Flying With Kids Tips

As an ex flight attendant and a parent of two married to an Australian, I have flown thousands of miles (long and short haul) with my kids on numerous different airlines (and helped many other parents with my old airline when I was working.) This guide will help you whether you are flying internationally or domestically from any country.

We have included lots of helpful information about flying with kids in this article. Including all aspects of international travel with information about many major airlines as well as practical tips .

Preparing To Travel

READ: Preparing to Travel

Is it worth preparing and reading up before you go or book? Absolutely! I scoured the web, asked questions on social media all before our first trip despite knowing a lot about how it works as I helped lots of parents when I was flight attendant.

Before you book and if you have some flexibility, consider the timing of your flight and transit stops. We’ve tried early evening, day, night and everything in between and the best advice I can give, is choose a flight which works best for you eg a more direct flight, less transit stops or one that fits your budget.

Obviously 4am flights are not ideal if you have a short haul flight, but might not be so bad if you are flying from Australia to UK. Consider how long the journey will take to and from the airport and how your child adapts to changes in their routine.

Dress you and baby in comfortable and easily removable layers. Crammed in a refined space with baby asleep on you when you are feeling hot will require some Houdini moves, so easily removable layers can help. Aircraft cabin temperatures do fluctuate, so whilst you may feel hot on the ground, you may feel chilly after a couple of hours.

Do Babies Fly for Free?

It depends: Babies do not fly for free internationally on any airline regardless if they are lap infant or not. Be prepared for most flights with under 2’s to cost 10% of an adult fare + applicable taxes. If you are travelling with infants, research what airlines offer.

Some countries like the USA offer free flights for infants if it is an internal flight and they are seated on your lap as a ‘lap infant’.

Travelling with baby on a plane gives you the option to purchase a seat for them if you do not want have them travel as a lap infant. If you purchase a seat for your baby, fares are usually around 60-75% of an adult fare. Sometimes going directly to the airline offers you a better deal but it is worth trying Skyscanner too.

Another popular question I get asked is, “does a 2 year old need a plane ticket?” Yes they do, all two year olds need a plane ticket and their own airplane seat for the flight.

Know the Rules for Flying with an Infant

READ: Rules for flying with a baby.

Decide whether you will be flying with a lap baby (where they sit on your lap usually for free on some occasions – e.g. if a USA domestic flight, or 10% of an adult fare for most long haul airlines) OR if you are going to purchase a seat and use a car seat or CARES harness (available in UK here) to fly with baby or child.

You have the choice of purchasing a car seat or having baby as a lap baby. In the USA, car seat use on airplanes is much more common to see, which the FAA encourage but it is very much a personal choice, with the additional cost of a seat making a trip much more expensive. (I’ve never seen a car seat used on an EU or Australian flight.) You can read more about using car seats as a CRD and CARES harnesses on an airplane on my post here.)

If you want your baby in their own plane seat, you will need to purchase a child plane ticket and bring your own an FAA approved car seat, (or equivalent authorities approval )- this post on FAA approved car seats on airplanes will help with all your questions about this!

When can a baby travel by plane? There is no legal requirement so each airline will stipulate their rules. Check the flying with an infant rules as per your airline regulations. Flying with a newborn baby rules may vary from airline to airline. Some may specify a baby must be at least 7 days old, whereas other airlines may say newborn babies must be 14 days old and/or meet other requirements to travel by airplane. The American Pediatric Academy recommend ideally waiting until your baby is two or three months old to fly.

Travel Documents

A frequent family travel question I am also asked is ‘what do you need for flying with a baby? Always check what travel documentation or proof of ID is needed – even if travelling with an infant domestically. Some countries will require special documentation or full birth certifcates. This information can often be found on your airlines website. If you are planning on flying with a newborn, apply for their passport as soon as possible.

A passport is always the best ID. If you are flying with an infant domestically in the USA, a passport is not required for your baby– BUT it’s still a good idea to take a birth certificate and make sure you have a boarding card or boarding pass issued for your baby.

Find further tips for flying internationally with a baby here. It’s a good idea to have all passports and documentation in one place, this document holder is also RFID blocking and has space for multiple passports and documents.

If you travel fairly frequently, consider signing them up to an airline frequent flier program. Some allow from birth whether lap baby or in own seat and some have miles that don’t expire. The best part is family sharing, so you can all pool points and use for a later trip.

These guides to what the several major airlines rules and requirements for seating, luggage, sleep devices and more will also help you plan your trip.

Air Canada
Air France
Air New Zealand
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines

British Airways
Cathay Pacific
Delta
Easyjet
Emirates

Etihad
Qantas
Singapore Airlines
Southwest
Virgin Australia
Virgin Atlantic

Baggage allowance for Children

All airlines allow at least a car seat OR a stroller – with the majority allowing both for free for those needing one. Lots of airlines provide an infant baggage allowance too, some for both cabin and hold baggage. If you think you will be taking a lot of stuff when traveling with a baby, look at what each airline provides.

Travel Gear and Baggage

READ: Travel Products We Use and Love.

When I am asked by other parents ‘how to travel with a baby’, travel gear plays a big part. The best travel essentials with baby definitely include a baby carrier. For those walks to baggage reclaim and through customs, I found it more convenient to be baby-wearing and have your hands free to push the trolley- especially if you are flying solo. There are also so many amazing travel strollers on the market these days too – some which you can take as hand luggage. You may want to consider taking a portable travel highchair too.
- Read more reviews on my recommended products in these posts:

Pack more than you need when..

it comes to diapers/nappies and wipes and traveling with an infant on a plane, always pack more than you need for the trip and have them easily accessible in your carry on, in case you are delayed on the airplane and can’t access your hold baggage. Some airlines will allow a carry on diaper bag or changing bag for free. Otherwise it will need to be part of your carry on allowance.

This diaper bag doubles as a travel bassinet and changing mat and this one has extra space for extra carry on items as well as a a foldout changing mat.

Pack Ziploc bags! We put a change of clothing in each one, nappies/diapers and wipes etc, so you can easily find them and whip them out quickly!

Pack A Change of Clothing for You AND Baby

Pack an extra change of clothing for you and baby in your carry on. We have to rely on this several times, and once we went through our changes of clothes and my daughter ended up wearing an over sized pyjama top from first class! You never know when someone will feel poorly or an accident can happen! My husband got covered in puke on one long haul flight and no he didn’t have a spare change of clothes!

Pack Essential Medicine in Your Carry On Bag

Don’t forget to pack any essential medicine in your carry on. If it’s over 100ml or breaks the 3-1-1 liquid rules, ask your doctor for a note and check with your airline. Liquid medicines are exempt from TSA limits in the USA, but this is not always the case in other countries. Bring Calpol 5ml sachets or Tylenol/ Acetaminophen ‘Dr Kids’ single dose vials in carry on just in case little one feels poorly or is teething. If you have any health needs, check with health services or other medical professionals before you fly.

For a more comprehensive baby travel checklist – see here. It also includes a free checklist to print out and is very useful if you are traveling with an infant on a plane.

Remember!

That cheap flight may not be so cheap if you have to pay extra for baggage. I often use a stroller or gate check bag and put a few extra items like nappies/diapers or soft toys to also save space in my hold luggage and help protect the stroller or car seat more. You may be able to use your carry on allowance to use a stroller that fits into the overhead bin too. Find more suggestions for compact strollers for the overhead bin here.

Seating Options

READ: Best seats when flying with a baby or toddler.

You have the option of your baby flying as a Lap Baby Or With a Car Seat or another restraint device

If you are traveling with baby and are thinking of purchasing an extra seat and using your car-seat on a plane, look at airline policies on car seats first. When you travel with a car seat on a flight, rules can vary. Some airlines allow both forward and rear facing car seats on an airplane seat, others only forward facing.

Planning some luxury on long flights with baby? Often a car seat or child restraint device such as the CARES harness won’t fit on the new business and first class style seats. Do check on your airlines website first for any requirements that need to be met. An AMsafe CARES harness can only be used for children meeting the weight requirements of between 22 and 44 pounds. (This is usually around 1-4 years old) and is the ONLY approved harness allowed on flights. WATCH OUT FOR FAKES – ONLY THE FLY SAFE CARES HARNESS by AMSAFE is APPROVED.

If you are flying with two babies under two years old, and are not flying with another adult, you will need to have at least one baby in a car seat as you cannot have two babies on your lap. If you are travelling on a USA airline, this post on FAA approved car seats will be very useful!

If you have two kids under two and are with another adult, on smaller planes you may not be able to sit on the same row due to the number of oxygen masks provided.

Airplane travel with baby usually involved traveling with a bit of gear. If you are flying with car seats and strollers and not using your car seat as a restraint device, these can be gate checked for free. Most airlines allow you to take both the car seat and stroller but this can vary to just one piece. Check first! If you are checking a car seat, it’s a good idea to get a padded protective bag for it. You can read more recommendations for padded protective bags here.

At The Airport

READ: AT THE AIRPORT

Pack any liquids in an easy place to access quickly. If you have a clear small single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm, use that to save time at the airport.

Decide whether to gate check your stroller or check it in immediately. I’ve done both, and I prefer checking it immediately, unless it’s a small cabin sized stroller that meets hand luggage conditions.

Plan to leave extra time for the airport- especially for security eg TSA and the x-ray machine. An extra 30 minutes is ideal if flying with infants or young children, with all airports having different layouts and some better signposted than others! Be prepared to take your baby out of the stroller or baby carrier for the x-ray machine.

If you are in the UK, consider ordering some supplies from Boots to pick up after airport security. This includes diapers/nappies, milk, wipes, suntan lotion even baby bottles etc. The benefit is you should pass through security a bit quicker with fewer liquids. This was one of the best tips I was given, especially when I was flying solo.

At the airport is a great time to top up your bottle warmer flask or thermos – I used a Tommee Tippee warmer which we refill at the Starbucks or airport cafe once past security with boiling water.

Look out for a family line at the airport check-in and/or security or ask if there is one if it is not obvious. British Airways have a dedicated family check in area in London Heathrow Terminal 5 (to the left of the building) with some activities to keep kids occupied whilst waiting. Many airports have a security line just for families too.

Some airports have soft play facilities and let your kids burn off some steam for a bit before the flight. If not, use a blanket on the floor for them to stretch out a bit.have great play areas, for kids to burn off steam before you board too!

Some airlines/airport provide complimentary strollers to use as part of their family-friendly facilities, like Emirates at Dubai International Airport. Great to use if your child is tired in transit.

Visit the airport restroom before you board your flight to reduce any poonamies. Although, inevitably, they always do a big poo when it’s trickier to change them.

Baby-wearing makes it a little bit easier to board if you don’t have a stroller you can bring inside the airplane cabin with you. With a baby carrier there is less stress folding up your strollers and managing baby and bags as you board. American Airlines stroller policy is here.

One of my favourite tips for families is to board a bit later than everyone but have your partner board earlier to secure space for all your gear.

Although many airlines give families the option to board first, there is generally no point in having an older wriggly baby or toddler or kid full of beans restrained on a plane waiting for everyone else to board. This is certainly the case for day flights. If it’s a night flight you may find it easier to get them settled first and to board first.

Eating and Drinking

READ: Feeding on Planes

When it comes to kids and grownups, yes you can bring food onboard. If you have a baby then that extends to milk, water and pureed food.

All types of baby milk (pumped breast milk, powdered formula or readymade baby formula milk) water for baby, baby food, are all allowed over the 100ml /3-1-1 liquid rule IF you are travelling with your baby. The rules can vary if you are bring frozen breastmilk or milk without your baby.

If you are formula milk feeding, then plan to bring double than what your baby would normally consume. The same goes for snacks. You never know if your flight will be delayed on cancelled and having extra will save you stressing if that happens.

If you need milk for a bottle heated up for your child – do ask in plenty of time in case the crew are about to busy with a meal service.

Babies on planes usually likely to drink more than they usually do as the cabin air is quite dehydrating, which is another reason to pack more than you need if formula feeding. A spare bottle may be useful to have.

If you need to sterilise bottles on board, this post provides more information. But Milton sterilizing tablets are useful and this brilliantly useful collapsible bucket with lid which you can easily fill on board.

All airlines are happy with a mum breastfeeding and support your right to do so. If you are a bit self-conscious, here are my breastfeeding tips on a plane in detail. You may a prefer a window seat for a but more elbow room.

Snack catchers can be useful for older babies who are weaning as then you know the whole pot won’t end up spilling all over the aircraft floor. Eating snacks doubles up as an entertainment activity too!

Baby and Child Meals Provided by the Airline

READ: Baby and Child Meals

Some airlines provide Baby Meals if they are pre-requested for long haul flights. If your baby is weaning, request a baby meal at least 24 hours before you fly.

Baby meals are typically pureed jars of baby food which you can request for long haul flights – but not all airlines have them. It is always best if you to bring your own supplies and some healthy snacks.

For older babies, some airlines provide pre requestable toddler child meals or post weaning meals too. For more information on what airline food airlines provide for babies and toddler, see here.

If your airline doesn’t provide a special meal or if your baby is over the pureed stage- most airlines will not have food for your baby. You need to provide this yourself. A few airlines do have some extra amenities onboard for babies and toddlers, which include a tub of formula milk, but they are in the minority: do not depend on this!

Older kids ( and even adults) can request a child meal – typically a pasta, or chicken nuggets type of fare.

If you are flying with baby food, be aware that most airlines will not chill it for you and some countries will not allow ice packs to chill it. A good option and bonus tips for traveling with baby is to take some Ziploc bags and ask for ice after security at any cafe or restaurant and replenish from the crew to keep any food chilled. Ziplocs for the parenting win!

Sleep on Planes

READ: Sleep on Planes

This was one of my biggest concerns – how to get kids to sleep on long haul flights from baby, toddler and beyond! A lot depending on the age of your baby and whether you are thinking of a bassinet, car seat or if you baby is in their own seat a sleep comfort device like Plane Pal, Flyaway or Bedbox.

Baby Sleep On A Plane

For sleeping tips when flying on a long flight with baby- this post will help with information on how to soothe and settle a baby in an unfamiliar environment. Tips include: strategies on routine and schedule, sleep inducing food, avoiding distractions and making baby feel cosy and comfortable. It also includes some brilliant travel products which can help stop baby from getting distracted by what is happening around them. A simple tip for those using a bassinet, is a light blanket or Cozigo cover to shield the baby from bright lights as you try to settle and soothe them.

Do expect some turbulence at times. It’s perfectly normal. If you are using a bassinet, you will be asked to remove your baby from it and secure baby on your lap – this will be with an infant lap belt if your airline provides one. The only exception is on Virgin Atlantic and Qantas due to their bassinet design.

Most airlines do allow the CoziGo, but check with your airline first. They usually state on their website in the travelling with children section or comfort device section if they have a policy.

Airline Bassinets

READ: Everything you need to know about Airplane Bassinets.

Flying long haul. Sleep will be on your mind! If you are flying with a lap baby and if an airplane bassinet is important to you because you are traveling a long way, do look at which airlines provide a bassinet which is suitable for your child’s age. These are not infant seats on planes, but more like an infant bed. (NB. It is highly unlikely you will be given a bassinet position if you have purchased a seat and use your own car seat)

Age and weight requirements vary from airline to airline and often plane to plane. Most bassinets are suitable for up to 8 months, and British Airways bassinets are suitable for up to 2 years old – if your baby meets the weight requirements. When we have been flying long haul with a baby to Australia at various stages from 8 months to 13 months – an airline which had a bassinet was a huge influence on which airline I booked. More sleep baby has, the more you will!

When you are traveling with an infant or toddler, see if the bassinet is available before you book. Very few airlines will let you see bassinet seat availability during the booking process – so more often or not, you will not find out until you get to choose your seats – after you have paid. Travel with a baby is much more relaxing if you know what resources are available to you.

If this is the case, call your airline and ask them what the bassinet seat availability is like for a certain flight on a particular day. If the system shows it is free, then there is a good chance it still will be when you go online to book the flight when flying with infants. However, with USA and Canadian airlines this does not apply: in this case, it is first come, first served at the gate – so check in early to maximise your chances on long haul flights with baby.

When travelling with baby on planes – know your seat choice options! Several airlines allow you to choose your seat immediately if you are flying with an infant – some for free! e.g British Airways and Thai Airways. If you want to double-check for a particular seat, look at www.seatguru.com and put in your flight number where you can check the plane layout. if you don’t know your flight number, don’t worry, you can enter the route and the airline.

When traveling with babies, even if you have pre-requested a bassinet seat for plane travel with baby, ring up and double-check the request is there. For American and Canadian airlines it is often the case that the first one at the gate grabs the bassinet. For other airlines, it’s the age of the baby that will have priority, usually the youngest. Finally, a few airlines just base it on who requested it first.

On a long haul flight, the bassinet should be set up for you after take-off, once the seatbelt sign is off. Most airlines will ask you to remove your baby if it is turbulent.

If you have a bassinet, I can’t recommend the CoziGo airline bassinet cover highly enough- which shuts out the cabin light and noise distractions, so baby can sleep even during the day time. It doubles up as a UV breathable stroller cover too – perfect for hot sunny climates. This bit of baby gear is my go to for baby shower gifts and is perfect when flying with infants and it fits easily into your carry-on. Read more about it here.

Do all airlines allow the CoziGo Bassinet Cover?

READ: CoziGo review is it worth it?

There are a few essential travel products I swear by, and CoziGo is one of those. It’s an airplane bassinet cover which doubles up as UV stroller cover too, so useful in several ways. It is one of my favourite parenting gadgets and one I often buy as baby shower gift for families!

On planes, it shields kids from cabin lights and distractions, allowing baby to relax and hopefully sleep! See why I like it so much? It’s one of my all time tips for traveling with baby on plane if using a bassinet.

If you are pretty sure your comfort device is permitted then my top tips are:

Be patient and polite – as crew are not always used to seeing these type of products.

2. Politely ask them if they can check their crew manual when they have a moment (they always have it packed).

3. Advise them that it may come under comfort device, bassinet cover, bassinet canopy rather than the actual brand name of CoziGo.

4. It also worth taking a screenshot of the airlines website, in case the crew are not familiar with the comfort device and think it is restricted. Here are some examples of airlines which approve the CoziGo on their website:

Sleep Comfort Devices

READ: Toddler Airplane beds

Good to Know:

A baby carrier is essential to help you be handsfree when navigating the airport
If the airline allows it, bring a carry on size stroller so you don’t have to wait at oversized luggage.
Pack essentials in a carry on diaper/nappy bag and pack essentials such as a change of clothes and diapers/nappies in Ziploc bags
Bring Calpol 5ml sachets or Tylenol/ Acetaminophen ‘Dr Kids’ single dose vials in carry on just in case your child feels poorly or is teething.
Have documents for the family to hand in one document holder
Depending on what the airline allows bring a CARES harness (available in UK here) or FAA approved car seat. Note: CARES FlySafe is the ONLY FAA approved harness, be wary of copycats!
Give yourself a little extra time and try not to stress!

Bring These Brilliant Travel Activities Toys

READ: Our Fav Travel Toys for All Ages

Entertaining your child on a flight is a big part of learning how to travel by plane with a baby. Bring some interactive but quiet baby toys which will keep them busy. Something new like our favourite suggestions are educational, good for child development and learning, and importantly fun! Also bring some familiar favourites.

Good to Know:

All airlines have restrooms on board with changing tables for families. (The only exception would be some short domestic flights in older aircraft).

Look out for this sign on the door which indicates a changing table is available.

For more information and tips for flying with babies read what to expect on board when flying with a baby – this post has more detail.

Fill Out Any Arrival Documents and store in any easily accessible place

Fill out any documents in plenty of time ,including customs forms. If you are entering certain countries you must not bring any fresh food off the plane. If in doubt, declare it and go through the red channel. For example, I have had tinned powder baby milk, declared it and it has been fine to enter Australia, but I always declare.

Ear Pain

If you are wondering how to stop babies ears popping on a plane, here are some ideas! Some babies cry with the change of pressure in their ears on takeoff and landing. Feed during the takeoff and landing phases of the flight, if you are concerned about the change of air pressure. You don’t need earplugs.

Cabin crew or pilots will normally announce when you are close to arriving at your destination and advise you to use the restrooms before the seatbelt sign comes on. This is your clue that it is almost time to descend and for the landing phase of the flight to begin – when changes in air pressure can occur. Sucking or chewing snacks or feeding often helps relieve this.

Alternatively, use a pacifier/dummy (or a rice cake for older babies) Earplugs are not normally an option, due to babies small ear size.

Ignore any person that is giving you a ‘look’

Ignore any person that is giving you a ‘look’ if your baby is making is a noise, and don’t feel pressured in having to placate them. You have enough on your plate. Sure, it’s always good practise to be considerate of your fellow passenger, which is why trying to distract your child by playing with them, with a new toy, feeding them, changing their diaper or nappy and following the tips on this page will show that you are trying to calm them. Most people know and understand that babies and toddlers DO cry ~~scream~~ on a flight despite you trying everything and often a look is from a friendly parent acknowledging that they have your back.

But if you have the pleasure of being sat near to that person who thinks babies shouldn’t be allowed on planes, don’t let them get to you. The most important thing is you are trying and everyone around you can see that. Soon the flight will be over and you can all get some rest and enjoy your stay.

On a particularly bad flight long haul flight (24 hours!) my daughter developed nappy/diaper rash just before we took off and screamed every time she needed to go. I’m not going to lie, it was horrendous.
She screamed the place down every hour or so and neither of us got much sleep. Nothing worked, even a fresh bottle of warm milk. My husband and I were both frazzled and I was close to tears with exhaustion.
But other passengers could see we were doing our best. Taking her to the rest room and the back galley to calm her down, changing her regularly etc, and we got there in the end! The return flight, two weeks later was a much better experience!

Your Stroller is likely to be here on Arrival

If your stroller is not compact, it will be put into the aircraft hold with your bags. Some airlines (depending on arrival airport) will put a tag on it which indicated it can be brought to you at the aircraft door on arrival.

Ask the ground staff at your destination, if they know where you will pick up your stroller – at the aircraft door, or at the baggage belt or in oversize luggage belt.

On our first few flights we waited ages at our baggage belt, only to find out our stroller was on the other side of baggage reclaim at the Oversize belt waiting for us. If you have been with babies, flying on a long flight – hunting around for your stroller is the last thing you need.

Some airlines and airports provide courtesy strollers for you to use – but just in case they are not available, that baby carrier will come in handy again.

Flying With A Baby Tips

For more detailed flying with a baby help, this guide is the one for you!

Flying With A Toddler

This guide concentrates on toddlers and the different challenges they bring.

Preparing to Travel

From ages they can fly from, to documents you need and essential printable packing lists

At The Airport

Discover hacks for queues, know what you can and can’t bring , what facilities aiports have and other useful tips.

Feeding on planes

Discover what your airline provides and what you can bring, how to sterilise and more

Sleeping on Planes

From each airlines bassinet details, to sleep devices and useful hacks.

Travel Activities For Kids

Brilliant ideas to keep kids entertained on the plane: from screen free to cheap ideas and our absolute must haves that really work!