Airline staff give top tips of how to make flying with children easier

Virgin Radio

28 Oct 2021, 13:23

As the world continues to open up again, for many parents with babies and young children it may be their first time flying since everywhere locked down.

The fear or children crying or being disruptive is a concern for many parents ahead of a flight.

There’s good news though as a flight attendant has revealed her tips for making a flight as painless as possible.

Rebecca Love has worked with Virgin Atlantic for eight years, and has given a guide to which seats are the best for them to choose to make life easier when flying with little ones.

She also says that families with babies should avoid flying at night, even though you could be forgiven for thinking that would be best as baby might sleep.

Love has identified three spots that are best for kids to make life easier: the bulkhead, the window and near the toilets, depending on their age.

She told the Mirror: "If they’re little enough, try and get a bulkhead seat and request a bassinet (one of the cribs that attaches on to the front wall of the cabin)."

Having a bassinet means they are more likely to sleep.

It’s worth noting that for most airlines, you will need to book your tickets for the flight and then call up to request the bulkhead.

Window seats are a must to keep kids distracted by giving them something to look at outside.

Rebecca recommends that families with older kids should look at booking a seat nearer the toilet, to avoid any "mad dashes" halfway down the cabin.

She also says day time flights are better than night for young babies, as it will put your  mind at ease that there’s no risk of keeping passengers awake if your little one won’t settle.

On the other end of the scale, Japan Airlines offer a seat map showing where parents with kids have booked seats, so child-free travellers can opt to sit away from them if they wish.

Other essential advice for making flying with kids easy includes packing enough food and snacks for emergencies. Nobody wants to be hungry mid-air!

Have you tried any of these tips?