Taking a flight can be a trying experience even for seasoned adults. For young kids, flying stress can be overwhelming. Young flyers may not tolerate sitting quietly for hours, or put up with annoying ear-popping pressure changes. Add to that the crowded, unfamiliar environment and occasional turbulence and it’s a recipe for disaster. 

But don’t despair, with a little preparation and some luck, you and your children (and fellow passengers) can have a no-fuss, tantrum-free flight. Try these tips when flying with young children on your next family holiday.

Tip 1: Book flights early for the best seats

When flying with toddlers, book your flights earlier rather than later. This way, you will have a greater chance of getting a flight that would be more comfortable for you and your children. 

Try to fly with airlines that are known for being child-friendly; they are likely to be better trained and equipped to help soothe flying stress for fussy or nervous children. Tired children are more prone to tantrums, so avoid flights that would disrupt your child’s sleep schedule.

When choosing your seat, look out for those with extra legroom, so you have space to let your child stretch her legs when she’s stressed about flying. The extra room will also be useful when you need to take items out of your bag for the baby. 

Choosing seats that are nearer to the washrooms will also be helpful; you can carry or walk your child using the extra space there to calm them down, while making toilet time more convenient. 

Tip 2: Pack essentials in your carry-on

Make room in your carry-on bag for essential items that may be needed while flying with kids. 

These may include extra diapers, a change of clothes, and an infant bottle pre-filled with formula. Don’t forget to include comfort items such as teethers or toys, a blankie or pillow, or your child’s favourite snacks or treats.

Also consider items that will help keep your child entertained on board, such as colouring or activity books, and storybooks you can read to them. If you’re not too strict with devices, consider packing a spare mobile phone or tablet with kid-friendly games and videos for your child to help him cope with flying stress. 

Pack these items into a dedicated kiddie’s bag so everything is within easy reach when you need them.

Tip 3: Have ample time

Set off early to give yourself more time at the airport to deal with administrative necessities such as checking in and clearing immigration. This will also be helpful if there are any unexpected delays. 

To save even more time, take advantage of your airline’s online check-in – this is usually available as early as 48 hours before your flight. 

Going to the airport early when flying with children will give you extra time to sit down for a snack or a meal, and allow restless kids to burn off some energy at play areas. You can also bring them to watch the planes taking off and landing to settle them down, while explaining to them what to expect when getting on board. 

Perhaps most importantly, giving yourself ample time will help you avoid getting stressed out and anxious. When surrounded by calm parents, young children are more likely to remain in a good mood themselves, and less prone to travel stress and grumpiness during the flight.

Tip 4: Have an in-flight strategy 

When flying with young kids, keeping them comfortable and entertained will go a long way in having a trouble-free flight. 

Offer their favourite snacks or treats to soothe frayed tempers, or give them a cherished toy to play with. You can also try reading to them from a beloved book to distract them from cabin noise and activities.

If your child is restless or stressed about flying, some screen time may be in order, so consider allowing your child to play their favourite games or watch videos on a mobile phone or tablet. Another option is to let them watch kid-friendly movies via the in-flight entertainment system, if available. 

Your child may get cold or feel uncomfortable during the flight, so have a jacket or blanket on standby. A small pillow can also help them nap or sit comfortably and cut down flying stress. 

A major discomfort for young children on planes is the ear discomfort that sets in due to air pressure changes. 

Try having your child sip regularly from a bottle – the swallowing motion can help open up the Eustachian tubes in the ears and relieve pain. Also, the dry air on board may thicken nasal mucus, making it easier for the Eustachian tubes to become clogged. 

Another option is to offer a pacifier or – for older children, a lollipop or hard candy to suck on and promote swallowing. Chewing gum can also be helpful, if appropriate.

Provided they are old enough, try giving them children’s painkillers to help cope with the discomfort. 

A drug-free alternative is to use children’s air-travel earplugs that are designed to minimise ear discomfort from pressure changes. As an added benefit, airplane ear plugs can also reduce noise to help your child feel comfortable. 

Tip 5: Double nappy your child

When flying with toddlers or babies, consider putting double nappies on your child. 

Airplane bathrooms are cramped, with a tiny diaper changing shelf, so having an extra nappy ready to go will make changing nappies easier. You can simply proceed to the restroom and switch out the used diaper for the clean one, instead of having to dig through your luggage for a new nappy. 

Another tip is to use pull-up nappies when flying with young children under 5. This can help prevent accidents during long waits for the toilet after meal times, or during periods of turbulence when your child has to remain seated. 

Tip 6: Consider purchasing an extra seat

Buying a seat for your child can prove to be a wise choice when flying with children, especially on long-haul flights.

Babies and young children can be safely and comfortably stowed in a car seat or bassinet placed next to you. This allows kids stressed about flying to be more at ease, while freeing you up from having to hold your child for the entire fight.

On a related note, when boarding, send a family member ahead with all your bags. They can stow the bags away, and ready your seats with items like bottles and snacks. This will allow you to focus on getting the kids on board the plane and into a more welcoming seat, which can help soothe flying stress.

Tip 7: Pack extra clothes for you and your child

Spit-ups, spills and other such accidents are commonplace when flying with young kids. The key is to be prepared for them by packing extra clothes for your and your child. 

There’s only so much you can do when dealing with a mess on a plane, so rather than sitting in soiled, damp clothes, it’s better to have a fresh t-shirt or clothing to change into. You can put the dirty items into a bag and have them properly cleaned when you get to the hotel later on. 

Another tip for easy clean-ups when flying with children is to bring along an extra trash bag. With it, you can easily dispose of used tissues, wrappers, leftover snacks and other light refuse, allowing you to keep your seats tidy and comfortable.

It’s better to be over-prepared when flying with kids 

When flying with young kids, especially for the first time, it pays to be over-prepared rather than being under-prepared.

Following these four tips can help you have a more enjoyable flight, but to be truly prepared for the unexpected, don’t neglect getting a travel insurance plan. 

A travel insurance policy not only protects your family during your holiday, it can also offer reimbursement even before – for instance, if you had to cancel or postpone your trip due to sudden illness. 

There is also a wide range of helpful benefits you can tap on in case of mishaps and inconveniences such as delayed baggage or lost or damaged personal items and travel documents. 

Singtel Travel Protect offers comprehensive coverage at wallet-friendly prices for popular travel destinations around the world. Key highlights include:

• Up to S$1 million coverage for overseas medical expenses and emergency evacuation 

• Up to S$15,000 in travel cancellation benefits

• COVID-19 coverage of up to S$150,000 overseas medical benefits and up to S$5,000 for trip cancellation.

• 30 days automatic extension of cover if hospitalised or quarantined overseas

Ensure your next trip goes as smoothly as possible with Singtel Travel Protect. To see available promotions, visit this page.

T&Cs apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What’s the best age to travel with young children?

There are two age bands when young children are easier to travel with. 

Babies between three to nine months are well-suited to plane travel, as they will be asleep most of the time. They are also breastfeeding or taking bottles at this age, you can feed them during takeoff or landing so the suckling motion can help prevent inner-ear disturbances. 

Toddlers between two to three may also be easier to manage on flights. They are better able to follow instructions, and are easier to entertain with books or videos. 

Q2. What are the airline rules for travelling with kids?

Some common airline rules to note when flying with young children include: an infant fee will be charged; only one infant is allowed to travel on the lap of one adult; only approved car seats are allowed; prams must be checked in; if required, bassinets should be pre-booked in advance; convertible in-flight child beds can only be used on middle or window seats. 

Please check with your carrier on specific rules or requirements they may have when travelling with your child. 

Q3. How can I help my children’s ears when flying?

Chewing and swallowing can help open up Eustachian tubes in the ears to relieve uncomfortable pressure. Try giving snacks or drinks, or offer hard candy, a pacifier, or chewing gum. 

Children’s painkillers may also be helpful. Alternatively, try using in-flight earplugs before take-off or landing to ease children’s ears. 

Q4. How do I keep my children calm on a plane?

When stressed about flying, children can become restless and finicky. Try calming them down by keeping them comfortable with a blanket or pillow, their favourite books, toys or treats, or keeping them entertained with songs or videos pre-downloaded on a mobile phone or tablet. Older children may be soothed by kid-friendly programmes on the in-flight entertainment system. 

Q5. What should I pack for my children on a plane?

Be sure to pack essential items such as bottles, extra clothing, blankets and pillows, or a favourite toy. It is also helpful to have treats and snacks within easy reach, as well as a spare mobile phone or tablet with kiddie songs and videos. 

Bring along an extra trash bag for leftovers, wrappers, and other litter – this will help keep your seats tidy and pleasant for you and your neighbours.