15+ Essential Tips for Flying with Kids (Without Losing Your Mind) In 2025

Flying with kids, toddlers, babies or can feel like a parent’s worst nightmare.

I still remember those pre-kid travel days—carefree, peaceful, and blissfully unaware of what it really takes to fly with little ones in tow.

I’d step onto a plane, silently praying that no babies or toddlers would be seated nearby. And when they were? Honestly, I didn’t mind too much.

I’d usually end up feeling more sorry for the parents, up and down the aisle like yo-yos, juggling snacks, soothing cries, managing meltdowns.

It looked exhausting… and deep down, I knew one day that would be me.

Sure enough, the day came.

We had our first child and, within his first four months, we found ourselves boarding a long-haul flight to Europe.

And wow, we were prepared. We had every bit of baby gear you could imagine. It looked like we were moving house rather than heading away on holiday.

I remember stepping onto that plane, finding our seats, and feeling the eyes of fellow passengers scanning us as we walked past, some smiling, some subtly panicked.

You know the look: “Oh no… a baby on board.”

But here’s the twist—we’d planned ahead, and even though I hadn’t read any parenting books or researched how to fly with a baby,

Lukas was an absolute star.

He didn’t cry once. He slept. A lot. And that meant we slept too (well, a little!).

Now, I know every child is different and not every flight will be that smooth.

But since that first big adventure, we’ve done countless flights with our boys, and over time we’ve worked out what works for our familyand what definitely doesn’t.

Each journey has taught us something new, and we’ve collected a list of go-to tips that have truly helped take the stress out of flying with kids.

Whether you’re planning your baby’s first flight, traveling with an energetic toddler, or jetting off with older kids, I hope these tried-and-tested tips make your trip just that little bit easier.

Top 15+ Tips to Make Flying with Kids Easier

 

1. Night flights are gold

If you can swing it, book overnight flights. They align with your child’s natural sleep rhythm and make a huge difference.

The only time we deviated was a morning flight from Auckland to Tokyo.

Sawyer only slept for 40 minutes on an 11-hour flight! He didn’t cry much, just wanted to explore, walk the aisles, and stare down other passengers.

Lesson learned. Never again.

2. Pack Extra Dummies (Pacifiers)

If your child uses one, bring more than you think you’ll need.

They have a magical way of disappearing midflight or landing on the floor at just the wrong moment.

3. Don’t Laugh, Bring Clothes Pegs

Seriously. We’ve used them to hang up face cloths, muslins, and even emergency-dried clothes off the bassinet.

Instant makeshift laundry line!

4. Muslin Cloths Are Your Best Friend

Lightweight, breathable, and multifunctional, use them as a sunshade over the bassinet, a burp cloth, blanket, or emergency spill wiper.

Just be sure not to completely cover the bassinet for safety.

5. Plan a Mini Stopover (Your Sanity Will Thank You)

For long-haul journeys, booking a stopover isn’t just a nice idea, it can be the thing that keeps the whole family sane.

Whenever we fly to Los Angeles, we schedule a five-hour layover in Fiji.

Rather than wait it out in the terminal, we head straight to Raffles (a hotel right across from the airport) for a swim, a proper meal, and some much-needed downtime.

The kids can burn off energy, we can all relax, and by the time we’re back on the plane, everyone’s calmer, refreshed, and ready to settle down for the next leg.

But our favourite stopovers? The ones where we actually stay a night or two.

When we fly from New Zealand to Europe, we always build in a longer stop often in cities like Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok, Tokyo or San Fransico.

Not only does it break up an otherwise marathon flight, but it also turns travel days into part of the adventure.

We’ve had some of our best travel memories during stopovers, exploring a new city, revisiting a place we love, or just enjoying a hotel pool before hitting the skies again.

Longer stopovers give kids (and adults) a real reset, time to catch up on proper sleep, adjust to new time zones more gradually, and avoid that wired but exhausted feeling that can come with back to back long-hauls.

Plus, you get to squeeze in a bonus destination without much extra planning.

Total win.

6. Feeding During Takeoff and Landing

Whether it’s breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or even a dummy sucking, helps relieve ear pressure.

Now that our boys are older, they use sugar-free lollies during ascent and descent.

 

7. Bring a Pillow From Home

My favourite, a pillow from home. Yes, it takes up room but once Lukas and Sawyer were no longer allowed the bassinet, they needed somewhere to sleep.

We would lay the pillow lengthways and they would lay long it, stretching out across Mum and/or Dad.

8. Familiar Comforts,  Teddy & Blanket

Never underestimate the power of a favourite comfort item.

Whether it’s a much-loved teddy, a soft blanket, or both, these familiar things can make a huge difference for little travellers, especially on long flights or during unfamiliar transitions like airport waits and overnight journeys.

Having something that smells like home or feels familiar helps ease anxiety and provides a sense of security, especially for younger kids.

These small items can turn an unfamiliar airplane seat into a cozy little nest and help encourage sleep or calm during takeoff and landing.

We always pack one or two comfort items in the boys’ hand luggage, they take up hardly any space and can be absolute lifesavers when tiredness or overwhelm kicks in.

As kids get older, those comfort items might shift into something more grown-up, like a travel-sized game, journal, or set of cards.

But for the early years, never underestimate the magic of a soft toy and snuggly blanket when you’re 35,000 feet in the air.

9. Headphones 

The airline ones never fit quite right and can be uncomfortable.

We got kidsized headphones for Lukas and Sawyer, much comfier and they feel very grown-up with their own gear.

10. Let Them Pack Their Own Hand Luggage

Giving your kids the responsibility of packing (and carrying!) their own hand luggage is a small thing that can make a big impact on how smoothly your travel day goes.

Each of our boys has their own small, wheeled carry on bag, and they absolutely love it.

It’s become part of our travel routine, and a confidence booster too.

They each pack their own essentials: a comfort item, their headphones, a few favourite toys, travel games, books, and a couple of snacks.

The bag isn’t overloaded, we keep it light enough for them to wheel around independently but it’s filled with things that make the flight more enjoyable for them.

The best part? It gives them ownership over their space and choices.

They know exactly where their stuff is, they don’t need to dig through mum or dad’s bag every time they want something, and they feel more involved in the whole travel experience.

It’s amazing how something as simple as a little suitcase can give kids a sense of pride and excitement about the journey ahead.

Our oldest started this at age 3 and would proudly stroll onto the plane like he was heading off on a business trip, head held high, tiny bag in tow.

Now it’s a tradition.

If you’ve got young travellers, giving them a bag of their own is a great way to help them feel prepared, responsible, and ready for adventure.

Note:

Lately though, things have evolved. As our boys have grown and our travel style has streamlined, we now travel with carry-on only.

That means the boys each have a compact 7kg carry bag, which still fits their personal items, just with a bit more thought and organisation.

The toys have made way for a book, travel games, and they’ve even learned how to roll their clothes to make everything fit.

11. Extra Snacks Are Non-Negotiable

Seriously, don’t rely on airline food (especially kids’ meals, which are often sugar-heavy and hit-or-miss).

We bake cookies, bring along sugar-free treats, fruit pouches, and veggie straws. Better to have too much than not enough!

12. Extra Clothes, Not Just for the Kids

I also pack a couple of extra shirts and pants for myself, babies love throwing up on you at the worst times.

Though these baby days are past us I still pack extra clothes as the boys are pretty good at spilling stuff.

13. Pack Travel Dispensers

If your child is formula-fed, invest in travel formula dispensers or sachets.

Always prep a bottle before boarding or right away because the last thing you want is a meltdown while you’re waiting for hot water from the crew.

 

14. iPad,  A Treat, Not a Crutch

We’ve always treated the iPad as a bit of a travel treat, not a go to.

When the boys were younger, it was a lifesaver on long flights, loaded with their favourite shows and games.

But as they’ve grown, we’ve moved away from relying on it, and it often stays at home now.

If there’s no inflight entertainment, we turn to other classics: a good book, a game of cards, or even a travel puzzle.

It’s all about keeping things balanced and creating more mindful moments in the air.

15. Have The Pre-flight  Chat

When Lukas moved into having his own seat we would talk to him about behaviour on a flight.

If he misbehaved the captain could remove him from the flight.

Once we used the phone on the entertainment control and pretended to call the captain. He quickly turned himself around.

16. Surprise Activity Packs

We started including a couple of surprise toys or activity books in the boys’ hand luggage something they haven’t seen before.

It adds a bit of excitement and keeps them entertained longer.

Think stickers, coloring books, magnetic games, or mess-free markers.

17. Use the Airport Time Wisely

Let the kids burn off energy before boarding.

Many international airports have play areas, or you can walk laps around the terminal.

The more tired they are, the more likely they’ll sleep on board.

Finally Thoughts…

Let’s face it, things will go wrong.

There will be meltdowns, messes, and maybe even a few tears (yours and theirs).

It’s almost a guarantee when you’re travelling with kids, especially on long flights.

From unexpected tantrums in the airport lounge to those moments when the seatbelt sign dings on and you’re just trying to keep your child entertained for the hundredth time, it can feel overwhelming.

But here’s the thing: That’s okay.

In fact, it’s completely normal.

Most people on the flight won’t even bat an eye, let’s be real, most are too absorbed in their own little worlds to notice. And the ones who do seem bothered?

You’ll probably never see them again, so let them have their moment of annoyance while you focus on making your kids feel safe, comfortable, and calm.

After all, the majority of passengers were once in your shoes.

Flying with kids is a learning curve, no matter how much you plan ahead.

The key is to be prepared, stay patient, and always give yourself plenty of grace.

You’re not a superhuman, and sometimes, things won’t go as planned and that’s perfectly fine.

Whether it’s a bit of turbulence or an unexpected delay, the more you embrace the bumps along the way, the easier it gets.

Remember, you’ve got this.

Every flight is a little adventure. And in the end, when you look back, it won’t be the tantrums or spilled juice you remember, it’ll be the amazing places you visited, the memories you made, and the strength you found in navigating the journey with your family.

So, take a deep breath, pack those snacks, bring along a few comfort items, and don’t forget to smile through the chaos.

Because no matter how the flight goes, it’s all part of the ride.

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