Jax's first flight was when he was two years old. We were nervous — would he scream the whole time? Would the other passengers hate us? Turns out, he loved it. He spent most of the flight with his face pressed against the window.
Since then, we've flown with Jax dozens of times. Here's everything we've learned about making flights with kids go smoothly.
Before You Book
Pick the Right Seat
If your kid loves airplanes, book a window seat — watching the ground shrink during takeoff is the best entertainment there is. For very young kids (under 2), an aisle seat gives you easier access to get up and walk around.
Time Your Flight
Early morning flights work best for us. Kids are usually in a good mood, airports are less crowded, and morning flights are less likely to be delayed. Avoid red-eye flights with young kids unless you're certain they'll sleep.
Check the Airline's Kid Policy
Most airlines let kids under 2 fly free on a parent's lap. Once they turn 2, they need their own seat and ticket. Some airlines offer kid meals, activity packs, or priority boarding for families — check before you fly.
What to Pack in Your Carry-On
This is the most important part. A well-packed carry-on is the difference between a smooth flight and a meltdown. Here's what we always bring:
Entertainment
- A tablet or phone with downloaded shows and games (don't rely on Wi-Fi!)
- Headphones — kid-sized ones with a volume limiter
- Crayons or colored pencils (not markers — they stain seats)
Snacks
Pack more snacks than you think you need. Seriously.
- Goldfish crackers, pretzels, or dry cereal
- Fruit pouches or apple slices
- Granola bars
- A reusable water bottle (empty it before security, fill it after)
Comfort
- A light blanket or lovey
- A change of clothes for your kid (and an extra shirt for you — trust us)
- Diapers, wipes, and a plastic bag for dirty clothes
At the Airport
The airport can be the best part for airplane-loving kids. Jax would honestly be happy if we never got on the plane. We wrote a whole article about what happens at the airport — read it with your kid before the trip.
Give Yourself Extra Time
We arrive at least 2.5 hours before a domestic flight with kids. Things take longer — bathroom trips, shoe tying, the "I want to watch THAT airplane" delay. The extra buffer means you're relaxed instead of rushing.
Talk Through Security
The X-ray machine and metal detector can be scary for first-timers. Explain what's happening before you get in line: "They're going to take a picture of our bags with a special camera, and we walk through a doorway." Let your kid put their backpack on the belt themselves — they usually think it's cool.
Burn Off Energy at the Gate
Let your kid run around the gate area (within reason). A tired kid on the plane is a good thing. Many airports have play areas — look for them near family gates.
Watch the Planes
Find a big window and watch planes taxi, take off, and land. Jax likes to guess which airline each plane belongs to. If you want to impress your kid with some trivia, review our cool airplane facts beforehand.
On the Plane
Takeoff and Landing — Ear Pressure
This is the #1 concern for parents, and for good reason. The pressure change during takeoff and landing can hurt kids' ears. Here's what works:
- Babies: Nurse or bottle-feed during takeoff and landing. The swallowing helps equalize pressure.
- Toddlers: Give them a sippy cup, lollipop, or chewy snack. Again, swallowing is the key.
- Older kids: Teach them to yawn, swallow, or gently blow with their nose pinched (the "Valsalva maneuver"). Chewing gum works great too.
If your kid has a cold or ear infection, talk to your pediatrician before flying — congestion makes ear pressure much worse.
The First 10 Minutes
Takeoff is exciting — most kids are glued to the window. Use this time to get settled. Once the seatbelt sign turns off, that's when you need your entertainment bag ready.
Keeping Kids Entertained
We rotate activities every 20-30 minutes to keep things fresh:
1. Window watching (takeoff, clouds, looking for landmarks)
2. Tablet time (a show or game)
3. Activity book or coloring
4. Snack break
5. Book reading
6. Walk up and down the aisle (once seatbelt sign is off)
7. Repeat
For longer flights, Jax likes talking about what the pilots are doing up front or trying to figure out what type of airplane we're on.
If Things Go Sideways
Kids cry on planes. It happens. Here's what we've learned:
- Stay calm — your stress becomes their stress
- Don't worry about other passengers — most people are more understanding than you think
- Have a backup plan: a special toy or show saved for emergencies
- Walk the aisle if your kid needs to move
- Ask the flight attendants for help — they've seen it all and are usually great with kids
After Landing
Talk About It
Jax's favorite part of every trip is talking about the flight afterward. Which airline were we on? What kind of plane was it? Did we see any cool things out the window? This is how his love of aviation started — and it's how he ended up inspiring this whole website.
Start a Collection
After Jax's first flight (Hawaiian Airlines), we picked up a small diecast model at the airport gift shop. Now he has a whole shelf of them. If your kid catches the aviation bug, check out our guide to starting a model airplane collection.
Age-by-Age Quick Tips
Under 2 (Lap Infant)
- Bring a pacifier or bottle for ear pressure
- Request a bulkhead seat for more legroom
- Bring a carrier or lightweight stroller (gate-check it)
- Feed during takeoff and landing
Ages 2-4
- Bring their car seat on the plane if you are getting a rental car at the destination
- Pack lots of snacks and a few surprise toys
- Download their favorite shows ahead of time
- Accept that screen time rules go out the window on flights
Ages 5-7
- Get them a window seat — they're old enough to really appreciate the view
- Let them navigate the airport (reading gate numbers, finding signs)
- Talk about the flight — distance, speed, altitude. Jax loves this stuff.
Ages 8+
- Give them their own carry-on to pack and manage
- Challenge them to spot landmarks from the window
- Let them order their own drink from the flight attendant
- Share some airplane facts — they'll remember them forever
One Last Thing
The best advice we ever got: don't aim for a perfect flight. Aim for a good-enough flight. Kids are resilient, flight attendants are helpful, and even the rough flights become funny stories later.
Jax's first flight wasn't perfect — there was a diaper blowout at 30,000 feet and we forgot snacks. But he fell in love with airplanes that day, and four years later, he's still going strong. Your kid's first flight might just be the start of something amazing too.