Navigating your way at the airport with kids and passing through the security gate are probably the main challenges of flying with babies and toddlers.
This article will cover solid tips you need to survive navigating the airport with kids.
It goes without saying- give yourself enough time to get to the airport with kids to check in and pass through security. The early you get there the better.
Checking In At the Airport with Kids
- Hopefully you checked in online so head straight to the drop off bag counter to check in your main luggage.
- On some flights, parents with babies and toddlers don’t get to choose their own seats when checking in online so this is the perfect time to bring up seating arrangement with the check in desk operator. Use it to your advantage!
- Depending on how busy the flight is and the airline you are travelling with, parents with babies are usually given front row seats (bulkhead) for the extra legroom and for setting up bassinets for babies. Confirm this at the counter.
- Contrary to general advice, if you are travelling with a toddler, it is best to avoid the bulkhead because these seats do not offer under-seat space nor seat pockets, so you’ll have to store all your toys and supplies in the overhead compartment.
- Ask if the flight is full. If not, request for a spare seat next to you, so you can have more room. If this isn’t possible, don’t be shy to ask an air hostess on the plane to move the person next to you. I can bet you they will be glad to move seats. It is a sad fact but some people would prefer not to sit besides babies or toddlers on the plane.
- If you have a stroller, confirm the drop off and pick up points for this. Also get a tag for your stroller at the counter.
Navigating Through The Airport With Kids
One of the biggest fears of every parent is losing their toddler at the airport. It could be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
To avoid being one of those parents frantically talking to the airport attendant to help find your toddler, you need to be well prepared.
Here are some tips to help you navigating your way at the airport with kids through the multitudes.
If you are using a stroller keep your baby or toddler confined in it till you get to the security gate. If you are not using a stroller here are some other options I have used which might appeal to you.
For toddlers I highly recommend a harness to restrain your child from getting away from you. Some parents frown at this thinking it makes your child look like a little dog on a leash.
For my own peace of mind and sanity, frankly I do not care what people have to say about the harness. Remember you have your hand luggage to deal with as well.
I have truly found the harness to be a lifesaver.
This safety harness backpack is so cute and discrete. It could also server as a diaper bag! It comes in pink as well. Please click the picture if interested.
Of course if you don’t like the idea of the harness and have a way to prevent your child from running away from you at the airport then by all means go with that option.
If you are travelling with your hubby or someone else, let one person be in charge of all the travel documents and the other person in charge of the children. You could switch roles from time to time.
If you are alone at the airport with your child, keep all travel documents together in a small purse in your bag so you can easily reach for it.
Now it is time to find out how to breeze through the airport security gate with kids, another potential nightmare. Fret not, I got you covered! 😉
So do you have any tips for scaling through the airport with kids? Please share in the comments section below. Thank you
