Every parent’s horror is – flying long haul with kids. Keeping these tiny tornados happily contained in their seats for 13+ hours is an impossible feat. Especially if you have to do it without pulling your hair out or getting hot tea kicked into your crotch!

I have flown with N ever since I was expecting him. After his birth I started flying long haul Trans-Atlantic flights, as soon as his paediatrician signed us off. And we haven’t stopped since. Not even a stretch of 8 months pass without us taking off on an intercontinental flight!

Flying  Long Haul with Kids doesn’t (always) have to be stressful !

While flying with small kids has a reputation for being one of the most harrowing experiences (for you and your co passenger), it can be turned into a fun and exhilarating ride instead of any of you ending up in the aisle, howling!

Top Tips to Surviving Long Haul Flights with Kids

#1 Manage Take – off and Landing

Children can experience severe pain and discomfort in their ears while the flight takes off and lands. With rapidly changing altitude, pressure in their tiny ears builds up drastically, causing pain. This has been the most challenging part of our air travels, especially when we flew to Europe. For N, I always carry lollipops and gummies to suck and chew on, which normalizes his ear air pressure, reducing his pain.

If you are traveling with babies then nursing them or giving them pacifier/bottle greatly helps. Some babies might be too distracted to latch and nurse. Using a nursing cover helps them calm down. If you are in luck they may even fall asleep during take off & landing.

Swallowing helps pop the ears and ease pain. Putting headphones or other external material on kids will not help. They will only make a bad situation worse.

#2 Carry Crayons

Inspite of the airline crayon and coloring book, we carry our own set. Because the airline one is colored, completed and tossed aside by N, even before the flight takes off ! This is one of our most favorite things to do in flight. Take print outs or tear out a few pages of coloring book and carry a small pack of crayons.

I usually snap the crayons in half and give one half to N. So when invariably some colors roll under the seats, I have back up in my purse for the rest of the journey & back.

Water crayons are another amazing thing to keep your kids fascinated while flying. Plenty of kids thoroughly enjoy water crayons and can’t get enough of it. So this is a must try for parents.

#3 Check-in Online and avail priority boarding

Online check-in is the most convenient way to check into your flight. Fast & easy method to avoid long queues at the airport. And everyone with kids, knows how nerve wracking it is to stand in long queues with the fidgety little ones.

Most airlines start online check-ins 24 hours to upto 90 mins before departure. We travel ultra light, that means only hand luggage (Yeah we are crazy that way and wouldn’t have it any other way!). This allows us to skip check in counter and head straight to the security. Priority boarding is a valuable privilege when traveling with smaller kids, pay attention while boarding and absolutely avail it!

#4 Always Pre Order kids meals

Hungry kids at 30,000 ft is everyone’s nightmare! So pre-book kids meals and select your child’s favorite option. I don’t expect my kid to enjoy caviar or wasabi like I would so I  pick safe choices like macaroni & cheese along with chicken nuggets. If that’s not available, I go with something on similar lines, that are popular options with N.

Some airlines have a great variety of healthy and colorful meals for kids. For some reason N absolutely adores the in-flight broccoli! During our flight to Morocco, I once picked a burger at the airport to feed my hungry little monster in flight, but that didn’t go as expected. Henceforth I always bear in mind that some airlines don’t allow outside food.

#5 Extra Clothes for the Both of you

Spit ups, throw ups, juice and tea accidents are some of the things that can happen up in the clouds, enroute your much awaited family vacation! N is 4 at the time I write this piece and so far I have been covered in orange juice , not so much because of N, but because of the terrible turbulence we experienced during our flight to South Korea.

Remember the hot tea in crotch from the opening paragraph? That, I have been a victim of – And the credit goes to the junior! So long story short, carry at least one spare set of clothes for yourself and your child (maybe even for the spouse!). Did I even mention diaper leaks yet ? Well..you get the picture.

#6 Simple games

To me, timeless games like ‘I Spy’ and Categories’ resonate with nostalgia. As a child, I travelled extensively with my parents. During those charming journeys across the expanse of our country, my mother engaged me in puzzles and simple mind games that gave my brain a workout and kept me stimulated. I do the same with N now. He absolutely loves it and wants to keep going!

#7 Candies & cookies

Flights are not the best time to be too strict about nutrition. Usually, I allow N to feast on more than his regular share of cookies and candies in flights. I pack a ziploc of nuts mixed with colorful M&Ms and N loves it.

Remember carrying gels, frosting of cakes and yogurts may not be allowed past the security. So carry something dry and convenient. If you are anything like me, then it can be unsettling to watch your kid binge on sugar, but believe me it’s worth the peace while flying long haul with kids! Moderate their sugar consumption by avoiding sweets few days before and after the flight.

#8 Pack small toys

Small cars, miniature action figurines or petite dolls take up negligible space in your carry on luggage or purse. They do an excellent job keep the little ones fairly engrossed. When we flew to Norway, I packed a goody bag of fun assortments for Neev. Mostly comprising of small toys and stickers.

I throw in a few inexpensive new toys in the mix so there is an element of surprise and even if he loses them along the way, it’s alright. I pack this goody bag three weeks in advance so he doesn’t find his usual toys lying around the house. And when revealed in the flight it captures his fancy like new. Remember you have a return flight too, don’t exhaust all your tricks in the first flight!

#9 Choose flights in synch with their sleep cycle:

Late afternoon or evening flights work best for us. All the monkeying around in the airport and the initial fidgeting with in-flight entertainment, tires N off. So as soon as the flight takes off, he is fast asleep after eating his meal, pretty much at his usual bedtime on land!

#10 Carry Tylenol, Hand Sanitizers, Ibuprofen :

Never ever drug your kids to calm them.I’ve read about parents doing that and I will never endorse it. I carry these meds because kids can pick up mild infections while traveling, like N did while flying within United States. It is always better to be safe than sorry!

#11 Download Apps that encourage creativity:

I have apps on the iPad that encourage N to draw better. So it’s two birds with one stone. Not only was my son calm during the flight, he also improved his fine motor skills and developed interest in drawing and writing.

So the next time you travel, employ some or all of these tried and tested tips, and secretly wish that your kid sleeps through most of the flight!

To survive a long haul flight with kids, all you need is an arsenal of solid foolproof ideas & tricks, a touch of common sense, a dash of humour and a sprinkle of patience – wait make that a truckload of patience. And voila! You will arrive at your dream destination – in one piece !