Flying with Children

Finally! The long-awaited family vacation is approaching. With kids in tow, the journey will take you far away. But before you can start thinking about the best days of the year, you need to tackle the trip itself. Usually, stress is inevitable, right? What to consider when flying with children and which airlines turn the flight into an exciting adventure for your kids, we will show you here.

When planning a flight with the whole family, typical questions quickly arise: Do I have to pay extra for my child when booking the flight? Is there a special children's menu on board? What happens to the stroller? And how do I keep my little one entertained during the flight? Eventually, every child struggles to sit still, and boredom often threatens to set in. Many airlines therefore provide a special entertainment offer for children. What to expect for you and your kids during the flight, we have summarized for you. We have helpful tips from our vacation guru parents, created a practical checklist for you, and also checked the offerings of the most popular airlines. We'll reveal which airline will get you to your destination with the least stress.

Tips for a Relaxing Flight

Children's Rates

Entertainment

Checklist

Most airlines allow you to take the stroller up to the airplane. It's best to check the airline's website in advance or at least at the check-in counter. The stroller will be taken from you right at the airplane door and loaded into the cargo hold. Once you arrive at your destination, the stroller is usually returned to you at the airplane door, but at the latest at the baggage claim.

During takeoff and landing, your toddler must sit on your lap for safety reasons. You will receive a special loop belt for this. This is first placed around your child like a regular seatbelt, and then connected to your own belt. Families with small children are usually seated in the first row of the airplane. Here, there is often the option to hang a bassinet on the wall, where your toddler can comfortably lie down until twelve months old. The cabin crew will set up the bassinet for you after takeoff and remove it shortly before landing. In high season, it can happen that many toddlers are on board, and no bassinet is available - it's best to request one in advance by phone.

If you've ever flown while having a cold, you know that a lack of pressure equalization can cause quite a bit of ear pain. Unfortunately, this happens frequently with small children because their bodies struggle to cope with the rising pressure. The consequences are severe pain, crying, and screaming. However, pressure equalization can be actively assisted or achieved through several methods: Movements of the jaw and throat muscles while yawning, chewing, or swallowing almost always work. Just feed the child with a bottle during takeoff and landing. If that doesn't help, we recommend getting Sanohra fly earplugs. A pressure reducer slows the pressure increase before the eardrum during landing. It is important: The earplugs must be placed in the child's ears about 45 minutes before takeoff or landing to be effective.

Depending on how long you are traveling, boredom can set in for the little passengers. In addition to the usual toys you bring, there are usually also a few goodies from the flight attendants that can keep your child busy.

• Expert tip from Ines - Head of HR at Urlaubsguru and mom: Bring a new toy for the flight that you can surprise your kids with. They will be amazed.

• Expert tip from Sascha - Urlaubsguru Inbound Marketing Director and dad: Prepare a surprise bag that your child can open at a certain point. You can fill it with a notebook and pencil for drawing, small crafting items, pictures of loved ones, the pet, etc. This should keep you both engaged for a long time.

Did you know that you can easily bring baby food on board? If hunger strikes, you can hand the jar to the flight attendants, and they will warm it up in a water bath. Water and milk bottles will also be heated to the correct temperature by the cabin crew. We have thoroughly explored the topic of what food is allowed on the airplane and summarized the regulations for you in our travel magazine.

What happens with a full diaper on the airplane, and where can you change it without disturbing other passengers? In 99% of all cases, there is a changing table on the airplane. This is usually located in the front or in the second restroom of the airplane. Simply throw the full diaper in a trash can. On many flights, you will even receive a small set with spare diapers from the crew, sometimes even with a bottle and bib. Just ask politely.

Choosing the right seat can also help make the flight as pleasant as possible for your kids and prevent boredom. So check in as early as you can to secure the best seats.

• Expert tip from Ines - Head of HR at Urlaubsguru and mom: A window seat can be advantageous since your child can look outside. This way, you can marvel at the clouds together, look down at little houses, and discover many more exciting things.

• Expert tip from Sascha - Urlaubsguru Inbound Marketing Director and dad: Book seats with extra legroom. There are always seats with more legroom available. To grab these, check in as early as possible, as they are in high demand among all passengers. These are ideal for travelers with children because you can move around more and the child may be able to play on the floor.

• Exclusive tip from Sascha - Urlaubsguru Inbound Marketing Director and dad:

'Prepare your kids for flying together before the trip and address potential fears. Relaxation exercises can also help. And let the little ones burn off some energy at the airport.'

• Exclusive tip from Ines - Head of HR at Urlaubsguru and mom:

'If you are traveling with your baby, consider bringing a carrier so that mom or dad can walk up and down the aisle on the airplane to help your child sleep or calm down. The most important tip I can give you: Don't worry too much. Usually, things go much better than expected.'

Of course, before traveling, the flight must first be booked. A key role in choosing the airline is the rates available for children. First of all, it's important to note that all airlines offer a special fare for their younger guests; however, the prices for these fares can differ significantly.

Infants: The infant rate applies when your child is no older than 2 years and you do not book a separate seat, meaning your child travels on your lap. If a separate seat is needed or if the child is traveling in a car seat, you must book the child rate.

Children: Children aged 2 to 11 years travel at the children's rate in their own seat. The cost depends on the desired flight route.

Baggage: Infants have a baggage allowance of up to 10 kg for checked baggage on all flights. Children have the same baggage allowance as adults.

Stroller: One stroller, a foldable carry bag, or a buggy can be taken free of charge per infant.

Infants: Infants under 2 years can travel on your lap during the flight and do not need a separate ticket. You will receive a safety belt from the flight attendants before the flight in this case. If your child is traveling in their own seat, you must bring a child seat or a baby carrycot on board.

Children: Generally, children between 2 and 11 years travel at a discount. The price is based on the rules of the applicable fare.

Baggage: Infants under the age of 2 have a free baggage allowance of one piece up to 23 kg (exception: Europe flights on an Economy Light fare). Children aged 2 and older have the same baggage allowance as adults.

Stroller: Per child, one foldable stroller or buggy, a baby carrycot, or an appropriate child seat can be taken free of charge.

Infants: Infants under 2 years can travel on your lap and are not entitled to their own seat. A service fee for your baby will be charged, the price of which depends on the flight destination.

Children: Children between the ages of 2 and 11 benefit from a discount.

Baggage: Infants under 2 usually do not have carry-on baggage and, in the Economy Light fare, do not include free baggage. If you book a ticket that goes beyond Economy Light, your child is entitled to up to 10 kg of checked baggage. Children over 2 years have the same baggage allowance as adults.

Strollers: Strollers, buggies, baby beds, carriers, and child seats are transported in the cargo hold at no charge. A maximum of two of these items can be transported per child.

Infants: Every infant up to the age of 2 must be accompanied by an adult and travel on your lap. Your baby is not entitled to a separate seat.

Children: Children over the age of 2 pay the full fare.

Baggage: For infants under 2, TUI fly charges a fee of €30 per flight segment. In addition, infants on the Pure fare are not entitled to free baggage; on the Perfect fare, they receive the same baggage allowance as adults.

Strollers: Strollers and buggies are transported free of charge in the cargo hold. Check ahead at the airport if you can take the stroller to the airplane entrance; otherwise, you will have to check it in the baggage area and package it well.

As different as the flight fares for infants and children are, so too are the entertainment offerings of the airlines. While free coloring books, puzzles, or fun comics are standard on both Lufthansa and Condor, Qatar Airways also scores points with a cuddly toy that is meant to be a soft travel companion for the little ones, an interactive eye mask, and other educational toys.

In addition to the classic activities, some airlines also offer a children's on-board program featuring popular children's movies, audiobooks, music, and games. Just as important as the onboard entertainment is the food. Because whether big or small traveler: Everyone appreciates a tasty meal on a long flight, as it keeps spirits high. Since children have different needs than adults, it is helpful if the menu on board is also tailored to young palates. On most airlines, a child's menu can be ordered free of charge for children from 2 years onward if your booked fare includes a meal. For example, on Qatar Airways, your child also receives a colorful lunchbox that can be kept after the flight. It's best to contact your airline in advance to inquire about and potentially order a child's menu.

In addition to the airline's service offerings, there are other things you should take into account when flying with children. The following checklist should help you remember everything important:

Passport: Does your child need a passport to enter the vacation country?

Travel Authorization: If you are traveling without the other parent with your own or with a child from friends or relatives, you need a written consent from both parents. Depending on the destination country, a notarized travel authorization may even be necessary.

Children's Menu: Does a separate menu for children need to be pre-ordered?

Baggage: How much free baggage does the child have?

Stroller: Does the stroller need to be checked in at check-in, or is it sufficient to give it at boarding?

Food: Baby food is always allowed on board. So make sure to bring enough food for your baby or toddler.

Travel Companions: The favorite stuffed animal or toy should definitely go along on the trip. This helps children feel comfortable and can help prevent tears.

Pacifiers, nasal drops, or candies: Children often struggle more with pressure equalization than adults. Help your child and give them, depending on their age, a pacifier or a candy to ease the pressure.

Pillow: A small pillow or their favorite snuggle blanket can help them get cozy and fall asleep on the airplane.

As you can see, the young passengers are offered quite a bit by most of the airlines mentioned. Of course, there are differences in service offerings among airlines, so you should inform yourself in advance and select the airline that suits your needs. One thing is certain: the better an airline caters to your kids, the more relaxed your flight will be, and the more relaxed you can start your vacation. Ultimately, though, proper preparation and a necessary dose of calm are what matter most - then nothing will stand in the way of your travel plans.