The Best Tips for Toddler Travel on a Plane. Guides, Advices, and Hacks.

You guys have decided to go on a family vacation. Woohoo! Well yes, there’s many things you got to get prepared for especially when you are bringing your toddler or baby with you. Right here, we have the best toddler travel tips on a plane.

This post is filled with toddler travel advices and toddler travel tricks, which will definitely make traveling with toddlers easier. So hop on and let’s go on for a ride.

Picking a flight time

Night

Is night flight or day flight better with toddler? Choosing a night time flight for our toddler meant that she would be sleeping throughout the night.

Day

If your option is this, try to get early morning flights. There might be less delays happening or if they do you have more flight time options throughout the day. Kids tend to be in better mood too after a good sleep.

Transit / Connecting flights

Plan your schedule and having flight times adjusted to child’s sleep routine is really helpful especially if you’re traveling abroad for long haul.

Picking flight seats

Bassinet seat – book early

Flying with an infant or a very young toddler, a bassinet seat is useful when putting them to sleep. But please do book your tickets as early as you can, because bassinet seats are very limited.

Call in to the customer service hotline prior traveling to confirm that you need a bassinet prior to your travel date.

Window vs aisle

Definitely window seats are the better option here for toddlers. They’ll get to look over the window. Reusable stickers are fun here!

Front vs back vs near toilet vs near amenities

There are pros and cons to these options. Front of the area seat is mostly for infant bassinet seats. Also they may have bigger leg space. Be mindful of the types of in-flight entertainment screen or table for meals because it’s different than the usual mid seats.

Sitting near the toilet area is only good for having to make short trips for diaper change or potty time. Be aware there might be a line waiting next to you for passengers to use the restroom.

One useful hack is to sit near the amenities area. The area where flight attendants take refreshments from or sit at. Much easier for you to get hot water to make that bottle of milk for your kid. On a long haul airplane travel, you’re going to be making quite a number of trips for the hot water.

Check in

How early

As early as possible. Possibly an hour to 2 hours prior to your baggage check in time. More time to adjust for any circumstances is way better than having no time for last minute hiccups when you are traveling.

There may be a diaper change needed, or your toddler is hungry. You needed to get last minute essential item for your child. Anything is possible.

Pre check in activities

Before stepping foot into the plane, your family needs to go through many layers. This include baggage check in, security checks, immigration or passport checks. This means there will be a lot of waiting time and queuing up especially if it involves travel abroad.

Work with your spouse as a team. One person helps with the baggage and carry on while the other handles the child. If your toddler is big enough they will be helping along too!

Enquire for any family priority lane at all these layers and stops. You will get a shorter wait time or queue.

Post check in activities

The battle isn’t over once you have cleared the security checks with your little one. If you have arrived early, this is a great time to consider meal time or diaper change time while waiting for boarding.

It is also a good time for toddlers to play and burn energy, as on the plane they can sleep soundly. Take into consideration time at the waiting gate and delays. Have a backup plan and enough items to entertain or feed them.

Some airports are large that there may be use of bus or aerotrain to get to the waiting gate. Be mindful of your carry on or baby gear such as stroller so your family can have a smooth transit.

Getting on the plane

You have 2 options here.

You can choose to board on early, with the use of family priority lane. You will be able to get enough space on the overhead compartment right above your seat for your belongings. You get more time to set up the seat for your toddler to be comfortable.

You can choose to board the last. Because if you board early, your kid needs to wait in their seat until everybody is seated and it might be an early uncomfortable situation.

Throughout the flight

Entertaining your toddler

This is going to be the bulk of your journey on an airplane. From books to games to toys, the options are endless.

For these toddler travel tips, we will be talking about it on a separate post. Traveling with a 2 year old on a plane will be a fun experience for them with fun activities.

Toddler sleep

You might wonder how toddlers sleep while traveling on a plane.

The main idea is to make them as comfortable as possible with the space you have. They may choose to sleep on your lap, or on an inflatable bed.

Snacks and meals

Call up and ask your airline provider if they have kids meals given on flight. To bring food and snacks onboard, most baby food are allowed.

Double check the guidelines provided by your operator and the airport.

Check out Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening and guide on traveling with children. Check out their “What can I bring?” section as well.

Do your due diligence regarding the destination country or airport rules and regulations on food items that can be brought through. Each country has their own guidelines.

Going to the toilet for diaper change

What to do if your baby poops on a plane? Prepare a few sets of diaper change items into separate zip locks. This will make it easier to take it from your diaper bag quickly for a trip to the restroom.

Keep in mind the space in the restroom might be small for you and your toddler combined.

Pressure changes

Pressure changes during take-off and landing is bothersome for adults as well as children. Keep milk or drinks available during these times as feeding will help ease the discomfort and open up the congestion.

If you have filled up water bottles before getting on the plane, open the water bottle or flasks away from toddler or yourself as the water may splash around because of differences in pressure.

Other than pressure changes, take-off and landing also comes with loud noises. Ear muffs can be helpful here.

Space in plane

For toddlers who like to run about and play day to night, just having to sit or occupy a small area in a seat is not their favourite especially for long haul airplane ride.

Your best option is have as many play sets or activities planned while traveling to keep them busy.

Changing clothes on a long flight

If you’re taking long hour direct flights or transit in between, you should bring extra comfy clothes such as pajamas so that your little one can get a good night sleep.

Calming down crying toddler / tantrum

Have everything in your plan ready to go. Toddlers may have tantrum to many things. From food choices to toys and sometimes even we have no idea why.

Have backup food. Have backup toys. OR sometimes just hugs and cuddles could do the trick. You know your baby best.

Tips on organizational packing for the flight

These toddler travel tips are one of the most crucial aspects of making your on board time on the plane smooth. Having a cleverly packed diaper bag and carry on is a must. Make sure it is:

• Easy access

You want to be able to take out things as fast as possible without having to dig your bag for it. Remember which part of the bag you keep certain items.

• Compartmentalized zip locks

Organization is key. Have your items in the bag in own compartments. For example, a ziplock bag with all the small toys. Another ziplock bag with the books. Another ziplock bag for snacks. Make it easy for you and your partner to handle the bag.

Arrival

Packing up all things

Once you’ve realised it is going to be landing time soon, you need to be prepared to pack back things into your diaper bag or carry on and prepare for descend. These will include standby milk or drink or other items to help with the pressure changes.

Getting down from the airplane

As many others may rush through for getting down, you might want to take your time and not rush. You definitely want to make sure everything that is yours is put back into the bag and not left behind.

Get down from the airplane among the last people as you don’t want to hit onto another passenger or get cramped with your toddler on the way out.

Going through security / immigration checks

Same as getting onto the airplane at the departing airport, look for family priority lanes. Depending on the destination or country you’re going to, check regarding needs such as completing an arrival form or customs declaration.

If they have online version available, get it filled prior to you boarding or on the journey itself (if a paper form is given). This will save you time from filling up form right after arrival.

Getting your luggage

This might take some time. Either mom or dad can bring the toddler to the restroom if needed, or just be on the lookout for everyone’s luggage together.

Bonus toddler travel tips

How do I prepare my toddler for a flight?

Flying might be a totally new experience for your kid. It can be exciting or it can be scary too for them. Take your time to talk to them. Explain to them how it is going to be.

Using child friendly animated videos or pictures is recommended. You can even make it into a game before or during a flight to make it interesting for them.

Clothing tips

Complicated and difficult clothing should be avoided. Too many buttons? Complicated zips? No to that. Keep it simple so that it is comfortable for the child and easy to change into or out of.

Keep their shoes simple as well such as slips on or Velcro types.

Keep accessories to a minimum.

Use pull up diapers compared to the tape ones. Easier and faster to use.

Be nice to your flight attendants

Be appreciative of the staff around you especially on the flight. You are going to be there for hours, and definitely you will need their assistance from time to time.

Have tantrum plans

Things don’t always go to plan or smoothly. Take deep breaths, handle the situation with care. Handle kids tantrum with the best possible method you are used to.

Find out if there are child perks

Prior to your travel, look around your airline operator, airport for departure and even arrival destination and see if there are benefits and perks for children. These are such as kids meal, free toys, priority boarding, baby supplies and baby bassinet.

Team work between parents/ guardian

Team work makes the dream work. Take turns with your other half handling children. During mealtime, flight attendants will be able to serve one of you first and then the other parent later. Take turns doing diaper changes. Take turns for play time.

Other toddler travel tips

Surprises always come in handy. Bring new toys.

Safe your best activity or distractions when you are likely to need them most

So, that is pretty much the toddler travel tips and hacks you need to know when traveling with your lovely little ones. Have a safe flight and an enjoyable one!