Reducing the stress of air travel with children can be done, if a parent knows certain techniques and methods to keep the kids happy while onboard a plane.
Children need to be kept busy to avoid the tantrums and fits that occur when a child has been cooped up too long; the following article will address the things one can do to keep the kids in check and your stress levels down during domestic and international air travel.
Air travel with the kids can be fun or stressful, depending on how you handle it. Several tips exist for the travel-weary parent.
One thing to keep in mind is that kids need something to do; one great idea is to bring along coloring books or sticker books. Kids love coloring, but this may only last so long. Bringing some books to read for older children is also a good idea. Portable DVD players are a great way to keep kids busy as well. Your vacation will start off easily if you bring something for the kids to do while flying.
Air travel overseas can involve very long flights; since kids easily get aggravated while traveling, it will help to have a variety of activities. In addition to books, coloring books, and movies, bringing portable video games is another idea that will keep kids occupied.
Another great idea is comic books or activity books that have puzzles and word games. Even simple games such as a pack of cards can keep kids amused for a few hours. Remember, the key to long travel is having a variety of portable activity.
Children that are not used to flying may experience discomfort during the take-off and especially on the descent to land. The pressure changes affect the inner ear, which can be an odd experience. It can also be aggravating, if you don’t know how to pop your ears.
The best advice for babies is to give them a bottle during take-off and landing; if you breast-feed, then give them a breast. Older children can be appeased with earplugs or cotton balls placed in their ears prior to take-off and landing. These tips will keep the kids from being upset by the odd (or even painful) feeling that occurs in the ear as a result of those pressure changes.
During long-distance air travel, bringing snacks is a good idea. Getting these things while on the flight may be difficult, so plan ahead. Kids don’t always want to eat when food is served, so bringing snacks is another good way to keep the children from becoming agitated while flying.
Taking a vacation involving air travel can be a bad experience if you don’t make plans for your children’s in-flight comfort. Children need to be fed, to feel secure, be occupied and amused, and have their ears prepared for pressure changes during flights. Since flights can be long, no one wants to be onboard with a cranky child; think of yourself and the other passengers! Enjoy your flight by keeping your kids happy!
Rich Greenwood
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/flying-with-children-755063.html
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Air Travel With Children And Infants?
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Age minimum for children flying from Canada to America?
My siblings are flying from Vancouver to New York this coming summer for a trip, but they are 17, 15 and 12 years old. They will be flying on Cathy Pacific Airway, and it’ll be a direct flight. My parents are worried that because my siblings aren’t over 18 there will be some difficulties getting to New York. What’s the age minimum for children flying without an adult? Will my siblings be able to board the plane even though they’re all under 18?
i’ve been flying alone since i was 14. as long as they have a photo id (school ids work) there shouldn’t be a problem.
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You actually have two options. They are all old enough to just fly by themselves but your parents can request that they all fly as unaccompanied minors.
There is a fee and a few advantages. They are taken to and from the gate. They will go through the "fast lane" with the ground agent so they wont be stuck in immigration. They will also get help with their luggage and the agent wont leave them until you arrive. You said it was a "direct" flight, which is not always non-stop, so if there is a change of aircraft, they will get assistance with that too.
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/helpingyoutravel/children
There is a fee but I would leave it up to your parents to decide if they want to pay it and they think they’ll need it. How your siblings feel should be counted too but let me confirm that we didn’t treat unaccompanied minors as "babies" and I personally saw a lot of teen UM"s in my career. If your siblings are very used to flying this route, they may opt out.
Good luck either way!
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Former Flight Attendant, 13 years, 2 companies
1 1/2 years in Hong Kong and a year in N.Y.
All your siblings can fly by themselves. If your parents, and the kids, want, they can fly as unaccompanied minors, for which there is a fee, but the airline will look after them. In my opinion, it is not necessary as the 17 and 15 year olds can look after the 12 year old, but that is up to you.
Please note that they will all need passports and, if not Canadian citizens, visas. School ID is not sufficient.
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