Flying with your child: top tips from parents

Flying can feel like a big step for families, especially when you’re thinking about busy airports, unfamiliar routines and how your child might cope with it all. 

This week, parents in our community shared their real-life experiences of flying with their children. From first short-haul trips to multiple long-haul adventures, their tips show there’s no one ‘right’ way – just what works for your family. 

Here’s a roundup of what helped. 

1. Preparation reduces stress (for parents too)

Many parents said that feeling prepared made all the difference – even more than preparing their child. 

Helpful ideas included: 

• Researching airline policies in advance (buggies, bassinets, extra luggage etc).
• Booking special assistance to reduce queuing and long walks. 
• Giving yourselves much more time than you think you need. 
• Choosing smaller, quieter airports where possible. 

Knowing what to expect helped parents feel calmer, and that calm often carried over to their child. 

2. Snacks,screens and comfort items are gold 

This came up again and again! Parents recommended: 

• Plenty of snacks (and then some more, just in case of delays!) 
• iPads or Kindles with downloads ready. 
• Busy books, sticker books and small toys. 
• Bottles, dummies or drinks for take-off and landing. 
• Blankets and spare clothes (planes can be freezing). 

Having an easy-to-reach grab bag made changes and delays much easier to manage. 

3. Airports can be harder than the flight!

Several families shared that the airport environment itself was often more challenging than the flight. Long walks to the gate, busy terminals, queues and unfamiliar surroundings could quickly become overwhelming, even when children were happy once on the plane. 

Many parents found that booking special assistance in advance made a huge difference – particularly access to wheelchairs, reduced waiting and earlier boarding. Others found airport lounges helpful, giving children space to move around and release energy before boarding, while some preferred getting to the gate early so their child could run around and regulate.  

As one parent explained, “I didn’t book special assistance in time and the long walks were really hard – next time I’ll definitely book it as it made such a difference.” 

Small adjustments like these helped improve comfort, regulation and the overall experience for both children and parents. 

4. Ask for help – flight crews really do care 

Many parents shared positive experiences with airline staff: 

• Checking in regularly. 
• Helping with space or seating. 
• Watching a child briefly so a parent could use the bathroom. 

Letting staff know your situation early often led to unexpected kindness and support. 

5. Confidence grows with experience

Some parents admitted they felt anxious before their first flight, especially around illness, routines or ‘what if’ worries. Others shared how flying became easier over time, even with long-haul travel. 

A recurring message was this: 

Your child isn’t a barrier to travel – they’re just part of it. 

Every trip builds confidence, for children and parents alike. 

A gentle reminder 💛 

Flying isn’t accessible or right for every family, and that’s okay. But if travel is something you’re considering, you’re not alone. Learning from other parents’ experiences can make a daunting idea feel a little more possible.