A Flight Attendant’s Guide to Traveling with Kids

As we enter what is predicted to be the busiest summer travel season in years, families face numerous challenges. Traveling with infants and children of any age can introduce a variety of emotional, physical, and logistical hurdles. Coupled with lengthy airport lines and the possibility of flight cancellations and delays, this can test even the most seasoned parents and caregivers.

Despite these challenges, families should feel welcomed when they travel, according to Tony Dong, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant since 2011 and a father to a three-year-old daughter (so he understands). In the air, he strives to uplift and assist families during their travels, providing valuable tips for managing travel-related stress.

“Children can enhance parents’ preparation as travelers,” Dong states, emphasizing that no matter how much we try to predict every need that may come up, traveling with kids teaches parents to adapt and think on their feet.

Having worked on a range of flights from long-haul to short domestic routes, Dong has seen—and helped—a multitude of families while airborne (and now brings his own toddler travel experiences to the table). Here’s his advice for those preparing to fly this summer and beyond.

1. Stay adaptable and welcome surprises

It’s well-known that children thrive on consistency. This is why many families create bedtime routines and daily schedules to instill healthy eating, sleeping, and behavior habits (at least in theory). However, maintaining any sort of schedule while traveling can be significantly more difficult, if not impossible. For parents and caregivers, this often means their children may act out in ways they typically wouldn’t at home.

On flights, kids can behave in “truly surprising” ways, according to Dong, who points out that children become quite unpredictable in unfamiliar surroundings. He recalls traveling with his two-year-old daughter on a red-eye flight last year. He and his wife thought they had worn her out by allowing her to run around the airport before boarding, expecting her to sleep on the flight. Instead, she cried for over two hours, and the only thing that finally soothed her was . . . a bag of Sun Chips.

The takeaway? When you feel like you’ve exhausted all options, try introducing something completely different and unexpected. It just might do the trick.

2. Remember that you’re not alone

Many parents have found themselves in a situation similar to Dong’s during his overnight flight, dealing with a fussy baby or a crying child that they can’t seem to soothe. Every parent and caregiver is unique, but for many, the stress of not being able to calm a child, combined with the pressure of disturbing fellow passengers, only heightens the anxiety of the moment.

Instead of feeling isolated in their struggles, Dong encourages parents to view flight attendants as their partners when a baby or child is upset or unwell.

“We completely understand,” Dong states. “We aim to provide our best support . . . because I know no parent wants their child to cry for four or five hours.” He explains that flight attendants can offer helpful items, whether it’s extra blankets for comfort or snacks to distract the child. Some attendants may even offer to hold the baby or walk with the child to give parents a much-needed break.

“We want to assist traveling parents and ensure they know we’re on their side,” Dong adds.

3. Advantages of Early Boarding (and Booking)

Many airlines provide families with babies and young children the chance to board early. The question is whether it's better to get settled on the plane a bit earlier or to let kids burn off some energy until the last moment before boarding.

Dong advocates for early boarding.

“Since the airplane is such a new setting for children, boarding early allows them to acclimate to the environment, making them and their caregivers more comfortable,” Dong explains. He points out that this approach reduces the initial shock of the airplane experience.

When traveling with his daughter, he takes a quick tour before the cabin fills up. He shows her their seats, explains that more passengers will be boarding, and points out the bathrooms and galley.

“Provide them with a brief overview of what to expect,” Dong advises.

Families should think about booking their flights early as well. The sooner families secure their tickets, the better access they'll have to a more open seat map, ensuring they can sit together. Flexibility in seat selection allows families to choose arrangements that cater to their needs (many kids, for example, love window seats). Keep in mind that basic economy fares typically do not allow seat selection, which can complicate matters if families end up separated. (The Biden administration is pushing for a requirement that families be seated together, regardless of their fare class.) Ultimately, the more people in your group, the more advantageous it is to book in advance.

4. Utilize toys and technology

Whether you embrace screens as a parent or prefer simpler distractions like toys and books, pack those child-friendly items, Dong advises. “Definitely include toys,” whether that’s an iPad (with headphones) or a device filled with your child’s favorite shows, crayons and coloring supplies, books, or small cars—bring items that can keep your kids engaged and entertained throughout the flight. “If I let her, she could watch [the iPad] for hours on end,” Dong mentions regarding his daughter’s ability to become engrossed in cartoons. For some parents, this extended focus can be the key to surviving a long flight. Dong also brings books to read to his daughter as a non-screen bonding activity.

Another essential item for many little travelers is something comforting from home, like a favorite blanket, a small pillow, or a stuffed toy.

“I would avoid bringing stickers,” he cautions, pointing out that some kids enjoy “redecorating their seats” with them. (If your child loves stickers, consider opting for reusable ones.)

5. Pack travel-friendly snacks

While airlines do provide some snacks or sell meals, there’s no guarantee that children will like what’s offered. Moreover, kids tend to snack frequently (if not constantly). It’s wise to ensure they have their own supply.

When asked about the best snacks for families to bring on board, Dong suggests anything that is “easily portable.” Snacks like chips and dry crackers work well. Apples and oranges also make excellent healthy travel snacks. Keep in mind that items needing refrigeration (like cheese) or that require heating (such as pasta) could lead to complications. Additionally, foods like yogurt can create quite a mess, which can be challenging for everyone involved, Dong warns.

Bringing extra bags as temporary trash containers until flight attendants collect the waste can help keep the snack area tidy.

6. Children with their own seat get a carry-on too

When it comes to packing those snacks and distractions, parents may feel like they’re already at their limit in terms of what they can take on the flight.

“Some parents might think, oh my god, I’m already lugging so much,” says Dong. However, he points out that as long as children aren’t traveling as lap infants, “Your kids also have a personal allowance of bags they can bring on board. So even if the [gate] agents ask, ‘Why are you carrying four items?’” you can remind them that these include belongings for the younger members of your group.

7. Tips for anxious travelers (young and old)

Whether it’s the parents or the kids, if anyone in your party is an anxious flyer, it only adds to the layered stress of family travel.

Dong’s advice for nervous fliers? Distract, distract, distract. Headphones for watching TV shows, movies, or listening to music, along with books to read, “are great ways to take your mind off being on a plane.” He suggests downloading a TV show to binge during the flight.

He also encourages passengers to reach out to their flight attendants with any inquiries they may have regarding the aircraft, the pilots, and what it entails to fly a plane.

“I love engaging with our customers about anything,” says Dong. “Talking to the flight attendant can really help ease anxiety as well.”

8. Ensure the whole family is well-rested

Whether you’re an anxious traveler or not, flying can be exhausting, and traveling with children makes it even more so. Many families often find themselves rushing until the last moment to pack and prepare. “The day before [your flight], try to get as much rest as you can,” advises Dong. “And make sure your kids get plenty of sleep,” he adds.

When it comes to getting rest on the plane, plan for naps and sleep time when scheduling your flights. If your child still takes naps, aim to fly during their nap time (if you think they will sleep on the plane) or around their nap schedule to avoid disrupting it.

For longer, overnight flights, parents with infants might want to think about bringing an FAA-approved car seat that their child is familiar with to promote better sleep. Many airlines also provide the option to reserve a bassinet for babies, which is ideal for families who believe their little ones might sleep more comfortably in something akin to their crib or bassinet at home (though parents must ensure they secure the right bulkhead seats that accommodate the bassinets—another reason to book in advance).

As kids grow and get bigger, there are additional tricks parents can use to help them feel comfortable and drift off on the plane. For example, the JetKids by Stokke BedBox ride-on carry-on extends the airplane seat, allowing little ones to lie down. An inflatable footrest can also help smaller travelers stretch out. Once the little ones are asleep, parents should take the opportunity to rest as well, perhaps using one of our favorite travel pillows.

9. Keep in mind, it’s all worth it

Last year, as families began venturing out again following the easing of pandemic restrictions, Dong traveled with his wife and their then two-year-old daughter to Yellowstone National Park. Even though she was just two, Dong noticed how much she absorbed the experience, taking in the waterfalls, forests, trees, and wildlife.

Despite her young age and the challenges of the return flight, he firmly believes that “it’s absolutely worth it” to travel with children. They offer a unique perspective, he asserts.