When booking
- Direct flights first: one take-off and landing instead of two, and no running between gates.
- Pick the timing carefully: night flights help many children sleep; short morning flights suit very young ones.
- Sit together: book seats early, as some airlines split families if you leave it late.
- Babies under two: usually sit on a parent's lap with an infant ticket. On long flights, request a bassinet in advance; weight and age limits vary by airline.
- Kids' meals: order them in advance; they usually arrive before the adults' meals.
Documents
Every child needs their own passport, even babies. If a child is travelling with only one parent, some countries and airlines ask for written consent from the other parent, so check before you go. Carry a copy of the birth certificate too if the family names differ.
The kids' carry-on
- Enough nappies for the journey and more, wet wipes, and a bag for dirty clothes.
- Spare clothes for the child, and for you too: spills happen.
- Food and snacks your child likes. Baby milk and baby food are allowed in the amount needed for the journey, even over 100 ml.
- A water bottle, and a dummy or something to suck on.
- A small blanket or their favourite sleep toy: familiar things help them sleep.
- Basic children's medicines, like a fever reducer.
At the airport
- Arrive early: everything takes longer with children.
- Strollers: many airlines let you take it to the aircraft door, then return it on landing. Ask about your airline's policy.
- Early boarding: many airlines let families with young children board first.
- Let them move: before boarding, let kids burn off energy before hours of sitting.
Ear pain on take-off and landing
Pressure changes on a plane hurt children's ears, especially on landing. Swallowing helps: breastfeed, or give a bottle or dummy during take-off and landing, and give older children something to drink or eat. If your child has a cold or an ear infection before the flight, see a doctor.
Keeping kids busy on long flights
- Download cartoons and games to the tablet before you go; don't rely on in-flight internet.
- Child-sized headphones, ideally volume-limited.
- A small new toy they've never seen, brought out halfway through the flight.
- Colouring books and stickers: light, and they fill a lot of time.
- Walk the aisle with your child now and then.
Our advice: with children, a transfer booked in advance from the airport to the hotel changes the whole day: no waiting and no hunting for a taxi with tired kids. Airport transfers are included in our packages. See also our guide to Thailand with kids.