Tips for long-haul flights with kids. Here are a few tips on travelling with a young child to help you enjoy and make your long-haul flights more comfortable.
To board a plane for a long-haul flight to go back to Southeast Asia and then back to England comes both with excitement and dread.
However long have I been travelling with a young child there is always this feeling that something might go wrong or doubt that I forgot something important.
The first time I embarked on a long plane journey with my daughter was when she was just 6 months old.
We have flown long-haul twice in a year before she turned 5.
And we have learned tons from that first flight which I will share with you.
Are you looking for tips for those long-haul flights with kids?
Read on for a handful of them from our experience travelling with a young child.
Tips for long-haul flight with babies, toddler or young children
1. Dress appropriately
I would say loose clothing for the journey specially when boarding.
Comfortably clothed and clothes that kids chose to wear would be suitable than tight fitting clothes.
This avoids discomfort and crankiness during the flight.
2. Pack more than you ever thought you could possibly need
This means pack extra clothes, nappies and snacks.
No one knows what is going to happen.
Sometimes the plane might not take off on time. It would be woser to have more snacks in the bag rather than buy something that you do not or cannot eatvwhat is on offer.
The child might be sick during the flight and that means change of clothing for the child and the parent/s are essential.
3. Pack a noise cancellation headphones
This applies to adults too. My daughter let me try her headphones once and I thought I would benefit from having those too.
4. Bring a pram or stroller
My husband and I took turns to carry our daughter around the airport and little did we know that that was back breaking. So, yes, bring a pram along, check it in and meet it as soon as you get off the plane.
5. Pack a variety of books, games, tablet filled with films or songs
Coloring, activity or story books worked wonder with us.
I once packed buttons, strings, straws which are light and easy to pack but encouraged independent play during flights.
As kids get older they would be able to find ways to entertain themselves.
It still helps to check or help kids pack their books, magazines, games, something to listen to or watch.
6. Remember a neck pillow, blanket, favorite toy that are light, smallish and easy to fit in a hand luggage
Familiar things that will make the kids feel comfortable will ease the dread of the length of time spent in the plane.
7. Get on the plane with a positive mindset
Some passengers might give off the vibe when they see you have a child.
Some parents might agree or disagree with me on this but passengers travelling without children seem to not like to have kids around them or next to them.
I understand some kids might holler. I have encountered families who travelled and did not seem to care about how unruly their kids are.
But most parents do care and try their very best to keep a child’s noise at a minimum.
There were times that my child could not help but cry because of the air pressure but we tried to give her something to chew or suck on to help minimise the discomfort.
These things happen. If a parent shows that they need to apologise for having a child on board with them we need to remind ourselves that our chldren are paying passengers as well. I think the child as a paying passenger have the right to be on the plane as much as anyone else. As long as the adults with them do not ignore the children when they are having a bad time on board.
Young children are trying to maneuver the big world around them. If adults are helpful, kind, considered then they will get the vibe.
There are adults who do not seem to mind being in the same cabin as children. I see them get on with their lives and entertain themselves with their books, headphones or earplugs.
8. Move around when you can
Use the extra or the energy that’s left in you and your child to get up and walk along the aisle quietly.
I take my to the loo to brush her teeth, get ready to get some sleep or to simply stretch our legs.
This also helps avoid becoming fidgety that leads to something more unavoidable.
What are your tips to make big journeys more bearable?
Are you going somewhere far or planning on going for an adventure with the family this holiday?
Here are tips from a kid for kids to survive holiday travel this summer break.
If you are going to Bangkok you might want to check out Things to do with Kids in Bangkok.
Or if you want a couple of days out of Bangkok spend them in the Northeast of Thailand.
We would like to hear your tavel tips and where you might be going to this holidays?
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