Advice for navigating the airport swiftly — and effortlessly — with children

When I think of agonizingly long queues, several major U.S. airports immediately come to mind: those in Orlando, Las Vegas, and Newark, New Jersey. I've witnessed lines there that can quickly drain the joy from your family's travel day.

Although some aspects of air travel – like delays and cancellations – are beyond your control, there are plenty of strategies you can employ to sidestep travel-day frustrations when flying with kids.

Here are my suggestions for swiftly navigating busy airports with the family in tow.

Consider enrolling in PreCheck and Clear (and perhaps Global Entry)

First and foremost, if you haven't obtained TSA PreCheck yet, do yourself a favor and make that a priority as soon as possible.

Navigating security becomes so much simpler when every family member has PreCheck access. The time spent securing five years of PreCheck will be worth it the moment you spot a lengthy TSA security line that you can bypass for the typically shorter and quicker PreCheck line. Your children can accompany you through PreCheck until they reach 13 years old, at which point they’ll need their own PreCheck approval.

Once you have your TSA PreCheck approval and Trusted Traveler number, make sure to input it along with your other reservation details to receive the essential PreCheck designation on your boarding pass.

If you’re planning any international trips, you might want to consider choosing Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck to streamline your experience during immigration and customs when returning to the U.S.

Every family member, no matter their age, will need to enroll in Global Entry (and pay the $100 application fee) to access the benefits. It's a worthwhile investment, as Global Entry also grants you TSA PreCheck, allowing you to enjoy the advantages of both programs.

Regarding security and children, ensure your kids are ready to answer a few questions, such as their names, ages, and their relationship to the adults in the traveling group.

Then there’s Clear, an expedited identity verification program that uses biometrics to help you move through the airport even more swiftly.

With Clear, children under 18 traveling with a Clear member can access the Clear lane without needing their own account. If you’re traveling with family members aged 18 and older, you can add them to your Clear account for a discounted annual fee (up to three family members total).

Many rewards credit cards will cover your $85-$100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees. Notable examples of eligible cards include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, and The Centurion Card from American Express provide reimbursement for the $189 annual Clear membership.

Avoid checking bags

Traveling with only carry-on bags will help you bypass potentially long lines for checking luggage and eliminate the wait at baggage claim upon arrival. For some airlines, like Southwest and Spirit, the line to check a bag at Orlando Airport can stretch up to 90 minutes during peak travel times.

That’s definitely not something you want to handle before embarking on a long journey home.

Being "Team Carry-On" while traveling with kids is easier than you might expect.

Firstly, strollers, car seats, and booster seats do not count toward your carry-on baggage limit on most airlines. Additionally, if you’re traveling as a family of four, each person can bring their own carry-on (even if the little ones aren't old enough to handle it themselves).

I understand it’s not always feasible to fit everything you need into carry-on bags, especially when traveling with several young children, but if you can manage it, you’ll be grateful you did.

If you need to check a bag, consider using automated kiosks or curbside check-in.

If you really have to check a bag — and trust me, we’ve all been there — check if your airport and airline offer automated bag tag kiosks, as those lines tend to be much shorter.

Since Southwest offers free checked bags, they often experience the longest bag check lines. Here’s a list of Southwest airports that now feature self-tagging kiosks.

Another option we frequently utilize when we must check bags, especially during busy travel seasons, is the skycap service at curbside check-in. If you get dropped off at the curb, you can take advantage of curbside check-in, and the skycap (remember to tip them) will handle your bags for you, saving you an extra step.

Additionally, the lines for curbside check-in can often be much shorter than those inside the airport. Just remember to tip a few dollars; it’s likely money well spent.

Opt for a travel-friendly stroller

You definitely don’t want to be that parent causing a delay in the security line because you’re struggling to fold your stroller and get it through the X-ray machine. While leaving the stroller behind might not be an option based on your child’s age and your travel plans, some strollers are designed to be more travel-friendly than others.

Travel-friendly strollers should be lightweight and easy to fold. Before you head to the airport, practice folding it securely and ensure it fits through the security scanner without hassle.

Keep in mind that you'll need to remove all of your belongings (including your child) from the stroller when passing through security.

Understand your lounge access

After you navigate airport check-in and security, the hardest part is hopefully behind you. However, crowded gate areas can be less than enjoyable for families. Many of the same rewards credit cards that cover your Global Entry or PreCheck application fees also grant you access to various airport lounges worldwide.

The American Express Centurion lounges are among my favorite domestic options, particularly those equipped with family rooms. A variety of rewards credit cards also offer entry to the Priority Pass Select lounge network. Additionally, The Capital One Lounge network, though still limited, provides another great choice at participating locations.

The number of guests you can bring at no extra cost with your Priority Pass Select membership varies depending on the specific rewards credit card linked to your membership. For instance, with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, there is no limit on guests. This allows your entire family to relax away from the crowded terminal while enjoying complimentary snacks and beverages without the hassle of waiting in a long Starbucks line.

You can utilize the LoungeBuddy site to see which lounges are available in the airports you're passing through, or head directly to the Priority Pass Select site if you plan to use that membership to avoid the crowds. It not only grants you access to airport lounges globally but also includes a growing list of airport restaurants where you can dine using your membership.

If your flight gets delayed or canceled, lounge staff can usually assist you with rebooking, saving you from standing in long lines at the terminal. If you lack lounge access, buying a day pass has proven beneficial for TPG reporter Sean Cudahy in similar situations.

Be ready to keep the kids entertained

Even the most carefully crafted plans can sometimes go awry. While these tips are designed to help you navigate the airport swiftly, if you encounter cancellations or delays, you'll need some strategies to keep yourself occupied.

Certain airports feature indoor play zones where your children can burn off energy before they have to remain seated for the flight.

These play zones are excellent for keeping younger kids entertained while at the airport. A toddler, preschooler, or even a young elementary school child can be easily pleased in an airport, provided there's something engaging for them to do.

If you find yourself at an airport lacking a play area, consider bringing along a few card games, art supplies, or toys (or all of them). If luck is on your side, you might not even need to use them.

In summary

It's an undeniable truth that everything takes a bit longer when traveling with kids, including navigating through the airport.

Fortunately, there are strategies you can employ to streamline the process and reach your destination or home as swiftly and smoothly as possible.