Airlines: How to make flying with Kids easier

Air flights are perhaps the portion of every trip that parents fear most. We’re already exhausted before we get on board, we’re worried about our children being unhappy, bored and badly behaved, and we’re hoping to make things easy on our neighboring passengers.

  • Always call for preboarding, even on flights that aren't full, you can always board everyone else shortly after the preboard
  • Remind parents during boarding to give the kids juice or a pacifier to help their ears pop during ascent and descent
  • Let travelers tell you that they’re travelling with kids before they get to the gate to minimize shuffling once on board (FAA regulations govern where children can sit and where car seats can be installed). There’s no point pre-boarding us if we have to wait to trade seats with someone before we install our carseat
  • Offer us a drink for the child during boarding (milk, water or juice with a straw to help with the ascent)
  • Stock milk as a drink, not just for coffee. I’ve been refused more than a few ounces on some airlines because the milk has to be reserved for coffee. With the new restrictions on travelling with liquids it is increasingly difficult for parents to bring their own on board with them.
  • Stock a few diapers
  • Seat parents with lap infants in aisle seat as they’ll likely have to get in and out repeatedly.
  • When possible, give families with infants and toddlers the bulkhead so that there’s no seat to kick and a little room for playing
  • For long haul flights, provide baby food and simple foods to feed toddlers or babies (eg. Bananas, crackers or dinner rolls) including those travelling on their parent’s laps
  • For international flights, when we're required to pay 10% of the adult fare for a lap infant, make the process electronic, or take no more than one phone call. On British Airlines this typically takes 3 phone calls, but we've had it take as many as 10!

Perks:

  • Bassinets (ala british airlines)
  • Offer an engaging toy (not a stuffed animal). Crayons, stickers, and hand puppets are all good choices
  • Cares travel harness or a seatbelt to attach infant to parent’s belt (similar to those required on British)

0 comments | Posted on September 8, 2007 | Save to del.icio.us

 Subscribe to our feed

Subscribe by email: