What are good travel tips for airline travel with multiple children?

Question

Five children ranging from 6 mo to 11 years. I am worried about how to get through the airport. Can I use a stroller and take it on board? Can I request a private security screening? What are the things I need to know before I attempt this?

Answer 1

I would call the airport ahead of time to find out if you can get any assitance.

Most airlines will allow you to check a stroller at the gate, but you should contact your specific airline to make sure they're okay with it.

The older children need to carry their own gear, to make life a little easier on you.

I'd also considering putting name tags with airline and flight number on it, too. That way, if any of them get seperated from you, the airport can figure out where they belong easily.

Once on the plane, you need things to keep the kids occupied. I would suggest a pack for each child containing things specific to them. Snacks, games, books, cd players w/ headphones, etc. If you want any drinks, you'll have to wait until you're past security and buy some at the vendors.

If you have a laptop w/ dvd drive, they're great to let the kids watch a movie. Most airports even have a vendor where you can rent movies and then drop them off at the airport you land at.

For my babies, I always gave them benadryl before the flight, on advice of their pediatrician. It helped their ears not get too much pressure and helped them sleep through most of the flight.

No matter what, it's gonna be hard.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Wow, that's a crowd! First of all, go to your airline's website and check through all their carryon/extra items policies. All airlines are different, but most do let you check your stroller right at the gate (so you can use it through the airport). They take it down to the luggage area for you, and bring it back up after you land. Is there another adult going with you all? Because this will be pretty hard by yourself, just to warn you. Also, for on the plane... let each child bring his/her own small backpacks filled with crayons, paper, even little dollar store toys. This will keep them busy on the plane, and if they leave something behind it's not the end of the world. I also recommend calling the customer service number for the airline, and talking to an actual person. They may have some specific ideas to help you that you won't find online. Good luck, hope it goes smoothly!

Answer 3

I do not know about private security screening but I do know you can take a stroller on board. My daughter did. And this was just last year.

The best thing I can tell you is to leave and get there early. I hope you are not going alone.. Can you take someone with you to help.?

You might ask,at check in, if you are going to travel alone with them on the plane to have someone come with you through boarding . A friend that will wait with you and the children until the plane gets there.

Depending on the size of the airport they might let you.

With so many children I also suggest to take as LITTLE carry on as possible. I know with a 6 month old you will need a lot but if you can only bring the things for the baby and things for the children to 'play' with and check the rest it might help in that way also.

Good Luck.

Answer 4

The airlines want you to be safe and have a good experience. Call ahead and tell them you need to sit near the flight attendants station. Tell them you will also be needing some help in and around the airport, if you plan to change planes. You can use an umbrella stroller. Good Luck ( Calling far enough in advance is the key)
Hand held games are a big help. Color books for the little ones. They have books that you use a special pencil. The pages turn color you don't need crayons, just one pencil.
The pencil can't mark on anything else.
Give the older kids some duties. They can be a very big help if it's explained in the right way. It will make them feel imortant.
Try Walmart. Pack snacks. Gum for the older ones helps.

Answer 5

I used to live in Australia and I would travel back and forth from Sydney to Tallahassee, FL with them by myself (about a 30 hr trip). I used a lightweight umbrella stroller that I checked at the gate, packed backpacks with all new things...got special snacks, new books, etc...they knew that the backbacks had special treats and they had to wait until we got to the airport to look and see! I would suggest a portable dvd player and a few movies and some new books or other activity for the older children, when mine were babies on planes I gave them a bottle at takeoff and landing so that they would swallow and relieve the pressure on thier ears.

Additionally, I would get to the gate early, and explain to the staff there that you are travelling with 5 children, they usually do thier best to accomodate you..ie boarding early, etc....

Hope this helps, good luck.

Answer 6

Best tip for you is don't do it. If you're going alone and already you know you can't handle them, think of the others that will be on that plane. Is it fair for them to have to suffer what is going to happen. You will not get special security screenings, you will be made to stand in the same line as everyone else. What you need to know before you do this since you have obviously never done it before:
-your baby's ears are going to be painful due to the pressure.
-your older children will grow restless and bored, all the people around you will hate them before it is over.
-You will never want to fly again and will be a total mess before the plane takes off to take you back.

Answer 7

You can 'probably' take a stroller and check it at the last minute. Make sure the kids have things to do that aren't noisy. Pack their VERY FAVORITE snacks. Be aware that vacuum-packed drinks will SPURT when you open them in the air, and they won't stop spurting. [When my daughter was about 18 mos old I spurted chocolate milk all over a fellow passenger. I couldn't get it to stop. Fortunately he was very very understanding.] Make sure you make note of what each of your children are wearing, and maybe put a piece of paper in each of their pockets with your name and cell phone number, so if they get lost they can just have an airport employee call you.

Answer 8

WOW you are going to have ur hands full!! LOL The best thing to do is call the airline to see what you can bring on board. They can offer any kinds of suggestions to keep your kids busy, and what u can take on the plane!! Good luck

Answer 9

yes you can take your stroller right up to the airplane and they will load it under the plane and bring it back up so as soon as you get to your destationation the stroller will be there for you. also you can board first becasue you are traveling with children under the age of 4, to get yourself situated. security is a pain, you have to take all the walking kids shoes off, you have to put the stroller through x ray, and they may even go through your bags. i would suggest to go 2 hours early to ensure you get there on time. i would bring plenty of snacks and actvities to do for the kiddos. also my dr told me to give my little one tylenole and a pacifier when going on airplane, you dont want to get stick with a crying baby the entire trip.

Answer 10

yes you better call your airlines of choice re their policies and most of the time they will accomodate you and assist you in your undertakings and they always have some people who will take care of your needs as you go along. airlines employees are family-oriented people and they are all very helpful from ground crew to flight crew. take and bon voyage!!