Air Travel - Making the Most of an Airport

Even before getting on a plane, the adventure has already begun. Here’s how to survive the time before your flight takes off.

Get to Know Your Airport
Every airport is different, but knowing ahead of time what to expect, may ease the fear of the unknown. Most airports have their own website, and these websites generally have a layout of their terminals. Know which terminal you are flying from. Understand if you have to take a shuttle or train from one terminal to the next. Have an idea where the kids play areas are.

Get Acquainted With Your Gate
After check in, proceed immediately through security since you never know how long this may take. Next I proceed towards my gate, no matter how early I am. On the way there, pick up some food or snack items, and pay attention to where the “family” bathrooms are. These are generally cleaner and definitely bigger, perfect for a stroller, carry ons, and a couple of kids.

Set Up Camp
Although it’s great if your gate is in the same location as the kids’ areas or family bathrooms, usually it doesn’t work out that way. If there’s still plenty of time before your flight, set up camp near a kids area (usually family bathrooms are located near kids’ areas). Then let the kids play, and the time will eventually pass.

Fun Airport Stuff
It is quite amazing how many airports have fun family stuff for kids. Amsterdam airport has a great playroom complete with slide and climber. Toronto airport has some bronze statues that kids like to climb all over. And Detroit airport has mini tables and chairs for coloring......I’ll get to more at a later date.

Air Travel - Surviving a Long Haul Flight

Although I love to travel, that doesn’t mean I love to fly. Unfortunately flying is the necessary evil to get to where I need to be. Add in children, and I love flying that much more if you know what I mean. The biggest part of making the trip manageable is the mental preparation. Here are a few other tips.

The Right Seats: When booking seats online, don’t worry if you can’t find all seats together, the airline won’t let young kids sit without another family member. Note that bulkhead seats arm rests don’t fold up – uncomfortable for kids trying to sprawl out. Check out seatguru.com for most airline seat configurations.

Food and Snacks: Although long haul flights do serve food, you will want to supplement these meals with snacks of your own. I usually purchase a sandwich or two in the airport as well as a bottle of water and some fruit. Bringing cookies and small cereal boxes is a good idea, too.

What’s In Your Carry On: Even at age four, my girls were wheeling their own Barbie carry-on suitcases. Make sure they have lots of underwear, a change of pants, socks and t-shirts as well, just in case. In addition to toys, they are also responsible for carrying many of their snacks.

Toys and Entertainment – Some newer airplanes (Boeing 777) have video screens on the back of each seat as well as AC power outlets in most arm rests. This is perfect for DVD players and computer games, so batteries don’t go dead after 3 hours. Other than that, make sure you have coloring books, books to read, and some other favorites to pass the time.