Air Travel Tips

Do's and Don'ts of Traveling by Air

Beat the "are we there yets?" with these easy air travel tips.

Have some of your own air travel tips you'd like to share? E-mail us and we'll include them in the list, send your do's and don'ts for air travel to: airtraveltips@The-Best-Vacation-Destinations.com.

Do's

• Airport Car seat/Stroller - Toddler is too heavy to carry through a busy airport? Here's a flying mom's solution: purchase a small metal luggage/package carrier (the kind that folds up with two wheels) and a package of bungee cords. Place the car seat on the metal fold out shelf of the carrier and securely attach the car seat to the carrier with the bungee cords. Place your toddler in the car seat and secure him/her as you would normally. Now you can pull the luggage carrier through the airport with car seat and toddler attached. Sure beats dragging the car seat and trying to push a stroller and carry the toddler, all at the same time.
• Pack a sippy cup, bottle or pacifier for take off and landing. The sucking action works just like chewing gum and helps the ears deal with the pressure changes.
• Pack individual backpacks for all kids who can carry them. Pack with favorite toys and a few new surprises!
• Go to the Dollar store and get a few new toys. Give one each hour to make the time go by faster.
• Pack favorite snacks and drinks. Airlines don't have kid friendly snack foods or drinks to offer.
• It is often nice to have a toddler's car seat on the airplane. To take a car seat on an airplane it has to have a sticker on it saying it is approved for airplane travel. Not all car seats are approved and you don't want to take it along and find out at the gate you can't use it. Also remember the car seat must go in the window seat so as not to block the exit row in case of emergency. If you have other kids who want a window seat you may need to split up your seat assignments.
• If the flight isn't crowded it is okay to ask for a seat assignment with an empty seat next to you, allowing you and the kids to have a little more room.

Don'ts

• Don't take the last row of the airplane. Engine noise is usually louder and window viewing is usually obstructed.
• Don't try to carry everything on the airplane with you, check as much luggage as you can when traveling with kids.

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All done with air travel tips back to the best kids vacations.