Are you planning to fly with your children? In order for your flight, (be it long haul or not,) to go smoothly when travelling with kids, there are some essential things you need to know. These tips are especially helpful if you are travelling with children on the autism spectrum, but will make flying with any child, either with ASD or neurotypical, a lot easier.
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Table Of Contents
Plan Ahead & Avoid Rushing
When it comes to doing pretty much anything with kids, it’s likely to take longer than if you were doing whatever it may be with just adults. Flying is no exception. You can expect unscheduled bathroom breaks, messes and other kid related delays, so allow time for them.
Plan to travel to the airport the day before, meaning that travel delays won’t have you missing you flight. Allow ample time to get to the airport and through security. You are far better off having time to waste near the gate than scrambling last minute through the airport dragging stressed out children and missing you flight.
Be Aware Of Luggage Allowance
Baggage allowance can vary between airlines and even between different flights on the same airline, so be sure to check both the size and weight limits allowed with the specific ticket that you have purchased.
When we travelled to Florida recently, I was surprised that the weight limit for our carry on cabin sized bag was the same as our check in bag weight limit (although the size restrictions fort these bags varied). Avoid any unnecessary stress at the airport and be sure to weigh and measure your bags before you leave the house and redistribute any weight if necessary.
For babies and small children look at airline policies for car seats and strollers. You should be able to keep your stroller with you up until the gate which will be a huge help in the airport.
Online Check In ASAP
Checking in online where possible is great as not only does it mean on less thing to do at the actual airport, but you also get earliest pick of your seats without paying additional fees. When travelling with small children, choosing seats within a few rows on the toilets can be beneficial.
Also, make sure that any documentation that you can upload in advance, is uploaded. We used VeriFly to upload all of our covid related documents before our last flight and it made security checks at the airport so much quicker.
Check Bags The Day Before Where Possible
Again, checking in bags the day before your flight can leave one less thing to do on the day you travel. If you are staying near the airport, keep some overnight toiletries, a change of clothes and essentials in a carry on case and check everything else when you can. This will mean that you can leave your hotel room on the day you fly relatively unburdened with luggage.
Use Social Stories To Explain To Your Kids
Social stories are a learning tool developed by Carol Grey specifically to help children and adults with autism to understand and prepare for new situations. Whether you have a child on the spectrum or not, giving your child an understanding before you fly of what is to come can help with worries and anxieties both before you travel and during your trip.
Check out videos on YouTube of families travelling on planes to show your children, such as our latest travel day vlog.
You can find YouTube videos that show what the plane will look like and what to expect. I always find that Peppa Pig episodes can be really handy for explaining lots of situations to kids, such as going to the dentist or to have an eye test. The episode below is the one where they go on a plane, and while it’s primarily just a story for kids, it does show things like the bags going through the extra machine, so this won’t be as scary when you have to do it for real in the airport.
Bag That Kids Can Carry Themselves
Be realistic with what you are taking on board the aircraft. Where possible, make sure that your kids are able to carry their own bags. Remember that you may be embarking or disembarking using stairs and a bus rather than the easier ramp options, so bags that are not too heavy or can be easily dragged with wheels are important.
Layers Of Clothing To Cope With Varying Temperatures
You may be travelling from a cold to a warmer climate, or voce cress, so layers that can be easily added or removed are a good idea. The temperature on board the aircraft may vary too, so hoodies or blankets tot snuggle up in can be a good idea.
Easy Shoes
It is possible that some or even all members of your party may be asked to remove your shoes at security, so make sure that everyone is wearing shoes that can be easily and independently taken on and off.
Spare Clothing In Hand Luggage
Having spare clothing in your hand luggage in case of accidents / illness / spills or other kid related mess is aways a good idea. Forget these spares and one or more of you may spend a long flight covered in goodness knows what.
Sweets For Take Off & Landing
Pressure build up during take off and even more so landing can be uncomfortable and even painful for kids. You could encourage them to swallow or yawn to ease this pressure, or give them a sweet to suck on (as long as their age permits this of course)
Take Easy To Manage Activities
Avoid complicated games with lots of tiny pieces that will inevitably get lost in the seats. Keep it simple when it comes activities you pack in carry on.
Pack Over Head Headphones & Wires
While many airlines will provide complimentary “in ear” headphones, these can be fiddly and uncomfortable for kids. Packing over ear headphones so that your children can enjoy in flight entertainment or their personal devices is essential. Don’t forget the connecting wire, even if your kids usually connect their headphone wirelessly.
Over ear headphones can double up as ear defenders to clock out some of the noise of the aircraft and can ultimately help your kids to sleep.
Audio Books
If your kids are not yet into audiobooks, take your upcoming flight as the opportunity to get started. Audiobooks, especially when listened to via over ear headphones, can help them relax and potentially drift off to sleep during your flight.
Embrace Screen Time
Even if you are not normally a fan of allowing screen time, long flights are a good time to let that rule slide. As I mentioned, audiobooks are great for when your kids need quiet or sleepy time, but think about downloading some films and games for them to occupy them when they are awake too. Make sure that everything is fully downloaded and does not require wifi to function, as aeroplane wifi is often poor and expensive. Ensure that your devices are charged before you board as devices must be able to be turned on to get through security. Don’t forget those chargers too!
Pack The Snacks
Even if food is included in your flight, it may not be available when your child is hungry or to their liking when it arrives. You will never regret overpacking snacks.
Pack A Neck Pillow
The neck pillows were a life save on our long haul flights and meant that the children could sleep in relative comfort. When not king used that could be clipped onto bags or even worn to carry them.
Eye Mask
One of my daughters chose a magazine in the airport that came with a free “sleepy mask”. This turned out to the the best thing ever and really helped her to sleep.
Show Them Information On The Headrest Screens
Screens on the headrests are often jam packed full of in formation about your aircraft and flight, so share this with your children. Information like “how long until we land” can all be found here.
Toilet Breaks
Make sure that you take your kids to the loo before boarding, before take off and before landing to avoid accidents when these facilities are not available.
Utilise Priority Boarding
When travelling with young children many airlines will allow you to make use of priority boarding, meaning you can embark the aircraft first to allow you to get settled.
Don’t Rush Off The Plane
You are far better off waiting until the rush has passed so that you can take your time to gather up your children and all of their belongings and get off the plane at your own pace.
Manage Your Expectations
Prepare all you can but expect that there many be some hiccups when travelling with small kids. Know that if your child is making noise, others will have been there and will sympathise. Don;t be afraid to ask Arline staff for any help that you need, as long as you are polite, they will be more than happy to assist you. Breathe and enjoy your holiday!
When are you planning to fly with you children? Will you be utilising any of these tips? Let me know in the comments.
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