Navigating Airports with Children and Families

Before You Leave Home: Preparation Is Everything

Flying with children is manageable with the right preparation and genuinely enjoyable with excellent preparation. The most important variable is timing: departure times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tend to work best for families with young children — nap schedules are least disrupted, children are alert and engaged, and the mid-day timing avoids the frustration of early alarms or the exhaustion of late-night flights. Avoid red-eye flights with children under six unless your child is a known reliable sleeper.

Pack a dedicated carry-on for each child old enough to carry one. A child-sized backpack with their own snacks, a small toy or activity, headphones, and a tablet loaded with downloaded content gives them ownership and keeps them engaged. Pack one change of clothes per child in the carry-on — spills, motion sickness, and unexpected delays mean checked baggage access may be unavailable when you need it most.

Car seats and strollers receive different treatment by different airlines. Most carriers allow one stroller per child to be checked at the gate at no charge — you use it through the terminal and hand it off at the jet bridge. Gate-checking is superior to standard checking because it protects the stroller from rough baggage handling and makes it available immediately upon arrival. Fold-flat strollers and umbrella strollers survive gate-checking well; expensive multi-wheel travel systems benefit from a dedicated travel bag or box.

Confirm the seat assignments for your family before the day of travel. Airlines are required under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to seat children under 13 next to an accompanying adult at no additional charge on U.S. flights. In the EU, the regulation is less prescriptive, but airlines generally accommodate this when asked. Do not leave seat assignment to chance — unaccompanied minors next to strangers create conflict for everyone involved.

Moving Through the Airport with Children

Most major international airports now offer dedicated family security lanes. At Amsterdam Schiphol, London Heathrow, and Singapore Changi, these lanes move noticeably faster than standard lanes because families are processed together and officers expect — and allow for — the extra time needed to fold strollers, remove children's shoes, and manage the tray logistics. Ask at the checkpoint entrance whether a family lane exists.

Children under 12 are generally not required to remove shoes at TSA checkpoints in the U.S. and at many international airports. TSA also allows formula, breast milk, and juice for toddlers in quantities exceeding 100 ml, though these will be screened separately. Inform the officer of any medically necessary items before screening begins.

Airports with children's play areas are increasingly common. Singapore Changi's Terminal 1 has a dedicated children's entertainment zone with a slide and play equipment. Munich Airport (MUC) has indoor and outdoor play areas airside. Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 2 has a dedicated kids' area in the central atrium. At Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH), a 28-meter indoor sculpture called "Lamp Bear" has become a de facto landmark where families gather — the open floor space around it is ideal for letting toddlers run.

At airports without designated play areas, look for carpeted lounge areas, quieter corridors away from the main concourse, or the nursing/family rooms that most major airports provide. These rooms — typically equipped with a changing table, seating, and a private nursing area — serve as a convenient base for managing multiple children. Heathrow has family rooms in every terminal; JFK has them in Terminals 1, 4, 5, and 8.

Priority Boarding and In-Flight Logistics

Nearly all airlines offer pre-boarding or priority boarding to families with children under a specified age — typically two to five years old, though policies vary. United Airlines boards families with children under two before general boarding. Delta boards families with children under five. British Airways boards all passengers needing extra assistance, which includes families with young children, before its main boarding call.

The case for early boarding is strong: extra time to settle children in seats, stow the family's carry-ons, set up tablets and headphones, and arrange blankets and pillows before the crowd boards. Some parents prefer to board later to minimize the time children spend confined — this is a reasonable strategy on short flights where bin space is not a concern, but on long-haul flights where overhead storage fills quickly, early boarding to secure overhead bin access near your seats is advisable.

Bassinet seats — bulkhead rows with a fold-down bassinet for infants — must be reserved in advance and are free on most airlines. They are available only for infants under approximately 10–12 kg (22–26 lbs) depending on the carrier. The bassinet attaches to the bulkhead wall, giving parents a surface to lay a sleeping infant during cruise without holding them continuously. Bulkhead seats also have more foot room, making it easier to pick up dropped items without disturbing neighbors.

Ear pain during ascent and descent is caused by pressure changes affecting the middle ear. Feeding infants during takeoff and landing helps equalize pressure — sucking and swallowing open the Eustachian tube. For toddlers and older children, chewing gum, swallowing water, or yawning works. Nasal decongestant sprays used 30 minutes before descent help children prone to significant ear pain; consult your pediatrician before using any medication.

Layovers with Children

A layover of one to four hours is manageable with good logistics. The priority is finding food and a place to decompress. Feed children immediately after deplaning if a meal or snack is due — hungry children and airport waiting rooms are a poor combination. Most airports have quick-service options near the gates; scout them on the arrivals monitor app before landing so you can move directly to them rather than hunting.

For layovers over four hours, consider accessing an airport lounge if your ticket class or credit card provides access. The Priority Pass network includes over 1,300 airport lounges globally, and a $99 to $469 annual fee (depending on card) often covers access for up to two guests. Lounges offer quieter seating, complimentary food and beverages, and often a calmer environment than the concourse — a genuine relief with tired children.

Some airlines operate supervised children's areas or activity zones in their dedicated lounges. Emirates' First Class lounges at Dubai (DXB) include dedicated children's play rooms. Qantas' International First lounges in Sydney and Melbourne have similar facilities. For non-premium passengers, the lounge network is still accessible through Priority Pass or through purchasing a day pass directly at the lounge reception — costs range from $30 to $80 per person.

For very long layovers (8+ hours), some airports have transit hotels — Changi Airport has YOTEL Singapore directly in Terminal 1, and Frankfurt Airport has the Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel connected to Terminal 1 via enclosed walkway. A few hours of rest in a proper room can reset a difficult travel day for a family, and some of these transit hotels offer family rooms or cot additions at modest extra cost.

Managing Difficult Moments

Even well-prepared families encounter difficult moments: a delayed flight that pushes past bedtime, a toddler meltdown during boarding, a child who refuses to wear their seatbelt during turbulence. The most effective responses are calm, matter-of-fact, and practical rather than apologetic or anxious.

Flight attendants see families every day and are generally helpful and non-judgmental. If your child is struggling during a long flight, asking a flight attendant for a walk to the galley, a cup of warm water, or a few crackers is a normal request. Most will accommodate it. Do not feel the social pressure of other passengers so keenly that you hesitate to use the crew's assistance — that is part of what they are there for.

Delayed flights are the hardest scenario with children. Build a mental contingency: what will you do with a two-hour delay? Identify the nearest play area, café, or open space before you need it. Keep a small emergency snack supply — dried fruit, crackers, or a granola bar — in your bag for exactly this scenario. Children who are fed and moving are dramatically easier to manage than children who are hungry and stationary.

The best airports for families — Changi, Munich, Doha, Tokyo Haneda — all have one thing in common: dedicated play areas that give children a genuine physical outlet. A 20-minute stop at a play area before boarding can transform a difficult long-haul flight into a manageable one.