Flying with children can sometimes be an adventure in itself. Andrea Owen, who has been serving as a cabin crew member at TUI for 22 years, shared practical tips to ensure a smooth journey before and during your flight. With a little preparation, both children and parents can have a more comfortable flight experience.
With 22 years of experience in making thousands of families comfortable during their flights, Andrea offers practical suggestions for families with children on both short and long-haul flights.
Andrea's most crucial advice is about choosing the right boarding time. 'This is entirely dependent on your child's personality. Some families prefer to board early, settle in comfortably, stow their bags, and get their children seated. However, others argue that boarding at the last minute is better, especially for children who are quite active.'
Ease ear pressure: Feeding babies and toddlers during takeoff and landing can help equalize ear pressure. For older children, chewing gum or sweets can do the trick.
Prepare various activities: Pack a small bag for the children filled with different toys, coloring materials, and snacks. Surprise toys or sticker books can come in handy during the flight.
Make them feel prepared: Inform the children about the process before the flight; explain what will happen during security check, boarding, takeoff, and landing. This can be particularly beneficial for children with different developmental stages.
Bring comforts from home: A small pillow, blanket, or their favorite toys can help children relax. Try to maintain their sleep schedule as much as possible during long flights.
Layer their clothing: The temperature in the airplane can vary. Dress the children in layers and remove them if necessary or keep extra clothes on hand.
Make snacks fun: Serving different snacks in small compartmentalized plates or boxes can attract the children's attention.
Don't hesitate to ask for help from the cabin crew: You can consult the cabin crew for hot food, extra diapers, coloring materials, or small breaks. Many cabin crew members are parents themselves and understand the stress families go through.