How to Get Through a Long-Haul Flight When You’re Travelling with Kids
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Australia may be The Lucky Country, but it sure doesn’t feel like it when returning home for a visit involves a 24-hour journey, stopovers in multiple continents, and a small fortune.
It can be especially tough when you have kids in tow, hauling prams and car seats from terminal to terminal while finding creative ways to keep them entertained, and bending over backwards to avoid (or at least minimise) any potential meltdowns.
The fact that it’s an experience many of us are familiar with just goes to show how we Aussies aren’t afraid of a challenge. In fact, when it comes to long-haul travel with kids, we’ve simply learnt to grin and bear it.
After all, we can’t exactly change the fact that we happen to come from one of the most geographically isolated countries in the world. And if we’ve committed to seeing our family and friends on a semi-regular basis, it’s just a compromise we have to make.
Now that we’re heading into Christmas, even more of us are likely to be planning a visit back home. If you’re an experienced traveller, you’ve probably already discovered a few tricks to make long-haul trips with kids a lot smoother.
If you’re a first-timer, though, there are a few tips and hacks you should definitely know about. While I can’t promise they’ll make your trip completely hiccup-free, they can make it a whole lot bearable, which means that you’ll feel a little less stressed, and can focus on enjoying your time back home.
So, as someone who’s done the trip from Europe to Australia 5 times now (2 pre-kids, and 3 with), here’s everything I can recommend to make that long-haul journey with kids a little easier, as well as some extra tips I’ve picked up from others along the way.
Tips for travelling with babies and toddlers
The idea of travelling with babies and small toddlers can be daunting. But some expats swear it’s actually the best time to go travelling. And they have a point. It’s a lot easier to travel with a baby that isn’t constantly trying to crawl away or run up and down the aisles.
However, there are plenty of other challenges to deal with — including booking the right seats, planning for feeding times, and hauling the mountains of extra gear that a tiny baby somehow always needs. Here’s how to manage all that in the least stressful way possible.
1. Match flights with sleep schedules
Babies and sleep don’t exactly go hand-in-hand (I unfortunately know this all too well, although my girls thankfully now sleep a lot better than they did when they were babies!). Where possible, though, it’s a good idea to book flights that more or less coincide with nap or bedtime to encourage sleep. Night flights, for example, can allow babies and toddlers to settle more easily, giving you some quiet time during the journey.
Realistically, you’re probably not going to get a whole lot of sleep yourself — but letting your baby get as much sleep as they can will certainly make your flight a lot less stressful. If you can, plan to have someone back home (like a family member or friend) watch the baby for a couple of hours so you can have some much-needed rest when you land.
2. Request a bassinet
For long-haul flights, many airlines offer bassinets, which give your baby a comfortable sleeping option and can give your arms (and back) a break from holding them the entire time. Reserve one early by contacting the airline — there’s often no extra cost to this.
Once you’re on the flight, make sure the baby is always strapped in whenever they’re in the bassinet, and be prepared to have to pick them up every time the seatbelt lights come on — yes, even if they’re sleeping!
3. Pack essentials in a “quick access” bag
Pack a small bag with all your baby stuff - nappies, wipes, snacks, toys, and a spare outfit — for easy access, so you can grab it quickly instead of digging through your main carry-on. It’s also a good idea to pack all the liquid-based products (formula, breastmilk, baby food, and even wipes) together in its own bag, so they can easily be pulled out in case they need to be swab-tested at security.
Another handy tip is to pre-measure any formula and add it to the required number of bottles, so that all you need to do is add water when it’s feeding time.
One thing the pandemic taught us is that planes aren’t exactly the most sterile environments. To prevent dummies and teether toys from falling on the floor all the time (and save you from endlessly having to pick up and clean them), make sure to use a clip or attachmente.
4. Feed during takeoff and landing
You’ve probably heard that breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or offering a dummy can help during takeoff and landing. In my experience, it’s absolutely true!
Feeding during takeoff and landing can really make a difference in helping babies and toddlers adjust to the pressure changes that can be uncomfortable for their ears. Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or offering a dummy encourages swallowing, which helps equalise the pressure in their ears and can reduce the likelihood of ear pain.
To time it right, wait until the plane begins to accelerate during takeoff or starts its final descent — usually around 20-30 minutes before landing — to begin feeding. If your toddler is older, even a small drink of water with a straw can work well too, as the sucking action will achieve a similar effect.
5. Travel light with the right gear
If you can go without a stroller during your stopover, I’d highly recommend bringing a baby carrier only on board — it’s unbelievably handy for navigating the airport (especially if you need to hurry to make a connection!), and even for getting babies to sleep on the plane. It’s also a lot less fiddly and cumbersome than having to carry a stroller, and if you’re travelling solo, you’ll appreciate having one less thing to hold.
Also remember that many airports provide strollers for free — it’s worth checking beforehand whether this is the case for any airports you’ll be passing through.
However, if a stroller is a must-have for you, look for compact ones that you can bring on board and easily in the overhead compartment (I’ve used the GB Pockit+ and Babyzen Yoyo, and both have been great).
Another thing to bear in mind is that, although you can bring car seats on board if you’ve booked a seat for your infant, car seats manufactured outside of Oz don’t meet local safety standards and won’t be able to be used back home.
6. Bring things to keep little ones entertained (but don’t go overboard!)
Bring a small selection of simple, interactive toys that can keep your baby or toddler entertained without taking up much space. Board or fabric books with bright colours and textures, finger puppets, stackable cups, and sensory items like crinkly fabric or soft rattles are all great at keeping little hands busy. (You can also wrap these up as small “plane presents” — the unwrapping part is likely to keep them entertained for a little while!)
A comfort item like a favourite blanket or soft toy can also help them feel more settled, especially if they’re feeling restless or it’s time for a nap.
But here’s the trick — don’t bring too many toys, because they’ll just be a pain to carry on top of everything else, and honestly, your little one probably won’t play with all of them anyway. Babies often find entertainment in the least obvious items — a plastic cup, water bottle, or even the wrapping paper the toys came in can often keep them occupied just as well as any fancy new toy can!
Tips for travelling with children
1. Contact airline beforehand if you need additional assistance
If you or your child needs additional support for the journey, it’s a good idea to contact your airline ahead of time to arrange specific assistance. Most airlines have services designed to make travel smoother for families and those with special needs, such as pre-boarding, which allows you to get settled before general boarding, or special seating arrangements, which can make things easier during the flight.
For families of children with disabilities, let the airline know if any mobility assistance is needed to navigate the airport, or if you’ll require additional storage space for medical equipment. Some airlines provide on-board sensory kits with items like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and eye masks. Many also have dedicated staff trained to support travelers with disabilities, and can often provide support if they’re aware of your needs in advance.
2. Plan a stopover for playtime
When travelling with young kids, you might be tempted to book a single long haul flight to rip off the bandaid and get it over and done with as quickly as possible. In my experience, though, breaking up the journey with a single stopover can be a huge help, making a monotonous plane trip more manageable, and giving everyone a chance to stretch and reset. (If you’re lucky you might even be able to find yourself a decent coffee at the airport!)
If you can, choose a stopover with playgrounds or open spaces for kids to run around before the next leg. Airports like Changi in Singapore, Doha, and San Francisco have excellent play areas that can help kids burn off some energy.
Flying with Qatar Airways will give you a stopover in Doha, which has some excellent playgrounds for kids to let off steam.
However, if your trip is divided into two legs and one is longer than the other, try to make the longer leg coincide with your kids’ usual bedtime. There’s nothing worse than having to wake kids up for a stopover in the middle of the night, after they’ve just gotten a few hours’ sleep. (If you’re game enough to do this, just be prepared for the possibility of having to carry 20kgs of dead weight around the airport terminal!)
3. Schedule activities for the flight
Break the flight into intervals with new activities to keep your kids entertained and prevent boredom. I like to buy a couple of new things for every trip — like activity or sticker books, crayons/pencils/textas, or small toys — as the novelty factor alone will often keep my kids entertained for longer.
Also consider portable, mess-free options like reusable sticker pads or coloring books that let kids “paint” with water that dries clear.
When it comes to toys with small pieces (like Polly Pockets or Legos), bring them at your own risk! They’re obviously super convenient (small, easy to pack, and can keep kids entertained for ages), but losing a single small piece under your neighbour’s seat — and potentially never seeing it ever again — can be all it takes to turn your formerly zen journey into a tantrum-filled nightmare.
You could also get your child to choose a familiar toy or comfort item to bring with them, to help with nerves and keep them entertained.
4. Pack their favourite snacks
Most airlines offer meals on long-haul journeys, but if your kids are anything like mine, they will suddenly decide they no longer like chicken and pasta, fruit salad, or brownies — and you won’t have anything else to offer them.
That’s why it’s important to make sure you bring snacks that they like (and ideally won’t make a huge mess). Muesli bars, crackers, and fruit are all good options. You can also bring one or two of their favourite “junk food” snacks, although it’s best to avoid too much salt (which can be dehydrating), and sugar (for obvious reasons).
That said, a couple of cheeky Chupa Chups can be handy for sucking on during take-off/landing, to help avoid any ear pains.
5. Bring sleep gear
When you’re flying long-haul, make sure you and your kids are dressed for comfort. For overnight flights, dress your kids in cozy pajamas or warm hoodie/trackie daks. Having socks and a blanket are important too, as the planes can get a little chilly (although most airlines provide blankets anyway).
Actually getting your kids to sleep comfortably can be the most challenging part. Neck pillows, eye masks and earplugs can all help, but your kids will inevitably wake up kicking and squirming at some point. If you’re lucky enough to have an unoccupied seat in your row, this can give them some extra space to lay down.
I’ve personally found the JetKids Bedbox a lifesaver, as it lets my kids stretch their legs out for a more comfortable sleep. The bad thing is that not all airlines will let you use them. However, you can bring it on board as regular carry-on (at the very least, it’s quite handy for storage, and as a ride-on suitcase it’s also great for getting your kids around terminals). And you may be able to get away with using it in a darkened cabin with a blanket over the top (especially if the cabin crew aren’t passing too often, or are happy to turn a blind eye to it in return for a tantum-free journey). But you didn’t hear that from me!
We’re big fans of the Jetkids Bedbox, although not all airlines allow you to use them in flight. You can however use them as carry-on storage on any flight (and they’re also a handy kid transporter!).
You can get them from Amazon UK here (if you purchase through this link, I’ll make a small affiliate commission, at no extra charge to you).
6. Use electronics strategically
I know we all have a love/hate relationship with electronics, but a long haul plane trip is the one time you might consider relaxing the rules a little. Consider pre-loading your tablet with games, shows, and movies, or bringing a portable gaming system (my kids love the Nintendo Switch as they can both play at the same time).
The in-flight entertainment system can also keep kids occupied for a little while, although it’s good to have a backup just in case the screens aren’t working (which I’ve seen happen a couple of times, although thankfully not to our screens 🙈).
However, make sure to put some limits in place. My husband and I have made the mistake of letting our girls watch movies on the in-flight entertainment system for hours on end until they turned into zombies, with us eventually having to remind them to go to sleep - not our finest parenting moment.
So, set screen time in intervals to space out activities, and give kids a screen-free chance to relax with books and calming activities. Or, think about allowing electronics only during a specific portion of the flight (e.g. the second half, or only after they’ve slept).
Final thoughts
There’s always going to be a little bit of chaos involved in travelling with kids, but the best thing you do is be prepared in advance, and bring as relaxed an attitude as you can. Do your best to go with the flow, and be prepared for some unpredictability. Kids’ moods and routines may shift mid-flight, so keeping a flexible mindset can lower stress and help you take surprises on the chin.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask flight attendants (or even friendly fellow travellers) for help with little ones, whether you need someone to hold your baby for a moment, or to keep an eye on your kids while you go to the bathroom. Many people are happy to help make the journey easier. (And don’t be put off by any travellers who might be less than sympathetic, because thankfully, the vast majority aren’t like this.)
Finally, make sure to give everyone a few days to adjust to the time change. Be flexible with routines and bedtimes, and keep the first couple of days low-key to help kids recover and start the trip on a better foot. In my experience, kids are usually much better at adjusting to jet lag than us adults, so try not to stress too much - schedules will all eventually sort themselves out naturally, and you’ll be able to focus on showing your kids a great time back home.
Do you have any other tips for helping to make long-haul flights with kids easier? Let us know in the comments below!
