It is no secret that air travel with children can be quite a challenge. Crying, screaming, stares from those around you – these are the things that certainly put any parent under additional stress and worry. However, that does not mean you should leave your child with the grandparents when going on holiday. Proper preparation before the trip can ensure a very calm and pleasant flight with your child. SmartLynx Airlines, the leading charter airline in Latvia and Estonia, has compiled several recommendations on how to make flying a peaceful experience for both children and parents. 

Prepare your luggage. It is crucial to plan enough time for careful packing. Definitely pack some toys, games and paper and pencils in your carry-on. This will provide your child with something to do, so that they will not even notice being on the plane. However, we recommend avoiding games with many small pieces, as they could get lost during the flight. Likewise, avoid loud toys that may bother other travellers around you.

Chewing something during the flight will help your child deal with the pressure in their ears at take-off and landing, so be sure to select from the menu or pack along your child's favourite snacks.

Furthermore, we recommend packing some spare clothes and a small blanket in your carry-on, in case it gets chilly or too warm in the cabin – so that your child has a change of clothes. In turn, the blanket will help your child fall asleep. However, if you forget to bring your own blanket or games, do not hesitate to ask the flight attendants – these items are available on all SmartLynx Airlines flights and often on other charter flights for the passenger convenience.

Documents and rules. Be sure to read the rules regarding the flight beforehand to see how much your luggage is allowed to weigh and what advantages are afforded to you when flying with a child. Strollers for children up to the age of 2 are usually transported free of charge. However, the stroller must be collapsible so that it can be stored in the cabin; if the stroller exceeds the maximum size allowance, the flight crew will probably recommend placing it in the luggage hold of the plane.

We also recommend making sure in advance that you have all the necessary documents with you. Ilva Priedniece, Head of Marketing and Public Relations at SmartLynx Airlines, explains: “Infants need to have a passport, just like adults, however, their plane ticket is usually marked “no seat” meaning that a parent must hold the infant in their lap and secured with a special seatbelt for the duration of the flight. Children over the age of two must have their own seat.”

During the flight. If possible, when flying with children we recommend you choose a window seat, so that your child can look out the window. Keep your bag with food, clothes, a bottle, wet wipes and games within easy reach. You can ask the flight attendants to warm a child's bottle, as well as to bring a blanket or pillow. A camera can be good entertainment for an older child.

Give your child various photo assignments, such as finding a cloud that looks like a dog or another favourite animal and take a picture of it. If you do not have a camera, this game can also be played with drawing. The most important thing is for the parents themselves to remain calm during the flight and be creative in offering their child various amusing pass-times. Happy children are always worth it!