If your summer plans include flying with your children without another adult, careful planning is the key to making your flights as pleasant an experience as possible. Here are some tips:

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  1. Book direct flights to your destination. Avoid connecting flights whenever possible.
  2. If you can fly on JetBlue, your child will have his own TV to watch! (No I do not work for JetBlue. I just love that airline!)
  3. Book your tickets online and choose your seats way in advance Let your children age 2 and up sit near a window so they can look out. Don’t reserve seats in an Emergency Exit row!
  4. Check your airline’s website for baggage and carry on rules.
  5. Check your luggage and make your carry on is as light as possible.
  6. Bring toys that hold your child’s attention depending on age (crayons or colored pencils and a new coloring book, blank paper, book, Magna Doodle, small electronic game) Pack at least one new item  to surprise your child while in the air.
  7. Don’t forget a security blanky, favorite stuffed animal or doll.
  8. Avoid toys that will make a lot of noise and disturb other passengers.
  9. Pack small bags of snacks, but not drinks for older kids. Avoid food that will make them hyper like mega sugar and chocolate. Baby formula, breast milk and baby food are allowed on board in “reasonable quantities” but must be displayed at security for inspection.
  10. Give yourself plenty of extra time at the airport. Arrive at least 1 and 1/2 hours before flight time so you do not have to rush.
  11. If possible have another adult help you in the terminal with checking your luggage and watching the children.
  12. Insist that young children stay in the stroller until you get to the security line.
  13. Have your ID and boarding passes ready in hand while approaching the security line so you do not have to dig through your luggage to find them.
  14. Buy drinks and more snacks in the terminal if need be for your children to bring on board. Once your flight takes off, it may be a while before the beverage cart goes down the aisle.
  15. Tell the airline representative at the gate if you’ll need assistance boarding.
  16. Check your stroller at the end of the gangplank just before entering the plane. Don’t forget it on your way out!
  17. Don’t let your children run down the aisle of the plane. Get the children seated as soon as possible.
  18. Don’t give them every toy you’ve packed at once. Spread them out along with snacks over the duration of the flight.
  19. When the flight has landed, wait for other passengers to get off first. It will be less stressful for you.
  20. Keep young children in the stroller on the way to and at the baggage claim.
  21. Ask someone for help getting your luggage off the belt. Surely other passengers will be happy to assist you, since they will see you have your hands full with your children.
  22. If family members or friends are meeting you at the airport, arrange for someone to run in and help you with the kids or take them to the car while you bring the luggage out.

The way air travel is these days, be prepared for the unexpected – bad weather, delays, cancellations, overbooked flights and more. Leave home with the mindset that you will go with the flow and the “inconvenience” of getting there and back is well worth the journey.

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