• Research your airlines' policy for traveling with small children and infants.
• A brief call to your airline can go a LONG way towards making your airplane ride smooth and can eliminate any problematic surprises! Find Your Airline in our Air Travel Directory.
• Always call ahead and let the airline know you are traveling with small children. Most airlines will help you to plan accordingly and offer special conveniences:
o Extra time to board and un-board the airplane
o Select special seating near the bathroom and not near the emergency exit
o Special meals for children
• What else to ask your airline about:
o Approved child restraints
o Stroller acceptability and storage requirements
o In flight entertainment for children (Movies, games, etc)
o Is there a changing table in the airplane’s lavatory?
o Dirty Diaper / Waste Disposal on the airplane
o Carryon bags permitted per person
o Does a diaper bag count as a carryon?
o Restrictions on liquid formula
• FAA regulations strongly recommend children under 40 lbs should be put in a child restraint system (car seat)
o Contact your airline to see which car seats are allowed on their aircraft to ensure you bring the appropriate airplane seat restraint.
o FAA regulations state that children under 2 can sit on a parents lap with a constraint
• Plan to Arrive Extra Early to the Airport
o Allow for time to get through airport baggage check in and airport security with children
• Talk to your children about flying in an airplane. Read books, show them video or take a family field trip to the nearest airport so they know what to expect when they you arrive for your flight.
• Dress the entire family comfortably, and if possible, in layers in case of spills.
o If breast feeding, wear discreet nursing clothes in case a feeding is required on the airplane or in the airport.
o Dress your child in very vibrant and distinctive clothing to avoid losing sight of your child in a crowded airport.
• Pack a change of clothing for you and for your child in your respective carryon baggage in case of any spills.
• Make sure your carry on / diaper bag has everything you would need in a worst case scenario. Some suggestions are:
o Baby wipes
o Hand sanitizer
o Lotion
o Lightweight changing pad
o Hand towel
o Small bags for dirty diaper / waste disposal
o All child’s medications
o Extra set of clothes
o Diapers
o Food/formula, etc
o Anything else you know your baby typically requires (i.e. nose drops, snacks, favorite rattle, etc)
• Consult your pediatrician before flying with a newborn or infant
o Avoid travel within 2 weeks of an ear infection (or other ear problems)
o Make sure your children are up to date on all vaccinations (and check to see if your destination requires additional vaccinations)
• Print and review the FAA's Childproof your Flight brochure (pdf). You should also bring this with you to the airport as you may need to use this document to “remind” non US based airlines of some US regulations.
Arriving at the Airport
• Make sure you have all of your kids and baggage when entering the airport.
o Try and check all baggage as soon as possible as this is one less thing you will have to keep an eye on.
o If old enough, request your children carry their own bags (we recommend backpacks).
• Talk to your children about airport security (X-ray machines, searching their backpacks, metal detectors)
• Prior to boarding your flight, get all potty breaks out of the way while still in the airport terminal.
On The Airplane
• Understand ALL emergency procedures on a flight that pertain to your child
o Ex. Ask if they have floatation devices for small children
• Place some wipes and hand sanitizer into the airplane seat pocket in front of you.
• Keep them busy once you are seated on the airplane! Here are a few suggestions:
o Favorite Snacks
o Coloring & Activity Books
o Preplanned travel games (e.g. guess the fruit, counting games, etc)
o Reading Books
o Portable DVD player (with ear phones)
o Hand held games (with ear phones)
• To help with their ears:
o For young children – give them a bottle or give them a pacifier (the sucking will help alleviate the pain)
o For older children – have them chew bubble gum
• Do your best to maintain your baby’s routine while in flight.
• Do your best! Traveling anywhere with children is never easy, and traveling with children on an airplane can be the ultimate test of your patients.
o Be prepared to lose things or leave them on the airplane
o Be prepared for exhaustion once your reach your final destination
o Be prepared to keep telling yourself that
it will all be worth it! (Because it will)
On behalf of the Cruisin’ With Kids Family
we wish you a very safe and memorable flight!
Dedicated to the health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for the safety of civil aviation
U.S. government health recommendations for traveling. Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Airline safety and security information from the passenger perspective as well as other useful information for the traveling public and aviation professionals, as well as information on recent fatal plane crashes.
