5 essential tips for managing holiday air travel with children

The holiday period can bring out the best and worst in all of us—especially when it involves airports, airplanes, crowds, and little ones.

With the deadline approaching, you've likely chosen a family-friendly airline, arranged your holiday travel, understood the rules for flying with a baby, determined the best items to pack, ensured you have onboard entertainment, familiarized yourself with lounge policies, allowed extra time for traffic and security, and devised a strategy for any long-haul journeys. (And if you haven't, don’t worry: We're here to help.)

What you really need right now isn't a lengthy 3,000-word manual on traveling with kids (though we have that, just in case). You need five concise tips for surviving holiday travel with children, so let’s dive in.

Verify Your Seat Assignments

The holiday travel season brings in more families and fewer solo business travelers. This often leads to challenging seating arrangements on board if your toddler is in 32B, you're in 18D, and your partner is in 22E (and yes, that can definitely occur). Ensure you secure assigned seats together ahead of time and consistently check them until you and your family are securely buckled in and ready for takeoff.

Our recommendation: Invest in seat assignments now if necessary, and be vigilant about your seating arrangements. If some members of your group qualify for upgrades, ensure you select options that keep everyone together.

Avoid Driving to the Airport

Airport parking lots can become crowded during the holidays, adding unnecessary stress. Consider getting dropped off, using Uber, or taking public transit. If you must drive to the airport during this busy season, be sure to check the status of parking lots before you leave home. In some cases, you may even be able to reserve a spot ahead of time, particularly at off-site lots.

Pack an Abundance of Snacks

The feeling of getting "hangry" is genuine for both children and adults, so ensure you have a bag filled with favorite snacks for your holiday journey. This way, a delay at the airport, on the airplane, or even in the car won’t lead to a low blood sugar crisis.

Wondering what snacks to take for your travels? Personally, I suggest bananas, granola bars, Goldfish crackers, M&Ms, and Larabars. Just remember to verify what food items are allowed through security before you prepare your snack bag. A reusable water bottle is also a fantastic item to keep handy.

Familiarize Yourself with Shortcuts and Special Access

Ideally, family members aged 13 and older have TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry. (And hopefully, you took advantage of your credit card's benefits to cover the application fees). The importance of PreCheck during the holiday season cannot be overstated. If you lack PreCheck and can't obtain it quickly, Clear offers an alternative to bypass long security queues. You can register for Clear and utilize it simultaneously; kids under 18 can accompany you through the Clear line at no cost.

Beyond knowing the shortcuts through security, be aware of your lounge access and other airport perks. If you possess an eligible card, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, check if Priority Pass can provide you with complimentary meals or a lounge visit at your airport during holiday travel. This benefit can save your family a significant amount of money and make the wait feel much shorter.

Regarding airport dining, remember that you can use an app to order meals and snacks from in-airport locations (including places like Starbucks), just in case you're pressed for time.

The details for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card have been independently sourced by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Stay calm if things don't go as planned

No matter how meticulously you've organized your trip, unexpected issues can still arise. Your flight could be canceled, your luggage might be delayed, or someone may fall ill at the last moment. Such occurrences are part of travel, so if they happen to you, don’t panic or stress. I assure you that those reactions won’t expedite the resolution.

If your flight gets canceled or significantly delayed while you’re at the airport, check for alternative flight options using the airline’s app or website, or call their 1-800 number. This might be quicker than waiting in a lengthy line for a representative. If you have access to the airline's lounge, you can also seek assistance there.

If you purchased your ticket with a credit card that offers travel protections, you might qualify for reimbursement. You could potentially get back some unexpected eligible expenses if you encounter significant delays or become stranded during your trip.

Final Thoughts

The holiday season is a time to cherish, so stay focused on the reason for your travels — and try to let go of any stressful moments that may occur. Keep in mind that your children are creating lasting memories, just as you are. If possible, savor the journey and keep your sights set on the ultimate goal: reuniting with family or reaching that destination where you’re eager to celebrate the holidays.