Travel with kids: 20 ways to do it hassle-free

Are you travelling as a family this summer and dreading the time you have to spend at the airport and in the aircraft? Summer travel can mean long queues at the airport and completely full aircrafts with chances of the airline bumping you off your seat if you don’t check in on time. Especially, for young parents with small children, air travel can be a stressful time.

As airports and airlines across the UAE service a record number of passengers, travel experts suggest tips and tricks to help you organise your travel. Etihad Airways and Emirates Airlines, the UAE’s national carriers have a simple check-list that can make your travel a breeze.

Things to do before you get to the airport

1. Pick your seat before you fly to make sure you all sit together
2. Sit children away from the aisle seat to keep little hands away from hot food and drinks passing by
3. Bring a surprise you know your child will love, like a new toy or book
4. Pack child-sized headphones to watch their favourite film or cartoon
5. Plan your packing list so you don’t have too much to carry
6. Use a smaller baby stroller which can be used till you board the aircraft. It will be waiting for you when you get off the plane
7. Pack snacks in case of delays
8. Have a bottle of water ready for take-off and landing – swallowing will help little ears with change in air pressure
9. Prepare for security and make sure anything that will need to be removed is at the top of your bag
10. Bring a change of clothes in case there are any accidents
11. Weigh your bags before baggage drop-off to reduce delays or the need to re-pack

At the airport and in the air

1. Ask airlines for priority check-in if you are travelling with kids. This will ensure kids don’t wait too much and have more time to get settled into their seat.
2. Some airlines, such as Emirates operate a dedicated family check-in area at Dubai Airport during peak travel periods, to ensure a swift and smooth experience for families with minimal queuing.
3. Check if any of your bank cards offer access to airport lounges, and ask your airline to direct you to one, as these are generally equipped with mother and baby care rooms, comfortable feeding areas and baby changing facilities.
4. For infants under 2 years old, parents can book seats with safe and comfortable bassinets so that their babies can snooze comfortably throughout the flight. Parents can also bring approved car seats onboard for extra familiarity and safety.
5. You can use an “Unaccompanied Minors service” for your children aged 5-11 years in the event they need to travel alone. Airlines offer this service whereby children are accompanied and supervised by specialist staff every step of their journey.
6. Pack meals that your kids are comfortable with. Many airlines have goody bags for children which can help you in case of an emergency.
7. Emirates and Etihad offer organic baby food, milk formula and baby bottles onboard their aircraft for infants if parents and guardians require them during the flight.
8. Parents should know that airlines do offer an infant amenity kit including diapers, a bib, lotion and a changing matt so that the littlest passengers stay fresh throughout their journey. Emirates aircrafts have bathrooms equipped with baby changing tables.
9. Emirates Airlines has special arrangements for their younger passengers. Kids of all ages are offered free wi-fi for messaging as well as a selection of toys and giveaways onboard.

Travelling with an infant?

If you’re travelling with more than one infant under two years old, each infant must be accompanied by an adult.  Infants don’t require their own seats, but you can purchase one if you would prefer to do so.

If you choose to purchase an additional seat for your infant, they must sit on your lap during taxi, take-off and landing, and whenever the fasten seatbelt sign is illuminated. Alternatively, infants can stay in their own seats for the duration of the flight if they are in an approved car seat.