Flying With Kids: Complete Guide
By Marcus Webb · April 14, 2026 · Updated August 20, 2026 · 9 min read
Flying with kids has an outsized reputation for disaster relative to how most flights actually go — but the flights that go well usually have a handful of small decisions behind them, made before boarding rather than improvised in the air.
This guide covers those decisions by age group, from booking through landing, plus a level-headed take on what to do when a flight doesn’t go to plan.
Quick facts
- Best flight times
- Early morning or overnight, depending on age
- Arrive at airport
- Extra 30–45 min beyond your usual buffer
Booking the flight itself
- Direct flights are worth paying more for whenever the option exists — a layover rarely saves enough money to offset the added risk of a missed connection with kids in tow
- For infants and toddlers, overnight flights can work in your favor if your child sleeps reasonably well; for preschoolers who don't nap on demand, an early morning flight often goes better
- Book seats together at the time of booking rather than assuming the airline will seat you together automatically — budget airlines in particular do not guarantee this
Seat selection by age
Infants (under 2)
A bassinet bulkhead seat is worth requesting on long-haul flights if your airline offers one — book this by phone or through the airline directly, as it's rarely available through standard online seat maps.
Toddlers and preschoolers
Aisle access matters more than window views at this age — you'll be up and down for bathroom trips and walks up the aisle more than you'd expect.
School-age kids
A window seat can genuinely help — something to look at during a long flight, and one less reason to be up and moving.
At the airport
- TSA PreCheck or equivalent trusted-traveler programs are worth it if you fly more than once a year — kids under 12 can typically use a parent's PreCheck lane without their own membership in the US
- Gate-check strollers and car seats rather than checking them at the counter — you keep them through security and baggage claim delays don't strand you at the gate
- Board last, not first, if your kids are mobile and don't do well sitting still — the extra 15 minutes of moving around the gate area matters more than early overhead bin space
During the flight
- Pack the boredom kit in the seatback pocket before takeoff, not the overhead bin — you don't want to be standing up to dig through a bag mid-flight
- Bring a swallow-and-chew option (gum, a lollipop, a bottle for infants) for takeoff and landing to help with ear pressure
- Pre-download entertainment rather than relying on inflight wifi, which is inconsistent at best
- Set expectations with a simple rule kids can hold onto — 'quiet voices, seatbelt when the light is on' — rather than a long list
If things go sideways
A meltdown at 30,000 feet is not a reflection of your parenting, and most fellow passengers have either been there themselves or will forget about it by baggage claim. A brief, calm acknowledgment to nearby passengers goes further than a long apology, and is rarely even necessary.
Frequently asked questions
What age is hardest for flying with kids?
Most parents find 1–3 years old the most challenging window — old enough to resist being held still, too young to be reasoned with or fully engaged by entertainment.
Should you give kids medication to help them sleep on flights?
We don't recommend sedating medication for flights unless specifically advised by your pediatrician for a documented reason. Reactions in children can be unpredictable, including the opposite of the intended effect.
Is it worth paying extra for a bassinet or extra legroom seat with a baby?
For flights over 5–6 hours, generally yes if it's within budget — a bassinet in particular can be the difference between an infant sleeping for several hours and being held the entire flight.
