Have questions regarding flying with your baby, toddler, or small kids?  Read on for the answers you’ll need!

Pre-Flight

Ok, first things first: can I fly with kids?

Yes! You absolutely can! The first time can seem daunting, but it’s not nearly as difficult as you may think!

No, I mean, am I allowed to fly with a young child?

Oh, right.  Most pediatricians will recommend your baby is at least 12 weeks old, when they get their vaccines at the 12 week check-up.  If you really need to get on a plane prior to that, check with your airline for their age requirements.  Some allow infants weeks or even days old (but will have paperwork requirements for the very young).

Does my child need ID?

TSA doesn’t require minors under 18 to have ID for Domestic travel, but may demand proof of age at any time- especially if the child is at the age where they could get a free or discounted ticket. Proof could be a birth certificate or passport.

International travel all passengers are required to have Proof of Citizenship, ie Passport- even babies!

Wait, did you say free or discounted tickets?

Yes, for most airlines on domestic flights, if your child is under the age of two (and under 40lbs), they could fly free as a “lap infant” or “infant in arms”. That means they don’t get their own seat and have to sit on your lap- but the ticket is free! Most airlines charge a percent (usually 10%) of the full price of the ticket for a lap infant on an international flight. You do need to call the airline to link the lap infant to your ticket prior to flight.  Pro tip: when you call the airline, ask if you can get a seat with a bassinet (weight limit usually 20lbs).  Often times you get extra leg room, but the bassinets often run out- so call to add your child to your ticket as soon as you purchase yours.

We want to fly internationally, what’s the deal with getting a passport for my child?

Children need their original birth certificate (or certified copy) to apply for a passport- so you will need to wait until this arrives. They take their picture like you do and need to fill out all entries in the application (occupation: baby!). If you want to fly when your child is young, make sure you get the process going quickly as you will need to wait for the application to go through (standard about 4-6 weeks), but could also get it expedited (Click here if you’re in a hurry and want to see the most up-to-date processing times and details how to get a passport in a real hurry.)  Anecdotally though, a child’s application doesn’t take as long to process as an adult’s does, so if you have the time, save yourself some money.  A minor’s passport is only valid for 5 years.  Here is the link to the US State Department’s passport information and requirements for children under age 16.

What is TSA Precheck?

TSA Precheck saves you time going through security since you don’t have to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or light jackets.  Plus, the TSA Precheck line is often much shorter than the regular TSA security line!  Apply online and schedule a 10-minute in-person appointment at one of their 380+ enrollment centers.  Membership costs $85 and lasts 5 years.  Many credit cards cover the application fee as a member benefit, check if your credit card is included here.

I have TSA Precheck, does my child need it, too?

If your child is 12 and under, they can travel with you through the TSA Precheck line.

What is “Global Entry”?  Is it mandatory?

Global Entry is all about saving you and your family time!  It’s a program that you apply and interview for through the US Customs and Border Protection that allows expedited clearance through Customs in select US and international airports.  It is not mandatory, but we have it and I highly recommend it, especially if you commonly fly into or out of one of the participating airports.  Last thing you want when you get off the plane is to be wasting time in line, and Global Entry will definitely help speed up the process.   You also become TSA Precheck eligible when you have Global Entry.  Application cost is $100, but some credit cards will cover the fee, so check with your credit card companies!  Learn more about applying here.

We have Global Entry, does my child need it, too?

Yes!  Children of any age need Global Entry if they want to accompany a parent who has it!  And they have to have an interview as well. As with the timing of getting a passport in advance of an international trip, be mindful of the timing for global entry acceptance, too. The wait to get an interview time could take weeks depending on where your nearest location is AND you need a passport before you can apply.

What’s the difference between Global Entry and TSA Pre Check?

Global Entry saves you time by allowing expedited clearance through US Customs for pre-approved low-risk travelers at select airports.    TSA Pre Check expedites screening through TSA security checkpoints.

What do I need to do when I fly as a TSA Precheck member or Global Entry member to make sure I am eligible for the benefits of the program?

When booking your reservation, enter in your “Known Traveler Number” online or call the airline to add it onto your reservation.  This is very important!  If you arrive to the airport and you don’t have your KTN attached to your ticket, you will likely get turned away from the Precheck line if it’s not printed on your boarding pass.

My child is under two, should I get my child their own seat or sit on my lap?

It’s totally up to you.  Claire has sat with me on my lap for each and every flight leading up to the age of two- even for flights as long as 7 hours.  It’s a great way to save a couple hundred (or more!) dollars.  Even when there is an empty seat next to me, she still stays in my lap in the carrier.  If you are thinking about getting an extra seat because it’s an overnight flight and you are hoping they will sleep in a car seat or sprawled out, it’s definitely something to think about.  Even in these situations, Claire has still preferred to sleep on top of me, so in 40-ish flights, an extra seat would never have been worth the cost for me.  But every kid is different!

Business class: should I get business class with a kid?

I say “do it”… as long as you aren’t going to allow your child to run around the cabin.  For long, overnight flights, we have chosen to fly business with Claire sharing a seat with me.  We did it on two occasions, once when she was 3 months and then at 16 months.  When she was an infant, it was completely worth it.  It was our first flight ever with a baby and I was so comfortable and she slept the whole way through.  The other passengers didn’t even realize a baby was in first class!  When she was a year and a half, it wasn’t exactly the same experience and looking back on it, it was completely my fault.  I was thinking, “Oh, we will get business, where the seats lie completely flat and she will just fall asleep at my feet”.  This did not happen, and we spent half of the evening trying to make it work/consoling an overtired baby at the front of the plane.  What I SHOULD have done, is just put her in the carrier for her to sleep in like we always do when we fly.  And what do you know, as soon as we committed to putting her in the carrier instead of flat on the seat, she went to sleep.  So to make a long story short, you totally CAN do business class with a kid of any age.

Oh gosh, so what do I do if all my child does is cry on the plane?  Will the other passengers hate me?

I’ve actually thought about this, how I would react if another passenger made a comment to me if Claire was crying, and I’ll tell you what, I would hate to be at the receiving end of that conversation!  But seriously, the biggest thing you need to do when you fly with your children is get into your own bubble and block every one else out.  The second you start pouring your attention to what other passengers are thinking, the less energy you have to calm your child down, and calm yourself down.

What is better, two seats in business class with my child on my lap, or three seats in main cabin so every one gets their own space?

I debated this for a long time before we booked our flights to Paris when Claire was 16 months.  I consulted a travel agent that I trust and she recommended business class since I would be more comfortable.  And I was!  Seat preferences with baby can change depending on the day, one time you take a flight and you wish they had their own seat, and the next time when you get them their own seat, all they want to do is sit in your lap.  So do what is best for YOU.

I’m going to get my child their own seat can I sign them up for a loyalty program?

Yes, and definitely do it! You can sign them up if they are on an international flight and paying for a percent of their ticket, too.

I’ve heard horror stories where the kids are separated from the parents, will that happen to me?

It seems like some airlines are better about keeping families together than others, but it’s always worth it to pay the extra to get your seat assignments in advance if you are traveling with kids.  If you do happen to be seated apart, you can ask the attendant at the gate to try to help you out.  If that doesn’t work, once you are on board and get to your seat you can ask your fellow passengers to switch.  Most will help you out!

What do we do about the timing of the flight?

As with the decision to have your child sit on your lap or buy their own seat, what time to schedule your flight can go either way.

Overnights/redeye: This is my preference when traveling with an infant or small child- it’s VERY easy.  For a toddler, this really can go either way, but it’s still the flight time that I prefer for a very long distance flight.

First thing in the morning: I have found this to be the easiest flight time with a toddler overall and for shorter flights.  We will go in and wake Claire up and immediately head right over to the airport (still in her pjs!).  By the time we get through security, settle down at the gate and get onboard the flight, she’s worn out.  She then usually falls asleep an hour into flight time.  She doesn’t normally get in her whole nap, but being just a little tired from being woken up a little earlier seems to help her fall asleep midflight.

Time during naps:  I haven’t had luck timing flight times with naptime.  Claire is usually too overstimulated and then overtired for it to time up perfectly.  I say to get on the plane way before naptime and hope to have them fall asleep at the end of the flight.

Again, it doesn’t really make as big of a difference if your child is a small baby and can sleep anywhere.

 

Ok, I we have our tickets, let’s talk about logistics now…

I’m breastfeeding or pumping.  Can I fly with breastmilk?

Domestic travel:  You can absolutely fly with breastmilk and freezer packs/cooling accessories.  It is exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule and may be subject to additional screenings.  For the most up-to-date information on flying domestically with breastmilk, check out the FAA’s site here.

International travel:  International travel can be a little tricky.  I never had a problem, but you always want to check with your airline carrier.

If you’re breastfeeding or pumping, be sure to check out my Favorite Essential Items for Flying.  There is a section just for breastfeeding or pumping mamas!

Can I pump on a plane?

Yes!  It’s up to you if you want to pump at your seat or in the bathroom.  There are pros and cons to each, but do what is going to be best for you.  Before you pump in the plane bathroom, make sure you inform the flight attendant who can help give you some privacy.

Can I fly with formula?

Yes, it can be carried on and may be screened separately.  For the most up-to-date information on flying with formula, check out the FAA’s site here.

Does a car seat or stroller count against my baggage allowance?

No!  Always check with your airline in advance, but most airlines will not count a stroller or car seat against your baggage allowance.

What do I do with my carseat or stroller once we get to the airport?

If your child doesn’t have their own seat: you can either check your car seat and stroller at the desk where you check your other bags, or you can bring them through security and check them at the gate right before you board.

If you check your car seat or stroller at the gate prior to boarding, 9 times out of 10 they will bring it out to the gate upon arrival when you get off the plane.

If you check your car seat or stroller at the main desk with your other bags, 9 times out of 10, it will be at the “oversized luggage” section of baggage claim, rather than on the carousel.

If your child does have their own seat, you can choose to bring your FAA-approved car seat on board the plane or check it.  More on bringing your car seat on the plane here.

My child has their own seat.  Should I put them in a car seat or not?

The FAA recommends that your child be seated in a CRS (Child Restraint System aka a car seat) or the CARES child harness device and maintains that it is the safest place for children during air travel.

And I say, bring the car seat!

Claire just turned two and therefore got her own seat for the first time for our trip to Vancouver.  I brought the car seat and I’ll tell you what, it was AWESOME!  She was comfortable, contained and happy!  If the plane ride was any longer, she definitely would have fallen fast asleep for a nap.  Sure, physically bringing it onto the plane was a hassle at times, but it was well worth it!  I was traveling solo with Claire, so I carried the car seat on top of the stroller through the airport.  Once at the gate, I packed up the stroller in it’s protective travel bag and dragged both of the stroller and the car seat, backwards with one in each hand, onto the plane.   Claire walked along beside me.  So yes, not the most convenient, but it was so easy once you got on the plane, now I’ll bring the car seat every flight going forward.  For more on why flying with a car seat could be a good idea for you and your toddler, click here.

Is my car seat approved for air travel?

Domestic travel:  The car seat definitely needs to have “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” printed on it.  Check out the FAA’s tips here.

International travel:  Always check with the airline you will be traveling on to double check their car seat policy if you are planning on having your child sit in a car seat on the plane.  We got push-back at the check-in counter when bringing our car seat on board the plane to Canada.  Management was called in to double-check that our car seat had the correct credentials.  From what I hear from other families, this is not uncommon so don’t let it ruffle your feathers if you find yourself in the same situation.

Should I check the car seat with my other bags or gate check it?

Check it at the desk with the other bags:  We check the car seat right away, unless it is needed as a part of the stroller attachment when Claire is a small baby.

Check it at the gate before boarding the plane:  When Claire was a baby and the car seat was the attachment onto the stroller, we gate checked car seat since I always prefer to have the stroller with me when she is that young.

Should I even bring a car seat on our trip?

We always bring our car seat.  If you are renting a car upon arrival, it’s a no brainer to bring your own car seat.  It’s the safe thing to do- especially because you can never depend on other drivers driving your precious cargo with the same care that you do.

Some people don’t bring their car seat when they travel and rely on a car service to be equipped with a car seat.  I find it to be a huge time waster to wait around for a cab with a car seat.  When we were on the Hawaiian island of Maui, literally one taxi service had a car seat and it was SUCH a pain waiting around for it.  Plus, I know what has happened in our car seat- diaper blow-outs, sticky messes and lots of boogies, so I prefer not to share one that other kids have used.

Some people travel and rent a car seat upon arrival.  I don’t prefer this option, again, because I don’t like the thought of what is all over that car seat.

Others travel without a car seat and just put their child on their lap.  This is extremely risky (and not to mention illegal) so I do NOT recommend doing this.  Your child’s safety is worth the hassle of lugging around a car seat!

Should I check my stroller with my other bags or gate check it?

Check at the front:  When Claire was getting closer to two years old we started checking the stroller at the front with our other bags.  At this age she was a good enough walker to navigate on her own and old enough to follow directions.  Plus, she actually preferred walking at this age, too.  The last thing I want is to have to carry Claire all around the airport becuase she is heavy!

Check at the front:  Some parents prefer to always check the stroller at the front from the very beginning and will put their child in the carrier throughout the airport.  I never wanted to do this for two reasons: One, I could never master going to the bathroom with Claire attached to me on the carrier.  And two, Claire sits in the carrier the entire time we are on the plane, so I wanted to give her a change of scenery in the stroller to keep her happy and cooperative for when I really needed it.

Check at the gate:  When I am traveling solo with Claire, no matter what the age, I like to have the stroller on me.  It gives me an extra hand and a spot to put things in and a place for her when I’m going to the bathroom so she doesn’t unlock the door while I am mid-pee.  Also, it helps us move a little faster throughout the terminal.

Check at the gate:  When Claire was too young to follow directions or walk on her own, we always kept the stroller on us until right before we boarded.  It gave her somewhere to go besides the carrier, since she will be in it the entire flight, and gave us an extra hand.

Should I even bring a stroller? And which one?!

I always recommend to bring the stroller.  If you plan on just putting your baby in the carrier all day, it’s still nice to have the stroller to give your back a break every once in a while.  Even older kids who have been walking for a while can get tired pretty easily and you don’t want to be stuck carrying them or spending the day battling a tired, whining traveler.  I don’t mind the extra hassle of bringing a stroller even if we were to only use it for an hour the entire trip… because that hour of rest could make or break the rest of your day!

That being said, we always bring our regular day-to-day stroller, the Bugaboo Bee5.  It’s a smaller stroller to begin with, so it isn’t as wide as others.  The whole reason why we bring a stroller with us while we travel is to make life easier, and I don’t find the cheap umbrella strollers to be comfortable for our daughter (we need her to nap in it on the go!) or easy for us to maneuver.  If you plan on traveling often with your kids, I recommend getting a high quality umbrella stroller that has a great manufacturer’s warranty!

Can I check in and get my ticket at the self-serve kiosk?

If your child is sharing a seat with you, most airlines require you to check in and print your boarding pass at the desk.

What do we do before the flight?!

First off, if you are traveling as a pair, it helps if one person takes the lead with the tickets/passports/conversations at the check-in counter, and the other is in charge of your child.  My husband keeps all the documents and handles the logistics while I handle corralling Claire.  That way there isn’t any, “I thought you had the passports?” or “I thought you were watching her!”.  Divide and conquer!

When you get to the airport, pack up the car seat in it’s bag and throw in whatever extras you are going to store in there (we usually just throw in a couple extra diapers and maybe a light blanket).  If you are checking your stroller at the front desk, that should already be packed up and ready to go.

I recommend checking all of your bags immediately, with the exception of maybe one carry on, especially if it’s a long flight and you or your child want to change into comfy clothes for the flight or when you arrive at your destination.

Get through security- hopefully you have TSA Precheck!

I reccomend heading right to your gate so you’ll know where to go and also if you need to fix anything with your seat assignments.

Grab some food, and maybe if you’ve got some time on your hands, go explore some stores.

Let your kids safely run around!  Since you will all be contained in a small space for hours, it helps for everyone- including you!- to get out some energy and move those legs.

Half hour before boarding, go to the bathroom- you know those lines are super long right before you board!  If it’s an overnight flight and you are mimicking your bedtime routine, change your child into their jammies.  Until you board, park yourself by the windows so you can watch the planes take off and land!

Some people prefer to board the plane at the last possible minute to limit the amount of time they are contained.  I never liked this idea because I always need as much time as possible to get our little seat set up with our snacks, blankies, and entertainment toys.  I usually need every second I can get!  I also like a minute to wipe down the tray tables and arm rests, use the restroom one last time before take-off, and change into my compression socks.  Don’t laugh- I’m trying to ward off varicose veins as long as I can!

 

ON THE FLIGHT

Ok, we’re on the plane, what now?!  How do I entertain my baby/toddler/kid for so long?!

I usually like to start with the magazines and manuals in the back of the seat pocket before I bust out our toy bag!  I need them to last me for as long as possible!

I like to wait on snacks until the flight attendants pass theirs out.   It gives me a goal and something to look forward to!

As far as toys, I like to start with the headphones for the inflight entertainment.  I stretch those out as long as I can and then gradually introduce one toy at a time.  Don’t bring them all out at once or you risk boredome before you are even halfway through!

Don’t forget to save some special toy surprises for the returning flight!

Don’t forget that you are your child’s best friend and that you will be the biggest and best entertainment you can offer them.  No one said that a flight with kids was exactly relaxing!

Stressed out?  Your child is going to take your lead and ride off of your energy, so make sure that you are trying your best to take deep breaths, stay calm and be a good example to them of how to problem solve.  Take care of yourself so you can best take care of others- try to make sure you are well-fed, get enough sleep the night before (easier said than done, as I always procrastinate when packing) and are drinking tons of water.

Crying baby?  The biggest thing is not to worry about what others are thinking.  Get tunnel vision and get in the zone.  The second you start worrying about what other passengers will think, say, or do, the less energy you have for helping to calm you and your child down.

Check out my article here on tons of entertainment ideas to get you and your baby/toddler/kid through the flight!

My child isn’t getting their own seat, how do I keep them in my lap?

The very best thing you can do is to keep your child in a carrier!  Claire flew on my lap in the carrier all the way until she turned two- 40-something flights!

This method does take some training at home before game time.  Make sure your child is used to being in a carrier on a somewhat regular basis before you expect them to welcome it with open arms mid-flight.

At some point, whether it’s your baby’s first flight, or their 10th, they will likely fight you midflight while in the carrier.  It’ll probably be temporary, and makes it even more important for you to stay consistent with keeping them in the carrier.  For us, this happened on one flight when she was maybe about 12-14 months.  She cried for 15-20 minutes, we stuck with it and kept trying to distract her, and then she stopped.  It wasn’t a major sticking point ever again.  Like with most things you train your children with, it can be tricky at times but consistency is key- stick with it!

Infant: you can also swaddle them while they are sleeping and hold them in your arms or lying flat in business.

Baby who stands:  At this age, your baby may start to give you a little more resistance because they want to have room to stand.  Just loosen up the side straps to give them more room to stand on your legs.

Bigger baby or toddler who walks:  Another option to give your child a little more mobility, but still keep them from jumping into the aisle is to unbuckle the top straps and keep the side straps pretty loose.

What do I do about diaper changes on the plane?

 

Most planes will have a changing table in the restroom.  You definitely want to change the poop diapers there!  You can ask a flight attendant for a barf-bag to throw the dirty diapers in.  For a pee diaper, sometimes I change it at our seat, but it doesn’t always go over too well, as you can imagine.  I once changed an innocent pee diaper at our seat and the man behind me blamed the fact that he kept passing gas on our daughter for like, an hour!  As far as the limited space to change the diaper of an often wiggly or kicking child, some parents have had luck with teaching their child to change it standing up.  This has only ended badly for me, so I guess we just need more practice with that one!

Help!  I’m planning on flying by myself with my baby/toddler/kid!

It can be done!  In this case, I like to have the stroller with me all the way to the gate so I have somewhere to stash bags or my child if I have to go to the bathroom (I never could master going to the bathroom when Claire was a baby in the carrier!).  Try to get a lot of sleep the day before you travel so you are well rested and ready to take on the day!  And don’t forget food, I’m not sure what is worse- a hangry toddler or hangry mom!

Ok can we pleaseee talk about the time change…

What you can expect:  It’s hard.  It just is.  Actually, adjusting my 16month old to a 9-hour time change on my own was the most difficult experience for me as a parent.  For a infant or small baby, it’s not as tough, but for a toddler we found it to be completely different.

If you think about it, I know I get all wacked out adjusting to a time difference, but I have to remind myself that my young child has no idea what is going on and is probably more confused than anything else!  Thinking about this gives me more compassion when I’m exhausted and trying to settle down a tired and crying baby through out the middle of the night.

How long will it take to adjust: They say it takes about 1 day for every hour of time change.  But you don’t have to adjust to the time change completely!

Make sure you check out: Adjusting to a Time Change

Not sure if you want to adjust your kids to a time change?  Check out: The Time Change- to Adjust or not to Adjust?

Great! Anything you would have done differently looking back on it?

Absolutely.  If I would have known that traveling with an infant/young baby was just so easy, I would have planned, like, three more trips during that time- and sightseeing trips, not pool/beach ones. And I would have further lowered my expectations with how long it would take for everyone to adjust to a 9-hr time change. Live and learn, right?!

I just can’t say it enough, if you’re on the fence about traveling with a small baby, keep in mind that this is the best time to travel- it is so easy!

Any last words?

Don’t let the logistics of flying with your kids prevent you from taking a fantastic family vacation!  Want to chat more?  DM me on instagram @travelisforthekids!  Can’t wait to talk more!

You may also be interested in:

Make sure you check out my list on everything you need when traveling on a plane with a baby, toddler, or small kids!

Entertaining your baby, toddler or small kid on a flight

Traveling FAQ

Tips for Staying in a Hotel with Kids

What to expect when traveling with an infant or baby

What to expect when traveling with a toddler