Flying with Kids Made Easy: What to Expect from Airlines
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When traveling with children, especially infants and toddlers, managing luggage and babies is like manning a three ring circus. Fortunately, most airlines and airports have figured out how to make things a touch less chaotic when traveling with those precious circus monkeys.
Here is what you can expect when juggling the circus of airline travel with kids: a balancing act of diaper changes at 30,000 feet, acrobatics with strollers at the gate, and the occasional high-flying tantrum.
Gate Check Services:
Gate check allows parents to hand over strollers, car seats, and sometimes other bulky baby gear at the gate right before boarding the plane.
This service is typically offered for free by most airlines and is a convenient way to keep essential items close until boarding.
Gate-checked items are typically returned to passengers upon landing at their destination gate. This way, you have what you need (the stroller) to get through the airport and can go claim the rest of your things. This also guarantees those essentials don’t get lost in baggage claim.
Here are the travel strollers and car seats we personally use, as well as carrying bags for them:
Free Baggage for Child Necessities:
Airports/airlines provide free checked baggage for necessities like carseats and strollers (1 per child).
A diaper bag and/or breast pump are typically NOT counted as a carry on or personal item, so you are able to have these items in addition to you personal item and/or carry-on. The specifics of these allowances can vary by airline, so be sure to check the airline websites I have linked later in the post.
Children's suit cases and other checked bags (outside the necessities above) are subject to the same weight and size restrictions as adult bags, so be sure to check with the airline beforehand on those specifications.
Airport Policies:
Larger airports may offer additional services to assist families traveling with children, such as family security lanes and dedicated play areas.
Family security lanes are typically designed to accommodate families with strollers and young children, allowing them to bypass the standard security lines.
Dedicated play areas within the airport allow children to burn off energy and play before their flight, helping to keep them entertained and engaged during layovers.
Checking with Your Airline:
Before your trip, it's essential to check with your airline to confirm their specific policies and services for families traveling with children.
This includes understanding any restrictions or requirements for gate check, free baggage allowances, and other family-friendly amenities.
Additionally, be sure to inquire about any documentation or identification required for children traveling on your reservation, such as birth certificates or passports.
Looking for more information? Here is a link to the TSA website.
Here are some Additional travel items we’ve used:
Major Airline Websites
Here are direct links, resources and tips from major airlines to help make traveling with kids a manageable experience:
Delta Airlines:
Delta offers a webpage dedicated to traveling with children, where you can find information on lap infants, child fares, and stroller policies.
They also provide tips for families flying with children, including advice on packing, navigating the airport, and keeping kids entertained during flights.
Delta's SkyMiles loyalty program is completely free and offers special benefits for families, including priority boarding and waived fees for checked strollers and car seats.
American Airlines:
American Airlines provides a detailed guide for families traveling with children, covering topics such as booking flights, baggage policies, and onboard amenities.
They offer priority boarding for families with children under 2 and allow families to pre-board to get settled before other passengers.
American Airlines also provides information on lap infants, child restraint devices, and options for in-flight entertainment for kids.
United Airlines:
United Airlines offers tips and resources for families traveling with children, including information on booking flights, checking baggage, and navigating the airport.
They provide details on lap infant policies, child fares, and options for in-flight entertainment and meals for kids.
United Airlines also offers a Family Boarding option, allowing families with children under 2 to board early and get settled before other passengers.
Southwest Airlines:
Southwest Airlines has a dedicated webpage for families traveling with children, offering guidance on booking flights, checking baggage, and navigating the airport.
They provide information on lap infants, child fares, and options for in-flight entertainment and snacks for kids.
Southwest Airlines allows families with children under 6 to board between the "A" and "B" boarding groups, allowing time to find seats together.
Sun Country Airlines:
Sun Country Airlines provides information on traveling with children on their website, including details on lap infants, child fares, and baggage policies.
They offer tips for families, such as packing essentials, navigating the airport, and making the flight more comfortable for kids.
Sun Country Airlines allows families with children under 3 to board early to get settled before other passengers, allowing a smoother boarding process.
The struggle of balancing motherhood with life is real! Let's create a supportive community where we can share travel tips to keep our sanity intact. Whether it's navigating airports or discovering family-friendly destinations, your insights are invaluable. Join the conversation by commenting below and let's make traveling with kids a little easier, together!