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| |    Kids and Plane Travel: Practical Considerations by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. When it comes to flying with kids, preparation is essential. Of course, that's easier said than done. But a little extra advanced planning often can save you time, money, and even a few tantrums, all of which will make your trip all the more enjoyable. Below are a few practical tips for navigating your way through air travel with kids. Checking in and boarding If, in your former life, you were always the last to check in and board the airplane, now is a really good time to change your ways--especially if you lack reserved seat assignments, have a fair bit of carry-on luggage, or simply want to take advantage of preboarding. Airlines typically offer travelers the option of preboarding if they are traveling with small children or need a little extra time to get settled on board (which I always thought were synonymous). However, the rush to board planes quickly these days seems to simply result in a 10-second head start before the herd swells up behind you. Keep in mind that there is no rule that says you have to preboard, so if you find it to be more stressful than it's worth, consider letting the kids run around at the gate a bit longer and board after the crowds instead. Seating FAA regulations allow children under the age of two to travel on the laps of a seated adult. Yes, this can save you the cost of an airline ticket, but know that the FAA strongly recommends that you purchase a separate seat to use a child restraint seat suitable for air travel for any child weighing less than 40 pounds. If you nonetheless choose the money-saving option, take time to check if the flight is full. If it isn't, you often can put your child--and his child restraint seat--in an empty seat next to you for no cost, although it must be a window seat and not in an exit row. When it comes to older kids, booster seats cannot be used on airplanes, so the issue of seating really boils down to seatbelt usage and seat location. Refusing to wear a seatbelt is not an option, so stress to your children that they offer the same crucial protection on flights as they do while driving. As for seat assignments, you can avoid a lot of fighting by simply having everyone agree ahead of time about who sits where when, next to whom. Sometimes sitting in consecutive rows, such as with a family of four that is seated two in front and two behind, may be preferable to being across the aisle from each other in the same row when it comes to passing things (or kids) back and forth. Food If your baby is still breast- or formula-feeding, you'll want to take into account his feeding schedule and the necessary mealtime accessories--perhaps a blanket and a window seat to give yourself some privacy while breastfeeding, or some extra bottles containing water to be mixed on short notice with the powdered formula tucked away in your carry-on. Once your child enters the realm of solid foods, you can take advantage of preordering kids meals directly through the airline, as well as plan ahead to have some quick and easy snacks of your own on hand. Remember to take into account how messy your food choices are as you plan your menu; dry cereal or graham crackers and grapes often leave less for you (and the airline's clean-up crew) to pick up than pudding and oranges. Lastly, you probably are well aware that flights don't always leave or arrive on schedule (never mind the fact that kids don't always like the food they're served on board), so come prepared if you're taking a longer flight. Carry-ons Before you had children, you may have carried luggage on in order to save you a trip to baggage claim or to have your belongings accessible during the flight. Well, times have probably changed. Regardless of what you take on board with you, traveling with kids almost surely means waiting for luggage at the baggage carousel--and the items you pack in your carry-on will likely be your children's.
Even if you're the type of person who signs up for and makes use of frequent flier miles for yourself, it might not have occurred to you to sign up your child. But if you're going to pay for the seat, you might as well take advantage of the miles (both for yourself and for your child). For many airlines, the simple act of signing up can earn your child thousands of miles toward a free trip.
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