By Sinaiyouth 
I flew with my son for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was only four months old.
I had just accepted a new job (after losing my old role due to said pandemic, while I was pregnant), and the daycare we chose wasn’t available for another two months. My sister graciously offered to look after my son at her home in Tennessee, alongside my one-year-old niece, while I worked from her spare bedroom.
I felt irresponsible traveling with my baby during a global pandemic (and for that reason, I didn’t tell many people). I was also ashamed of to want to return to work. These emotions were only compounded by the fear of flying with a baby – during a pandemic.
As I placed my son in the front carrier and headed to the airport, I prepared myself for the unknown. Would my son cry constantly and attract longing looks or negative comments from strangers? What if I couldn’t get him to sleep? How would I manage a diaper change in a small airplane bathroom? Did I pack everything I needed? What about security at the airport?
Then I got on the plane and had one of the most enjoyable flying experiences of my life.
A comforting experience
Not only did my son sleep on our two connecting flights from Pennsylvania to Tennessee (I quickly discovered that the plane’s engine was essentially a giant sound machine), but I was greeted with a kindness I had never experienced in any setting, much less on an airplane. The flight attendants adored me and offered to rock my son in their arms. They gave him his first “wings” aviation pin, and seeing as it was his first flight, they even invited us into the cockpit of the plane for a photo shoot. Complete strangers smiled at me warmly and offered help as well. My seatmate volunteered to hold it while I gathered ourselves and situated our things.
Here’s what’s even more surprising: the kindness continued. When he was a little traveler, a woman offered to let him lie on her lap (and mine) so he could sleep on the plane. At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, an American Airlines employee handed my son a bag of small toys and treats at the gate. And as I write this article, my son, now 5, just received another pair of aviation wings from a friendly flight attendant who called his name.
Our trip to Tennessee – just him and me – has become an annual tradition, and we both look forward to our airport adventures (minus the inevitable delays or cancellations) because they are always a bonding experience. Of course, it’s even more fun when my husband and I fly on family vacations, and each year we fly a little further as he gets older and a little more patient. “We can also choose snacks and drinks on the plane, Piggy!” he told one of his stuffed animals before we left for a recent trip.
So if you’re reading this and wondering if you can fly with your baby or toddler, the answer is yes, you can. You might even be pleasantly surprised (and refreshed) by the kindness of humanity, just like me.
Tips for Flying with Babies and Young Children
There are several things you can do to prepare for a smooth flight with your young jetsetter(s). These tactics are the ones I have found most useful.
- Get TSA Pre-Check: Better yet, invest in Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck. Anyone 17 and under on your reservation will also automatically receive TSA PreCheck, meaning you and your children will spend less time waiting in long security lines.
- Don’t worry about the security check: With the exception of potentially long lines (see our tips for avoiding airport queues), airport security will probably be the least of your worries. Breast milk, formula, and water are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces) for babies and toddlers. These elements will simply have to be considered separately. Ice packs and cooler bags are allowed, and like most other foods, sachets and purees are also acceptable to pass through security.
- Fly early in the morning: There are statistically fewer flight delays and cancellations in the morning, and while I don’t particularly like getting up early to catch a plane, my son has always found something magical about being woken up in the dark to get to the airport before sunrise (and has often taken a nap once we arrive at his destination).
- Use mobile ordering: Even if you don’t use the Starbucks or Dunkin’ apps at home, download them before your trip. Before arriving at the airport or landing for a connecting flight, place your mobile order to avoid long wait times (as there is almost always a mile-long queue for coffee at the airport). As soon as our connecting flight lands in Charlotte, I always order coffee from the Starbucks in my terminal (and I can easily locate the nearest Starbucks on the app).
- Hit the Dollar Store Ahead: Stock up on little, inexpensive surprises to take out of your hand luggage during the trip. For my son, it’s always been Hot Wheels cars and new coloring books.
- Bring candy: Yes, candy. I can’t tell you how many times a tube of mini M&Ms has helped keep the peace. Snacks, in general, are almost always the answer.
- Allow screen time: Screens may be limited at home, but there are no strict rules on crowded planes and long flights. Lower your expectations and embrace age-appropriate shows and apps (consider that you might be riding the runway for a while before you even take off on that long flight) and give everyone a little grace.
- Prepare extra outfits for everyone: Don’t neglect the possibility of baby doing damage your clothes, not just their own.
- Bring dog poop bags: They are foldable and the scented bags are particularly effective in hiding unpleasant odors such as those from full diapers. Plus, they can double as vomit bags, trash bags, or a tote pouch for anything else.
- Look for kid-friendly activities: Some airports have designated play areas for children, but escalators and moving walkways are also a great source of entertainment when you’re waiting to board a flight. Airports can also be great places for I-spy and other games that don’t require equipment.