Smooth Flying with Kids: Top Tips to Keep Yourself & Fellow Passengers Happy

Baby on board when flying with family? If this is not your first time flying with kids, you might already know of the challenge it poses. To make the experience so easy that you only think of your destination instead of dreading how to survive a flight with kids, here are the best flying with kids tips that always do the trick.

Be as happy as you were when you found domestic and international flight ticket booking online at best rates when travelling with kids this Mother’s Day 2025. Your first tip is always to remember that your kids have as much right to be on the plane as anyone else, so take up all the space you need. For more, read on!

Board the Flight during Their Sleep Time

The best way to ensure your kids remain calm and collected throughout the journey is to get them to nap. Young kids usually follow a fixed sleeping schedule, so if you think being put in a pram or stroller chair will disturb their naps, think again. However, if your kid shows no signs of sleeping, even if you managed to secure the flight ticket booking at the perfect time for a Mother’s Day vacation, try to secure a seat near the window.

They have enough to look outside and are far enough away from strangers to feel comfortable and enjoy the ride with the beautiful view, and you, as their companion. It is recommended that all parents try to get some sleep before boarding, as if your tiny tot refuses to nap, you would have to give up on yours, too.

The Trick to Choosing Seats & Flights

Avoid booking flights with too many layovers, as even though cheap, continuously hopping on and off the aeroplane will only increase your kid’s restless behaviour. This also distances you from the troubles of losing your luggage while changing airlines, sudden cancellations, and much more. Travel insurance can handle these hiccups easily, but the hours and energy you’ve spent on it will be doubled.

Choosing the right seats will make or break your trip, so be prepared to check in online as soon as the window opens! You might dream of saving big by not booking a separate seat for your infant. However, you’ll have to pay for the same with peace of mind and no movement, which can be gruelling, especially on a long-haul flight. Avoid the aisle seat for your kid, as it gets colder there. Booking a window seat for them also helps avoid aimless wandering. Some airlines also provide free bassinet facilities, so take advantage of this when flying with kids international.

If you had to deal with a sudden cancellation and are stranded, secure the best hotel booking online prices and book a relaxing place to stay near the Airport so your family can rest.

Keep Documents Ready

Flying with kids in India, especially those between 2 and 12 years old, is impossible without an ID. Flying with children ID is necessary, so don’t leave behind their school ID card, Aadhaar card, or birth certificate to verify their identity.  

Parents travelling with kids younger than 2 years must show their infant’s birth certificate or hospital papers as ID proof before flying with kids on plane.

Also read: Denied Boarding by Airline? Here’s How to Get Rs.20,000 Compensation.

Pack Light: Ensure They are Bright Coloured Bags

Packing light is the best way to go, as you don’t have to worry about the heavy bags while flying with children. Try to pack your kid’s luggage in your suitcase, especially if you haven’t booked a separate seat for your kid. You’ll also be saving big time on luggage costs by packing light. Using a flying with kids checklist to pack, including:

• Versatile clothing for you and your kids.
• Always Pack Snacks in case your kids get hungry on the plane. Saves money and moody toddlers.
• Diapers, wipes, and other sanitary products are required. Another great travelling with kids hacks is to double-nappy your kid to keep them dry for most of the way.
• A first-aid kit with the necessary medication.
• Their favourite toys or games to keep them entertained on board.
• Feeding bottles and baby formula.
• A soft blanket and a small pillow for added comfort to help them sleep.
• Car seat, stroller, or bassinet for added comfort.

The above-mentioned travelling with a toddler checklist is perfect for kids up to 5 years old. Always go for bright luggage, so you can spot your bag and grab it as soon as it rolls out on the conveyor belt.

Pro tip: Use packing cubes to increase space in one bag, so you can easily fit your toddler and your things in, without exceeding the baggage allowance limit.

Prepare Flying with Kids Activities in Advance

The first step to packing for flying with kids is to pack their favourite toys, games, or any kind of distraction that they enjoy! You can pack these in a small bag, which you can carry in the cabin. You must limit the number of games packed, so pick only their favourites. Some options include:

• Story, activity, or picture books.
• Soft toys
• Drawing boards. Avoid colours, as they can fall and get lost in the plane.

No matter what you forget, never forget these things to carry when travelling with kids on board for your Mother’s Day special vacation. If you have an iPad kid, it would be easy to distract them by playing a movie on the flight.

If your luggage has already exceeded the limits, and you cannot pack toys when, one of the best tips flying with kids is to create an imaginary story with your kid and let them keep adding to it. Kids who love storytelling greatly enjoy such activities.

Beat the Take-Off Pressure Problems

Whenever a plane takes off or lands, there’s a sudden change in pressure, which causes discomfort to most travellers, especially those flying with kids, as the ear pain makes children cry. An excellent way to equalise the pressure in both years is to breastfeed or bottle feed, as the swallowing manages all the pain. Kids should be positioned in an upright, sitting pose when doing this.

If you have older kids, urge them to yawn continuously till their ears pop. You can also give your older child chewing gum or candy that helps considerably to ease the discomfort.

Also read: Breastfeeding on a Plane: Essential Do’s and Don’ts for Moms on the Go.

Plan What to Do When a Tantrum Arises

A tantrum is unavoidable sometimes, and trying to avoid it might even trigger it. So, instead, prepare well to deal with a tantrum when flying with kids. There’s no need to be worried about the people around you. You can instead focus on:

• Distracting your kid with questions by pointing out new things that would excite them.
• Give them their favourite snack, even if they have had too many for the day.
• Try to reason with them, if old enough, and understand what they are upset about.
• If there are other kids in the plane and the parents don’t mind, let them interact and play some games together.

Also read: Summer Holidays with Kids: Destinations the Tiny Tots will Adore.

Which are the Best Airlines to Fly with Kids?

Sometimes, no matter how many travelling with kids’ essentials and tips you follow, if the airline staff is not accommodating enough, travelling with kids on a flight can feel like a nightmare. Here are some airlines that hold a track record for being welcoming and understanding towards parents travelling with kids on flight:

Air India: Allowing passengers to carry a collapsible stroller with a free baby bag allowance up to 10 kg is only the start! Air India is also well-known for its incredibly polite staff, and they also provide a bassinet.

British Airways: Providing priority boarding for families, early meals for kids, and fun activities like puzzles and more aboard, British Airways does Baby on Board the best.

Emirates: Charging a low fare, providing pre-booked meals, and activities in the sky, Emirates is a great baby travel choice.

Singapore Airlines: With all baby essentials, including diapers and bibs available on board, and an unlimited supply of activities, Singapore Airlines keeps all babies smiling in the sky.

So, now that you’ve learned all the hacks to fly with kids, when will you be booking your Mother’s Day adventure or summer vacations this year? Secure all-inclusive holiday tour packages and online visa services for 180+ countries to get going asap. Moms who travel with their kids regularly, do share your hacks in the comments below to help new moms ace their first flight with the baby!

FAQs: Flying with Kids

What proof do you need for a child to fly?
Kids aged between 2 and 12 years must show ID cards, Aadhaar cards, or a birth certificate to provide age proof when flying. Infants below 2 years can show birth certificates or hospital papers.

What is the best way to fly with a child?
Babies weighing below 10 kg must be buckled into a car seat or carrier on the flight for utmost safety. Kids weighing more can use the aeroplane’s lap belts.

What are the airline rules for travelling with kids?
Kids under four years old cannot fly in a plane without an adult. Unaccompanied minors 5 to14 years old can fly alone on flights with no layovers. Only kids over 15 years old can travel alone.

What are the rules for flying with a child?
Most airlines demand that kids older than 2 years have their own seats, as they cannot travel on the lap.

Do you need a birth certificate to fly with a child?
Yes, you require a birth certificate or other identification documents to fly with a child.

Also Read:

• Best Food Destinations to Visit on Mother’s Day: Let’s Taco ‘Bout Food.
• Skip the Layover: 4 Exciting New Direct International Flights from India in 2025.
• Best Wildlife Hotels in the World: Spot Animals Outside Your Window

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