Travelling with children can be a nightmare – balancing luggage, flight times, and keeping them entertained.
One item in particular could help things go smoothly, according to flight attendant Brittney Thompson.
After 12 years of flying with a major ariline, she’s picked up several ways of making travel easier for families.
Britney advises parents bring along their child’s car seat on a plane, if they still use one, USA Today reports.
‘[My son] is most comfortable when he is familiar with his surroundings, so he prefers it when we take his car seat on the airplane,’ Brittney tells the news outlet.
‘The one time we did not take his car seat, he was like, “Mummy, this isn’t comfortable, I want my car seat.”
The Federal Aviation Administration also supports the idea of using a car seat on a flight.
Its website reads: ‘The safest place for your child under the age of two on a U.S. airplane is in approved child restraint system (CRS) or device, not in your lap.
One item in particular could help things go smoothly, according to flight attendant Brittney Thompson (stock)
‘Your arms aren’t capable of holding your in-lap child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence.’
Airlines have their own policies regarding bringing a car seat, and Ryanair for example only allows forward facing car seats.
‘You may bring a car seat on board for an infant or child if it is approved for flying,’ the airline states, also outlining the measurements and type of seat.
The carrier also asks that the car seat be ‘of a type approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft’ and have labels outlining it is ‘Certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft’ if American, or ‘European Standard Mark’.
A good selection of snacks is another essential to pack, according to the flight attendant.
She recommends bringing boxes with a variety of treats inside, and says ‘I’ve seen “snackle” boxes, they look like little fishing lure boxes, but they’re filled with 12 different kinds of snacks.’
Toys, especially new ones, are a good way to keep children entertained too, Brittney adds.
Meanwhile, TUI cabin crew Andrea Owen, who has over 20 years of experience in her role, also revealed a range of tips for helping parents travel smoothly with their children.
TUI cabin crew Andrea Owen has over 20 years of experience in her role and has also collected a range of tips for helping parents travel smoothly with their children
She swears the secret to ‘stress-free’ travel for families is ‘preparation’.
‘I always tell parents to expect the unexpected, pack more snacks than you think you’ll need, and don’t be afraid to ask crew for help,’ Andrea insists.
‘A lot of us are parents too, and we genuinely want every family to have a great start to their holiday.’
A key part to preparing is ensuring the children are ready for the and know exactly what to expect.
‘Preparation is everything when it comes to keeping children calm,’ Andrea says.
‘Before you leave for the airport, talk through exactly what’s going to happen.’
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