who the airport staff are, and what boarding and flying on a plane will be like. It’ll be fun to tell them the things to know when flying, whether it’s a full airline or a convenience like the InterCaribbean Airways brand.
