Tips for Flying with Small Children

How to Make Your Next Experience Flying with Small Children a Good Experience

Flying with small children can be a frustrating experience. My wife and I have a two year old, and one year old that we took on two trips by air in the past month. We learned several important lessons about flying with small children that I would like to share with you. Hopefully, these tips for flying with small children will help make your trip a much more enjoyable experience.

Before you leave the house

One way to make flying with small children much easier is to do online check the night before your flight. Most airlines allow online check-in within twenty-four hours of departure.

The beauty of online check-in is that you can pick your seat assignments for your flight. You don't want to get assigned seats that are scattered all over the airplane when flying with small children. Use online check-in and you can ensure that you will be able to sit together on the airplane.

Drop off and parking at the airport

My wife and I have developed a system for dropping off and parking when flying with small children. I drop my wife off with the kids and luggage at the terminal. If there is curbside check-in or Sky-cap, we take advantage of these services. If not, I help her get the kids and luggage into the terminal.

After unloading, I take to the car to long term parking and ride the shuttle back to the terminal. Trust me, when flying with small children you want to drop-off as much as you can before you park. Parking with the whole family and taking a shuttle with luggage, two car seats, a diaper bag, a stroller, and other carry-on items is not fun.

Checking in at the airport

Even if you did online check-in, you will probably need to check your bags at the ticket counter. You will need to get an "infant in arms" pass if you are flying an infant that is sitting on your lap.