Are you and your family going on an adventure—and flying long distances with the kids? Here are 13 tips for the perfect flight.
Are you and your family dreaming of traveling far away on vacation? And have you already started dreading the long flight with impatient and tired children? Fear not – here are 13 tips to make the flight much easier!
Even though we love to travel, it still took us 7 years before we got the chance to travel really far with our 7-year-old son. When we finally did, our journey took us to Singapore and Bali.
The trip lasted about 23 hours in total, and we had a long flight ahead of us.
Since we had no experience flying long distances with a child, we were curious to see how Sebastian, then 7 years old, would handle the flight.
We had thoughts like:
- What if he gets so bored that it becomes unbearable – for us too?
- What if he doesn’t like the food onboard?
- Will his ears hurt again?
- What about sleep – can he (and we) sleep when we arrive in Singapore?
- What should we bring for him along the way?
We did some research before we left, took precautions, prepared ourselves and him, and ended up having the most fantastic trip and flight. Sebastian was a dream to travel with, and we were so happy and relieved that it went so smoothly and painlessly.
Here are our best tips for a good long-haul flight with children:
Before you go
- Check what your airline says about traveling with children
Most airlines provide information on what you and your children can expect during the flight. It’s helpful to see what they offer, their advice, and the services available. It’s also fun for the kids to preview the entertainment options. Sebastian enjoyed looking at the games and movies available, which gave him something to look forward to. - Consider Fflying when your children usually sleep
Managing sleep schedules can be tricky when crossing multiple time zones, but it can be wise to schedule the long flight segment when your children would normally sleep. This reduces the amount of time they might spend being bored during the journey. - Pre-order kids’ meals
We ordered a kids’ meal for the flight to Singapore, both outbound and return. The food was decent, and Sebastian ate most of it. On our trip to Thailand, we only ordered a kids’ meal for the outbound journey at Sebastian’s request. He later regretted not having it on the return flight after seeing other kids receive theirs. Most airlines require that kids’ meals be ordered in advance. - Pack an iPad and headphones in your carry-on
An iPad and a pair of headphones are the ultimate entertainment tools for the journey – not just on the plane, but also during layovers and on the way to and from the airport. Time can drag on, and the in-flight entertainment may not always be interesting. However, be aware that some countries have restrictions on using iPads on planes. - Bring candy for little ears
Sebastian has struggled with ear pressure during takeoff and landing since he was little. Fortunately, this has improved, but it’s still a good idea to have candy for him to suck on to help equalize the pressure during takeoff and landing. - Talk to your children about airplane etiquette
It’s a good idea to prepare your children for what to do – and not do – on the plane. For example, remind them to let you know when they need to use the restroom well in advance or if they’re thirsty. This makes them more aware of their needs and reassures them that it’s okay to express them, even while flying at 10,000 meters. It’s also helpful to discuss speaking softly, sitting properly (and not standing on seats), and avoiding kicking the seat in front. Setting these expectations in advance can make the journey more comfortable and safe for everyone. - Bring a ‘comfort zone’ item for the flight
If it’s your child’s first time on a long-haul flight or if one of them feels uneasy about being so high up, bring a comfort item onto the plane. This could be a teddy bear, a doll, or another familiar toy that provides reassurance. - Pack a surprise flight bag
The flight can be long, especially with multiple stops. You can help your children pass the time by packing a small surprise bag. Fill it with fun little items from stores (in Denmark) like Tiger or Søstrene Grene. Consider including something they can engage with for a while, like a small book, coloring supplies, or something else that fits on the plane seat or tray table. - Give yourself plenty of time
It’s always a good idea to allow extra time when traveling with children. Unexpected things can happen – someone might need to use the bathroom suddenly, get upset, or want to explore something ‘very important.’ The last thing you want on a long trip is to stress your child with phrases like ‘hurry up’ or ‘we won’t make it if you don’t finish.’ Extra time and buffers are key to keeping your children calm and relaxed on a long journey.
During the Flight
- Dress the kids for the long flight
It doesn’t make sense to dress your children in their finest clothes for a long flight. They’ll likely spill, get messy, and wipe their hands frequently. If you want to look nice upon arrival, it’s a much better idea to bring a change of clothes. Having a change of clothes is a good idea regardless of what they wear on the plane. A long journey can be uncomfortable if your child spills something and has no option to change. Dress the kids in comfortable, seat- and sleep-friendly clothing. - Take advantage of early boarding
We didn’t realize this at first, but we found that many airlines prefer that families with children board the plane first and find their seats. This means that if your family queues up at the gate and stands calmly, you’ll often be called to board before the other passengers. Sometimes this announcement is made over the loudspeaker, but not always. - A little junk food and white bread is okay
Yes, there is white bread. Yes, it’s full of sugar. Yes, there are sodas, juices, cakes, and fries. That’s okay. You’ll survive, even if you have to resort to junk food during the trip. Healthy food is, of course, preferable for health and reducing jet lag. But sometimes it’s just the cheapest option, the only one available, or the only thing the kids will eat. Don’t waste your energy worrying about it. Instead, enjoy the trip, life, and your journey. - Water, water, and more water
Don’t forget it. It’s important. Better to make an extra trip to the plane’s restroom than to be dehydrated. Dehydration on a flight is the last thing you want for your children—and yourself.
Finally
It will be an amazing trip. Enjoy the opportunity to go far and give your children the chance to experience the world.
We wish you the best trip.
Enjoy!
