Airport & Flying Tips
When booking a flight there are several things that readers have found it useful to ask, especially if you are travelling with babies or toddlers.
- What is the leg room like on that particular airline? A baby or toddler on your lap for a prolonged period in a very squashed space can be a real nightmare.
- Can you pre-book your seats? If so, you may want to think about where you will be most comfortable sitting if you have to get up and down with a toddler or if you will be likely to have a sleeping baby on you lap (you don't want to have to keep moving for someone who has the window seat if you are in the aisle and your baby is asleep on your lap).
- If seats are not pre-bookable, is there infant boarding with the airline? If not, could you purchase priority boarding or an equivalent? If not, and travelling with a child over 2 years (who has their own seat), is there anyone you can speak to so as to make sure that you are seated with your child if you are last on the flight and it is full; (it may not be a good idea to be forced to be separate from your young child and occasionally fellow passengers are not very obliging).
- Have you packed anything in your hand luggage to prevent ears popping? Boiled sweets are often used for older children, a dummy, or drinks (although recent policies mean you will need to leave enough time to buy these once you have gone through 'security' at the airport).
- Have you thought about packing a small bag for children with fun things in to prevent on-flight boredom? Wrapping up lots of little things can be a good idea as they take time for the children to undo once on board. A good book, stickers, food for the flight, and a pocket game, are all recommended items. Things to possibly avoid include: anything too noisy (other passengers will not thank you), any food items that are too messy or sticky, games with small parts (they can easily get lost), very precious toys (again, in case they get lost).
- Have you thought about the timing of your flight and how this will impact on your child or baby?
- Is there any possibility of just taking hand luggage for your holiday and checking in online, so as to avoid time at the airport?
- Have to packed some emergency food items in case your flight gets delayed or diverted, or there is no food on your flight (especially if you are expecting there to be!)
- Other questions to consider: will the airline heat bottles for you? Are there blankets and pillows provided? Do they sell or provide food and drink on board? Are there policies about how many infants can travel in each row, or where infants have to be placed?