Family-friendly Airlines: What's most important when flying with kids?

If you thought flying on a plane prior to having kids was a drag, you’re really in for a rude shock when you make your first flight with a child.  Traveling with kids is a priceless experience, but for most parents, flying to their destination is enough to knock the wind out of them.  When you’re choosing between flights and airlines, the most important priorities to weigh in order of importance are:

Photo by: Flickr/starpaused kid

• Minimum stops – direct flights minimize total flying time.  The most stressful portions of the flight are taxi, take off and landing.  The fewer times you have to do it to get to your destination the better.

• Cost –families are even more price sensitive because we’re usually purchasing 4-5 tickets

• Departure and arrival times – pick flights allow your kids to wake up at a normal time and go to bed at a normal time.  Red-eye flights might seem like a good idea, but they mean mom and dad are cranky from lack of sleep and if your child doesn’t sleep, everyone is in for a rough flight.  Most kids are too excited or uncomfortable to sleep well on a plane.  Try to fly during your child’s most happy hours of the day.  My preference is to depart mid-morning because you have ample time to get to the airport and you usually don’t arrive too late.  You may not have as many choices with International flights unfortunately.  Predictability is your best friend.  To check how airlines score on flight delays check out on-time score cards on Flightstats.com

Kid-friendly Perks that Make a Difference to Families

If you’ve found a few flights that meet the top priorities for families who are booking flights, and still have a choice between airlines, you might want to weigh some of these extra kid-friendly perks that some airlines offer families that parents really appreciate.  You might even be willing to pay a little extra for these perks.

• Generous baggage allowances and fees – Checking in as much luggage instead of lugging it around the airport frees up your hands to help your child.  Airlines who don’t charge for check in bags are a big hit with parents.  Fortunately, most airlines still allow you to check a stroller and car eat for free.  In the US, Southwest and JetBlue still offer free check in baggage on US domestic flights.  International airlines have smaller luggage allowances unless your flight originates from the US.   If you book side trips especially on budget airlines outside the US make sure you pack light and don’t exceed the strictest luggage allowances you will encounter in your travels.

• Pre-boarding privileges for families with young children  – Gone are the days when families can expect to pre-board along with first class passenger.  This service is a huge help in making sure your carry on is stowed near your seat, and that your child has time to get comfortable before having to sit still for the fasten seat belt sign. Airlines that still offer priority boarding on US domestic flights are Southwest and Virgin America.  Other airlines vary by airport regarding pre-boarding.  Most international airlines also allow for pre-boarding for families except on budget airlines.

• Flight crew who are specially trained in dealing with kids – having a flight crew who is well trained to anticipate the needs of families with babies and young kids make a huge difference to the quality of your flight!  Unfortunately, airlines vary widely in how well the flight crew is trained.  Some flight crews are trained to keep an eye out for parents traveling solo, offering assistance right from the check in counter.  Others, take the time to give children a special greeting and offer a busy kit the moment kids arrive onboard the plane.  Some airlines offer kids meals with fun extras and will offer to heat up bottles and baby food.  Some flight crews go to great lengths to find a way for separated families to be seated together. Most US domestic carriers won’t offer these extra perks, but on International flights the best airlines like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Luftansa,

• Changing tables in the bathrooms – Unless you want a huge mess in your bathroom, this simple contraption makes changing a child so much easier.  I’d love to see airlines provide antibacterial wipes for parents to clean changing tables before using them, but until they do, bring some with you.  Not all domestic flights have changing tables in the bathrooms. 

• Personal TVs  - a baby may not care about a personal TV, but a child 3 and up will be plenty distracted if they can watch a few age appropriate shows on their little personal TV or play a game of two.  More and more international airlines have personal TVs, but only a few will have child size headphones.  Call ahead to inquire.  Always have plan B in case your child just isn’t the mood for TV or the programming isn’t to their liking. 

• Ample Leg Room – although kids are small, that doesn’t mean they need less space.  There is nothing more stressful for a parent than to have their child annoying the passenger in front with every single movement your restless child makes.   Some airlines offer so little leg room that even an FAA approved car seat can barely fit between the seats.  On some airlines like Spirit and Virgin America you can pay a little extra to be seated in the bulkhead.  Seatguru.com allows you look up the average legroom on various carriers.  Seat Guru Comparison Chart

Are you an airline representative?  Trekaroo is compiling a checklist of airlines who provide specific kid-friendly services and amenities.  Fill out the Trekaroo Airline Survey Form

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LiLing Pang (TravelPangs) is co-founder and contributing author on Trekaroo - - a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.

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