Flying Long Haul with a Baby: 5 Tips to Make Your Flight Easier
Flying long haul with a baby can feel daunting, especially if it’s your first time. But after flying with babies and toddlers on plenty of long-haul flights, I’ve found that a little preparation can make a huge difference.
These are my 5 top tips for flying with a baby on a flight that's 5+ hours long.
1. Ask for a bassinet seat
If you're flying with a baby, check whether your airline offers bassinets and, if they do, request one as early as possible.
Most major airlines have a limited number of bassinets available on long-haul flights. They’re usually attached to the bulkhead seats (the seats behind the partition), so you’ll generally need to specifically request a bassinet seat rather than just assuming one will be available.
Having somewhere safe for your baby to sleep can make a huge difference on a long flight - both for your baby and for you!
You can find the exact step by step instructions on how to get a free bed for your baby on the plane by clicking here.
2. Fly during nap time time
There’s no magic flight time that works for every baby, but if you can time your flight around your baby's usual sleep, it can make the journey considerably easier.
Trying to entertain a baby for 8, 10 or 12 hours is a lot harder than letting them sleep for a good chunk of it!
For long-haul flights, I personally love an overnight flight where possible. Your baby may sleep for a large part of the journey, and you don't have to spend the entire flight trying to keep them entertained.
If your baby/toddler doesn't sleep on your lap then try either an inflatable bed (if your Arline allows it) - this is the one we use or a light hammock so they can stretch their legs and be more comfortable.
That said, don't worry if your baby doesn't sleep according to plan. Planes are exciting, noisy and unfamiliar, and even babies who normally sleep brilliantly can decide that a flight is the perfect time to stay awake a little longer!
And if you need to entrain them a little longer check out these travel toy ideas:
Toy recommendations 0-1 year old
Toy recommendations 1-2 years old
Toy recommendations 2-5 years old
3. Pack essentials in hand luggage
When you're flying with a baby, it's worth having everything you'll need during the flight easily accessible in your hand luggage. The good news is, you don't need to pack everything you own!
Think about the basics your baby normally needs over the course of a few hours like diapers, milk or snacks, a few toys and a change of clothes, and you're pretty much there.
I also like to keep everything organised in one easily accessible bag so I can quickly grab what I need without having to dig through the rest of our luggage.
This is the one we're currently using that comes with a changing mat too for more hygienic diaper changes - Ultra-Lightweight Baby Diaper Bag
Tip: Airlines usually allow a free diaper bag for your lap infant but check with yours!
For a full list of what to pack for the plane click here: Plane packing list for baby and toddler.
4. Bring a couple of different outfits
Planes can be surprisingly unpredictable when it comes to temperature.
Sometimes the cabin feels warm and stuffy; other times you can find yourself wishing you'd brought an extra layer.
I always recommend dressing your baby in comfortable layers so you can easily add or remove clothing throughout the flight. Personally I love dressing them in sleepers because they're so comfortable and soft. These are my go to.
And don't just pack a spare outfit for your baby - pack one for yourself too!
5. Adjust your baby's sleep times
If you're flying long haul, there's a good chance you'll be crossing several time zones.
Rather than waiting until you arrive to suddenly change your baby's entire sleep schedule, you can start gradually shifting their routine while you're on the plane.
For example, if you're travelling somewhere where bedtime will be earlier than at home you can potentially skip a nap on the plane so your child goes to sleep more easily after you land. And if bedtime at your destination will be later then you can let them nap for longer on the plane or even add a nap.
Travel days are unusual, and sometimes the best thing you can do is simply follow your baby's cues and accept that their routine might be a little messy for a couple of days. You can read my full guide about how to avoid or limit jet lag here!
Flying long haul with a baby might sound daunting, but it really doesn't have to be. A little preparation can make the journey much easier, and remember that you know your baby best! So focus on what works for your family rather than trying to make the flight perfect.
We've flown long haul with our babies many times, and my biggest piece of advice is simply to keep it as relaxed as possible, go with the flow and enjoy the adventure! ✈️❤️
