Flying with toddlers can be tricky, especially if it’s a long-haul trip, an early morning flight or their first time in the air. Express.co.uk spoke to Stansted pilot, Maria Pettersson, to find out her top tips for flying with children.
Maria said: “When travelling with kids, it’s essential to keep them occupied, and to choose their activity wisely. One fantastic option that has worked wonders for me is popping into WHSmith to pick up a kid’s magazine for my daughter that includes reusable vinyl stickers.
“The beauty of reusable vinyl stickers is that they only stick to the sticker book they come with.
“So, you don’t have to worry about your toddler putting them on surfaces where they shouldn’t be.
“Plus, they are lightweight and take up very little space in your bag, making them an excellent choice for travel.”
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Maria told Express.co.uk she always opts for fast-track boarding to avoid queues and toddler meltdowns.
She said: “This game-changing tip has made travelling with toddlers much smoother for me, and it’s my top recommendation to follow. We all know that waiting in queues can be challenging for little ones, so adding FastTrack to your travel plans can make a significant difference.
“It means you and your family get to bypass the regular queues, saving precious time and avoiding potential meltdowns. Not only does it help during departure, but you can also make the most of FastTrack when arriving back at the airport to skip the long family passport queue.
“It turns a potentially stressful experience into a breeze, allowing you to focus on creating enjoyable memories with your kids throughout the journey.”
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The Stansted based pilot added that she likes to schedule any flights with toddlers around their nap time. She warned parents to try not to let their children sleep before boarding.
She added: “Before the flight, let your child run around in the terminal. By having them active before the flight, they are more likely to feel tired and fall asleep during the journey.”
This could also help parents avoid any awkward interactions with fellow passengers as their children will be quiet during the flight.
Maria said she likes to arrive at the airport at least two hours before her flight to make sure she doesn’t have to rush around.
Parents will also need to consider whether they need to pay for a seat to sit next to their child. On some budget airlines, parents won’t be automatically seated with family for free.
Recently, a mum went viral after she shared how she got revenge on a woman who refused to swap seats with her so she could sit with her children.
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