Flying with baby soon? Or a toddler or preschooler–or any combination thereof? Fear not, there’s a lot of information to help right here! I’ve broken it into the following categories to help you as you plan:
Jump to these flying with baby, toddler, and preschooler tips:
Before You Go
Airline-specific advice, important tips for using airplane bassinets and car seats on airplanes, packing checked and carry-on baggage, planning your in-flight entertainment, and more.
At the Airport
Checking in for your flight and clearing security with extra liquids, strollers, child carriers, car seats; plus tips for keeping your baby or toddler entertained while waiting for flights.
On the Airplane
Installing car seats on airplanes, relieving ears, changing diapers, keeping tots entertained during long flights, and more.
Before You Go
Flying with infants and lap-held babies:
Flying with an infant or baby on lap – Tips to help keep your lap child safer in flight
Flying with baby – Ten reasons flying with an infant may be easier than you think.
Flying with twins – Important seating information for parents flying with twins on laps
Flying with twins – Flying with twins on separate rows (and why you might want to)
Will you be using an airplane bassinet (or skycot)?
Airplane bassinets – Five Things You Should Know Before Flying with an Airplane Bassinet
Airplane bassinets – Flying with baby: Checklist for Getting an Airplane Bassinet
Airplane bassinets – Watch out for age, height and/or weight limits – airline examples
Using an airplane bassinet or skycot for baby – Beware the bulkhead bassinet – It may not be as helpful as you think
Flying with a Car Seat?
Car Seats – Five Things You Should Know Before Flying with a Car Seat
Britax toddler seats on airplanes – One very good reason to fly British Airways with your lap-held toddler or older baby
Flying with FAA-approved car seats – Will your child’s car seat be allowed on the airplane?
Flying with Car Seats – Seven Easy Ways to Get Your Car Seat to the Gate
Gear Recommendations –
Car Seat Travel Bags, Strollers, and Carriers
Car Seat Alternatives for Travel
Airlines – Important Details & Advice for Specific Airlines
Aer Lingus – Need to Know: Flying Aer Lingus with a baby or toddler
Air Canada – Best seats when flying Air Canada to Munich with a baby?
American Airlines (AAdvantage miles) – Best way to fly to Paris using American Airlines miles?
British Airways – One very good reason to fly British Airways with your lap-held toddler or older baby
China Airlines – Need to Know: Flying China Airlines with a Baby or Toddler
Gulf Air – Need to Know: Flying Gulf Air with a Baby or Toddler
RyanAir – Need to Know: Flying RyanAir with a baby or toddler
Southwest Airlines – Need to Know: Flying Southwest Airlines with a baby or toddler? Yes you CAN still get an infant fare.
Southwest Airlines – Will Southwest Airlines let me use my Baby B’Air flight safety vest for my lap child?
Southwest Airlines – What ever happened to family preboarding?
Virgin Atlantic – Need to Know: Flying Virgin Atlantic with a baby or toddler
Baggage and Packing
Identification for flying infants – (Why) do babies need ID for domestic flights? Don’t let the answer surprise you.
Liquids for baby & toddler in flight – How to prepare your baby or toddler’s excess liquids for carry-on (milk, formula, medicines, baby food)
Packing for your flight – Cost-saving tips for families packing checked baggage
Changing diapers on airplanes – Simplify diaper changes on airplanes with a handy “diaper purse”
Baggage fees and babies – Navigating airline fees as applied to your family
Carry-on Travel Kit – Remember to 3-1-1 your child’s Travel Kit for carry-on
Bringing boxed milk – How and why to bring boxed (shelf-stable) milk on board for your toddler
Pack This! The Trayblecloth for flying toddlers and preschoolers + ideas for what to pack in it
Find more tips and advice for preparing to fly in in the books:
Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide… Chapter 14 – Before You Book Your Flight, Chapter 15 – Countdown to Takeoff.
Take-Along Travels with Baby: Hundreds of Tips… Pre-flight Checklist, Airport Security Ready List, Preparing Liquids for Carry-on.
At the Airport
Checking in for your flight and clearing security
Flying with car seats – Checking car seats vs. checking car seats at the gate
Jogging strollers at security – Five ways to get your toddler to your (American Airlines) flight without the giant / jogging stroller
Family lane – Families go green at Airport Security, how and why to use the family lane in U.S. airports
Flying with liquids for baby – Tips for clearing airport security with baby bottles and baby food
Flying with breast milk – Traveling with breast milk and airport security (Shelly’s tips for BabyCenter.com)
Wearing babies through the airport – Tips for clearing airport security with child carriers, baby slings and wraps
Baby booties and toddler shoes at airport security – Kids, don’t touch those shoes
Find more tips and advice for clearing airport security with your child in in the books:
Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide… Chapter 15 – Countdown to Takeoff, Chapter 16 – At the Airport and On the Plane, Chapter 17 – Special Situations, and
Take-Along Travels with Baby: Hundreds of Tips… Pre-flight Checklist, Airport Security Ready List, Preparing Liquids for Carry-on, What to Double-check at Check-In, Installing Car Seats on Airplanes, Soothing Fussy Babies in Flight, Managing Toddlers on Aircraft…and serious help for flying with baby!
On the Airplane
Installing car seats on airplanes – What can you do if your child’s car seat doesn’t fit in the airplane seat?
Relieving infant’s ears on airplanes – The surprisingly easy way to relieve an infant’s ears in flight (even when they don’t want to nurse or take a bottle)
Flying with toddlers – Three ways to keep your toddler from kicking the airplane seat in front of you
Diaper changes on airplanes – Simplify diaper changes on the airplane with a handy “diaper purse”
Entertaining kids on the airplane – Five screen-free favorites to keep kids entertained during long flights
Flying overseas with a 1-year-old – Tips for flying with baby on a long-haul or overseas flight
Keeping kids hydrated in flight – Just say no to juice in flight, and say yes to a fruit tea “cocktail”
Find more tips and advice for time spent at the airport and on the airplane with little ones in the books:
Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide… Chapter 15 – Planning Your In-Flight Entertainment, Preparing Toddlers and Preschoolers for the Flight, Chapter 16 – Clearing Security with Small Children and a Small Mountain of Gear, The Great Pre-Boarding Debate, Chapter 17 – Flying Solo with Baby.
Take-Along Travels with Baby: Hundreds of Tips… Breastfeeding on Airplanes, Ear Pressure/Pain and Relief, Soothing Fussy Babies in Flight, Managing Toddlers on Aircraft…, Entertainment to Go