Don’t worry about flying with kids! 9 essential tips to make family travel a reality

▲Family Travel (Photo / Darzz / Illustration)

By Rita

Many parents think traveling with young children is nothing but trouble—what if your kid cries and throws a tantrum at 30,000 feet? But it might not be as bad as you think. According to "Suitcases & Strollers," a guide on"9 Essential Tips for Family Travel"teaches you some key principles. You may find that flying with kids isn’t so scary after all, and there are actually plenty of airlines to choose from!

1. Start with airlines that promote family travel
Skip those airlines that focus solely on business travelers. Etihad Airways recently launched an in-flight nanny service, which seems like a great option.

2. Look for airlines that frequently win service awards
Singapore Airlines is a good example. Although they don’t specifically market themselves as a family-friendly airline, their service is always impeccable, and at the very least, they won’t be rude to your kids. (Word on the street: Singapore Airlines often stocks diapers and baby food purees to assist parents in emergencies.)

3. Avoid airlines with poor service
If they’re unfriendly even when you’re traveling without kids, don’t expect them to be nicer just because you have children.

4. Airlines with a fun style usually have higher tolerance for kids
EVA Air has a series of Hello Kitty-themed planes. While not specifically designed for children, they definitely attract many young passengers.

5. Family travel can be costly—consider budget airlines!
Although flying budget airlines isn’t exactly cheap, families can enjoy perks like priority boarding, jet bridge service, and even mileage accumulation.

▲Family Travel (Photo / Darzz / Illustration)

6. When traveling as a family, airport jet bridges can save a lot of hassle
Especially when traveling with a baby, lots of luggage, and in the rain—a jet bridge keeps things much less messy.

7. Ask in advance about in-flight entertainment for kids
Some airlines provide coloring boards and TV screens, but more and more are cutting back on these amenities to save costs.

8. Choose newer aircraft
Because the cabin environment is newer and cleaner. For example, the A380 has quiet corners where you can soothe your child to sleep. Newer planes also tend to have better facilities, such as kid-friendly entertainment and changing tables in the restrooms.

9. Ask friends who have kids
Some family-friendly airlines don’t heavily advertise it, so some useful tips only get passed along by word of mouth. Do some asking around.

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