September 1, 2005

Fly Girls (and Boys)

Tips for Flying with Kids

Does the mere thought of air travel with kids make you shudder? Fear not. With planning, the right gear, snacks galore, and a few of the invaluable tips below, you can take to the skies and leave the sedatives behind.

Pick Your Carrier Wisely
Some airlines just get the kid thing. JetBlue — with animal crackers, TV’s, and unparalleled stroller delivery service — is the one to beat domestically. Internationally, try Virgin Atlantic or British Airways, which has car seats, bassinets, baby food on request, and bulkheads that go to parents. Check your airport for cool kid info, restaurants, and play areas before you go.

Timing Is Everything
Minimize stopovers, travel off-peak (Saturday), and ease jet lag by taking a red-eye when flying east and by leaving midmorning when traveling west (daylight will reset the body clock). The rule is one hour per time zone traveled for adjustment (e.g. five-hour time change = five-day correction— just in time for your return).

Gear Up—Minimally
For a car seat-stroller combo, try the Sit ’n’ Stroll or the weatherproof Maclaren Triumph for a city break. The BabyBjörn carrier can’t be beat for babies 0-6 months. Wear jeans (for comfort and camouflage) and pack an extra outfit for each kid traveling (think Murphy’s Law here).

Become Puzzled
The well-stocked goodie bag* contains stickers (try the Nick Jr. Extravaganza), Create-a-Scene magnets (firefighters, fairies), and lightweight paperback books featuring fave characters (Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Airport or Dora the Explorer).

*Pack nothing for yourself; you won’t read for pleasure for another ten years.

Think Plain Plane Food
Bring twice what you think you’ll need to account for delays and spills (especially formula). Think portable, familiar, and disposable. Boxes of raisins, Goldfish, Cheerios, string cheese, tubes of Go-Gurt, and spill-proof Playtex sippy cups for hydration. Skip new foods (midair allergies are ugly). Clean up with a stash of plastic bags, plus antibacterial Wet Ones for sticky, germy hands.

Expect the Unexpected
Pack Children’s Tylenol (for in-flight fever), Benadryl (rashes, reactions) extra diapers (curiously, not available in many airports), Bibster disposable bibs, a stash of pacifiers for pockets and checked luggage (for your sanity and to keep little ears unplugged) as well as a bag of M&M’s (for bribe and/or sustenance).

Remember Plan B
If all else fails, next time just forgo the whole thing, check out the family bedrooms on Amtrak, and ride the rails in style.