Tips for Traveling with First Time Flyers

Taking your child on an airplane for the first time can cause a little anxiety in any parent, but I am here with some tips for newbie flyers to get you through it in one piece…and without any extra gray hair.

Several years back, I took my kiddos on a visit to see my father in Sitka, Alaska. Since we lived in North Carolina at the time, it was a long day of flying to get from our house to his. And this rather extensive day of flying marked the first time my youngest had been on an airplane.

Yep. I am not entirely sure it was wise to schedule a first time flyer on a trip that included 5 airports, (one of which is on a small island where the runway literally drops off into the ocean) but that is how the cookie crumbled. I was very worried a melt down would ensue, but it was smooth, er, soaring.

Although I can’t say the success was entirely from these tips I am about to drop on you, but I like to think they had a lot to do with it. 😉

Make it an adventure

I spent a ton of time talking up the trip and explaining the cool things about flying on a plane:

• stuff you can see from the window

• how the weightless feeling at take-off is the most comfortable you will ever be like ever

• the neat things to see/do in an airport

• how flying from the east coast to the west coast is basically time travel

• and whatever else I could think of to make the trip seem like a really cool adventure.

The kid was so pumped to get to the airport, I didn't even need to have an alarm set. My chronic sleepyhead was the first one up and ready that morning.

Don’t let them see you sweat

You set the tone for the trip.

If you are anxious, you can bet that your little one is 100% gonna pick up on that. I told my teenager that under NO circumstances were they allowed to say anything negative leading up to the flight. We had to show no fear, no matter if there was turbulence or a long line at security.

So, even if you aren’t the best flyer, you gotta fake it til you make it, momma!

Plan, plan, plan

Make sure you have a solid plan so that things will go smoothly.

Plan ahead so you know where to park, where to catch the shuttle, and where to check luggage. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get through security so you aren’t running to your gate.

Try to take out as much of the stress from the day as you can. Again, this is setting the tone and keeping everything in adventure-mode. Leave yourselves a little time to wander an airport shop or two just for the fun of it.

Pack distractions

Pack a bag full of things to distract and entertain your little one. I mean, once you reach cruising altitude, flying is super boring, and a flight from Atlanta to Portland takes hoooouuuurs.

We had books, handheld video games, Legos, Mad Libs, drawing supplies, and playing cards. Plus, a few snacks are not a bad idea either. Most domestic flights barely offer a bag of pretzels nowadays.

Chewing gum

Make sure you tell them about the ear popping before you fly! You don’t want a mini-meltdown when their ears start hurting.

I always fly with chewing gum to try and ease some of the discomfort, and even if it doesn’t really work, it at least has a placebo effect. If they are two small for chewing gum, consider a drink with a straw. Sometimes the sucking motion will pop ears as well.

Those are my tips!

My little one was super stoked to start the trip and loved every minute of flying. My kids are also weirdos like me and love hanging out in the airports. There wasn’t the slightest bit of nervousness. By the time we were on our third plane for the day, the kid read a book straight through take-off!