Traveling with children on commercial airlines is potentially stressful and can even be dangerous, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, the discomfort experienced by the children isn't the only concern. MSNBC consumer advocate Christopher Elliott notes on his website, Elliott.org, that the behavior of children on planes can be unbearably disturbing. Parents need to be fully prepared to have an air trip with their children that is stress-free for everyone.
Babies
Most airlines will allow babies under the age of two to fly for free if the baby sits on a parent's lap during the flight. However, both the airlines and the FAA say that this is not the safest way for a small child to fly. The FAA strongly recommends that parents purchase a ticket for their child and use an automobile safety seat on the plane. This is a safer arrangement for babies, and makes it easier for parents to move around the cabin and attend to their children.
Unaccompanied Minors
Airlines permit children between ages five and 17 to fly without an adult. However, according to MSNBC, many airlines are now charging extra for unaccompanied minor (UM) fliers. Airlines argue that the additional fees are justified because flight attendants often have to spend extra time "babysitting" UMs on flights. The added fees for UM passengers vary from $25 to $50 per ticket, one-way. Some airlines will waive the fee for frequent-flier UMs.
Discomfort
Many people, including children, experience ear pain on plane flights. This discomfort is caused by the changes in air pressure at altitude. A build-up of pressure in the eardrum causes pain, according to TravelWithYourKids.com. The pressure usually increases during descents. It can be relieved by yawning, chewing gum or even just laughing. However, babies are particularly prone to this pain, and it's not possible to explain to a screaming baby how to make the pressure go away. There are now several brands of earplugs available, engineered to counteract "air ear," which work for children. It is also soothing for babies to suck on a pacifier or a bottle.
Managing Bad Behavior
Children kicking the backs of seats, running up and down the aisles, or making lots of noise can make air flights extremely stressful for parents and other adult passengers. Cases of "air rage" precipitated by arguments between passengers and parents over the unchecked bad behavior of their children are on the rise, according to Elliott. Airlines, Elliott says, are working on new policies and procedures to try to eliminate these conflicts, including potentially segregating parents with small children in a special section of the plane.
Special Equipment
Parents traveling with children should pack special equipment for carry-on, including strollers, baby bags and "kid clean-up" supplies. Strollers should be umbrella-style or travel versions that collapse easily, not full-sized strollers. If car seats won't be used on the plane, they should be checked as baggage, not carried on. Trying to carry on a full-sized stroller or car seat can cause storage and retrieval problems for flight attendants and long delays for other passengers as they wait for parents to load or unload what sometimes seems to be an SUV's worth of equipment.
In-Flight Entertainment
Keeping children quietly occupied during a flight is very important. Parents should pack plenty of toys and entertainment items, with enough variety to occupy an easily bored child, recommends MSNBC. Toys should be silent, or made silent with headphones or a mute button, and should be "drop-proof" to avoid scattering parts all around the seats. Legos, for example, would be a poor choice, while an Etch-A-Sketch would be a good choice because it has no separate parts and it's silent.
Medication on Flights
In a 2006 poll conducted by Babycenter.com, 38 percent of parents said they either have medicated their children before a flight, or have thought about doing so. In some cases, such as a child who suffers a behavioral disorder, a mild sedative might be a good idea for everyone. Decongestants taken before the flight can lessen ear pressure discomfort. Parents should talk to their pediatrician in order to make an informed decision.
