How to survive a long flight with kids, according to a flight attendant
Yes, the section you sit in does matter
Yes, the section you sit in does matter
Yes, the section you sit in does matter
Flying with children can be extremely challenging. The obstacles parents face while traveling with kids run an entire spectrum, from changing a diaper in a tiny airplane bathroom to being "that" person whose baby won't stop crying. And that's just on a regular flight. What about when you're flying for eight hours or more internationally?
Some of us would consider that a downright nightmare, but it doesn't have to be. There are plenty of ways to prepare for a long flight with kids and things you can do on the plane to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Lauren Guilfoyle, a cabin crew member with , recently shared her expert tips with "House Beautiful." Here are eight things to try when traveling with kids, according to a flight attendant who has seen it all.
Before the flight
Plan your trip around their sleep schedule. Surviving a long flight with children starts when you're booking your tickets. When you're choosing which flight to take, try to find one as close as possible to your kids' bedtime. This should help them sleep through a large portion of the flight.
Pick the right seat. According to Guilfoyle, the best place for families to sit is just behind the bulkhead 바카라 게임 웹사이트 aka the wall of the plane separating different types of seating, like first class and coach. There, the window can be used as a headrest and there's more leg room for parents. Also, if your seat has more leg room, Guilfoyle suggests throwing a blanket on the floor and creating a "play area" where your kids can spread out a little.
Plan an entertainment strategy. When it comes to packing toys to keep your children busy, more is br. If you don't have room to pack too many toys, you can also check with your airline beforehand to see if they offer on board. For example, Emirates carries Fly With Me Animals, a line of small stuffed animals and blankets and Lonely Planet Kids sets, with fold-out world maps, travel journals, plastic drink bottles, cards with world facts and educational books, to help keep kids occupied throughout the flight. You should also research the airline's in-flight entertainment offerings beforehand 바카라 게임 웹사이트 most airlines have channels and movies dedicated just for kids.
Don't forget the sweets. A bottle of milk might be a given, but did you now you should bring sweets for kids to suck on, too? Guilfoyle explains that both of these things help during take-off and descent, as children may have difficulty equalizing their ear pressure and feel uncomfortable.
During the flight
Check in with the cabin crew. Connecting with the flight attendants on board will make your flight so much smoother. As soon as you get on board, chat with the cabin crew and let them know if you need anything, like bottle-warming services or any other special requests. The sooner you chat with them, the better.
"When the crew knows you바카라 게임 웹사이트re traveling with a child, they will check in more often to make sure everyone is comfortable," Guilfoyle said.
Don't forget to ask about special offerings for kids, like toys, travel kits or even a kids menu. Some airlines, like Emirates, offer a range of meal options for babies and children.
Mix up the activities. No matter your child's age, you should try to find ways to break up activities during the flight.
"Don바카라 게임 웹사이트t depend solely on games or videos 바카라 게임 웹사이트 pack a small puzzle, coloring book or interactive toy in addition to devices or in-flight entertainment systems, and use time between shows or movies to try something different," Guilfoyle said.
Take walks. When your child is awake, take brief strolls up and down the aisle of the plane.
"This will help them stretch and break up the time between activities in their seats, and help prevent a restless-child meltdown," Guilfoyle explained.
Keep a new toy on hand. This tip is especially important for parents flying with small children. Guilfoyle suggests keeping one new toy aside to give to your child mid-flight to ensure they don't get bored with the ones they already have.
"This will provide a fun, distracting surprise, and will keep them occupied longer than one of their old toys," she explained.
Above all else, just remember is that the cabin crew is there to help you 바카라 게임 웹사이트 and they want to!
"I love having children on board," Guilfoyle said, adding, "When I have downtime, I check in on the parents. Sometimes they need a helping hand or a short break. I바카라 게임 웹사이트ll help occupy their children while they get a little rest in!"