UKC

I'm planning on doing a long weekend trip with my 6 year-old on the first half of this year, which involves a 90 min flight each way. I fly a couple of times a year for work, and used to fly a lot more before the pandemic, so I'm familiar with flying (also familiar with the route and airports for the weekend trip). Obviously, with just me on my own flying is easy, but what do I need to watch out for when flying with him? My wife and I flew with him once when he was about 6 months old, but then he flew as a baby on my lap. Is it just like booking for an adult now? I.e. pays adult prices, gets a seat and the adult baggage allowance, I just need to help him through security? Any other tips and tricks apart from the obvious (plan more time, take snacks and entertainment etc.)?

Pretty much treat as an adult now - although the flight price might be slightly less, depending on airline.

Most (larger) airports now have a family area for getting through security.

Take sweets to chew on take off/landing to help with ears popping.

Pre-book seats on the aircraft to guarantee you're sitting together. And book a window seat? Way more fun if he can see out the window! (or you can swap with him if he's nervous).

It's been a while but I recall that you can take a child car seat for free, and if you put it in a bag you can sneakily add other stuff and effectively get a free hold bag. 🙂

I never book seats. It's not necessary with a reputable airline ( ie. not Ryanair) as if you book together they sit you together.

They are obliged to seat 12 and under together with their adult. I guess if there are multiple adults and you want to know exactly where you'll be planning seating in advance might be worthwhile. This is based on a recent booking to Europe. 

I believe that “together” in accordance with the rules can include directly in front or behind, or across the aisle.   So not ideal for most 6 year olds.

Nowt wrong with Ryanair if you know the rules.

Nice, thanks all for the advice, it sounds potentially quite simple. The route means it will probably be Ryanair, but that's fine, it's one of the routes I often need to use. I got pretty good at booking the cheapest fare and gaming myself a decent seat, but I believe the baggage rules mean that now it makes sense to book one tier up from the absolute cheapest to get yourself a small carry on case... at which point you also get to select your seats. A window seat will be a priority, as I think that getting to fly will be one of the big highlights for him as well as the destination. 

I fly with kids on Aer Lingus a few times per year and don't book seats either - they always seat us next to each other. Ditto Easyjet but can't vouch for other airlines though...

Mine do find the security a bit scary... especially when they have to walk through the scanner by themselves. And if the alarm 'goes off' and they have to get re-scanned...so worth spending time in advance explaining/reassuring...

Even on Sleazyjet or Ryanair flights for a 6 year old will be at child rates which are a *bit* cheaper than adult, don't expect miracles but you shouldn't be paying adult for him. The flight is only 90 minutes, the first 30 will be a novelty, then there's buying eye wateringly expensive can of 7up and chocolate bar and that should take up an hour by the time you get to that point and then you're about time to start the descent. Get him a window seat, don't make it into a big deal and just roll with it. Summer 2023 I had 22 hour flights (each way) with a 9 year old and we survived, 90 mins you can just wing it (unintentional pun). 

Edit: Oh yeah... Reserve the seats beforehand, sure they can't separate him from the adults at check-in allocation but having seats reserved is one less source of stress and your tone sounds concerned so just avoid that battle by reserving 

I understand that they deliberately sit you apart if you don't pay extra. Maybe you don't mind playing their games, but I refuse to give my money to a company that treats customers this way.

With ours when they were this age (noting both are neurodivergent so planning is absolutely the name of the game, hence below might be over doing it for you) we took the following approach:

- Get to airport early to avoid any stress and allow plenty of time for each “stage” without rushing  

- First time we got them “I spy at the airport” books which provided something to do at each ”stage”

- Found a quiet area (I.e. an empty gate) to wait in until our gate called  

- Took food to eat on board, on the basis it absorbs time during the flight and also in case of turbulence or no catering we had the option ready to go next to our feet 

- Small bag of mini board games/colouring/mini book to read so there was something new if needed

Whilst companies get a lot of stick sometimes, both British Airways and Heathrow have been consistently excellent in the c.6 times we have flown with them - enabling us to board early, seating us together, checking we were okay/needed any support when onboard, through to giving us some help with queues in security when it all got too much and also the passport control priority ref their sunflower lanyards 

https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12892557860369-What-is-Ryanair-s...)%20to%20reserve%20a%20seat.

On Ryan Air it’s mandatory for adult to reserve a seat if flying with child under 12, child reservation is “free”

You know the airports and the route, use this knowledge to inform your thinking. Whilst the add ons can be irritating, things like fast track security clearance can be reassuring and worth their weight in gold.

If you are travelling through MCR, it can be hellish, book an airport lounge, fast track, anything to soften the blow.

To be fair to Ryanair they always seated us all together when we travelled with our daughter.

Just a thought, as it's not clear if you are travelling alone or not, check if you need partner /ex partners permission to take the child with you. You may need written permission.

You (and they) don't have to go through the scanner simply ask not to (you may be asked why but you don't have to say and it's fine to just dislike it, the question often relates to medical devices).  You'll get a pat down instead. 

If you don't have the same family name as your child (or travelling with a child that isn't yours) it might be worth carrying a copy of their birth certificate (and/or a letter of permission as appropriate).

We used to get stopped all the time and the birth cert was extremely useful in speeding up UK border control.

On that note UK border control is the least charming place to be on the entire trip and unavoidable with an under 12.  I've been caught in all sort of border control snags across the world. The only place I've felt less welcome than returning back to the UK has been border control in Russia.

You’ve obviously never tried to enter the USA then?

You can't take drinks through security, but you can take all the (cold) food/snacks you can carry.

Miami airport was horrific, in terms of wait to pass through security!

And you can take empty water bottles through and refill them the other side 

Likewise - have never booked a seat on a plane in my puff and have always been seated with my kids.

Usually there's a Boots just after security that also sells food/drinks

And here's where: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-tips/#water

Yes. If he starts kicking the back of the seat in front of him, sort him out before the person in front is forced to complain.

We have flown often with our children over the years. They are now old enough to look after themselves (in fact my daughter flew alone to Vienna when she was 14) when flying but when they were younger, we just made sure they had plenty to do on the flight. Also, being really organised with your stuff so you don't have to divide your attention between sorting out your child and getting your belongings organised. 

One thing that has frequently bugged me (a lot) is parents giving children iPads to watch cartoons and not giving them headphones! Don't be one of those parents!

The carnage left behind by some parents is horrific - I was on one long haul flight where an entire row looked like someone had emptied a dustbin all over the floor after the family had left!

My sister used to fly a lot on business and once saw a Mum settle the kids in and then get out an entire painting set!

I first flew aged 7 and it was FUN.

Explain to them what to expect at security and how to behave if they need a pat down or to have their bag checked. Warn then to expect lots of boring queues and waiting around. 

At the airport go for a walk and do a bit of plane spotting. See how many different countries carriers you can spot (Singapore, Egypt, Iceland, France etc) from the aeroplane livery.

Whilst it pains me to pay extra, do ensure you are guaranteed seats side by side with window. Don't expect other passengers to swap and at that age I would have absolutely hated to be sat with a stranger. Don't tolerate them bouncing on their seat or kicking the one Infront, both of which are infuriating for other travellers.

Embrace technology with a kid friendly film or whatever on phone/tablet (don't forget headphones!), also colouring books or other non battery entertainment. An adult fleece makes a lovely fluffy kids blanket incase they want to sleep on the plane.

Bring an empty water bottle through security (lots of water fountains airside) and pocket tissues to mop up any spills. Try to avoid overloading then with fuzzy drinks and crap, instead try to choose healthier snacks that are less likely to fuel any travel sickness.

On that subject, if in doubt do dose them up on travel sickness remedies BEFORE travelling. Also check the seat pocket for a paper bag and make sure they know what the bag is for, just incase.

Talk them through takeoff and landing make it fun rather than scary, bring boiled sweets or chewing gum to help with equalising their ears 

If they have a bag check it - my 4 year old son got pulled up at security in Dubai as he had a pistol in his carry on bag.