I’ve Navigated 14 Transatlantic Flights With Kids, And So Can You

Traveling with young children can be a chaotic experience, but it’s also a rewarding one. Written by Jamie Thompson
Updated: Feb. 11, 2022

When my toddler decided to unleash a rainbow of M&Ms onto the passenger in front of us during a 10-hour transatlantic journey, my partner and I found ourselves frantically apologizing and offering to Venmo the poor guy. That’s just part of flying internationally with little ones—you never know when you might need to compensate someone for their unfortunate encounter with your child’s snack. Fortunately, the gentleman politely declined our offer. While the word “decline” might seem to be the main takeaway here, the real star was his kindness, a reminder that most people can be surprisingly understanding.

Traveling with children not only exposes them to diverse cultures, sights, and experiences but also nurtures their empathy and understanding of the world. To embark on this journey, you first must survive the flight, which is sure to be a combination of window-licking, drink-spilling, and shriek-stifling chaos—until, at last, a little head finds rest on your shoulder just as the seatbelt sign lights up and your bladder reaches its limit.

I’ve completed 14 transatlantic flights—yes, I’m counting—with kids ranging from 10 weeks to 6 years old. My spouse is an immigrant whose family lives overseas, and we want our kids to feel connected to them, even if we can’t always be together. So, we embrace the costs, board the planes, and feel gratitude each time we touch down on the other side of the ocean. There have been moments of pure joy, like witnessing one of my children marvel at a breathtaking sunrise over the ocean from above. But there have also been challenging times, such as when my baby developed a double ear infection mid-flight, requiring me to pace the aisles for hours, dodging elbows as I went.

Despite the chaos, I’ve gathered some insights that might help others. Here are my top five tips for surviving long flights with kids—don’t worry; I won’t bore you with the usual advice about bringing your sense of humor, although it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

1. Board Last

It might go against every instinct to rush aboard, but try to be the last ones on the plane. If it stresses you out, send your partner ahead to secure overhead space, but allow those little legs to run free for a few extra moments. By letting everyone else board, you can potentially save almost an hour of confinement in a cramped, stationary aircraft. A gate agent once called our strategy genius, and it’s a pleasant surprise for any passenger who thought they had an empty row!

2. Request Extra Blankets

Flight attendants are usually happy to provide as many of those blue blankets as you need. Use one to create a clean space at your feet for snacks and toys to prevent them from falling on the floor. And for peace of mind, I recommend wiping down everything—the armrests, tray tables, and window shades—right when you sit down, because you know something will inevitably get licked.

3. Maintain Your Bedtime Routine

On overnight flights, stick to your established bedtime routine—this consistency can work wonders. Once the kids are fed and you can tell they’re exhausted (but not too early or they’ll wake up mid-flight), change them into pajamas, brush their teeth in the airplane restroom, read a bedtime story, and tuck them in with their favorite comfort items.

4. Bring New Toys

Pack toys they haven’t seen before. There are tons of great options for plane-friendly toys like WaterWow, magnetic puzzles, and sticker books, but the key is to keep things novel. If you’re feeling extra creative, wrap them like gifts for added excitement—unwrapping can be an activity in its own right. Once, the simple act of tearing wrapping paper kept my toddler entertained throughout an entire in-flight meal.

5. Stock Up on Snacks

Bring at least ten times the amount of snacks you think you’ll need for the duration of the flight. And remember the novelty rule: indulge with treats they don’t usually get. Don’t forget to pack the largest lollipop you can find—one for each child. If that lollipop takes 20 minutes to finish, then you’ve bought yourself 20 minutes to breathe before the next round of entertainment.

Honestly, you know you’ll probably spend that time looking at their photos on your phone. And when that empty lollipop stick goes flying, you’ll be ready for the next adventure, knowing that the plane will land soon and even better memories are waiting to be made!

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In summary, traveling with kids can be a wild ride, but with a little preparation and flexibility, it can also be an enriching experience that broadens their horizons—and yours. Embrace the chaos, and keep those memories coming!