travelling on plane with 1 year old

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What It’s Like To Fly With a 1-Year-Old [Our Top 5 Tips for Success!]

Ashley Onadele

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Flying With a Baby Under 1 Year Old

Flying with a toddler older than 1-year-old, economy vs. business class seats, ordering kids’ and baby meals, traveling with breast milk or formula, umbrella stroller, diaper bags: backpack vs. purse, lounge access with babies, 1. snacks, snacks, and more snacks, 2. schedule the flight around nap time, 3. bring new toys and activities, 4. pack smart, 5. go with the flow, final thoughts.

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My kids have been on countless planes, trains, and automobiles and have stayed in hotels, Airbnbs, and even an RV. They’re now 3 and 5 years old, carrying their own backpacks and attempting to pull their own carry-ons, but this wasn’t always the case.

If you’re new to traveling with small children, it might seem overwhelming or outright impossible. Sure, there’s a lot of stuff to pack and juggling to do while taking care of a tiny human, yourself, and all of your things. But it’s probably simpler than you think, especially if you follow some of the tips outlined below .

When kids are especially small — think a few months old to about a year old — it’s downright easy to travel with them. The plane provides white noise and lulls them almost straight to sleep as soon as you’re in the air, barring any pressure change discomfort, of course. They aren’t moving too much, nor are they requesting (demanding) to get out of your arms or the seat and walk the plane.

You can wear your tiny human on your chest or back and they pretty much go wherever you take them without protest. Their schedule and eating habits are predictable and they’ve yet to have their first meltdown.

The early days are almost blissful.

And then they turn 1.

The older your child gets, the more curious they become . The 1-year-old stage is a fun time because they’re walking, or just on the cusp of it, suggesting that they’re ready for more independence, have a sense of humor, and are generally well-tempered. This is a sweet spot right before their inability to communicate leads to temper tantrums and frustration.

Hot Tip: The biggest difference between flying with a 1-year-old and a younger child is how alert they will be.

Your 1-year-old might want to stand in your lap, or in the seat, and wave at, smile at, and talk to other passengers. For more active toddlers, you may have to walk around the cabin with them . And if they’re walking, they’ll likely want to walk on the ground themselves.

They’re hopefully eating solid foods so you’ll have to remember to pack food that you know they’ll like. Don’t rely on getting something at the airport or even the food provided on the plane. They’re also larger, so that tiny, inaccessible plane bathroom won’t be fun for either of you when it comes time to change a diaper at 30,000 feet.

But the biggest difference of all might be whether or not you buy your ever-growing infant their own seat.

Should You Buy a Seat for Your Toddler?

When my kids were young enough for it, I was of the mind that as long as my kids could fly for free, we wouldn’t buy them a seat. Plus, they’re only small for so long and I always loved holding onto them when they slept. Add to that the increasing costs of airline tickets, both in cash and miles, and I’m glad that we were able to save the money with a lap infant when we could.

To make having a lap infant easier, either my husband or I would wear the baby in an Ergobaby carrier when they slept so that we had full use of our arms . We could even sleep ourselves without fearing that the baby would fall out of our arms.

I know a lot of parents who prefer for each member of their family to have their own seat, mostly for the sake of space. But in addition to that, some children just don’t sleep well being held — not to mention the adult holding them might be pretty uncomfortable, too.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that children fly in a child restraint system (CRS) , which is essentially a car seat . There are specific requirements for CRS devices, so be sure and check out the website before you fly to make sure you’ve got the right type.

You’ll get a baggage allowance for your 1-year-old when you purchase a seat no matter how old they are. This would allow you to pack more freely instead of packing your child’s items together with the items in your carry-on … something I’ve done many times.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be seated in a row that has an empty seat next to you and your child can sit there free of charge when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off.

Baby bassinets are detachable bassinets available on some planes in the bulkhead seat. These bassinets generally have age, weight, and/or height restrictions for use, and with a 1-year-old, your options to use a bassinet may be getting limited .

If you’re inclined to use a bassinet for your baby — particularly on a long-haul flight where you want to ensure the best rest possible — you’ll need to call the airline right after making your reservation to reserve your seat and bassinet.

Hot Tip: Not all airlines offer bassinets. Before you book, check out our ultimate guide to baby bassinet seats on over 50 airlines to find out if your preferred airline offers a bassinet or not.

The debate about whether or not kids and babies should be in premium cabins is one we won’t settle here. Still, parents traveling with young children may want to know some of the pros and cons of flying business class with a baby .

In business class, you’re guaranteed to get more legroom and larger seats. When traveling with a lap infant especially, it never hurts to have as much room as possible. In economy, you cannot sit in the exit row where you’d normally expect to have the most room in the back of the plane. That means that you’ll be jammed in a row, potentially with strangers.

With fewer passengers to take care of in business class, the flight attendants should have more time to help you when you need assistance. For example, you may need water to make a bottle or you forgot your child’s juice. In business class, you can expect to be taken care of a little more often.

Unfortunately, just by the sheer volume of folks in the economy compared to the number of attendants, you won’t receive the same service.

In premium cabins, depending on the airline, you may be able to reserve an infant or child meal in advance to be served during your flight. If flying domestic economy, you won’t have this option.

And lastly, flying in business could be cost-prohibitive to many. Even with points, business class seats often cost a significant amount more than economy class tickets. It’s easy to feel that the pros listed above don’t outweigh the dollar amount you’ll have to pay for those conveniences.

International airlines shine when it comes to their meal services (even in economy). As such, you can expect to be able to order a kids’ meal in advance of your flight or when you get on board.

The makeup of the meals and offerings varies depending on the airline, of course. Some airlines, usually depending on the length of the flight, will offer hot meals like pasta and even hamburgers. Others might only offer a kids’ snack box.

Whether or not these amenities are included in the price of your ticket depends on the airline as well. For example, United brought back kids’ meals that can be ordered at least 24 hours before your flight for flights over 2,000 miles and where a complimentary meal will be served.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), breast milk , formula, and toddler drinks are considered medically necessary. Breast milk, formula, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) can exceed 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit in quart-size bags.

You are recommended to let the TSA agent know that you’re traveling with these items at the beginning of the screening and to take it out of your carry-on.  It is also recommended that these items travel in clear containers for the sake of expediting the screening process.

Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes breast pumps as a medical device and as such should be allowed in addition to your carry-on and personal item, this depends on the airline. It’s a good idea to call the airline you’ll be flying with before you check in for your flight to ensure that you can bring your breast pump onboard.

Helpful Travel Accessories

As your children get older, they’ll likely want to help carry their backpacks or pull their own luggage . Eventually, you won’t need to carry or push them in a stroller everywhere because they’ll want to walk on their own, too. In the meantime, however, when traveling with a 1-year-old, all of that still falls on you. Luckily, there are plenty of travel gadgets and accessories to help make it easier.

Umbrella strollers are lightweight, foldable strollers for babies old enough to hold their heads up. An infant stroller most likely works together with your car seat, which can be bulky and hard to maneuver through the airport. If your child is big enough, an umbrella stroller is the way to go.

Whether or not you go with the convenience of an umbrella stroller or elect for your larger stroller, you can gate-check your stroller and keep it with you right up until you board the plane. Your stroller will either be waiting for you at the gate when you land or will have made its way to the baggage carousel.

Car seat requirements are not the same for cars and airplanes, and to use your car seat on the plane the car seat must be FAA-approved .

It’s important to note that the EU has different requirements for car seats than the U.S., so you’ll want to be aware of this if that’s where you’re traveling. One major difference between EU and U.S. car seats is that EU-approved car seats do not have chest clips. EU regulation states that a child must be able to be removed from the seat in a single motion.

I think that baby backpacks are better for travel than baby purses (one-shoulder baby bags) for a few reasons.

First, you have a full range of motion when wearing a backpack with weight evenly distributed through your back instead of on one shoulder.

Second, a backpack tends to have more pockets for all the things you’ll be carrying for your baby. It doesn’t hurt that it’s probably easier to convince your partner to share the responsibility of carrying a backpack vs. a purse.

Speaking of all the things you’ll be carrying, here are a few items that should make traveling with a 1-year-old a little easier:

• Bottles, bottle liners, tops
• Extra clothes for you and baby
• Extra socks (and maybe shoes)
• Foldable changing pad for changes in public restrooms
• Formula dispenser
• Hand sanitizer
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes, diapers, etc.
• Spill-proof and independent snack dispenser
• Spill-proof sippy cup

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth buyer’s guide to the best travel diaper bags , featuring both backpack-style and purse-style options.

There seems to be an ongoing debate on social media about babies in premium cabins (more on that a little later) and whether or not they should be allowed in lounges.

Lounges don’t typically have age restrictions (kids under 2 are even generally free!), though most don’t have amenities geared toward children. But what you get at a lounge is more space to spread out, with time away from the gate to relax and gather yourself before you fly.

Centurion Lounges , however, do a great job of welcoming and catering to young travelers with family rooms decked out with toys, games, TVs, and kid-size furniture. But even without that family-specific amenities, lounges are a great place to chill out before or after a flight with your baby.

At the lounge, you can also get warm water for formula, warm-up milk and kids’ food, and grab some fruit or other snacks for later.

Tips for Flying With a 1-Year-Old

Whether or not you choose to purchase a seat for your 1-year-old, we have some tips for making flying easier.

I used to think people were exaggerating when they said to bring more snacks than you think you need. But I underestimated just how important a well-timed handful of Cheerios would be.

It’s not so much that your child will be hungry, but that snacking tends to quell a fussy toddler. I cannot explain it any further than that.

Pack the snacks you know they love and maybe even a few surprises. There’s an endless list of snacks you could bring. Fruit, Cheerios, Goldfish, pureed food packs … anything that your child can safely consume will work.

Don’t forget that TSA allows water and food for toddlers in reasonable quantities above the standard 3.4 ounces allowed for all passengers. A standard sippy cup is probably enough to get you through your whole travel day.

This is one of my favorite tips, but I think whether or not a flight is timed well will depend on your child .

For some toddlers, the sound of the airplane in flight works like white noise and helps them sleep. But as they get older and are more alert for longer periods of time, the excitement of a new adventure might energize them enough to try and stay awake for longer than you expect.

In this case, scheduling a flight around nap time won’t matter. But for a first flight with a 1-year-old, it’s worth a try. If you find that your child didn’t stick to the schedule, you won’t have to worry about it next time. We live and we learn.

For long-haul flights, I recommend scheduling a red-eye flight to your destination and skipping the last nap before the flight . The reason for this is that the cabin is dimmed along with the white noise of the plane. I’ve never met a traveling child that could resist the urge to fall asleep under those conditions. Hopefully, they’ll be tired enough to sleep through the entire flight.

At 1 year old, your toddler will likely be awake for at least part of your flight, so you’ll want to have something to occupy them. Tablets are an easy go-to, but understandably, some parents won’t want to introduce screen time at this age, or at all. But if you do decide to go with a tablet loaded with movies, TV shows, or games, be sure and bring along child-safe and cordless Bluetooth headphones . Child-safe headphones should remain at lower decibels to preserve their tiny eardrums.

Avoid toys that make any type of noise so as not to disturb other passengers on your flight.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that at a year old, your child may not be able to stay engaged by 1 toy or activity for very long, so it’s a good idea to have several options.

Luckily, there are a lot of other activities that are appropriate for this age. Here are a few of my favorite ways to entertain a 1-year-old on a flight:

• Window Clings : Your toddler can stick these on the window themselves, pull them off, and repeat to their heart’s content. Another alternative is circle stickers, like what you’d find at a garage sale. Really, any sticker will work, just test out how easy they are for tiny fingers to peel off.
• Flash Cards : Even if your toddler isn’t talking yet, flash cards can be a great way to practice learning their shapes and colors. Animals and objects flash cards are also a great way to increase your child’s vocabulary.
• Books : Bring along your toddler’s favorite picture book. Pop-up books are always a hit as well. If you can, bring a book that’s age-appropriate and talks about where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, or flying on a plane.
• Play-Doh : Play-Doh is a tactile activity that lets your toddler use their hands. You can even bring plastic cookie cutters to make different shapes out of them. Clay, an alternative to Play-Doh, is a little more difficult to mold but also a worthy activity for a 1-year-old and even helps to strengthen their grip.
• Coloring Books : Again, coloring books are something that your child can do with their hands. Get the jumbo crayons that are easier to hold and choose a coloring book that has characters they recognize. You can color, too! This is a great activity to do together.
• Water Wow! Books : Water Wow! books by Melissa and Doug are awesome and were an instant hit for my kids. You fill the paintbrush with some water and let your toddler “paint” the pages of the cardboard book. There are several designs to choose from, including construction, numbers, alphabet, and animals. The best part about these is that when they dry, the color disappears so you can use them over and over again.

In addition to the activities above, be sure to include items that are brand new to your child . In fact, all of the items listed could be brand new and you could gift wrap them . It’s the novelty of the surprise that gets them excited and wanting to play with whatever the new toy is. Who doesn’t love unwrapping a gift?

I wish that I could tell you that packing gets easier as your kids get older, but I can’t say that.

Yes, you can probably leave their 10 favorite blankets, nappies, and toys at home, but you’ll still need to pack a considerable number of items when you’re away from home. For example, I always packed 2 outfits per day that we would be away, plus a couple of extra. I didn’t plan to change my child’s clothes more than once per day, but we all know that stuff happens .

I would also bring an extra top for myself on travel days in case that stuff happened on me.

Your 1-year-old likely has at least 1 pair of shoes and might need a coat (and sweaters depending on the weather at your destination), gloves, and beanies. Clothes only get bigger along with your child and consequently take up more room in your luggage.

Packing cubes have been a dream for both packing compactly as well as organizing my family’s bags. We each have our own set of cubes in different colors and I roll whole outfits together to save time when we’re getting dressed in the morning .

Rolling outfits works best for the kids’ clothes since my and my husband’s clothes are too big to roll together like this. This trick also helps me avoid over- or underpacking because I always know what’s meant to go with what.

Once we arrive at our accommodations, I leave the clothes in the packing cubes and just put them into the dresser drawers. Packing cubes have immensely simplified the way I organize and pack for my family.

I wish I had a dollar for everything that didn’t go according to plan since I started to travel with my family.

Flight delays and cancellations , lost items, cranky kids, and more, will inevitably happen to you. One of my children almost always catches a cold 2 weeks before a long-haul flight. We even ended up in a clinic in Amsterdam on our first family trip to Europe and returned home with ear infections (yes, the whole family).

When you go with the flow of each day, it allows you to take each inconvenience in stride instead of letting it ruin or make you regret your whole trip. Traveling with children requires patience and grace with them as well as yourself, especially when it comes to how you plan your days.

You can’t pack each day with museum visits, tours, and other activities when traveling with small children. They simply don’t have the stamina to keep up and will let you know when they’ve had enough.

Schedule your activities around their nap times to maximize your experience together and to better ensure a good mood from your little one.

We can only plan so much and the rest is out of our control. Temper your expectations and you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation with your 1-year-old.

Traveling with a 1-year-old is different than traveling with a younger baby, but not always in a bad way. It’s true that traveling with babies younger than a year old is easier because they sleep more often, are easier to transport, and are overall more amenable to most situations. But traveling with an older toddler can also be more fun for you.

If you plan accordingly — while saving room for things you can’t control — and follow at least some of the tips outlined above, I trust that you’ll have a great travel experience when flying with a 1-year-old.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep a 1-year-old calm on a plane.

If your child is particularly anxious or energetic at any point during the flight, give them their favorite toy that usually calms them down. A pacifier or a bottle is great during takeoff and landing, especially for helping with inner ear pressure. Their favorite stuffed animals, blanket, or book are additional comfort items you could try.

What can you do if your baby cries on a plane?

You know your child best and what usually calms them down, so start with what you know.

Some other tips to try: shushing while rocking, walking the aisle when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off, and good old-fashioned distractions usually help. Alternatively, ask yourself the classic question: is my baby tired, hungry, or wet?

How can you relieve ear pressure for a baby when flying?

During takeoff and landing, you want to make sure that your child is swallowing to avoid or alleviate ear pressure. The best way to do this is to give them a pacifier or bottle. Snacking may also work.

Where do you change diapers on a plane?

There are changing tables in the lavatory located on airplanes. Unfortunately, not every plane has changing tables in the lavatories.

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About Ashley Onadele

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.

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26 pro tips for flying with a 1 year old – family travel guide 2024.

Table of Contents

Flying with a 1 year old is one of the most challenging aspects of family travel. If you are looking for top tips and advice then you’ve come to the right place. As a full time travel family we have flown with a 1 year old both short and long haul flights. We are super excited to share these top tips, hacks and secrets with you.

Flying with a one-year-old does present some unique and unexpected challenges. In this article we will help you get to grips with some of the challenges and prepare as well as possible.

If you are reading this article you are already doing the first thing right. You’re taking time to plan and prepare for flying with a 1 year-old.  Being fully prepared for your flight can reduce anxiety and help you and your baby have a smooth flight.

Don’t miss our FULL baby travel checklist . EVERYTHING you need to know to plan and prepare your trip.

You may also be interested in our guide on Booking Cheap Flights with Kids

Flying with a 1 year old – unique challenges

Why have we done an article just for flying with a 1 year old? Because it’s hard! Flying with a 1 year old is probably one of the most challenging ages to fly. Not trying to put you off. Just help you understand some of the challenges and get prepared. With a 1 year old you will need to consider more toys and activities. You will also need to consider a range of snacks and drinks for a 1 year old baby. Another challenge is that your 1 year old will be more aware of their environment and therefore can be harder to settle. 

What are your seating options flying with a 1 year old?

Bassinet seats 

If you’re on a long haul flight your airline may have special bassinet seats. A bassinet is an airplane cot for a baby. The airline staff should help you set the bassinet up, and this is a great place for your baby to sit, play, rest and sleep during the flight. Bassinet seats are sometimes available for FREE on request on a first come first served basis. 

Bassinet restrictions

It is worth being aware that some airlines may have weight, size or age restrictions for bassinets. It is normally required that your baby can comfortably fit in the bassinet and normally no more than 10kg – 15kg. Check your airline’s specific policy. Most small 1 year olds should be able to use a bassinet on a flight. Your baby will not be able to use a bassinet at take off, landing and when the seatbelt sign is on. 

What about car seats ?

It is also possible to book an additional seat for your infant. Normally, when you add an infant to your booking they will not be assigned a seat. It is normally expected that your baby will sit on your lap throughout the flight with an infant lap belt. However, it is possible to book an additional seat for your infant. This will normally cost a similar price to an adult seat. If you book an additional seat for your 1 year old you can then use an approved car seat. Traveling with a car seat may be awkward at times but it can be very helpful at your destination.

TOP TIPS for flying with a 1 year old – summary 

• Help them connect with the experience
• Get things organized early
• Book a good place to rest – check Agoda and Booking.com
• Find a flight at a good time
• Get a seat with a bassinet
• Use the space under the seats 
• Pack more than you need
• Bring some ziplock bags
• Bring some sensory toys
• Pre-prep some bottles
• Bring a baby milk bottle through security
• Request an infant meal
• Bring plenty of snacks
• Get some baby ear muffs
• Talk to people sitting near you 
• Prevent baby ear pain
• Get a travel baby changing mat
• Use your all of your baggage allowance
• Pad out your bags with nappies
• Bring a change of clothes
• Pack a small blanket
• Bring creams and medications
• Try to keep some normal routines
• Bring a pram through the airport
• Use a special assistance lanes in the airport
• Team work is dream work

Flying with a 1 year old – full guide

1 help them to connect with the experience.

Before you fly with a 1 year-old, take time to help them connect with the experience.  Babies are very good at picking up on our emotions and reflecting them. If you are positive and excited about the flight your baby will perceive and reflect these emotions. Introduce toys and books that have an airplane theme. Talk to them about the flight and about your trip. Try to find ways to make the experience unique and special for them. The flight is also a good opportunity to introduce an exciting new toy or book and make the experience feel special for them. This is a particularly helpful tip to create a good long-term mindset in your child. 

2 Get things organized early

If you are flying with a 1 year old, try to get organized nice and early. Get things booked as early as possible. Generally flights are cheaper if you book them early. Book your hotel early too – on Agoda and Booking.com you can often get great FREE cancellation policies. If you need to get a passport for your infant this can take several months. Applying for an e-visa (where relevant) often takes a few weeks. Things like travel vaccination can take a while to organize because they rely on appointments and immunity may take a few weeks to kick in. Getting organized early is one of the most important things if you are flying with a 1 year old.

3 Book a great place to rest 

Finding a good hotel To rest after your flight is very important. You will all need to rest and recover from the flight and adjust to the new time zone. Try to get a quiet location (or sound proof room), good black out blinds, air conditioning and baby friendly facilities (e.g. fridge, cot, bath etc…) 

LOOK for a hotel on Agoda

LOOK for a hotel on Booking.com

TOP TIP: Once you know where you are going, get your hotel booked early. One of the great things about using Agoda and booking.com is that you can often find places with very good free cancellation policies. You need to check this when you book.  Agoda and booking.com often have cancellation policies that allow you to cancel for FREE for any reason until close to your check in date. So if you don’t have time to look for the best hotel, just get something good booked early and then look more carefully when you have more time. 

4 Find a flight at a good time

If possible try to find a flight that works well with your baby’s routines. Of course you may not be able to choose the time of your flight, however it is worth considering flight times and layovers when you are booking tickets. It can be good if you can find a flight that departs a couple of hours before your 1 year old is due to nap. Their nap can be a nice way to break up the flight. Another good time to fly is a few hours before your baby’s normal bedtime. Also consider layover times and locations. The best layovers are either relatively short or very long. 1-2 hours is ideal so you have time to get to your connecting flight. Alternatively, 12 hours or more can actually work very well. With a 12 hour layover you may be able to leave the airport and check in to some accommodation to get some rest. You may also have time to see some attractions in your layover country. Also flights with a long layover tend to be cheaper than flights with shorter layovers.

TOP TIP: If you have a long layover check whether your bags go all the way to the destination. If so pack for your layover (clothes and toiletries)

5 Request a bassinet early

Okay this is one of the most important tips for flying with a 1 year old. We mentioned that on some flights you can get special bassinet seats for an infant. However these are generally available on a first-come first-serve basis.  Therefore, if you are on a long-haul flight with a one-year-old we recommend turning up as early as possible to request a bassinet seat. In some cases, a bassinet seat may be automatically assigned to you. However we do not recommend relying on this. 

6 Use the space under the seats 

Airlines normally allow you to put small bags underneath the seat in front of you or underneath your own seat. The only exception is if you’re on an emergency exit row – BUT this won’t happen when you are flying with a 1 year old (infants are not allowed on this row). When you are flying with a 1 year old you need to be able to access things quickly. If all your baby stuff is in the overhead storage it can be really awkward to get things. Pack your special baby carry on in a small flexible bag that can fit under an airplane seat. 

7 Pack more than you need

This feels more like a tip for life! Pack plenty – more than you think you need. Before your flight you will need to work out how much you need. Consider nappies, wet wipes, snacks and milk. Remember you also need to consider journey time to and from the airport, flight times, layover times AND potential delays. If you are stuck in the airport it may be tricky to find extra nappies and milk in the airport. So remember to pack more than you need. 

Don’t miss our full packing list for flying with a baby

8 Bring some ziplock bags

Pack ziplock bags or small plastic bags. These can be used for so many things. For example if your baby drops their dummy on the ground you can stick it in a ziplock bag and pop it in your bags. Or when clothing is inevitably covered in drinks and bodily fluid – stuff them in a ziplock pack and pack them away to clean later. 

9 Bring some sensory toys

Pack some small compact toys for your baby. Flying with a 1 year old may be a great time to introduce a new toy. Find things that are sensory, multi-purpose and stimulating. Bring along a few familiar toys and books. Consider toys that can be used for simple games like blocks, stacking cups and toys with moving parts and magnets. On the flight PACE yourself and your baby. Mix up activities. Keep some of your higher impact activities for later in the flight when everyone is more tired and worn out. 

10 Pre-prep some bottles

Before the flight, pre-prepare some milk bottles. If the milk bottle is clean, dry and sterilized you can add the correct amount of formula powder to the bottle in advance. Later all you need to do is add some warm water and give it a shake. Alternatively, portion up some formula in small plastic bags. You can then make up the bottle on the flight. Almost all airlines will be willing to provide water for formula bottles. If they only have boiling water available, just add a little clean cold water first (e.g. from a water bottle). 

11 Bring a baby milk bottle through security

Security checks usually have 100ml restriction on fluids. However, parents traveling with an infant should be allowed to take a baby drink through security. You will probably need to pop it in a plastic bag for security and they may also want to check it. But it is useful to have an extra drink for your baby. 

12 Request and infant meal

If you book a flight with a 1 year old you should automatically be assigned an infant meal (assuming there is a meal service on your flight). However, this is definitely worth checking. We recommend contacting the airline in advance to check that your child will be given an infant meal – especially if your infant has special dietary requirements. You may also want to bring along some of your baby’s normal food. 

13 Bring plenty of snacks

As every parent knows, snacks are essential to your baby’s happiness and a parent’s sanity. Airplanes normally offer snacks but these can be odd, sporadic and unreliable. See the airplane snacks as an additional bonus. Snacks with complex carbs will help fill your baby’s tum tum and hopefully make them more sleepy. Baby pouches can also provide a healthy and comforting energy hit for your baby. AND don’t forget to bring along a treat or two for yourself. You deserve it if you’re flying with a 1 year old. 

14 Get some baby ear muffs

Get hold of some special baby aeroplane ear muffs (yes – these really are a thing!). These earmuffs are designed to protect your baby’s ears from the loud noise of the airplane. If your 1 year old is comfortable wearing ear muffs they should help protect their ears and they may also help your baby sleep better on the airplane. Get your baby used to the earmuffs before the flight. At first wait till your baby is asleep before you put them on your baby so they get used to them. Eventually you may be able to put them on before your baby is asleep because they will be used to wearing them. 

15 Talk to people sitting near you 

When you get on the airplane, talk to the people sitting near you. If you’re flying with a 1 year old it is natural to feel anxious about the other passengers sitting near you. A short conversation is a great way to humanize you to the people around you. Showing that you are aware of other people’s experience and peace will encourage them to be more sympathetic and understanding. 

16 Prevent baby ear pain

The change in cabin pressure can be very painful for a baby’s ears. The best way to reduce ear pain is for your 1 year old to suck something. This could be a dummy. It could be feeding from a milk bottle. Or even breastfeeding. You baby will need to sit on your lap in a lap belt at take off and landing. If this is loosened it is possible to breastfeed a baby. 

17 Get a travel changing mat

Consider purchasing a travel changing mat. Baby travel changing mats for compact, small and provide a hygienic surface for carrying out nappy changes anyway. A good travel changing mat may also have additional pockets and pouches for things like hand sanitizer, baby wipes and nappies. You can put your own baby travel changing mat on top of baby changing tables in toilets for comfort and hygiene. Most airplanes have small baby changing tables in some of the toilets.

18 Use your all of your baggage allowance

Your baggage allowance will depend on the airline you’re flying with a ticket. You can generally find out your baggage allowance when you purchase your ticket. A good free allowance should be at least 20kg check in. Flying with a 1 year old you should be given some free additional allowance. Many good airlines will let you bring a pram or baby carrier for FREE. You should also be allowed an additional carry on bag for your baby. 

19 Pad out your bags with nappies

If you’re flying with a 1 year old make sure you bring mountains of nappies with you. In many countries you can buy nappies but they may be expensive, hard to find and not your preferred brand. Nappies are a great way to pad out your bags. Filling your bag with lots of nappies will not add much weight but will provide protection to your belongings. As you use the nappies on your trip the extra space in your bags can be filled with gifts and goodies. 

20 Bring a change of clothes

When you are packing your carry on, remember to pack a change of clothes for your baby and for yourself. When you are flying with a 1 year old it is only a matter of time before you will be covered in crumbs, spillages and bodily fluids. Having some clean clothes can really help you feel human again. 

21 Pack a small blanket

You may be given a blanket on a long haul flight but this is not guaranteed. Bring along a small comfortable blanket for you and or your one year old. This can be a familiar comfort to your baby and you can also use it in the airport during layovers or waiting time. A small blanket shouldn’t add too much extra size and weight to your carry on luggage. 

22 Bring creams and medications

You should be allowed to bring creams and meds in your carry-on luggage (as long as fluids don’t exceed 100ml). Make sure creams and medicines are in labeled containers and wrapped in plastic bags for security. Be aware that a long flight can exacerbate nappy rash. So even if your baby is not normally prone to red cheeks – it is probably worth having a good cream. 

23 Try to keep some normal routines

Stay as close as possible to your baby’s normal routines. This should help your 1 year old feel settled and increase their chances of getting some sleep. Consider small familiar comforts like their normal night time clothing, giving them a bottle of warm milk at bedtime or bedtime stories that you may read to your baby at bedtime.

24 Bring a pram through the airport

If you’re traveling with a pram, take it through the airport all the way to the boarding gate. Having your 1 year old in a pram is really helpful when you need your hands-free. When you get to the gate the airport staff should take your pram and store it on the aircraft so that it is available to you when you arrive at your destination. 

TOP TIP If you are not planning to travel with a pram, there are some other great options for you. Consider a sling. There are plenty of small, light, travel friendly sling options. Alternatively, many airlines will also let you switch out for a baby carrier backpack (FREE with an infant). This is a backpack with a baby seat built in. You can also stuff a baby carrier with some extra things like nappies, clothes or toys. 

25 Use a special assistance lanes in the airport

Most airports around the world have special assistance lanes. You can normally find special assistance lanes at immigration checkpoints, security checkpoints and also when you are boarding the aircraft. Make yourself known to staff and ask for help if you need it. This can save valuable time and reduce waiting time in queues. 

26 Team work is dream work

If you are flying with another adult, find ways to team up. Take shifts and switch out to give each other rest. When you are at stress points (e.g. security) try to divide tasks up. One person looking after your baby whilst the other focuses on bags. If you are not flying with another adult – then seriously respect to you. We do have a special article on flying solo with a baby . 

Tips for flying with a 1 year old – SUMMARY 

If you are flying with a 1 year old preparation and planning is everything. Whether it is organizing travel vaccinations, buying clothes and kit, packing or sorting flights and accommodation It’s going to be busy. SO keep your eyes on the prize. It will be worth it. Hopefully our articles will help you think through and plan all of the essentials. 

DON’T MISS our full guide on Booking Cheap Flights with Kids

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Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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Long Haul Flight with a 1-Year-Old (A-Z Guide for Parents)

I have a one-year-old son who has been on 14 flights so far (domestic and international) with another long haul flight coming up next week. And just one week ago, we flew across North America with him to visit family — this isn’t the easiest age to travel with a baby but it doesn’t have to be terrible either, trust me!

This is a comprehensive guide with all of the information you need to make your long haul flight with your budding toddler smooth and more enjoyable. There are no guarantees when traveling with a baby/toddler but we can do the very best to increase the likelihood that we’ll have a great flight! Let’s do this!

In this guide, you’ll find the following topics covered:

One-year-old babies fly free (unless you want your car seat on board), where to sit on the plane with your one-year-old, documents you need for your one-year-old to travel, how to pack for you and your one-year-old for the flight, gate check your stroller and car seat for free, how to navigate the airport with your one-year-old, tips for boarding the plane with your one-year-old, how to keep your one-year-old baby entertained on the flight, how to get your one-year-old to sleep on the flight, how to spend your layover with a one-year-old.

First, you’ll have to decide whether you’re going to buy a seat for your baby or if you’re going to have them sit in your lap for free (or for a fraction of the regular price). Until babies are 2 years old, they count as a “lap infant” and you don’t have to buy them their own seat.

If you’ll be buying a seat for your baby, you can either have them sit in the seat or bring their car seat on board for free. *Car seats also get checked for free on most major airlines.*

If you’re going to bring your baby on board as a lap child, the obvious advantage is that it’s cost-effective, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, you won’t be able to bring your car seat on board. You can ask if there are any empty seats on your flight, in which case the flight crew might accommodate your car seat, but there’s no guarantee. You’ll have to be prepared to have your baby in your lap the whole flight — which can be challenging for a long haul! But doable!

For take off and landing: On many international airlines, you’ll be asked to put a baby lap belt on, which is a seat belt extension that loops around the adult seat belt and then around your baby’s waist. Babies have to be seated in your lap facing forward and wearing this lap belt for takeoff and landing.

On US carriers, they don’t do infant lap seat belts– Instead, you’re asked to hold your baby facing toward you for takeoff and landing.

There is great debate between travel moms about where is the best place to sit on an airplane with a baby or toddler, which I wrote about and highly recommend you check out to figure out which seat and part of the plane are best for your family specifically.

However, the consensus seems to be that the window seat, the bulkhead row, and the back of the plane are the best places to sit when flying with babies or toddlers. These areas offer the most privacy, space, and safety, according to many moms who travel with their littles ones.

The bulkhead row is the row usually located in the first row (or the first row after a separator), faces a wall and has a bit more legroom. This row is great to choose for babies because you can request a bassinet if you want.

There is an age/weight limit for some airlines so check with them first. Our son was 22 pounds and over a year old when he last used one.

I’m not sure how much I love the bassinet to be honest. I’m sure some other babies sleep very well in them (especially younger babies), but my son lasted about one hour out of our entire long haul flight. The rest of the time, the bassinet was just kind of awkwardly in our way — although it was useful for holding a bunch of our stuff!

I do like the bulkhead row for the extra room and not having anyone in front of us to disturb. The cons of the bulkhead row are that you can’t put the arm rests up, and there is no underseat storage in front of you. All bags need to go in the overhead bins for takeoff and landing.

The window seat with a baby is obviously great for using as a distraction and to have something to lean against, especially if you’re breastfeeding. The big con is having to ask the person/people sitting next to you to move every time you need to change a diaper, walk up and down the aisle with your baby, etc.

The back of the plane is a popular place to sit as well, because it tends to be quieter, darker, and if the flight isn’t full — less populated. It’s also usually closer to the bathrooms.

On my most recent long haul flight with my one-year-old, we opted for the bulkhead row with the bassinet. But in hindsight, I think I would have rather had a row near the back instead. Here’s why:

Our flight wasn’t full so we could have had a whole row in the back to ourselves to put the arm rests up and stretch out. It was much quieter and darker back there. Sitting in the bulkhead, there was so much noise and activity with the flight attendants preparing food and coffee and assisting other passengers. Our baby had a tough time sleeping through all the noise and light.

If your child is a lap infant, the options for sleep are:

• They sleep in your arms
• They sleep attached to you in a baby carrier (but it can’t be used for takeoff and landing)
• They sleep in the baby bassinet in the bulkhead row
• They sleep lying across you and your partner’s laps
• You are lucky and have an empty seat next to you so you can lay them there or use your car seat!

Domestic flights

To fly domestically within the United States, you officially don’t need to bring ID for your baby but I would recommend bringing your baby’s birth certificate anyway just in case, for two reasons:

• You may need to prove your baby’s age for them to qualify as a lap infant (under 2 years old)
• You may need to prove that you are the legal parent (not likely but I have heard of rare cases)

You may also be asked for a physician’s note with a clean bill of health if your child is a newborn. Many airlines don’t allow you to travel with a baby under 7 days or 14 days without a note from a doctor.

You may need a boarding pass for your child — or at least to make sure that your child is connected to your boarding pass (basically, the airline needs to know that a baby will be coming on board, even if they are a lap baby).

International flights

We started traveling with our son when he was 3 months old and the same documentation that we needed then is needed for him at one-year-old. It will depend on your exact circumstances, but here is a list of the 6 documents that you may need for traveling with your baby:

• Birth certificate
• Boarding Pass
• Vaccination record
• Physician’s note
• Notarized parental consent letter

Not every document will be necessary on every flight. To find out the details and exceptions for each item, please read the article I wrote all about baby flight documentation . This all applies to infants who are US citizens, but much of it is relevant to babies from around the world.

We have to bring so much more stuff with us than we used to now that we have a baby. But I have to say that we’ve gotten MUCH better at packing with a baby than we were when we first started traveling with him at 3 months old.

We’ve streamlined things for sure, and this process takes some trial and error just because every family and baby’s needs are a little bit different. We’ve personally become better at leaving a lot of stuff behind and then hitting up Facebook marketplace for items that we need in our destination (or going without).

There are also rental companies that you can just rent baby items from (like high chairs, toys, etc.) if you don’t want to lug everything with you.

In total, we usually pack (TO CHECK):

• Our car seat (to gate check)
• Our stroller (to gate check)
• A larger suitcase with mom and baby’s clothes/stuff (to check)
• A large backpack with dad’s clothes/stuff (to check)

And we usually pack (TO CARRY ON):

• A diaper bag (usually doesn’t count as one of our carry-ons, but depends on the airline )
• A carry-on backpack for mom
• A carry-on backpack for dad
• A baby carrier to use while navigating the airports (our son has always really liked being “worn” and still does at one year — much more than the stroller)

I’ll go a bit more in depth for what to pack in your carry-on bags below.

As far as checked luggage , this will probably depend on your destination (will it be hot, cold, rainy, etc.) and how long you’re staying (how many pairs of pants, shirts, etc. will you need).

My recommendation would be to pack as light as possible where you can still be comfortable and happy with the clothes you’ll have (easier said than done, for sure!).

Carry-on Packing Checklist for Your One-Year-Old

For a PDF version of this checklist and a detailed explanation, please take a look at my complete guide to packing for you and your baby .

Make sure the activities you pack for your baby are something new (can be dollar store objects). I also have a list of 20+ cheap and easy activities for one-year-olds on an airplane that you should definitely read before you go!

Here is what I pack for my one-year-old in his carry-on bag/diaper bag (after many flights of trial and error!):

• Diapers (x8)
• Wipes (1-2 packs)
• Changing pad
• Diaper rash cream
• Pajamas (x2)
• Light hoodie/sweater
• Baby blanket
• Light, breathable muslin blanket (to cover up for breastfeeding)
• Pacifier (x2)
• Pacifier/toy leashes
• Portable sound machine + extra batteries
• Water bottle
• 1 sippy cup/bottles
• Formula/milk
• Baby Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer
• Baby nail clippers
• Snack catcher
• Lots of dry snacks
• Mini first aid kit
• Ziploc/wet bag for soiled or wet clothes
• Activities for the plane
• Basic mini travel size toiletries (baby soap, toothpaste, toothbrush)
• If walking, soft stretchy shoes

Carry-on Packing Checklist for You

It’s equally important what you pack for yourself on the plane. This list is what I always pack in my carry-on bag when flying with my baby.

You probably won’t have much time to sleep on the plane, if any, so make sure you’re packed days in advance so that the nights before traveling you can just concentrate on getting some REST before the big day.

• An extra outfit (including underwear)
• Headphones/ear pods
• Phone charger
• Adult Tylenol
• Plug converters for your destination
• Lap top/tablet
• Camera + batteries
• Snacks for you
• A folder with all of your  important documents  (passport, visas, birth certificate, copy of your travel insurance, etc.)
• Ziploc bags
• Baby monitor
• Breast pump (handheld)
• Basic mini toiletries (soap/shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, glasses/contacts, etc.)
• Fanny pack (to wear in the airport)

As I mentioned above, most major airlines will check your stroller and car seat for free . If you absolutely know that you don’t want your car seat or stroller on the plane, you can plan to check them right away when you arrive at the airport.

If you want to try to bring your car seat on the plane for your lap baby (in hopes that there will be an empty seat next to you), you can carry it to your gate and then gate check it if it doesn’t work out.

Remember that if you’re going to be carrying your car seat through security and through the airport all the way to your gate, I recommend having a plan for carrying it along with all your stuff and your baby. It can be overwhelming trying to juggle a bunch of stuff, and trolleys aren’t allowed starting at the security line up.

We usually use our stroller as a trolley! And then we simply gate check it before we get on the plane.

Think about how you’ll be carrying your baby through the airport (stroller, carrier, etc.) and how you’re going to carry/move your carry-on bags as well. This is especially important when you’re traveling solo with your baby.

I made the mistake of not thinking this all through beforehand exactly ONCE — the time I first flew solo with my son. I ended up having to carry way too much stuff on my own through the airport and it was tough. It’s much more manageable of course if you’re flying with another adult who can help.

Here’s what we usually do:

• Check our car seat right away (we don’t bother trying to use it on the plane because our son has never liked sitting in a car seat anyway)
• Carry our baby in our wearable front baby carrier (we’ve always loved our Lillebaby carrier)
• Put all of our carry-on bags that will fit into the stroller and push it through security to our gate!
• Gate check our stroller

We’ve tried boarding a couple of different ways and the best way to board has ended up being this: Split up! Usually my husband boards early when they ask for families traveling with young kids to board. He takes all of our bags, stows everything away, and sets up our seat.

I try to get my baby tired out until the very last minute and board with the final group — the plane door shutting behind us!

This usually works out really well for us, as we can avoid our baby being stuck in a small contained space for too long. Also, if the timing is right, he falls asleep just in time for takeoff.

While you’re waiting for your flight, it’s so helpful to find an airport playground area for kids and get your toddler’s energy out as much as possible before boarding!

Keeping our one-year-old baby entertained on the flight has become more challenging as he’s gotten older. A newborn baby is actually easy peasy on the plane in comparison! But you also don’t have to overthink it.

I’m going to make some recommendations below for what to bring, based on my own experiences (and the advice of many other travel moms I surveyed). But please rely heavily on your gut when packing, because you know your child best as to what is likely to keep them entertained.

Some great activities for a one-year-old on the plane:

• Sticker books
• Masking/painter’s tape
• Dollar store (cheapy) toys
• Pill boxes filled with snacks
• Sensory/busy boards
• Buckle pillow
• Downloaded videos on a tablet or phone + toddler headphones
• Coloring book and crayons
• Empty spice containers + pipe cleaners to pull through the holes
• Old wallet or travel wallet filled with plastic “credit cards” (old memberships cards, bus passes, etc.)
• Pipe cleaners and uncooked pasta to string
• A small empty water bottle with the bottom cut off + colorful pom pom balls to put through the hole
• Anything with zippers or strings
• Window cling stickers
• Window suction spinners
• Magnet toys
• Water Wow books
• Mobi Zippee Silicone Pull Toy
• Pop it or fidget toys

Ah, sleep. It’s hard enough to come by on normal, non-travel days with a baby so how are we supposed to get our one-year-olds to sleep on a plane?

Again, I’ll offer some advice but your baby is their own special little person so remember that different tricks work for different kids, of course!

Some tips for getting your one-year-old baby to sleep on a flight include:

• Bring your car seat on board if they’re used to sleeping in it.
• Ask to be seated in the bulkhead row and request a baby bassinet
• Bring an inflatable baby travel bed on board and place it in the seat next to you
• Bring a light muslin blanket to block out light
• Bring a portable sound machine to block out announcements and other passengers
• Walk the aisles to put your baby to sleep (with your baby in a carrier if you use one)
• Tire them out before boarding and try to fly at their nap/bedtime
• Bring their comfort items (stuffed animal, blanket, pacifier, etc.)

Every baby is different. We’ve walked the aisles with our son, put him to sleep in his carrier, and more recently he falls asleep while breastfeeding only (when on the plane). And I find that a comfort item (his blanket) and playing lullabies very quietly on my phone has helped a lot to put him to sleep.

I would say mimic as closely as you can what you might do at home to put your baby to sleep — as far as sounds, light, motion, and comfort items.

A direct flight, however long, is probably ideal for most people traveling with a baby. But that isn’t always an option, unfortunately. If you have a long-ish layover ahead of you, I have two recommendations for making it more enjoyable for you.

The first one is a bit fancy. We’ve done this twice with our baby and that’s to use one of the priority lounges . You can basically go hang out in a nicer part of the airport with comfy seats and “free” food and drinks. It’s awesome.

We have a certain number of passes that come with our credit cards every year. Or you can just buy a pass for the day. If you can swing it, it makes your layover experience with a baby MUCH more enjoyable, especially after a long flight… on your way to another long flight!

My second recommendation is to bring items in your carry-on bag to camp out . Bring a couple of blow up camping mats, lightweight blankets, snacks, and “camp out” in a dim area on the floor of the airport. When you’re prepared for this, it can actually be kind of cozy and fun to hang out in your little “spot” for a few hours.

Choose a spot near a kids area/playground or plan activities for your airport time for your baby as well (not just for the plane).

If you can, take this time to trade off getting some lay down rest — Or try to get your baby to sleep and ALL of you get some rest before your second flight.

Good luck! YOU GOT THIS! 🙂

Brittany is a Wayfaring Human who loves to adventure with her husband and son. When she's not having adventures, she's taking pictures of them and writing about them.

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The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids

From activity books to wipes galore, everything you need for your next flight with kids.

Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley.

In This Article

• Packing Checklist

Tips for Packing

Frequently asked questions.

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Travel + Leisure / Reese Herrington

The trick to flying with young kids? Careful preparation. Our writer has traveled the world with twins, and she knows that flying with children can be miserable if you don't bring the right items on board with you. But with the right tools, a flight with your youngsters is not just feasible but can even be fun. We've rounded up all the supplies you’ll need for feeding, cleaning, soothing, and entertaining little ones — plus transporting all that cargo. So use this guide to prepare properly for your next family flight .

Packing Checklist for Flying With Kids

We've broken down all categories of things you’ll need to pack when flying with children and included the exact items we’d recommend.

Read more about our specific recommendations below and start your own checklist, too.

Entertainment 

• Best Tablet: Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet
• Best Headphones: Puro Sound Labs BT2200s Kids’ Bluetooth Headphones
• Best Tech Stand: Airglo Cell Phone and Tablet Holder
• Best Coloring Book: Unicorn Imagine Ink Magic Ink Book
• Best Book: "Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey"
• Best Activity Book: On the Plane Activity Book
• Best Craft: Purple Ladybug Wax Craft Sticks
• Best Game: Magnetic Travel Games
• Best Set: Mini Voyager 4-7 Jetsetter Travel Kit
• Best Sound Machine: Frida Baby Portable 2-in-1 Sound Machine
• Best Pillow and Blanket: Roamwild Kids Travel Pillow and Travel Blanket Set
• Best Portable Bed: Flyaway Kids Bed

Food and Drink

• Best Reusable Water Bottle: Yeti 12-ounce Kids Water Bottle
• Best Lollipops: Ring Pops (20 Count)
• Best Snacks: Healthy Snacks Variety Pack
• Best Snack Activity: Fred Match Up Memory Snack Tray
• Best Changing Pad: SkipHop Portable Baby Changing Pad
• Best Multi-purpose Wipes: Hello Bello Unscented Baby Wipes
• Best Face Wipes: Baby Wipes by Boogie Wipes
• Best Surface Wipes: Lysol Disinfecting Surface Wipes
• Best Hand Sanitizer: Kinia 8-pack Hand Sanitizer Holders
• Best Diaper Bag: Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
• Best Crossbody Bag: Kibou Vegan Leather Fanny Pack Diaper Bag
• Best Kids Backpack: Herschel Backpack Kids 9L
• Best Wheeled Backpack: Jansport Driver 8 Backpack
• Best Carry-on Suitcase: Rockland London Hardside 20-inch Spinner
• Best Ride-on Suitcase: Jetkids by Stokke Bedbox 19-inch Ride-on Carry-on

Accessories

• Best Luggage Trackers: Apple AirTags
• Best First Aid Kit: PreparaKit Take Along First-aid Kit
• Best Storage Bags: Hefty Slider Storage Bags

T+L's Top Picks and Tips

Entertainment.

Entertaining kids is absolutely critical to keeping the peace on any flight. For babies and younger kids, one rule of thumb is to think of entertainment in 15-minute increments; bring enough options to rotate activities often. For older or generally tech-minded kids? Well, the magic power of screens sure comes in handy.

Best Tablet

Amazon fire hd 10 kids edition.

Why We Love It: This tablet has plenty of storage space and comes in a virtually indestructible case.

What to Consider: This isn’t as full-featured as, say, an iPad, so kids will outgrow it eventually.

Tablets are great for long-stretch occupation — just be sure to download your child's favorite shows and movies ahead of time rather than relying on airplane wifi to stream. Amazon’s Fire for kids simpler and less expensive than standard adult versions, and it comes with an indestructible, kid-friendly case with a stand. The Fire HD 10 also includes a two-year guarantee and a yearlong subscription to Amazon Kids+. We find this to be a great investment to keep children from ages 3 to 5 occupied.

Best Headphones

Puro sound labs bt2200s volume limited kids headphones.

Why We Love It: These Bluetooth headphones have a safe maximum volume for kids.

What to Consider: They are pricier than some alternative kids' headphones.

In the same way that you’ll likely lean hard on that tablet to keep kids occupied, you'll depend on quality kids' headphones to go with it. This compact but powerful pair is made to protect early hearing damage by following the World Health Organization’s recommendation of an 85dB-limited volume range. The Bluetooth capability has a 30-foot range of movement so the child can feel free to move about the cabin, too.The lightweight, durable headphones come in nine fun colors.

Best Tech Stand

Airglo airplane travel essentials.

Why We Love It: This universal tech holder is a great hands-free solution for use in planes, cars, and more.

What to Consider: It might not be the most secure stand for larger phones or tablets.

This nifty gadget is the brainchild of a flight attendant who saw a need for a phone stand that would allow passengers to watch movies and TV shows on long flights. Now kids can also watch on your devices hands-free with this tool that fits any brand’s gadgets. It folds fairly flat when not in use, and this lightweight stand could also be repurposed to hang a bag on a chair or tray table.

Best Coloring Book

Bendon unicorn imagine ink magic ink book.

Why We Love It: This compact book is small, self-contained, and mess-free.

What to Consider: The cover is slightly misleading: This book isn’t actually full of unicorn themes.

These invisible ink activity books are self-contained — no crayon collection to roll under plane seats — and guaranteed mess-free. Kids just use the Imagine Ink marker to stay busy with 16 pages of games, all in a portable-size book just right for tossing in a travel bag. We've found invisible ink books particularly effective for children aged 3 to 6.

Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey Paperback

Why We Love It: This book is challenging for kids of all ages (including pre-readers) and delivers on a healthy dose of nostalgia for parents as well.

What to Consider: A book will never be as tempting as a tablet for tech-addled kids.

Books that challenge little ones keep them entertained. And Where’s Waldo does just that — even for kids who aren’t reading yet. The paperback book is not only small and lightweight for travel, but its journey motif fits in nicely with vacation adventures, too.

Best Activity Book

On the plane activity book.

Why We Love It: This lightweight book gets kids excited about their flight, with plane-themed games and activities.

What to Consider: You’ll need to bring and keep track of your own coloring implements.

Engage kids in the excitement of travel with this activity book that has an airplane journey theme. Think: spot the identical pilots on their way through the airport, true-or-false airplane and flying facts, and more. Just pack a pencil (or probably two).

Purple Ladybug Wax Craft Sticks for Kids

Why We Love It: This generously stocked wax stick kit has plenty of sticks to share between or among siblings.

What to Consider: You'll probably leave some sticks on the floor and in the seats.

This set of wax craft sticks will be a novelty for most kids, and waxy sticks won’t roll away as easily as crayons or markers. This kit comes with 300 sticks in 15 colors and two different lengths, plenty for multiple siblings to have a go. Kids can endlessly shape and reshape them with no noise and no mess.

The Purple Cow Magnetic Animal Homes Matching Puzzle

Why We Love It: Magnetic pieces keep this tin game set together for play on the go.

What to Consider: Pieces are only magnetic on one side.

Nothing’s more frustrating than trying to travel with a game that’s rendered immediately useless after some essential piece slides irretrievably under an airplane or car seat. This compact game set provides a frustration-free alternative with magnets that keep everything together. We recommend it for children over 2.

Mini Voyager 4-7y Jetsetter Travel Kit

Mini Voyage

Why We Love It: This kit combines a customized array of kids entertainment items into one grab-and-go bundle.

What to Consider: You may save money by finding and buying all of these items separately (if you have the time and inclination).

If creating a DIY bag of entertainment ideas for every flight seems like a lot of work, buy this kit, which compiles it all for you in one convenient bundle. Choose from multiple items to build your own customized pack based on your kid’s interests and ages, including stickers, books, toys, and games.

When kids don’t get adequate rest, the whole thing goes off the rails in a hurry — for everyone. In addition to comfy clothes and layers, these packable items help keep children warm, soothed, and rested on the plane.

Best Sound Machine

Fridababy 2-in-1 portable sound machine.

Why We Love It: This portable sound machine also has a nightlight, and it hooks onto a tray table hinge or arm rest.

What to Consider: It can be hard to differentiate the buttons in the dark.

This little machine produces five soothing sounds for kids, including shushing and a heartbeat. It has an adjustable strap, so you can hook it onto an arm rest or or tray table hinge, or a car seat or stroller once off the plane. During your flight, just but be mindful of using anything beyond pink noise in flight out of respect to your fellow passengers. Conveniently, it also has a nightlight with three glow levels which could help you locate items in a dimmed cabin, too.

Best Pillow and Blanket

Roamwild kids travel pillow.

Why We Love It: This cute and cuddly set is a pillow, blanket, and toy all in one.

What to Consider: While the sleeve-style cover adds comfort to an armrest, it’s still an armrest — so it may be too firm for some kids’ tastes.

A travel pillow and blanket are always useful tools in keeping children cozy for long flights. This one has a niche feature: After you remove the blanket, the sleeve-style toy slides over any armrest to transform it into a kids’ pillow. So, it’s a penguin toy, a comfy pillow, and a warm blanket, all in one cute and compact package.

Best Portable Bed

Flyaway kids bed.

Why We Love It: Not just a place to sleep, this comfy surface also keeps toys and accessories from rolling onto the floor.

What to Consider: You’ll be happy to have it on the plane, but then you’ll be committed to traveling with it for the duration of your trip.

When kids are overtired, everyone loses. And a tool like this can be just the ticket for helping them sleep on long flights. The bed for babies, toddlers, and little kids inflates in 90 seconds and deflates quickly, too. It comes in a carry bag with a pump included, and it can be wiped clean.

When it comes to traveling with kids, you’ll always need more snacks than you think. Think you’ve packed enough? Great, now double it. And don’t forget a refillable water bottle to kep your kiddo hydrated.

Best Reusable Water Bottle

Yeti rambler jr. kids bottle.

Why We Love It: This water bottle is impressively leakproof and made to withstand a beating.

What to Consider: The bottle itself is heavy, especially compared to its relatively small 12-ounce payload.

Staying hydrated with kids while traveling is a must, and this water bottle means business. The Yeti is durable, spill proof, and double-wall insulated to keep drinks cold (or warm) for hours. Plus, a straw cap makes it easy for kids to sip on the go.

Best Lollipops

Ring pop individually wrapped bulk lollipop variety party pack.

Why We Love It: It acts as both a snack and a bribe — er, reward , that is — and can help reduce ear discomfort on planes.

What to Consider: Nope, there’s no nutritional value here!

Lollipops and their ilk are a multifunction tool for traveling with kids: It’s a snack! It’s a reward! It keeps them busy! And the act of swallowing while sucking on them can also ease ear pressure on takeoff and landing. Even better, Ring Pops are a smart, toy-like alternative to stick lollies for hands-free holding.

Best Snacks

Stuff your sack healthy snacks variety pack organic care package.

Why We Love It: This variety pack includes 18 different flavors to keep kids interested.

What to Consider: The packaged snacks may be organic, but they are still processed food.

Having kids means having snacks handy at all times; traveling makes it all the more necessary to keep kids fed and comfortable to combat whining. This variety pack includes 25 organic packaged snacks from 19 different brands; 18 different flavors keep them intrigued as little surprises unfold throughout a long journey.

Best Snack Activity

Fred match up memory snack tray.

Why We Love It: Dispensing snacks this way keeps the experience fun for kids — and prolongs the process to keep them busy, too.

What to Consider: Make sure your child is able to push buttons.

Snacks serve two important functions: nutrition and amusement. For that reason, try to prolong these food breaks as a way to keep kids busy and amused. Try putting different snacks into this fun tray with compartments; it’s fun for littles to discover treats behind each door, and it adds time to the whole process. For slightly older toddlers and children, you can make a memory game out of it.

Keeping kids clean — and cleaning up after them — has long been a top concern among traveling parents. A global pandemic only underscored the importance of traveling with wipes and sanitizer.

Best Changing Pad

Skip hop pronto changing station.

Why We Love It: When you travel with your own changing pad, you’re guaranteed a non-public surface no matter where you are.

What to Consider: A separate changing pad may not be necessary if you have a diaper bag that comes with one.

Change a diaper on the go without fear of exposing baby to gross, public surfaces. This changing pad takes the form of a clutch, with a large mesh pocket that holds four diapers and accessories, plus a translucent wipes case. A front zipper pocket holds essentials like keys and cash. Drop it in any bag, or clip it on a travel stroller or luggage handle instead.

Best Multi-purpose Wipes

Hello bello unscented baby wipes.

Why We Love It: You can use these extra-soft baby wipes on just about everything.

What to Consider: These full-size packs aren’t tiny.

Is there nothing a baby wipe can't do? From diaper changes to on-the-go hand cleaning to wiping up half-eaten miscellany, traveling with baby wipes is a must. These are super soft with aloe and chamomile extract — and no alcohol, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or parabens.

Best Face Wipes

Boogie wipes.

Why We Love It: These hypoallergenic, ultra-soft saline wipes are great for cleaning snotty faces and even clearing airways.

What to Consider: If you don’t want to pack a bag full of different wipe options, this specialty product might be the first to go.

With kids, runny noses are just about guaranteed for chunks of the year, and they're even more likely when you add in the fatigue and exposure from traveling. These hypoallergenic and alcohol-free cloths are designed expressly for nose-wiping, with gentle saline, vitamin E, aloe, and chamomile to soothe sensitive skin.

Best Surface Wipes

Lysol disinfecting wipes to-go pack.

Why We Love It: You’ll find tons of uses for this travel-sized package of wipes when traveling through public spaces with (or without) kids.

What to Consider: These are ideal for surfaces, but they are not for use on kids’ faces.

These germ-busting wipes are ideal for cleaning nonporous surfaces like a tray tables or seatback entertainment screens, and they're a must for both safety and peace of mind when traveling with littles known to touch everything.

Best Hand Sanitizer

Kinia 8 pack empty mixed kids hand sanitizer.

Why We Love It: These cute and colorful hand sanitizer holders keep gel easy to access for frequent cleanups.

What to Consider: Be advised these containers come empty, so you’ll need to fill with your favorite brand.

In addition to wipes, hand sanitizer is a must for quick cleaning on the go. Keep your gel handy by filling these colorful jelly wrap silicone carriers. The 1-ounce, flip-top-cap bottles attach with adjustable silicone cords to backpacks, diaper bags, and just about anywhere else.

Depending on kids’ ages and sizes, they may be candidates to tote their own cargo. Backpacks, rolling bags, and even ride-on options help keep the process moving smoothly. Adults, on the other hand, can benefit from bags that keep hands free in case they need to carry tired children or hold little hands along the way.

Best Diaper Bag

Dagne dover indi diaper backpack.

Why We Love It: This bag is sleek, chic, and unisex, and it delivers on functionality with tons of specialized compartments.

What to Consider: It's spacious and deep, so smaller items can be hard to spot in a hurry (and when are you not in a hurry when traveling with kids?).

Traveling with kids means prioritizing performance in a diaper bag ; we're huge fans of Dagne Dover because the brand fuses functionality with style so well. Done in chic, 100-percent vegan neoprene, this backpack-style diaper bag also clips to a stroller upon arrival. It includes a mini changing mat and extra pouches, with an extra zipper opening for easy access to wipes.

Best Crossbody Bag

Kibou diaper bag.

Why We Love It: This crossbody doubles as a compact diaper bag for hands-free convenience.

What to Consider: A diaper bag this small obviously isn’t a feasible option for longer outings or multiple babies, so consider your usage.

This vegan-leather waist pack, which extends into a crossbody, is a great choice for traveling through airports and wearing on the plane. The ultra-compact diaper bag has tons of features so you can travel hands free: A built-in waterproof pocket holds 20 wipes wet for up to a week, a detachable changing pad unfolds from the back flap, a hook holds a pacifier or key, slots secure credit cards or cash, and the nylon lining is wipeable and stain resistant. It's even possible to use this as a regular bag once your little ones are out of diapers, too.

Best Kids Backpack

Herschel heritage backpack | kids.

Why We Love It: Encouraging kids to carry their own backpack builds independence while keeping the family’s cargo moving.

What to Consider: This kid-size version is best for ages 3 to 7; move up to youth size for older kids.

Herschel has just the right size backpack for children preschool age and up to carry their own gear — both to help out the family and to develop a bit of self reliance. This kid-proportioned version is just 13 inches high and has a removable sternum support strap. The next size up is right for youths ages 8 to 12 and, at 15 inches high, it also features a 13-inch laptop or tablet sleeve.

Best Wheeled Backpack

Jansport driver 8 core series wheeled backpack.

Why We Love It: A rolling backpack keeps the weight off kids’ backs and holds a solid amount of cargo.

What to Consider: This well-equipped pack is substantially sized and a better bet for grade school ages and up.

This 21-inch rolling backpack is packed with features for bigger kids. It has two spacious main compartments plus skate wheels and a telescoping handle for a smooth ride. An exterior mesh bottle pocket stretches to fit large bottles, and a 15-inch laptop sleeve has a buckle to keep technology extra secure. It comes in an array of solid colors and appealing prints, and you can easily tuck away the shoulder straps when not in use.

Best Kids' Carry-on Suitcase

Rockland london hardside spinner wheel luggage carry-on.

Why We Love It: Kids can grow with this 20-inch spinner, small enough to manage but large enough to hold proper cargo.

What to Consider: A 20-inch spinner will be too large for preschoolers to easily maneuver.

When it comes to kids’ roller bags, we advocate for choosing a piece small enough for them to manage but large enough to hold a meaningful amount of cargo. To be worthwhile, it must be an efficient use of hands and bin space, not just a character-shaped gimmick that holds very little. Our writer's twins have these durable hardside cases, which they’ve carried independently since age 6 (going on three years and many miles and still going!).

Best Ride-on Suitcase

​​stokke jetkids bedbox.

Why We Love It: This wheeled ride-on suitcase transforms into a leg rest or bed in flight.

What to Consider: Not all carriers permit the use of items like these as leg rests while in the air.

This ride-on rolling suitcase has hidden talents beyond scooting through the airport: It transforms into a leg rest, or an in-plane bed, to help keep kids comfy and rested during the flight, too. Bonus: It even includes two sheets of stickers for kids to personalize their own luggage.

It may seem overwhelming to keep track of all the things you need to bring, especially after you've left home. GPS trackers can be lifesavers for locating your items during the journey, and a small first aid kit and plastic slider bags prepare for just-in-case moments and help clean up mid-flight messes, too.

Best Luggage Tracker

Apple airtag 4-pack.

Why We Love It: Track your kids’ stuff — or even your kids themselves — amid hectic environments like airports.

What to Consider: These tiny trackers are made to interface with Apple devices only.

In crowded, chaotic environments — especially when the dependability of baggage handling could use improvement — a small GPS tracking device tucked into a bag can make all the difference in reuniting with it after, say, a kid blithely walks away from their belongings after being distracted by a candy display. You can also use these tags on children themselves, with an array of specialty wristbands, keychains, and necklaces designed to incorporate the tags for wearability.

Best First Aid Kit

Preparakit small compact first aid kit for kids.

Why We Love It: This well-stocked first aid kit covers the basics in a compact, highly portable package.

What to Consider: You can save money if you choose to compile your own kit with customized supplies.

This TSA-approved mini first aid kit contains all the essentials for babies and toddlers in a package just about the size of a wallet. The curated array of 50 items includes bandages, gauze, tape, scissors, thermometer strips, and more. There’s also additional room to add your own prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Best Storage Bags

Hefty slider storage bags.

Why We Love It: They have a stand-up bottom for convenience.

What to Consider: They're less durable than sturdier bags made for freezer storage,

There are so many uses for slider storage bags while flying with kids: Use them within backpacks to organize cables, toys, and snacks. Or, use them to separate wet or soiled items, and to collect trash tidily. Plus, they’re super lightweight and waterproof.

Prioritize new or special items

When it comes to keeping kids entertained during a long flight, they’re most likely to stay engaged when playing with something that is new to them. Now’s the time to choose new or rarely used games, books, toys, and technology to pack in your kit for maximum novelty value.

Consider portability

You may be accustomed to your full arsenal of supplies at home, but carefully consider how portable and necessary each of these items is before committing to travel with it. Luggage fees add up, arms and hands quickly fill, and only the truly portable items are usually worthwhile to bring along on travels with kids.

Children over the age of two must have their own ticket, and therefore are entitled to the same baggage privileges of other ticketed passengers in the category. Check your airline and ticket class for the specific baggage allowances.

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby or toddler food (including purée pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces are allowed in carry-on baggage, according to the TSA regulations ; these are considered medically necessary liquids. You will have to take these items out of your carry-on bag to be screened separately, so bear that in mind when you're packing to fly with your baby .

The same permission applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, like ice packs and freezer packs.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Alesandra Dubin is a career travel and lifestyle writer and a frequent traveler. She’s also a twin mom with plenty of hard-earned experience from world travels with kids.

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Related Articles

14 Tips For Flying With A 1-Year-Old

We independently research our recommended products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our links .

Flying with a baby can be a daunting experience for new parents (and even experienced ones).

The truth is, travelling with a baby will never be the same as your pre-baby travel heydays. But there are various tips and tricks you can use for the flight to go as smoothly as possible — for you, your baby and the passengers around you.

As a parent of a one-year-old, you may be asking yourself: “ How can I keep my 1-year-old entertained on a flight? “, “ Will my baby cope on a long-haul flight? “, “ Will they cry the whole way? ” … All valid questions!

There’s no need to panic. With some preparation and planning, flying with your baby can be a fun adventure and even an easygoing experience.

These travel tips for flying with babies will ensure your first flight goes as smoothly as possible for both you and your baby. You might even hit the jackpot and get them to sleep throughout the journey!

6. Check in online

14. keep calm and do your best, does a nappy bag count as a carry-on, final thoughts on flying with a 1-year-old, booking and other preparations, 1. check what id is needed for your infant.

While children under 16 years old do not require identification to travel within the UK, carrying your child’s birth certificate won’t hurt and will probably make the process quicker and smoother.

But if you and your little one are taking an international flight, then a passport is needed.

Leave plenty of time between your flight and getting your passport — a child’s first passport usually takes a bit longer than an adult renewal. Ideally, you won’t book your flight until you’ve received the passport.

2. Check if you can get priority boarding

Boarding a flight takes more time with a baby or child. Flying with a toddler or baby is already stressful enough, without having fellow travellers sigh as you struggle to make your way to your seats.

Should your airline offer it, take advantage of the priority boarding option. Priority boarding can help with the hassle of getting yourself and your little one on the plane and to your seats quickly before take-off.

Many airlines, including BA, will automatically offer you priority boarding if you’re travelling with an infant. Other airlines will charge you for the pleasure!

3. Consider booking a separate seat

You don’t need to book a seat for under-2s on planes but it can be difficult holding them on your lap the whole way — particularly if they’re at the wriggly stage!

An extra seat for your little one can do wonders for freeing up space while ensuring your baby is safe and comfortable — especially for long-haul flights. Of course, this will add a significant expense to your flight costs and many would consider this over-kill.

If you don’t fancy booking an extra seat, an aisle seat is the next best option so you can easily get up and down without disturbing anyone else around you. We know we’re not the only ones who have spent hours on a flight ‘walking’ up and down the aisle with our cruising pre-walker! It’s a good way to tire them out if nothing else!

Some parents like to book seats closer to the back of the plane, making it easier for you to board, make your way to the toilet, and disembark. Personally, we find the turbulence to be worse at the back so tend to go for more forward seats. Whatever works for you!

4. Consider bringing your own car seat or bassinet

If you’ve booked your baby their own seat, it may be worth bringing a travel car seat or an aeroplane bassinet to make the flight more comfortable for them.

Providing your baby with comfort and a place to fall asleep is a must on a long-haul flight. It also gives you the relief that you won’t have to hold your little one for the entire flight. And there’s the added bonus of having your car-seat with you in your destination country.

Find out with your airline if you’re allowed to bring your own car seat or bassinet on board, as some airlines may require it to be stored away. Some may even offer their own bassinets for your use.

5. Consider an overnight flight

The key to booking flights is knowing your baby’s schedule. An afternoon flight is a good option for shorter journeys if your baby’s nap time is after lunch.

For a long flight, consider booking an overnight flight. This way, your baby will know it’s bedtime and you won’t have to spend half as much time entertaining the little one.

Why stand in a long queue to check in at the airport? You already need to look after your little one and the mountain of luggage you’re taking.

Nowadays, many airlines offer online check-in or automated self-check-in kiosks for you to use. This time saving option can help you avoid any potential tantrums and stress, so take advantage of it!

Navigating the Airport and Flying With Your Baby

7. use a baby carrier.

Getting through airports can be a pain, especially when you have to look after your little one at the same time. Consider using a baby carrier for checking in and waiting around for your flight.

A major benefit of using one is you’ll be hands-free, making your commute around the airport much easier, all while your baby is safe and secure.

We’ve actually used a baby carrier on the plane as well, after take-off, as our little ones both liked to sleep in them.

8. Always pack more baby gear than you think you will need

The last thing you want to deal with is a hungry, dirty-nappied baby while flying. You can never go wrong with packing extras!

Whether you’re on a short or long flight, pack twice as much baby food, bottles, pumped breast milk, nappies, baby blankets, baby formula, and snacks as you think you might need.

You never know if your flight will be delayed or longer than expected due to weather conditions. So, be prepared with plenty of baby necessities!

9. Dress in comfortable clothes

Rule number one of flying, especially with a baby, is to dress comfortably. Flights aren’t the most comfortable, and if you and your baby are in impractical clothing, it can make the trip ten times harder.

Like you, a cold or hot baby can become fussy and irritable. So to avoid your little one throwing a wobbly, dress them in layers that you can slowly take off.

Moreover, if you’re breastfeeding, you’ll definitely want to dress extra comfortably.

10. Don’t forget spare clothing for you and baby!

If you’ve been a parent for more than a few days, you’ll know exactly why you need to pack a spare set of clothing for you and your little one.

Whether you’re in for a long or short flight, always pack an extra set of clothing for you and your baby to avoid the inconvenience of any unfortunate accidents or sickness mid-flight.

There seems to be some sort of mysterious connection between the altitude when you’re flying and baby’s bowel movements. That’s all we’re saying… 💩

11. Know when to ask for help

Always remember that should you need help on your flight, it’s there for you! This is especially true if you’re flying solo but flight attendants and even some other passengers may be able to assist if both you and your partner need an extra set of hands for whatever reason.

12. Help their ears during take-off and landing

One of the number causes of a baby crying during a flight is the popping in their ears from the change in air pressure. Sucking, feeding, or chewing helps relieve the pain and popping in their ears.

Plan feedings for take-off and landing. You can give your baby a dummy or bottle to help ease pain and prevent any crying.

13. Keep your baby busy and entertained with quiet toys

For new parents, the days of enjoying a good book or movie while on a flight are gone. Most of your time spent flying will be entertaining and caring for your baby. So always be prepared with the necessary tools for this task: toys!

The key to finding the best travel toys for babies is to stick with quiet, compact, and lightweight playthings that will bring the most joy.

To make sure you’re well-prepared to keep your little ones occupied, here are some of the best toys and distractions to bring on board:

Soft book or Toys

Soft books or your child’s favourite furry friend are great toys for entertaining your little one during a flight. Soft books have fun interactive activities that are great for sensory stimulation, keeping them thoroughly occupied.

Teething Toys

Teething toys are a go-to for keeping your little one occupied and calm throughout a flight. They can also help with air pressure changes during take-off and landing.

Most 1-year olds are still a little young to watch programmes on a tablet but, if they’re tired enough, they may just relax with one. If your baby is a fan of certain TV shows or games, tablets and phones can be your best friends. A tablet with headphones will keep your little one entertained and quiet.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, your baby will cry while flying. Just remember to stay calm! Caring for a baby is tough enough, and flying with them is no easy task. You’re doing your best, so ignore the eye rolls and sighing you may get from other passengers.

Just think about all the fun you’ll have with your little one when you land at your destination!

Baby Flying FAQs

If you are flying with slightly older kids, be sure to check out our companion guides:

• Flying with a 2-year-old
• Flying with a 3 year-old

How old does a baby have to be to fly?

The NHS generally advise that your baby be over two weeks old to fly, with some airlines insisting on the same. However, there are no standard regulations, so it’s best to always check with your airline before booking.

Some babies aged 2-7 days old can be permitted to fly, provided you have a fit-to-fly letter from your doctor.

Does a 1-year-old need a seat on a plane?

The requirement for a seat varies from airline to airline but most carriers in the UK allow under 2s to fly while sat on an adult’s lap. Always confirm with your airline on the requirements before booking.

Can you bring a car seat on a flight?

Most airlines allow you to take a car seat and pram in the hold for free. However, in many cases, car seats are only allowed on board if you’ve booked a separate plane seat for your infant and intend to secure the car seat into it.

To avoid being caught out by extra costs or restrictions, always check with your airline regarding their carry-on policies for car seats and prams before booking.

Do babies’ ears hurt when flying?

Noise levels and cabin pressure can affect your baby’s ears during a flight and cause them pain, particularly during take-off and landing.

A few ways to reduce this for your 1-year old include:

• Getting them to suck on something — a dummy, bottle or a breast if still breastfeeding
• Distraction — try them with headphones and their favourite show on a tablet or phone

In some cases, airlines will allow some extra carry-on baggage if you’re travelling with babies. This allowance may include a nappy bag, but it’s always worth finding out beforehand.

Rules and regulations may vary by airline and whether you travel domestically or internationally.

So before you book, check your airline’s policy details closely. Moreover, if you buy a seat for your baby rather than have them sit on your lap, the seat will automatically come with its own baggage allowance.

With good preparation and planning in place, managing your little one on a plane is not as terrible and intimidating as it may seem!

From take-off to landing, focus on your baby and make them as comfortable as possible. There are many family-friendly airlines that are primed and ready to make the experience enjoyable for you and your little one.

While flying with a 1-year-old can be tough and require a lot of your energy, it’s well worth it in the end. And remember, you’re probably not alone! Another fellow parent may be on board with their little one, who equally understands your efforts.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Sarah Blackwell

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16 Tips for Flying With Toddlers and Young Kids

Traveling with toddlers can be hard, at least if you're not properly prepared. Here, experienced flight attendants share their secrets for flying with young kids.

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With long security lines, cramped airplane seating, and busy waiting areas, flying isn't the most pleasant experience—and all of the frustration increases exponentially when you add a toddler into the mix. Some young children simply don't have the patience for airport security. They might despise sitting quietly for hours on end, and they might be uneasy during turbulence or get upset with the ear-popping changes in air pressure.

Thankfully, though, you can have a worry-free travel day with proper preparation and planning. Whether you're jetting off to your relative's house or Disney World, check out these stress-reducing strategies for flying (and traveling) with toddlers—some of which came straight from flight attendants.

Book an Early Morning Departure

If you're traveling with toddlers or young children, you should book an early morning departure. These give you the best chance of avoiding delays at takeoff and landing, a flight attendant named Patrick explains. "They are usually less crowded, too," he says. "Plus, everyone is tired and just wants to nap—kids especially."

Save Your Upgrades for Toddler-Free Travel

Traveling in first class with kids can be more stressful than it's worth. Mom Joanna recounts the story of traveling with her loud, lively toddler and incurring the vocal wrath of her first-class seatmates for the entirety of the flight. "It's not fair, but you're just going to get more empathy and support with kids in economy," says a flight attendant.

Talk to Your Kids About What to Expect

"My experience is kids do so much better when they know what to expect," says Shireen, a mom of three from Australia who's traveled to the U.S. several times with her kids. She recommends watching a Let's Go Play video on YouTube , which goes over the entire flight experience, from baggage check-in and ticketing to onboard etiquette and safety.

Dress in Layers and Skip Shoes With Laces

Whether you are changing climates or simply dealing with in-flight heat and/or air conditioning, you can and should be ready for drastically changing temperatures when traveling with a toddler. Wendy, a flight attendant and mom, suggests you dress your kids in comfortable layers—preferably without buttons, zippers, or anything that could prevent them from getting to the bathroom in time.

The same principle applies to shoes: Avoid laces and opt for slip-ons. "There's the added benefit of getting through airport screening that much faster," she says.

Bring Surprises

When flying with a toddler, a wrapped new plaything has two advantages: Kids love to unwrap stuff, and a new toy has more attention-grabbing pull.

Consider Using a Smaller Stroller

Getting through an airport without a stroller is unthinkable for some parents, so consider switching out your regular-size stroller for a small, compact umbrella stroller or travel stroller. Also, check your stroller at the gate before boarding; the crew will have it waiting for you when you get off the plane.

If you've got more than one little traveler with you, consider a kid harness (aka leash), Wendy suggests. "I was so against them until I saw a woman with three young boys using them in baggage claim. It made so much sense," she says, "with the exit doors to outside right there. Look, flying is stressful enough. Do what you need to do to protect your kids and your sanity."

Pack Just Enough

Flight attendants urge parents to pack enough essentials for the flight. "Unfortunately, you can expect there to be zero food on a plane that would interest a kid," says Lynn. "And we are so limited in what we can offer in terms of comfort items as well."

On the flip side, parents will struggle if they zealously overpack. "Usually, when it's one parent traveling with one or more kids, they'll bring way too much stuff in an attempt to keep their kids happy," Wendy says. "They forget they have to carry all that stuff off the plane with them, along with their kids."

Plan Your Packing List

To guard against over-packing while ensuring you don't forget anything critical, consider writing out a full packing list. Star or highlight those items that will need to be packed last minute (like the lovey your kiddo sleeps with or the tablet that's currently charging) so you have a checklist to consult one last time before heading out the door.

Sample Airplane Packing List for Toddlers

When packing your carry-on for the plane ride, use this list as a starting point:

• Comfort item: Consider packing one of your toddler's favorite comfort items in your carry-on for mid-flight snuggles. If the comfort item is a pacifier, be sure to pack more than one, lest it gets flung down the aisle or on the floor.
• Sanitizer, wipes, pull-ups, and diapers: You'll want these critical items within reach at all times during your travels. Not sure how many diapers to throw in the carry-on? One diaper per hour of travel is recommended.
• Electronic devices: If there is any time to let up on strict screen time rules, it's when you're traveling. Make sure that whatever device you're bringing is fully charged and ready to go—and don't forget the chargers for the flight back. Consider pre-loading the tablet or phone with your kids' favorite movies or shows for offline viewing.
• Kid-size headphones: Be sure to follow the basic rules of travel etiquette and pack comfy headphones your little one can wear while enjoying their favorite games or shows. Have more than one kid in tow? Consider investing in a splitter so both can enjoy the show with their own set of headphones.
• Art supplies: A small box of crayons and blank paper can go a long way when it comes to entertaining your toddler on a plane. Mix things up and pack some fun stickers or even plain sticky notes to add to the excitement.
• Plastic bags: You never know when you'll need an extra bag for wet clothes, a dirty diaper, or even just for trash, so pack a few extras.
• Water bottle: Toss an empty clean water bottle into your bag to fill after you get through security. Just make sure that it's leakproof!
• Healthy and fun mess-free snacks: While you don't necessarily want to load your kid up with sugar just before take-off, consider packing a mix of healthy and fun snacks that are relatively mess-free to keep their bellies full and happy. Cheerios, pretzels, crackers, string cheese, and granola bars are good options.

Be Prepared for Security

When you pack, make sure items that need to be removed during security are easily reached. Keep in mind that traveling with snacks may mean extra scrutiny during the screening process.

Prepare for Air Pressure Changes

If your child has recently had an ear infection or a cold, get your doctor's approval before flying. The change in cabin air pressure may cause pain for your toddler. After passing through security, stock up on enough water for everyone to get through a possible delay and have enough left for the descent, which is often the most bothersome time for ear pressure discomfort. Have your kids drink some right after takeoff and during the last 30 to 45 minutes of the descent. The swallowing helps with the pressure changes and gives an added hydrating benefit.

By All Means, Use Pull-Ups

Your little one may have moved beyond Pull-Ups into big kid underwear, but pull-up diapers are a great resource when flying with a recently potty-trained toddler or young child. "I even use them on my 6-year-old," says Wendy, who adds that it's much less stressful than having to race to the bathroom or deal with an in-seat accident.

Show Some Appreciation

Flight attendants love to receive a certain gratuity for dealing with toddlers. "Any kind of chocolate found in an airport, handed over at boarding, does wonders," says Patrick. Of course, it will have zero effect on the random bad-tempered, unprofessional cabin crew member. But it's a nice gesture nonetheless, particularly when flying during the holidays when most flight attendants will be working and away from their families.

"It will be so appreciated," he says. "And we will remember you and look out for you. And not only that, you'll probably score a free drink out of it."

Seat Kids Away From the Aisle

Aisle seats can be dangerous for toddlers and potentially give them a little too much freedom of movement. For example, little hands and feet can be bumped as people walk by and hot coffee and water may be just within reach as the food and beverage cart passes by. If you can, consider the window seat, which offers the benefit of a view and puts you between your toddler and any other passengers in your row.

Beware of Germs

Toddlers tend to get sit a lot, but you can try to avoid any travel-related illness by keeping your little one's hands clean. When flying with a toddler, wipe everything from hands to tray tables down with sanitizing wipes when you're getting settled in your seats—and above all else, do not send your kids to the bathroom without shoes. "The floor is a Petri dish," a flight attendant confides. "You're in the air, things jostle. That's not just water on the bathroom floor."

Keep Your Composure

There's not much you can do to assuage that passenger who complains the moment your child sneezes or giggles. Here's what you need to remember: As long as you're trying (and what parent isn't?), you've got almost everyone on your side. "An adult having an issue with a screaming child is acting like a child as well," offers a flight attendant and mother named Patience. "Don't engage. Just worry about your own child."

Choose an Airline With Kid-Friendly Perks

There's nothing a family-friendly airline wants more than happy, occupied kiddos. As such, many leading carriers have all kinds of kid perks to offer their littlest travelers from a wide array of their favorite TV shows and movies to kid-approved headphones and snacks.

Before boarding, be sure to check in with the gate agent about whether the airline offers priority boarding for families with young children. Often airlines call special boarding for families so they can board a little early so you'll have time to settle in. Other great perks to look for are family lounges or airports with areas for kids to burn off some steam during layovers or before boarding.

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11 Tips for Flying with a One Year Old

Last summer I wrote a post sharing 11 tips for flying with an infant . At the time Finn was about eight weeks old and we’d already navigated a few flights. Fast-forward a year and my little traveler has made 15+ round trip flights. And I’ve done them all solo!

First, I will share that traveling with a very mobile one year old is nothing like traveling with an infant. The days where Finn would sleep peacefully through flights are lonnnnnngggg gone! I now go into flights fully prepared to be a human jungle gym and to feel mentally and physically exhausted by the time that we land. It is a GAME ON experience…haha. But don’t let this scare you because I promise it’s not as bad as the horror stories that you hear. Knock on wood, we’ve never had an epic meltdown or a tricky situation we couldn’t handle.

Even if you’re flying with an older baby, I recommend going back and reading my infant post because I share a lot of insights on the ticketing, how to check baby gear and the security process, as well as the importance of accepting help.

11 TIPS FOR FLYING WITH A ONE YEAR OLD 

For today, I want to share things that I’ve found to be helpful when it comes to flying with an active, older baby/young toddler. These are my best tips for the 9-18 months old range. You CAN do this! Preparation, low expectations and an open mind are key.

The following includes affiliate links. 

Schedule flight times wisely. 

By the age of one, most children are on semi-predictable schedules. I have found it supremely helpful not to fly at times that interfere with prime sleeping times. There is a flight that leaves Charlotte at 8a to go to Florida and a flight that leaves Florida at 7p to come back to Charlotte. Each time I opt for those flights I am reminded why it is a bad idea, and that it is worth it to pay a little more for a flight that works better in Finn’s schedule. In an ideal world, I love a flight that is after his morning/midday nap.

(THIS IS NOT NORMAL!)

Low expectations around sleep. 

If it’s unavoidable to book a flight that doesn’t run into bed and nap times, have VERY low expectations around airplane sleep. While I could count on Finn to sleep through flights when he was 0-6 months, once he became more “aware” of his surroundings…that was over. There is just too much stimulation and being out of routine to make airplane sleep an easy thing for active babies/toddlers. Regardless of whether we flew during nap or bed time, Finn did not sleep on a plane one single time between 6-12 months old. I did manage to get him to nap on the plane twice recently but it is not the norm!

TSA PreCheck is worth every penny. 

Last fall I got TSA Pre and I don’t know what took me so long. It is worth ever single penny of the $85 it costs to register for it. And that $85 lasts you five years! I swear that I would pay $85 annually for it.

When you are making your way through security with a wiggly baby and the gear that comes with it, the last thing you want to do is take off your shoes and dig your laptop and liquids out of your bag. I love the simplicity of quickly popping Finn out of his stroller, breaking it down and sending it and my backpack through the scanner.

Also, the TSA Pre lines are typically much, much shorter and this is also a godsend with a small, impatient, active baby.

Stroller or baby wearing through airport. 

Once I started keeping a carseat and stroller in Florida, I would just wear Finn in the Ergo at the airport. That was awesome because I didn’t have to juggle any additional baby gear. We eventually got to the place where it would kill my back to have him on me for so long with a backpack too, and we’d both be really hot from making it through the Charlotte airport. At this point I switched back to a stroller but a super lightweight umbrella stroller that can easily be broken down and sent through security or left at the bottom of the jet bridge for gate check. Actually, the umbrella stroller that I’m currently using is SO small that I can collapse it into a tiny square and carry it on the plane and store it in the overhead.

Use the restroom and make sure baby is dry and clean before boarding. 

Using airplane lavatories with a one year old is a special kind of hell. I strongly advise seeking out a family bathroom in the airport and making sure you go right before you get on board and they are clean and dry too.

Wait as long as possible to board. And while you’re in the gate area, ask about open seats. 

When you make it to the gate area, it never hurts to ask the gate agents if there are any seats with no one next to you. More often than not, we have been able to make this happen. While I cannot for the life of me get Finn to actually sit in a seat right now, it’s nice to have the extra space for spreading out books, snacks, gear, etc and to not have to worry about your seat mates personal space being invaded by a baby that loves to pat everyone. 🙂

When the flight starts boarding, DO NOT…I repeat DO NOT…get on the plane when they offer pre-boarding to families with children under the age of two. Instead, wait until the boarding process is winding down and be one of the last people on board. The less time you can spend in that tiny seat, the better.

Bring sanitizing wipes to clean your seat area.

There is no keeping a one year old from touching every single thing possible in your seat area and putting things in their mouth like seat belts and safety cards. Bring some sanitizing wipes and wipe down everything from the tray table to the window shade to the seatbelt.

Snacks are life. 

I never understood the big deal around puffs, cheerios, goldfish, etc until I had a one year old. They are even more crucial when you are flying. I swear, my backpack is half snacks and half books. Bring lots and lots of snack options and also snack cups and sippy cups .

Stock up on books, toys and games. 

Finn is super into board books right now so I bring all different types of them. He especially loves lift the flap books and touch and feel books . I’ll write another post soon with Finn’s favorite books at this age.

Toys are hit or miss for us on the plane. He’s more into things like lifting and lowering the shade a million times, opening and closing the tray table and playing with plastic cups from the flight attendant. Get creative with what can be a toy and different games you can play.

Pacifier, drink or nurse on ascent and descent.

Luckily, taking off and landing never really seems to bother Finn. Even still, I try to make sure he has a pacifier so that he’s swallowing and popping his ears. You can also nurse or give them a drink to sip on.

Change of clothes, extra diapers, diaper bags. 

I think it’s a no-brainer that it’s a wise idea to have a spare change of clothes and extra diapers in your bag but I tend to live life on the wild side and usually have a change for Finn but not for myself. This hasn’t blown up in my face yet (pun intended) but I need to get better about at least packing a spare shirt for myself. Also advised to have disposable diaper bags or old grocery bags to tie off diapers and soiled clothes.

That does it for this edition of air travel with small children. I’ll keep writing this posts as travel shifts and changes for us. I predict the next big change will come when Finn is no longer a lap child and we transition him to his own seat!

Oh also…you might notice that I didn’t mention technology in this post. I am pro-technology in circumstances like air travel but Finn is simply not interested right now. I downloaded Peek-A-Boo Barn on my iPhone on our last trip and it entertained him for like 2 minutes. He was more into spinning my iPhone around and putting it in his mouth. I try to have really clear boundaries with him that my phone is not his toy so it also just feels counter-intuitive to have him play on my phone. Once he gets a little older and is more into sitting and watching a show or movie, I might get him a tablet that is used for travel only.

Would love for you guys to add your tips and questions in the comments!

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Some great tips Jen! I think the 1-3 year old set are the hardest for flying with. We don’t fly often but when we do, it is on long-haul flights, mostly between the US and Australia. In these cases, scheduling during sleep times is key – leaving in the late evening and arriving in the early morning – the more hours sleeping on the plane, the less time having to walk up and down aisles with active 2 year olds ;).

Oh Ema, I cannot even imagine these long haul flights with kids. Wow!!!

Thanks for the great tips! You are so brave to do so much travel with him solo. I love it!

You’re welcome!

I fly as much as you with kids and the only thing I can think of is that I always carry a couple “extra special treats “ for worst case scenarios. Or just to get them to sit in their seat/your seat for take off and landing. Usually a small sucker. I fly southwest the most so the only difference is boarding early is a must! and also if your child is 2 and older don’t forget to register them for frequent flyer miles too!!

It is hard but it’s so worth the effort to see family! It’s also great because the kids are flexible travelers:)

Thank you so much for chiming in with your additional suggestions! And I agree that it’s worth the effort and that kids are flexible! 🙂

My son was the same way with screens! He was about 22 months when it would finally hold his attention, and that was only a couple Daniel Tiger episodes or Frozen. (His little sister was born at this time so I NEEDED a distraction at times. My husband works really long hours. )

What did hold his attention was music. Songs. I would play clips on Youtube of Sesame street songs, etc, and the music helped so much. He could hum songs before he could talk.

Anyway! Sorry to go on and on. I just related to your last paragraph a lot. <3

Yes, Finn LOVES music too! Thank you so much for sharing this.

Great list! It’s also helpful to use an overnight diaper to have a little extra absorbency.

Oh I’ve never thought of that. Thank you!

I read somewhere about using disposable puppy training pads, and I can’t recommend this highly enough. I use in place of a changing pad and then I just throw it and the diaper away. The thought of keeping something that has touched all of those nasty places just grossed me out. Now I keep a gallon bag with wipes, diapers and several of those pads with me everywhere! I wish I had known about this with my first! It’s especially helpful for messy diaper changes if you get my drift! It’s not the best for the environment but it sure helps my sanity. Good luck!

This is an awesome suggestion. Thank you for sharing!

Preparing myself for a 3 hour flight with my 15 month old twins coming up! Some of these ideas will definitely be put to use, others can’t (flying Southwest so I have to use family boarding to make sure we are together… or do I? ??).

Love the tips. I will add to your bring your own change of clothes. I flew with my baby at 6 months, I had everything, extra clothes, snacks, toys, empty ziplock bags, and a shirt for myself. And we had a blow out before even getting in the plane at our home airport, he was on my lap and it went all over my pants. Even with cleaning as best as you can in an airport bathroom, I smelled like poo for 6 hours. Even when he’s much older I will always pack a full change of clothes for myself.

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Your guide to flying with kids of every age

Your passport to an enjoyable flight with your kids is a little advance planning and packing a bag of travel treats to manage in-flight restlessness. Between cramped seats , questionable food and fees for checked bags , flying can be stressful for families whether taking the first flight with a baby , dealing with cranky toddlers or moody teens. Here's how to survive a flight.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

General tips for flying with kids

Regardless of your child's age, here are some tips to make your family travel adventure a lot less stressful:

Bring the right documentation

Remember to carry identification for your child(ren). You may not always be asked for it when flying domestically ( except when flying with a lap infant ), but with international destinations, you'll need a passport for each family member, regardless of age. If you think you may travel internationally after your baby is born and you have a birth certificate, it's time to get your child a passport . Having a passport is much easier than using other forms of documentation. Children's passports are good for five years.

Related : Getting ready for your child's first flight: A survival guide

Even if your kids don't need identity documentation at your final destination, it's good to have at least a copy of the birth certificate at the ready. TPG reader Anna Flowers shared her experience when Delta refused to issue her a boarding pass without proof that her son was hers. She hadn't brought identification for her son, but luckily, her husband was able to send a scanned copy of her son's birth certificate to show to the Delta agent.

Choose the right airline

The airline you choose can have a significant impact on the quality of your trip, especially when it comes to traveling with kids. For example, some airlines charge more for lap infant tickets , others offer more spacious seating and better schedules and routes out of your home airport. Certain airlines are more family-friendly, so it pays to consider these factors when booking a trip for your crew.

Pack extra necessities but don't go overboard

Don't get stuck without the necessities if your luggage is lost or delayed. Pack a carry-on with a few belongings for the kids and yourself to get you through around 24 hours. Don't overpack because the extra weight will end up being more of a hassle than it's worth, but you do want to make sure you have the basics covered. It's likely you'll be able to find (almost) anything you'd need at your destination.

Get Global Entry

When parents have Global Entry, the whole family also has access to the TSA PreCheck program, since children under 12 can use the PreCheck line when accompanied by an eligible adult. This makes a huge difference when clearing security with your kids. Drop all your gear on the belt of the x-ray machine, walk through the metal detector, grab your kids and go.

Related: Top cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

If you travel internationally at least once a year, it makes sense to sign your kids up as well , because every person must have Global Entry when using the expedited immigration lines.

You could also sign up for CLEAR that offers expedited security checks at airports and public venues like stadiums. The bonus there is that children under 18 can use it with you for free.

Flying with a baby

Babies spend most of their days eating and sleeping, and even when awake, they're not mobile like toddlers. So you have a few things working to your advantage.

But there's a lot you need to know, like how to fly with breast milk in the U.S. and these tips for award travel with a lap child . If you're planning travel with your baby, check out TPG 's guide to flying with a lap infant .

Flying with toddlers

Unlike infants, who want to be held all the time, toddlers want to move. That creates another set of issues for parents. A survey by Emirates found that 70% of travelers say kids under the age of two get antsy during the first two hours of the flight. Here are ways to channel that extra energy and avoid tantrums:

Strategically plan your toys

Don't show the kiddos everything you brought for them all at once. Make sure you have toys planned to keep them busy for the duration of the flight and bring them out one at a time as needed. In addition to tech solutions, it's smart to pack activities such as travel games/cards or a good coloring book to keep them entertained.

Pack snacks galore

Toys are a great distraction but food can be even better. Have different snacks set aside for different points of the flight to ensure your kids stay busy and full. Also, don't be afraid to ask the cabin crew to help warm up food or a bottle, though it may not always be possible.

Go for walks

You don't like sitting in an airplane seat for hours, so why would your rambunctious toddler? A brief stroll down the aisle will help break up the time doing activities in their seats and may ward off a meltdown if your toddler gets restless.

Embrace technology

The same study mentioned above by Emirates found that electronic devices are the most effective way to keep kids occupied during a long flight. For children under 5 years old, 57% of parents said that movies, TV shows or videos are the most helpful in keeping children occupied, followed by devices to play games. Don't forget your charger (and adapter, if needed). But if that isn't for you, take a look at this advice from a mom who keeps her kids busy on long-haul flights without tablets .

Flying with school-aged kids

Luckily, children who are in kindergarten through elementary school have longer attention spans and fewer tantrums. But, it can still be a challenge to keep a young child happy during a flight. Here's what can help:

Make it a special occasion

Whether it's going to a birthday party or getting ice cream after school, kids love when they get to do something out of the ordinary. Use that same approach for a flight by making it a fun event and packing a special bag. Items like crayons, small toys and a few pieces of their favorite candy work wonders. (Think: the blind bag trend all over YouTube.) Extend the idea of a special occasion by letting them choose a movie or TV show they wouldn't usually get to watch or having a snack not allowed at home.

Introduce seat-back games

It can be a lot to pack games that will keep a child entertained for hours, so don't depend solely on what you brought. Let your child explore the seatback-entertainment system if there is one. Many offer games that are meant to keep people distracted for hours. They can even play against other people on the plane, just show them how to start and they'll be set for hours.

Bring a book about the destination

Children in elementary school are all about learning. Use that to your advantage. If you're headed someplace new, bring a book about that destination. Letting them help plan the activities you'll do, once you arrive, will keep them entertained during the flight and get them excited for the vacation.

Flying with teens

The biggest problem parents have on board is staving off restlessness and boredom, both of which lead to children (er, little adults) acting out in a variety of ways. In the case of teenagers , their "angsty" side might come out after a while. Help make it the bonding experience you dream of by trying the tactics below:

Have a meal as a family

A flight is a perfect time for family members to switch seats with each other so everyone has a chance sit next to a different family member. It's a good time to eat and chat with one another without watching TV or checking cell phones.

Start a conversation

Being stuck on a plane together can be a great opportunity to interact with your kids. Imagine their undivided (OK, partially divided) attention for hours on end. Strike up a conversation with questions like what they're most looking forward to during the trip. Don't push -- teens need space, even when sitting right next to you.

Book a flight with Wi-Fi

Of course, we know teenagers need to stay connected with their friends, even at 35,000 feet in the air, so take advantage of onboard Wi-Fi when you can. Choosing the right airline , or the right credit card can even make Wi-Fi a free treat.

Bottom line

No matter the age of your children, keeping them happy, comfortable and entertained while in flight takes some effort. But, it's worth it in order to enjoy a new and exciting experience with those you love. Your demeanor rubs off on your kids. Keeping a positive attitude can go a long way in making the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Plan for what you can but otherwise, just roll with it. It's all about making the time spent getting to and from your destination part of the fun.

What are your tips for flying with children of different ages?

Here are some other resources to help you confidently fly with your family:

• Most family-friendly international air carriers
• How to survive long-haul flights with kids
• Traveling with children who have special needs
• How old should your child be before taking an international vacation?
• 4 things to know about U.S. passports for children

Feature photo by Bonfanti Diego /Getty Images.

How to Survive Flying with a Lap Toddler

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: September 14, 2023

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Flying with toddlers is hard. They are fully mobile, totally opinionated, and incapable of all reason and logic at the most inopportune moments.

But why stop there? If you are really up for a family travel challenge, fly with your toddler in your lap. Up until your little one’s second birthday, your child is eligible to fly for free as a lap child on all US airlines and many other airlines around the world. Many budget-conscious families take advantage of those savings for as long as possible, which can make for some very tight accommodations in tiny airplane rows.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Should You Fly with Your Toddler in Your Lap?

I’ll level with you: the lap toddler is controversial. In fact, all lap children are controversial. Airline safety experts agree that the safest place for your kiddos is in their own seats in child restraint devices (a car seat or CARES harness ).

But until and unless the FAA rules change, parents get to make that safety call for themselves. I’m not going to judge. While I always tried to buy a seat on airplanes for my children whenever possible, they’ve both also flown in my lap several times too over the years.

There is an additional reason, however, that lap toddlers are so controversial. Toddlers are just very different than babies. Toddlers are much bigger and more likely to have developed an independent streak. They can throw serious tantrums when things don’t go their way. Once your child is fully mobile and can walk (somewhere around 10-18 months old for most kids), all bets of containing them are off.

In short, they are just more likely to need the extra space of another seat. (My friend and fellow family travel blogger over a Points With a Crew wrote a brilliant diatribe calling for the end of the lap toddler for just these reasons.)

So, should you take on this air travel challenge? Before you make the call to fly with your 1 year old in your lap, make sure to assess your child’s personality and the length of the flight you are planning to take. My first child, for example, was fiercely independent and did not make a good lap toddler at all. Luckily, my son was much mellower. While budget is often the final deciding factor, your sanity is worth a lot too.

If you’ve thought it through and have made the call to travel with a lap toddler, godspeed and good luck. Now you need to live to tell the tale! (I’m exaggerating here of course, but only somewhat.)

Here are my best tips for lap toddler travel success – a.k.a. how to survive flying with a lap toddler. And while these tips focus on having a toddler in your lap, most of them work for flying with a toddler in his or her own seat as well!

Tips for Airplane Lap Toddler Success

1. Pick the right flight and time.

Is your toddler super-cranky during the pre-dinner witching hour? Don’t pick a 5 pm flight. Does your little one really need a full night of sleep to make it through the day? The 6 am flight is not for you. Would being stranded overnight after a missed connection be really, really rough with a toddler? Don’t book a connection onto the last flight of the night that gets you to your destination.

In short, don’t pick a flight that sets you up for failure before you ever leave. I happen to think that mid-morning flights are just about right for many toddlers. They give you enough time to wake up at a reasonable hour and get to the airport but they are still substantially before nap time meltdowns start.

Of course, if you are flying longer distances like on cross-country or international flights you won’t be able to time things perfectly. But when you do have options, set yourself up for success, even if it sometimes costs a tiny bit more!

2. Maximize your chances of getting an extra seat.

Even if you don’t buy a seat for your toddler, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get one. If there are empty seats on a flight, many airlines will try to make them available for families with lap children to use.

The easiest airline on which to make this happen is Southwest. Because of the airline’s open seating policy, if there is even a single extra seat on the plane, you will be able to snag it for your child. Just double check with the gate agent and ask nicely. The answer, in my experience, has always been yes. I had a better than a 50/50 success rate on Southwest flights, even when traveling at peak periods. See my complete guide to traveling Southwest with kids for all the details you need to think about when flying the airline with little ones.

Other airlines are a mixed bag, as you often need the gate agent to rearrange seat assignments to leave an empty seat next to where your family is sitting. If you want to maximize your chances, book yourself and your partner or other child into an aisle and window seat (leaving an empty middle seat) near the back of the plane. Those are often the last seats to be filled and may be empty anyway. This strategy works best when planes aren’t full or close to full, so I’d only attempt it flying during lower demand times.

3. Electronics are a must.

Yes, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for little ones until their second birthday. But I recommend leaving your perfect parenting pride behind on the jetway. You won’t wreck your toddler’s development by allowing some videos or apps in-flight to get through a tough moment on a single airplane flight (or in my family’s case, dozens of flights!). A little screen time can definitely be a lifesaver with any toddler in a moment of tiredness or boredom.

With the exception of JetBlue, very few airlines have seat back entertainment anymore on domestic US flights, so be sure to pack your own screen. We have found an old iPhone works great, especially if you have any ancient enough to still have standard headphone jacks that match what you’ll find on many toddler headphones . (If not, I carry this lightning connector to headphone jack adapter ).

Related : Tips for Flying JetBlue with Kids

Related : Best Airlines for Flying with Kids

4. Bring non-electronic entertainment to keep little fingers busy.

Although electronics can be amazing distractions, toddlers have incredibly short attention spans. You’ll be lucky to get 5-15 minutes of sustained attention out of a TV show or movie for the under 2 set, so a phone or tablet simply cannot be the only entertainment you bring.

What worked for my toddler? Wikki Stix were a very big hit as my son neared his second birthday (one word of warning – these are NOT good for toddlers who still mouth objects, but my little guy never tried to eat them). I’ve also had good luck with little cases to open and close filled with treats like goldfish or M&M’s. My toddler loves opening each compartment and grabbing the goodies inside.

Other toddler-friendly entertainment ideas:

• Matchbox cars
• Post-it flags (easy to remove without leaving residue)
• Toys that shake and rattle (a box of Tic Tacs actually works well!)
• Bendy straws
• Coloring pads with triangular crayons  (they don’t roll off tray tables – so simple but so brilliant!)

Check out my post with 20+ tech-free travel entertainment ideas for kids  for lots more inspiration.

5. Bring a wide variety of snacks.

For toddlers, food is entertainment too. Bring a wide variety of non-messy, toddler-friendly food and bring out new items at strategic moments to avoid meltdowns. Double bonus if the food takes a long time to eat.

I pack snacks in individual Ziploc bags and then put them into a snack trap to eat to help contain toddler messes. If you have more than one child in your family, I recommend packing a matching set of everything in separate bags so kids don’t have to share and aren’t jealous of each other’s snacks.

Related : 50 kid-friendly snack recommendations for air travel

6. Walk the aisle. But not too much.

Trying to keep an active toddler in your lap for a long flight is a pretty tough endeavor. Handing them back and forth between two adults helps (assuming you aren’t a parent traveling solo), but that only goes so far. Toddlers want and need to move!

For anything longer than an hour flight, plan to spend some time in the aisle getting a little exercise. Letting them take a lap or two can burn off some energy. Just try to time these walks around the beverage and food service so you can stay out of the way of flight attendants. And don’t crowd folks waiting for the bathroom or stay in galley areas too long.

7. Pack a baby carrier.

Most parents ditch the baby carrier before age 2, but it can still be a great tool when flying with a lap toddler (although it can’t be used on takeoff or landing). Sometimes, you just need to keep your toddler contained.

More importantly, the carrier can be particularly good for getting your toddler to sleep on you. We used a carrier for a flight with my then almost 2 year old son when we departed late in the evening and knew he would sleep most of the flight. It worked like a charm and was much more comfortable than trying to get him to stretch out across my lap awkwardly for bedtime.

If you don’t already have a soft carrier, I recommend the Boba Air as an inexpensive and low bulk option for air travel. It’s the closest successor to the one my family used regularly, the Bitybean (which is now sadly off the market!), and can be used for toddlers up to 45 pounds.

8. Don’t stress the nap.

Depending on your child, you may or may not get your child to nap on the plane if you are flying at nap time. Some kids conk out as soon as the plane starts moving, but my daughter never napped on planes between the ages of 1-3. She was simply too distracted and excited by the new environment. I certainly tried mightily to force a nap (rocking her, etc.) which ended up being more trouble than it was worth and probably provoking bigger meltdowns.

I was much more flexible with my second child at nap time on planes, and it went much more smoothly. And sometimes we even got a nap without trying because I was less stressed about the schedule.

Final Thoughts

While it may seem daunting to fly with a toddler at all – much less with a toddler in your lap – I promise it is worth it. The flights themselves are long but these years are short. I’ve gotten through it with two kids and you will too. Take some of the ideas above, do the preparation you need to match your family’s preferences and your child’s personality, and go get out there!

Have you flown with a lap toddler? How was it? What are your secrets for toddler travel success?

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

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Lara Walklet

Sunday 1st of December 2019

Really good suggestions. The post-it flags were extra great for my 1.5 year old.

evalinesees

Thursday 14th of November 2019

ooh the special vegetarian meal is brilliant!

Stephanie Ford

Saturday 24th of August 2019

Have others found they are not able to use carriers during flight? That was my back up plan if in desperation, oh no!!!!

Thursday 1st of August 2019

CARES is the only FAA approved one

This is such a great article! I have tried a lot of things mentioned as we frequently travel from L.A. to London with our 4 y.o & 18 m.o. - there are some gems of advice here I haven’t found elsewhere: the veggie meal & the lightweight baby carrier.

My newest obsession when flying are very lightweight tray table covers with sides, so you don’t spend the flight picking up the stuff they inevitably drop from the gross plane floor. They work with babe in lap & even in the bulkhead as they don’t require seat backs.

I have to admit I find wikki sticks end up with us all covered in wax & unable to remove it (wipes don’t work) so we use pipe cleaners instead.

A backpack that is “clamshell” or “front loading” style where the entire front zips open can also be a lifesaver as you can open it one handed & see everything inside.

& sooo many sanitizing wipes to clean everything off before you settle in so you’re little one doesn’t pick up too many germs. & of course the obligatory travel hand sanitizer- those tiny ones that attach to the side of your bag are the best as they are easy to find even in the dark!

Speaking of dark..I always bring a thicker blanket that can block out light (not just a muslin swaddle) as I feel like they always bring the lights up just as my kids fall asleep. You can usually stretch the blanket from behind your shoulder to the seat in front or catch it in the tray table.

Gel clings if you have a window seat are also amusing for my kids, I always pick some up in the dollar section at Target.

Those are my 10 cents! Thanks for this great article.

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20+ travel toys for a 1-year-old: entertainment for road trips and long flights.

Keeping your infant entertained on your next vacation

I won’t deny that one-year-olds can be one of the most difficult ages to travel with (ok, for parents!) especially flying! They are still so tiny but wriggly and active and unsure of what is happening around them; they are not quite a toddler but beyond a baby .

How on earth do you entertain your one-year-old while you’re travelling?

There are plenty of great one-year-old toys, but for this age group, they are often large, clunky, interactive (i.e. noisy!) and not particularly luggage friendly!  You really do need to consider a separate set of portable plane and travel toys for 1-year-olds. 

Other than our baby travel essentials , here we’re going to talk you through over 20 great ideas on what you should be packing to entertain a 1-year-old while travelling – our big focus is on being road trip and flying friendly toys.

This post is part of our tried and tested travel gear series – don’t forget to also check out our baby travel advice home page

Buckle buster, finger puppets, classic baby beads, cute character snack cup.

• Lamaze Plush Puzzle Toy

Sensory Fidget Toys

Learn to dress monkey, felt quiet books, stacking cups, tissue pouch toy, board books, soft activity book, chunky crayons, magnetic drawing board, fubbles bubbles, sand toy kit, toy safety straps, what 1-year-old toys should i leave at home, more tips for baby travel.

If your child is slightly older, don’t miss our post best travel toy ideas for a 2-year-old . 

As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made from this page.

The Best Travel Toys for a 1-year-olds

The most difficult thing about this age group is their propensity to want to either a) insert everything they find into their mouth or b) throw it on the floor! 

Therefore, finding travel toys for 1-year-olds that are made for chewing is great, but also look for items that are easy to clean and not too small so you can find them if they fall into a small confined space! 

Here’s our selection of the best travel toys that have stood the test of time with our 1-year-olds.

Buckle Toys Buster is ideal for travel as he folds up quite small and is great for those fine motor skills and problem-solving.

There are six different clasps and buckles, allowing for several different activities. Buster also has many colourful pals these days, some bulkier than others, but all offer great opportunities for your tot to work on their hand-eye coordination while keeping them occupied on the move.

An interactive fun way to play along with kids is  finger puppets .  They definitely fit well into the portable category, much smaller than most soft toys but not too tinee tiny that you will lose them under a plane seat!

These are the best toys for one-year-olds in any situation, as there are plenty of imaginative games you can make up—and worst case, if they simply end up in your tot’s mouth, it’s not the end of the world!

Manhattan Toys Classic Baby Beads  are a baby essential from this maker of unique educational toys ( do check out the  full Manhattan toys range   – we ended up with a toy box full of their stuff we loved them so much! )

The beads are solid wood but portable, and the rattle is fun but not an overpowering noise it won’t annoy your neighbours on a plane. It’s great to see young toddlers through the  teething stage , and also perfect for those fine motor skills.

We all know just how important it is to keep little bellies satisfied, whether it’s at home or on the move. And we all know how quickly kids knock these things over?

Cue the latest generation of infant snack cups from Skip Hop that are not only designed with an (almost) spill-proof lid; they come in some cute and fun designs too that will only add to the enjoyment factor of snack time – hence we include in here amongst our favourite travel toys for 1-year-olds as they have definitely been a saviour in the past for quick and easy toddler entertainment – two birds and all that.

Lamaze Activity Spiral

Have we mentioned before how much we love Lamaze products? Their activity spiral is an absolute beauty and the perfect travel toy for a 1-year-old.

With all the sensory pieces that we love above Lamaze, it is easily attached to your tot’s infant seat, ideal for long road trips.

A reluctant inclusion as I truly hate any baby travel toy that makes an irritating sound – if it’s annoying me, it’s got to be annoying others around me too – but car keys really are one of those wonderful reality toys that infants simply can’t get enough of, perfect for long car rides.

No losing your own keys mid-journey, these B.Toys Funky Toy Keys are super easy to fit into any diaper bag and a sure-fire quick win for teething tots – even if just a little noisy, they are the closest to ‘the real thing’!

These simple plastic contraptions have taken the world by storm! Even since my bubs have grown into tweens , they STILL love these sensory toys .

The small but satisfying pops and different textures are a great way to keep fingers busy in a way that’s non-disruptive to other passengers.

Bonus if you can find a fidget toy with a suction cup , too, for on-the-go; they can easily be placed on windows, an airplane tray table, and even bathing; a sensory toy is perfect for a 1 year old when travelling.

Learn to dress mo n key is a wonderfully loveable teddy that comes with 11 different activities for small hands, from ties to zips and buttons. A guaranteed entertainer and perfect for long flights, he’s pretty loveable and cuddly too.

Also comes in Learn to Dres s Kitty if you are after different designs, a great toy for travel and at home.

Felt Quiet Books are a fabulous baby entertainer and make the perfect travel toy for 1-year-olds in any situation.

Young children can independently explore with a variety of different scenes to choose from. All the parts attach to the quiet book, so no missing spare parts, and no problem if it ends up in their mouth as it’s machine washable.

Such a simple but vital travel toy. We never went anywhere without our stacking cups – in fact, I’d argue these were our favourite travel toys!

Because they so stack away so small, they’re an easy grab-and-go item, and most importantly, we have been able to double these up as a portable bath toy and a baby beach toy on the go, too – these should be in every family travel bag!

Hands up whose infant LOVVVVVVES pulling tissues out of the box? OK, any infant worth their grit in cookie crumbs will work out this is a fake next to the real thing, but the My Tissue Pouch Travel Toy is as close as it can get to the real thing for this super fun baby activity!

With 11 brightly coloured, machine washable and totally reusable ’tissues’, plus a fun character packet to play with, this will surely gain you 5 minutes of peace on long road trips with your 1-year-old, right?!

We will always throw in at least one set of board books traveling with babies and toddlers.

They’re great travel toys as they’re small enough to slip a different one in your diaper bag or carry on each time you leave the house and pretty robust against little fingers and searching teeth!

Another great book option for a one-year-old is a soft activity book.

The MAMMA Kiddie soft activity book is a great travel toy for a 12-month-old as it comes with lots of added extras, including sensory touches that are chewable and bead counters. It’s still super light, so an easy carry-on bag inclusion for your one-year-old.

As your baby transitions to the toddler years, colouring games are great, but finding the right sort of product is tough.

We love the chunky crayons by Honeysticks – completely infant safe made from Beeswax and easy to grip in those sweet chubby little hands, an ideal travel tour for 18 month old.

Is your infant ready for a car seat travel tray? As infants progress to toddlers, they may benefit from having a good surface to eat and play on on long car journeys especially – see all our favourite car seat trays here!

Another super portable toy that’s not too chunky for travel is a magnetic drawing board, best from 18 months+. Always best not to go too cheap in design for these products – and not too many ‘extras’ that can go missing.

We like the design of Fly2Sky Magnetic drawing board as it has a sealed back to prevent scratching, and it’s small enough to still slip into a carry-on.

This one is not for you to hand to your one-year-old unsupervised, but more an emergency piece of kit that every travelling parent should have handy!

Be it making a roadside stop and getting your little one to stretch their legs, or when you’re waiting for rides at an amusement park, a quick bubble blow is an INSTANT crowd pleaser! – be warned, though, other kids will always want to join in!!!

We like Little Kids Fubbles No Spill Bubbles , which are much less messy than larger novelty wands if it’s for travel. (NB, obviously this includes liquid, so not a good one for the plane – but it’s one of our favorite camping toys for toddlers )

This was another reluctant inclusion as we know it can be a little bulky for travel – we’re hardly suggesting this will work for the plane – but no beach vacation with the kids is complete without your very own sandcastle!

From activity moulds to a watering can, you’ll want some sort of beach activity kit if you’ll be travelling anywhere with sand; these are the best travel toys for 1-year-olds on a beach vacation.

We share more beach toy ideas for toddlers over here!

Last but not least, we’d be remiss at this point not to introduce you to the sheer genius of Toy safety straps .

No more dropped pacifiers on the plane floor or sippy cups that have fallen in the seat well at your child’s feet. Anything that you can strap on – do! These work great for all types of toys with a loop that can be locked into any of your 1-year-old travel toys.

These are items that we have either had bad experiences with or, for the sake of safety or commonsense, we do not recommend using as a travel toy for one year olds:

Tablets/iPads – I won’t deny that I’ve let my kids use our devices from a pretty young age. But not all the time, and certainly not on the plane. The main reason is the best younger kids’ apps tend to be noisy, and a one-year-old is not for keeping headphones on. Save the screen time and toddler apps for at least 2+.

Playdoh – there, I said it. I’m going to have some haters shouting NOOOOOO!! But sorry, this one is on my banned travel toy list!! Some love it, but it’s icky, messy and ends up everywhere, but where you want it (mashed under fingernails, smushed into the airplane seat), you get the picture. At your peril.

Reusable Stickers – these are still really a bit too small and chewable for the one-year-old age group and they may not yet have the fine motor skills for peeling, leading to frustration. Felt books are the best alternative for this age.

Musical instruments – no matter how much they love these at home, loud, noise-making toys on a plane or transport with others is a big no-no.

Jigsaws – again, these may be favorite toys at home, but too many items have been lost down the side of a seat over the years. I recommend this as a good travel toy.

Shape sorter – for much the same reason as jigsaws. We love the hand-eye coordination aspect and won’t deny that they’re great toys for 1-year-olds, but with small pieces that can easily get lost, they don’t make our best travel toys list.

Novelty Suitcases – sorry folks, one is waaaay too young for these!! When they reach at least 2, you can start introducing their own cute independent toddler backpacks with a harness , but I would wait until at least 3 or 4 before trying ride on or wheeled luggage for kids.

Leave us a comment below if there are any other one-year-old travelling favourites you think we should add to our list! (or something that should definitely be left off!!)

Search Different Age Groups

Toys for 2-year-olds

Toys for 3-year-olds

Toys for 4-year-olds

Toys for 5-year-olds

Are you new to travelling with a baby , or would you like some more pointers and advice to make your first trip run smoothly? We recommend you also pop over to these pages:

• Our very best baby travel advice
• Safety, essential gear and tips & hacks you will want to know road tripping with a baby
• 10 baby travel essentials for every journey
• How to tackle your very first baby flight
• Are you ready for a camping trip with a baby?
• How to fly with a baby once they no longer fit the baby bassinet
• Do I really need a travelling high chair?
• Best pop-up sunshades for babies and toddlers at the beach
• Best lightweight strollers for travel (that can even fit on the plane)
• The best infant sleep solutions on the go

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2 thoughts on “ 20+ Travel Toys For A 1-Year-Old: Entertainment For Road Trips And Long Flights ”

My 1 year old son loves Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter. I gave it to him to keep him busy on his first plane ride. The shapes are of good quality and a good variety. I was worried that it would be too difficult for him in such many shapes, but he caught up in no time. It’s easy to move, overall, he loves it! I would definitely recommend it to others. It is made of excellent quality materials and will keep your child entertained.

So glad you enjoyed it, it’s definitely a winner travel toy.

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What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

Fact-checking standards, latest update:, when can you travel with your baby, read this next, what to pack for your baby in a carry-on bag, what to pack in your baby's suitcase.

Happy travels!

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Flying With a Baby? Here's What to Know Before You Go , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Best Travel Toys for Babies , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Baby Products You Can Take on a Plane , September 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for Families to Travel Now? , August 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, Travel Safety Tips , August 2018.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat a Few Hours at a Time? , August 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Traveling with Children . Federal Aviation Administration, Flying with Children , March 2021. Mayo Clinic, Is Air Travel Safe for an Infant? , October 2019.

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• Booster seats with no approval label or shoulder harness
• Vest and/or harness-type devices, except Aviation Child Safety Devices (ACSD) showing the FAA aircraft approval label
• Belt extensions that attach to the parent or the parent's restraint
• Any device that positions a child on the lap or chest of an adult

Carry-on and checked bags

If you’re flying internationally with an infant on your lap, we’ll issue the infant a ticket. You may check 1 bag for the infant at the same rate as the adult’s first checked bag.

• Each ticketed customer is allowed 1 stroller and 1 car seat to be checked free of charge
• Strollers over 20 lbs / 9 kgs must be checked at the ticket counter
• All other strollers should be checked at the gate before boarding
• If you have a stroller and a car seat only 1 can be checked at the gate
• Breast pumps and a small, soft-sided cooler of breast milk don’t count as your carry-on or personal item
• Play pens, wagons, cribs and 'pack and play' count as regular bags
• If any of these exceed carry-on limits they’ll be checked and incur regular fees

International documents

Children or infants traveling outside the U.S. are required to have the same documentation as an adult. If anyone under 18 is traveling internationally without both parents, they may be required to present a Letter of Consent.

International travel

Traveling during pregnancy

If your due date is within 4 weeks of your flight, you must provide a doctor’s certificate stating that you’ve been recently examined and you’re fit to fly.

Special assistance throughout your trip

For domestic flights under 5 hours, you won’t be permitted to travel within 7 days (before and after) your delivery date. If you need to travel within this time frame:

• Approval from your physician and a special assistance coordinator is required.
• Your physician will be required to fill out a passenger medical form before your flight. A special assistance coordinator will send the form directly to your physician.

Clearance from a special assistance coordinator is required for international travel or travel over water:

• Within 4 weeks of your due date (travel also requires a physician's note stating that you’ve been examined within the past 48 hours and you’re fit to fly)
• 7 days before or after your delivery (travel also requires a passenger medical form to be completed by your physician)

Flying on a partner airline?

Find helpful information if your trip includes 1 or more flights with our partner airlines.

• British Airways
• Japan Airlines
• Qatar Airways

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Traveling with Children

All passengers are required to undergo screening. However, TSA has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. TSA officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child’s screening.

TSA standard screening procedures apply for children 13 years and older. Carry-on property of all passengers, regardless of age, must be screened. All passengers who alarm will undergo additional screening.

Children with Medical Conditions, Disabilities, or Mobility Aids

Inform the TSA officer if the child has a disability, medical condition or medical device.

Let the TSA officer know if your child is able to walk through the metal detector or needs to be carried through the metal detector by a parent/guardian. You may carry your child through the WTMD. The TSA officer will not remove your child from their mobility aid, wheelchair or scooter.

Request Assistance

TSA Cares provides information to passengers with disabilities, medical conditions and those that need additional assistance to better prepare for the security screening process. Call  TSA Cares 72 hours prior  to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint. You may also call to request assistance at the checkpoint.

Liquid Formula, Breast Milk, Toddler Drinks, and Baby/Toddler food (to include puree pouches)

Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) are considered medically necessary liquids. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling accessories, such as ice packs, freezer packs and gel packs (regardless of presence of breast milk). Your child or infant does not need to be present or traveling with you to bring breast milk, formula and/or related supplies.

Inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that you are carrying formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in excess of 3.4 ounces. Remove these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately from your other belongings. TSA officers may need to test the liquids for explosives or concealed prohibited items.

It’s helpful to the officers when formula and breast milk are in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches. Liquids in plastic bags or pouches may not be able to be screened by Bottle Liquid Scanners, and you may be asked to open them (if feasible) for alternate screening such as Explosive Trace Detection and Vapor Analysis for the presence of liquid explosives. Screening will never include placing anything into the medically necessary liquid.

TSA X-ray machines are not harmful to food or medicines. However, if you do not want the formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) to be X-rayed or opened, please inform the TSA officer. Additional steps will be taken to resolve alarms. You or the traveling guardian will undergo additional screening procedures, to include Advanced Imaging Technology screening and additional/enhanced screening of other carry-on property.

Ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs and other accessories required to cool formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) – regardless of the presence of breast milk – are also allowed in carry-ons, along with liquid-filled teethers. If these items are partially frozen or slushy, they are subject to the same screening as described above.

Passengers requiring special accommodations or concerned about the security screening process at the airport may request assistance by contacting  TSA Cares  or by phone at (855) 787-2227.

Screening of Children’s Items

• Place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening.
• Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.
• Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.
• Equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual/physical inspection by TSA officers.

Screening Technology

Walk-Through Metal Detector

Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian. If they alarm, children are allowed multiple passes through screening technologies and may undergo other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down. Infants and small children may be carried through the metal detector. Should the alarm sound, additional screening is required.

Advanced Imaging Technology

If your child is able to remain standing in the required position for 5 seconds, he or she may be screened through the advanced imaging technology. If a child 12 and under goes through the machine and alarms, they have an opportunity to go through again or the TSA officer may use other procedures to resolve the alarm to reduce the need for a pat-down.

You may not be screened by this technology when carrying an infant or child.

Screening your Child

• Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening. For AIT screening, light jackets must be removed and placed on the X-ray belt.
• Children will not be separated from their parent/guardian.
• Remove infants and children from strollers and car seats and carry them in arms through the walk-through metal detector.
• Infants may be carried in a sling/carrier (to include lap baby) through the walk-through metal detector or when being screened in a wheelchair, but may be subject to additional screening
• Modified screening procedures are in place to reduce the likelihood of a pat-down.

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How To Travel Alone With a Toddler on a Plane

d3sign / Getty Images

How To Pack and Prepare

• Things I Needed

Things I Bought But Didn’t Use

Other helpful tips.

The thought of traveling alone with my 26-month-old toddler for her first flight this summer was overwhelming, to say the least. But, I was determined to be prepared. After reading what seemed like hundreds of articles to ready myself, I started to feel a little more at ease There were all types of suggestions like "book the flight during nap time," "pack snacks," "bring these exact coloring books."

I also spoke to other moms, crowdsourced on Instagram, and spent hours meticulously and methodically packing. Honestly, I was probably over-prepared but I didn't want to risk a meltdown—from me or from my toddler. I was ready...or at least physically. All those preparations still didn't negate the fact that I was still a little terrified to travel with my "terrible 2s toddler" for the first time.

If you're a parent of a toddler, then you know that you can't really plan for everything. Toddlers are wonderfully unpredictable. Naturally, I came up with all sorts of "what-ifs" like what if she had a tantrum or a blowout as we boarded? Would there be a fussy refusal to wear a mask on the plane? We had a long journey ahead of us—6 hours total—and I feared the worst but hoped for the best.

All in all, my daughter did great on her first long trip. But after taking two planes, two trains, and countless car rides, I learned a thing or two about what to bring, and what I definitely should have left at home.

If you have a trip coming up with your toddler, I may not be able to completely erase your fears or those nagging "what-ifs," but I certainly can let you in on how to prepare, what to pack, how to deal with fussiness, and more.

Depending on your destination (a hotel, an Airbnb, staying with family), it's incredibly helpful to send as many necessities as possible ahead of time. After all, packing these things or loading them onto a plane with you, is just not feasible.

However, if shipping things is just not economical or feasible for you, you can also rent gear if you're traveling to a larger town.

I was staying with family, so I shipped a car seat to my mom before I arrived. This way, I knew exactly what would be waiting for me once I got there. If you choose to ship instead of rent, just be sure to send it with enough time for your family or friends to properly install the seat before you get there.

My choice was the new-to-market Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Rotational All-in-One Car Seat , but it was a little confusing for them to install. So, my step-dad went to a certified car seat installation location for help.

If you have family that will be installing the car seat for you as I did, you may want to contact the local police stations and fire departments to see if they offer this service. You also can search for a location or a specialist near your destination . After all, you don't want to try to install a car seat after you just spent hours flying.

Think Through Sleeping Arrangements

When it comes to toddlers, you probably already know how active—and curious—they are. That's why it's so important to think through the sleeping arrangements and try to determine what will work best for your family.

Even though my daughter probably could have slept in a twin bed or on a cot, I still sent a pack and play to my parents' home—especially because she is still in a crib at home. For me, I just felt more comfortable having her "contained," especially in an unfamiliar room. Plus, because she still sleeps in a crib at home, I didn't want her first taste of freedom to be while we were on the road in someone else's home.

My daughter is used to a pack and play, so it made sense to use one on the road. My pick was the BABYBJÖRN Travel Crib Light . It's super easy to set up, was larger than some other models, and is recommended for children up to 3 years old.

Of course, if you're not staying with family or friends, you may not have the option to ship a pack and play. But, you can call your hotel to reserve a crib or a pack and play for your stay if you want.

Overall, my suggestion is to try to replicate your toddler's sleeping environment at home as much as you can. After all, your toddler will be adjusting to so many new things, that having some familiarity—especially at bedtime—will help things go more smoothly for both of you.

Be Strategic About Packing

Rather than try to pack all the extras that go with having a toddler—like diapers, wipes, and bubble bath—I placed an order for curbside pickup at the local Target. There, I was able to find all of my daughter’s favorite snacks and drinks, diapers, wipes, and even a fun bathtub mat. My family picked it up the day before I arrived, leaving enough time for them to shop for anything that was unavailable or missing.

Then, when it came time to pack for our trip, I packed one large suitcase that I checked and didn't have to include all those bulky items. If you're using one suitcase, like me, be sure to save room for those all-important gadgets that are a necessity when you have a toddler.

In my suitcase, I included important things like her white noise sound machine and my video monitor, the Nanit monitor —things that are absolutely necessary but could ultimately be replaced if my luggage was lost.

Meanwhile, in my carry-on, I made sure to pack things that could not be easily or immediately replaced like her sleep sack, her lovey, and her blanket. Plus, I knew I would need these items soon after arriving at my destination since my arrival coincided with her nap time.

Take time to think through what things you can buy once you get there, what can be replaced if it is lost, and what you need to keep on your person at all times.

For me, life without my daughter's lovey and blanket would have been a real challenge, so I made sure to keep those things with us in our carry-on. Plus, if I needed to whip them out on the plane, they were always within reach.

There is nothing worse than for a 2-year-old to ask for their blankie only to be told that it is in the underbelly of the plane. That was not something I wanted to try to explain to my toddler at 30,000 feet surrounded by complete strangers!

Necessities for the Airport and on the Plane

When you are traveling through the airport and flying on a plane with a toddler, there are a few items that are an absolute must. Aside from the things you traditionally have handy in your purse or diaper bag—snacks, diapers, wipes, and toys—you'll also want to think about how your child will be sitting on the plane. Here's my list of must-haves for the plane.

Snacks were the number one item that moms told me to pack, and that advice really paid off. I carefully packed all different types of shelf-stable snacks in her bento box lunchbox, and that kept her occupied before boarding and while in the sky.

If you don’t have a large bento-box style lunchbox , using a crafting box—or even a large weekly pill container—with many small compartments is a great way to separate snacks. Not only are you separating the snacks in an interesting way, but the novelty of having so many things to explore can keep your child occupied for a good bit of time.

I included mostly familiar snacks, as well as some new, yummy foods to spark her interest. We flew during her normal morning snack time, so she was hungry. Plus, it was fun for her to try new things. Get creative when packing snacks for your flight. You will be glad you did.

Wipes and Diapers

When you have a toddler, you can never have too many wipes. After all, there are diapers to change as well as messy fingers and faces to deal with. In my bag, I included travel packs of both gentle wipes for diaper changes and wiping her face as well as anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning the tray table, seat, and armrests.

You also want to be sure you have plenty of diapers during your travel time. Count out how many diaper changes you would normally need during that timeframe and then add a few more. You never know when your toddler will have a diaper malfunction.

To make things easier on me, I changed her diaper in the airport bathroom before each flight. I wanted to avoid changing her on the plane if I could. There's nothing worse than trying to navigate a tiny airplane bathroom with a fidgety toddler.

Changing Pads and Extra Clothes

Instead of using the travel changing pads that come in most diaper bags, I opted for disposable dog training pads. As weird as that might sound at first, they are great for bathroom changing tables.

By using these large pads, I didn't have to worry about transferring germs back into my bag. I just tossed them when I was done. Plus, they are great for mopping up water in a pinch in case of a spill.

Another thing to pack in your carry-on just in case? A change of clothes for both you and your child. Accidents happen and there is nothing worse than traveling 6 hours with food or other stains on your clothing.

Coloring or Drawing Tablet

Many people suggest bringing a coloring book and crayons on your trip. While this is a great idea, in theory, I don't know many toddlers that can be trusted with regular markers or crayons, including my 2-year-old.

For instance, on the first leg, we used a Melissa & Doug on-the-go coloring book. It came with regular markers, and even sitting right next to her, my daughter managed to color the tray table. On the way home, I spotted crayon marks on the window shade from a previous passenger, so I know all parents of young ones deal with this.

Similarly, the popular “Water Wow” coloring books claim to be mess-free, but my daughter quickly figured out how to unscrew the cap and promptly dumped water over her entire outfit. The best option, I learned on the way home, is to stick with something electronic while on the plane. You won’t lose any marker caps or risk the ink drying up. I opted for an electronic LCD tablet and it worked out great.

A Safety Device

For children flying on an airplane, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends a Child Restraint System (CRS). If you chose to use a car seat, you’ll need to double-check the dimensions of the car seat and the airplane seat. I also strongly encourage you to you install the car seat in a window seat location.

If you choose to bring a car seat, you can have your child sit in the seat while traveling through the airport. Buy a travel cart specifically made to wheel a car seat or a special travel strap that attaches to your rolling luggage. Remember, children over 2 and children sitting in a car seat must have their own seat on the plane.

For me personally, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to handle my carry-on, our stroller, my toddler, and a car seat, so I opted for the CARES Child Safety Device . This is a seatbelt-like harness that is FAA-approved for children weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. It folds up and weighs less than 1 pound, so it’s not a burden to put in your carry-on. What's more, I was able to quickly install it on my own in under 2 minutes.

Stroller and Bag Cover

A travel stroller is a must in case your gate is the very last one in the terminal like mine was. Toddlers don’t tend to walk fast, so having a stroller is key to being on time. Before boarding, I folded the stroller and put it in a gate check bag . There was plenty of room left in the bag for coats or anything else I didn’t physically need with me in the cabin. I bought my gate check bag on Amazon for under $20.

I heard from other moms that gate check bags get quite dirty and sometimes rip due to rough handling, so I didn't want to spend too much. As you get to the jet bridge, fold your stroller and put it in the gate check bag (mine is bright red and says " gate check" in large letters ). The attendant will tag the bag.

Then, you just leave it at the bottom of the bridge, just before entering the plane. Most of the time, you can retrieve it after the flight in the same spot you left it, just after exiting the plane on the jet bridge. In certain instances, it may be sent to baggage claim, so be sure to listen for announcements. Gate checking strollers or car seats is a free service, so make sure you take advantage of it.

Backpack for Your Child

Although there are super cute rolling luggage options for kids, I knew I would get stuck wheeling my daughter’s suitcase while also trying to push her stroller. Instead, I opted for a “ busy backpack ,” which doubled as a toy as well as a backpack to hold sticker books , snacks, and her iPad.

Her busy backpack has snaps, buttons, a zipper, a faux shoelace, buckles, and colorful numbers printed on the straps. She LOVED carrying the backpack around because it gave her a sense of independence, and also really helped me out to have some extra packing space.

There are certain items I thought would be a must for traveling that I didn't end up needing. I definitely leaned on my daughter's iPad for a few moments of quiet time.

Meanwhile, some people swear by headphones, but I never used hers. In addition, placemats were something I thought would keep us safe from germs, but simply wiping her tray table down with a wipe was faster and easier. Here's what I could have left at home.

I bought special placemats with sticky edges for the tray table. When it comes down to it, you have just a couple of minutes to get situated and get your child occupied when you first get on the plane.

So, I didn’t bother using these placements—it was much quicker for me to just wipe down the table with an anti-bacterial wipe. These placemats might be helpful if you’re eating a full meal on the plane, but on my short trip, we only had snacks, so I would advise leaving them off your shopping list.

Though her iPad was a lifesaver, we did not use the headphones I brought along especially for this trip. First, she didn’t want to keep them on her head.

Second, the plane was so loud it provided built-in white noise and drowned out the sound of her iPad unless you were within a foot of the device. Furthermore, all the other passengers were wearing headphones, so I knew she wasn’t bothering anyone by having her iPad volume on low.

Preparing for a trip with your toddler can feel overwhelming. You never know if your child might get overwhelmed by a large population of people or feel claustrophobic on the small aircraft. Although you can't plan for everything, here are some additional tips that can help you survive traveling with your little one.

Have a Back-up Plan

I live in New York City, so I don’t own a car or a car seat. But, when we were leaving we were able to quickly and easily call an Uber with a car seat to go to the airport. However, when we landed at home, there were no cars with car seats available, and every car service was at least 2 hours away.

Eventually, I took the Air Train home (an option from both Newark and JFK in the New York area) but it was a long, unexpected, and difficult leg of my journey. Transferring to multiple trains with a 50-pound suitcase and a baby in a stroller was not easy.

That's why you need a backup plan in case things don’t go as scheduled. Rather than rely on Uber and public transportation, you may want to schedule a car service in advance for airport transfers or have someone meet you at the airport. Just make sure they have a car seat already installed if you're not traveling with yours.

Beware of Packaging

I bought some quiet, mess-free, sensory toys called Wikki Stix for the plane ride that were great. You can create an endless array of different shapes and the Stix have a textured feel that's not sticky.

However, I was surprised that the packaging was so loud and obnoxious. I would encourage you to open any new toys at home (away from your child) and repackage them in a less disruptive bag or box. There's nothing worse than crinkling plastic and packaging that disturbs those around you.

Wrap "Presents"

One thing that worked well for me was buying some small, new toys and trinkets and wrapping them in tissue paper. When my little one started getting fidgety, I would tell her I had a "present" for her. Not only was this a new and exciting toy, but the extra step of taking off the tissue paper added a few minutes to the experience.

I bought some small Blippi toy vehicles, Melissa & Doug's Lace and Trace pet set, and even wrapped a couple of sticker packs. Toys don't have to be expensive to be exciting. In fact, my mom famously tells me that I used to be most excited to individually unwrap an entire box of Band-Aids on long car rides.

It's normal to feel rushed when you have a little one. But, try not to stress over taking an extra minute to put your bag in the overhead or find your boarding pass in your giant purse. People are remarkably kind when they recognize that you are traveling alone with a little one.

Plus, take advantage of the early boarding with small children. This will give you extra time to get situated and you will feel less like you are holding people up. And, don't be afraid to ask for help—multiple people along my journey helped me with my luggage. Most likely, someone has been in your shoes before, and they will be eager to assist.

A Word From Verywell

Traveling alone is stressful to begin with, and can be especially worrisome if you have a tot in tow. We hope these tips help you plan for a less stressful trip so you can enjoy your vacation or trip with your little one.

Federal Aviation Administration. Flying with children .

The Car Seat Lady. Before you fly, know your rights !

By Dory Zayas Dory Zayas is a freelance beauty, fashion, and parenting writer. She spent over a decade writing for celebrity publications and since having her daughter in 2019, has been published on sites including INSIDER and Well+Good.

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15 Lesser-Known Facts About Commercial Aircraft

Posted: October 26, 2023 | Last updated: November 21, 2023

#1 Airplane Crew Has Sleeping Quarters on Board

Imagine that you are traveling from New York to an exotic destination in Bali or Indonesia. You get to sleep a lot during the flight, which usually lasts around 24 hours. But what about the flight attendants and the pilots?

Guess what - they have their own sleeping quarters in the plane! The flight has an adequate crew to allow rotation. Thus, you can be sure that a well rested pilot is on duty, while the flight attendants are ready to assist you.

#2 Did You Notice that Airplane Windows Have a Hole?

Now, let's focus our attention on the plane windows. Look at the very bottom ... Right there, do you notice a tiny hole? It is also one of the almost invisible but extreme features of an airplane.

The fact is that the plane window consists of three panes. This helps maintain a comfortable pressure in the cabin. Meanwhile, the pressure outside is very low. The tiny hole helps balance the air pressure between the cabin and the gap between the window panes.

#3 All Planes Have Oval Windows - and This Is Not Just Because They Look Nice

Since we are looking at the airplane window, you may wonder: why do they look the same on any plane? It doesn't matter if it is a Boeing or an Airbus - the windows have an oval shape.

This design ensures the safety of the plane. Round shapes distribute pressure more evenly across the entire surface. Thus, any rectangular corner would be a weak spot. The huge difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the plane could cause it to crack.

#4 One More Thing about Plane Windows – Why Do You Have to Raise the Blinds?

We will step away from plane windows after we share one more fact. During takeoff and just before landing, flight attendants will ask you to raise all blinds.

This is for your own safety. In case of emergency evacuation, the crew outside the plane must be able to see inside and identify the best paths to remove all passengers. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the crew must do this in just 90 seconds. So, being able to see everyone inside the plane is vital.

#5 Is Airplane Food Really That Bad? Not Exactly…

Anyone on a long-distance flight knows how tasteless airplane food is. Only sheer hunger makes you eat it. Would you be surprised to hear that you would actually enjoy the same food if you ate it in the airport lounge?

The fact is that, inside an airplane, even the food prepared by a famous chef would taste bland. The reason for this is that your taste buds are numbed by the humidity and pressure inside the plane.

#6 Lights Dim during Takeoff and Landing for a Serious Reason

Have you ever wondered why the pilot dims the lights inside the cabin during takeoff and landing? Many people believe that this helps passengers relax. While this may be true for many, the real reason is more serious.

In reality, dim lights help your eyes adjust to the darkness. This can save your life during an emergency, when the electricity is not working anymore and you have to exit the plane without lights. Also, dim lights make emergency path lights and exit signs more visible.

#7 The Tiny Winglet Plays a Huge Part in Fuel Usage

Let us start with the outside of the plane. As you look closely, you can see that the wing ends with a winglet. It looks rather nice, but it is not there for aesthetic reasons

In fact, that winglet has a very important role. It helps the plane use less fuel during the flight. How does it do it? The winglet breaks vortices which appear naturally at the edges of the wings. This reduces the induced drag on the plane and reduces fuel use by up to 5%.

#8 Before a Plane Takes Off, It Needs Some Assistance

As you are waiting for your flight to board and look outside, you may notice a large vehicle pushing an airplane. No, it is not being towed for repairs. The vehicle is simply performing a standard maneuver called "pushback".

This maneuver is necessary to push the plane out of its parking position. If the pilot did this, the high speed in reverse would create a lot of flying debris. This debris could hurt ground staff, enter the airplane engines and damage the airport terminal.

#9 Airplanes Can Keep Flying Even After an Engine Fails

Speaking of airplane engines, in movies you usually see everything going haywire when one of them fails. The plane starts shaking, and there are lots of beeping noises and emergency lights flashing.

In reality, chances are that you were aboard a plane that suffered an engine failure. But you didn't notice anything worrisome. The reason for this is that planes have several engines. When one of them stops working, the others are able to carry everyone safely to the destination.

#10 You Cannot Lock Yourself in a Plane Restroom

Everyone expects complete privacy in the restroom, as it is normal. But safety aboard is more important than social niceties. Thus, plane lavatory doors can be unlocked from the outside.

In case someone is taken ill inside the lavatory, the cabin crew must be able to remove them and give them first aid. Also, the flight attendants must be able to evacuate everyone in case of emergency.

#11 Here's One Rare, but Possible Lavatory Emergency: Getting Stuck on a Plane Toilet

One instance when the flight attendants must get to a passenger in the lavatory to help them may appear far-fetched. But, it is technically possible to get stuck on an airplane toilet.

This happens when a passenger flushes the toilet while still sitting on it. Airplane toilets use vacuum, rather than water, for flushing. It is unlikely to be unable to free yourself from the seat. Nevertheless, it's always a good idea to stand up before you flush.

#12 Getting Bored Aboard? You Cannot Use Your Mobile Phone

When we get bored, we turn to our mobile phones to stream music, browse our social media pages or send a quick email. However, you are not allowed to do this on a plane.

The Federal Communications Commission restricts cell phone use during flights, as it can interfere with cell service on the ground. Also, various electronic devices (including mobile phones) may interfere with essential airplane systems and devices.

#13 The Black Box Is Actually Bright Orange and Indestructible

Since we are talking about essential airplane devices, one of them is the black box. The fact is that its actual name is a flight data recorder. And it is not black, but a vivid orange.

In case of disasters, rescue teams need to identify it among other debris. Also, since it must remain intact for investigators to analyze it, the black box is made to withstand extreme conditions. It is designed to survive an impact of 3,400 Gs and temperatures above 1,000 Celsius (1,830 Fahrenheit).

#14 The Seats Must Be Upright during Landing and Takeoff for an Important Reason

When you board the plane, you can't wait to recline your seat and relax. But the flight assistants will tell you to keep it upright during takeoff. Also, you will have to bring your seat back to the upright position just before landing.

This is not merely to inconvenience you. In case of emergency, passengers can be evacuated faster if all seats are in the upright position.

#15 What Are the Chances of Lightning Striking a Plane?

A person's odds of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million. However, if you happen to be aboard a plane, you may have been indirectly struck by lightning several times so far.

However, you needn't worry! Plane designers and engineers take this possibility into account. Thus, all the systems in a plane are properly grounded. Plus, you know that you are in the capable hands of highly trained pilots, flight attendants and ground staff. So enjoy your next flight with peace of mind!

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Sacramento mom accused of assaulting her child, 2, on flight from Mexico to Seattle

SACRAMENTO, Ca. -- A Sacramento mom is accused of assaulting her 2-year-old child on a flight from Mexico to Seattle, prosecutors said Monday.

Multiple people reported witnessing Breanna Mistler, 33, abusing her child on a May 1 Delta flight from Puerto Vallarta to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Washington.

One person reported that Mistler kicked the child when the child woke her up at one point on the flight. Another person reported that Mistler shook the child like a rag doll, prosecutors said.

When the flight landed, customs officers detained Mistler and observed multiple bruises on the child. Child Protective Services was helping to place the child with a relative.

On Monday, a judge ordered Mistler to be detained at the Federal Detention Center in the city of SeaTac, which is where the airport is located and is between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. The judge ordered Mistler detained due to being concerned about the child's safety, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Mistler was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault in a special aircraft jurisdiction. She is expected to appear in court for a preliminary examination on May 16.

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Davenport woman accused in ‘horrible’ beating death of 4-year-old boy

Davenport woman accused of beating child to death.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd gives an update on a woman who is accused of beating her 4-year-old son to death.

DAVENPORT, Fla. - A 4-year-old boy is dead, and his mother is in jail on murder charges, accused of beating him to death.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says Bryan Boyer, who was born in Haiti, went to live with Patricia Saintizaire, 36, in Davenport last year. The sheriff explained that the child was born to a woman who didn’t want him and Saintizaire’s sister began the process of adopting him for Saintizaire to keep. Saintizaire, according to Judd, also adopted her 16-year-old son from Haiti. 

The sheriff said Bryan suffered ‘horrible’ abuse at the hands of Saintizaire. 

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"We have a video clip where that 3-year-old baby’s hands were tied behind its back, and she threw him in the swimming pool in the backyard," Judd said. 

Grady Judd says a video on the suspect's phone showed her throwing the child in a swimming pool with his hands tied behind his back. Image is courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

On May 1, Judd said Bryan got off the bus and his 16-year-old brother noticed he looked happy, but as the day went on, the teenager noticed the little boy was lethargic and unresponsive. 

According to Judd, Saintizaire told the teen that Bryan was ‘faking it’ and to give him something to eat. 

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Judd said the teen fed Bryan, but he could not keep food down and went unconscious. That’s when investigators said the teen kept saying the boy needed to go to the hospital. 

Pictured: Bryan Boyer. Image is courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

Saintizaire took him to a hospital in Haines City and the facility sent him to Orlando Health where he died. 

"We found injuries that this child has been beaten," Judd said. "We found an injury where his liver suffered a tear, and the medical examiner said it could be nothing else other than an immediate hard strike to the abdomen and as the autopsy went on, they found different layers of bruises and injuries from past beatings, and he’s dead. He’s dead because she beat him to death."

Judd said what detectives learned while investigating the case is ‘stomach-turning.’

Pictured: Patricia Saintizaire

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is beyond my wildest imagination how anyone could abuse a beautiful little fellow like this," Judd stated. 

The sheriff went on to say that he doesn’t believe detectives know all the abuse Bryan suffered and referenced another video clip that was on the suspect’s phone in which the child was face-down on the floor, and she’s beating him in the back, and he’s not even resisting it as though it is a normal occurrence. 

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"The positive, if you search for a positive in this, is that he’s in the arms of God right now, and he’s no longer being beaten. He’s no longer being punched. He’s no longer being tied up and thrown in the swimming pool. Now, he’s, as our Christians believe, he’s living the life there where he’s surrounded by love and things are great like he should have been surrounded by love and things are great here on Earth for him."

Patricia Saintizaire mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. 

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Saintizaire’s 16-year-old son is now in protective custody and added that the teen told detectives he was told to lie to investigators about what happened. 

Saintizaire has been charged with murder and aggravated child abuse and the case is still under investigation. 

Judd encourages anyone who suspects a child is being abused to call the authorities. 

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A 101-year-old woman keeps getting mistaken for a baby on flights and says it's because American Airlines' booking system can't handle her age

• A 101-year-old woman says American Airlines keeps getting her age wrong.
• She says the computer can't process that she was born in 1922, not 2022.
• Airlines have increasingly adopted computerization across systems, but errors have caused serious disruption.

American Airlines cabin crew were expecting to look after a baby on board a flight from Chicago to Marquette, Michigan, this weekend.

But sitting in the seat designated for the infant, they instead found a 101-year-old woman, according to a BBC reporter who was also on the flight.

The centenarian, named Patricia, had booked the seat for an adult but laughed off the incident with the confused cabin crew.

Patricia, who didn't want her surname to be shared, told the BBC: "It was funny that they thought I was only a little child and I'm an old lady!"

But she said it wasn't the first time American Airlines had mistaken her for a baby.

Patricia, who flies every year to visit family, said the airline's booking system couldn't seem to process the fact that she was born in 1922 rather than 2022.

"My daughter made the reservation online for the ticket, and the computer at the airport thought my birth date was 2022 and not 1922," she said.

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During a previous trip, the BBC reported, the glitch meant that airport staff met Patricia after a flight without a pre-arranged wheelchair, thinking that they would just transport a baby through the terminal.

"The same thing happened last year, and they were also expecting a child and not me," Patricia said.

She had to wait on the plane until all other passengers had disembarked while they brought her a wheelchair, the BBC reported.

"I would like them to fix the computer as my poor daughter had to carry all our luggage and apparel almost a mile from one gate to the other," she said.

American Airlines didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Airlines are increasingly adopting automation across their systems to make operations more efficient, and passengers mostly embrace the convenience that technology brings to their travel experiences.

In the latest annual American Customer Satisfaction Index , app services, ease of making reservations, and airlines' websites were the factors that customers were most satisfied with when traveling with US airlines.

But while technology generally makes operations smoother and more efficient, glitches routinely pop up, often affecting more vulnerable passengers with special requirements.

Errors with technology have also caused serious disruption to global travel.

A glitch in the UK's national automatic flight-planning system last August left air traffic controllers processing flights by hand . The issue led to more than 1,500 flight cancellations across Europe.

In 2022, 12,000 American Airlines flights were left without pilots after a glitch allowed them to drop assignments. The airline had to offer pilots triple pay to cover the fallout.

Watch: A glitch in air traffic control left thousands of travelers stranded

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