In a nutshell

  • The first flight with a toddler can feel like a final boss level in Super Mario — but we’re here to put your mind at ease. With the right mindset, solid preparation, and a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll come out a winner.
  • We’re sharing all our tried-and-tested toddler flight tips: seat strategy, carry-on essentials, snack hacks, toy ideas, and how to handle ear pressure.
  • Our most important advice upfront: No matter how much might go wrong — the flight will pass and it will get you to your destination. Stay relaxed, and your child will be too — most of the time!
  • Also check out our packing list for traveling with kids, where we give you valuable tips for planning a trip with children.

Mental Preparation: Your Mindset Is Everything

Hand on heart: your first flight with a little one feels a bit like a final boss level in Super Mario. You picture the worst-case scenarios — hours of screaming, sticky apple juice attacks on the person in front of you.

But here’s the good news: the fear is almost always worse than the actual flight. With the right preparation and a solid strategy packed and ready to go, the trip can actually be really relaxed. Today we’re sharing our tried-and-tested toddler flight tips so you don’t just arrive at your destination — the vacation starts above the clouds.

It sounds clichéd, but it’s true: your child is your mirror. If you board the plane already sweating like it’s a state visit, your toddler will pick up on that anxiety.

Here are our tips for your mental survival kit:

  • Lower your expectations: Don’t expect your child to sleep for three hours or sit quietly coloring. Assume it’ll be exhausting. If it turns out to be relaxed? Jackpot!
  • The sleep dilemma: Don’t force it. Everything on a plane is exciting. If the kid doesn’t sleep, that’s just how it is. The world won’t end.
  • The 15-minute rule: Fussing feels like forever, but it usually only lasts a few minutes. Take a deep breath. You don’t owe anyone an apology for your child.
  • Say goodbye to perfectionism: Different rules apply on a plane. If “Peppa Pig” or the third bag of corn puffs saves the peace, that’s completely fine.

Our mantra for you: This flight only lasts a few hours; the vacation memories last a lifetime. Stay grounded, stay patient, and keep your sense of humor.

Flight Booking and Seats: Strategy Is Everything

Strategic Seat Selection: Where’s the Best Place to Sit?

Choosing the right seat often determines your stress level on board:

  • In front of or over the wings: The least turbulence — perfect for preventing motion sickness!
  • The “two-plus-one trick”: If there are two adults, book the window and aisle. The middle seat often stays empty, or you can just swap later.
  • Traveling solo? Take the aisle! You’ll need to get up more often. Climbing over strangers only adds unnecessary stress.
  • Row 1: Lots of legroom and often space to play on the floor.

Safety on the Plane: Lap or Own Seat?

Baby in a car seat on a plane
Our son in his car seat on the plane

On our flights with children under 2, we never booked an extra seat. Some airlines offer open middle seats at the front — we were happy to take advantage of that.

Option 1: On your lap (up to 2 years)
Children are secured with a loop belt. Not comfortable, but required during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.

Option 2: Own seat
If you’d like to go that route, there are three ways:

  • Airplane seatbelt: Once your child can sit independently, you can simply buckle them in with the regular seatbelt.
  • Car seat: Must be approved for use on aircraft (look for the “For use in Aircraft” sticker). Check the dimensions with the airline beforehand.
  • CARES harness: A special harness system that attaches to the seatback. Great from about 1 year old, but check with the airline first to make sure it’s allowed.

Our own experience: We once brought the infant car seat on the plane because we’d booked the first row and had a free middle seat. Our Maxi Cosi was officially approved and permitted by the airline. But the seats were so narrow it was nearly impossible to get the car seat into position — we really had to wedge it in. In the end, our son only slept in it briefly and spent the rest of the time in our arms. We tried it, it didn’t work for us, and we never did it again.

The Best Time of Day to Fly

Our rule of thumb:

Flights up to 8 hours: Depart in the morning, nap on the plane, arrive around bedtime.

Flights over 8 hours: Choose a night flight if possible, and book a separate seat if you can manage it.

Carry-On for Flying with Kids: What Do You Need?

What belongs in your carry-on:

Important note: When flying with small kids, the 100 ml liquid limit does not apply. Water bottles, baby food jars, and squeeze pouches are all allowed. They’re usually tested separately at security.

Checked Luggage with Kids: What's Allowed

When you travel with young children, the pile of luggage seems to grow exponentially.

To avoid any costly surprises at the check-in counter, it’s worth knowing the baggage allowances — and honestly questioning what you actually need.

We’re big fans of packing minimalism and highly recommend checking out our travel packing lists.

The Minimalism Factor: Less Is More

An honest word from experienced traveling parents: Pack as light as possible. If you max out your baggage allowance, you lose the flexibility you need at the airport.

  • Keep your hands free: You always need at least one free hand for your child. Too many bags makes everything unnecessarily complicated.
  • Do laundry on the road: Clothes for seven days are usually enough for a three-week trip. Laundromats or laundry services are available almost everywhere.
  • Rent instead of haul: Many hotels or specialized agencies offer rental services for bulky items like travel cribs or high chairs.

Baggage Allowances for Children

The allowed baggage amount depends primarily on the child’s age and the fare type booked:

Children with their own seat (age 2 and up): The same baggage allowances as adults generally apply.

Infants (under 2 years) without their own seat: At some airlines, lap infants are entitled to one piece of checked baggage (often up to 23 kg) — but only at some airlines. With low-cost carriers, no checked baggage is included for children under 2.

Free Transportation of Bulky Items

Regardless of fare type, almost all airlines allow the free transportation of up to two of the following items per child:

  1. Stroller or buggy: Usually usable right up to the aircraft door (“gate check-in”).
  2. Child car seat: Especially useful if you’re renting a car at your destination.
  3. Travel crib: Can often be checked for free as an alternative to the car seat.

Our tip: Always check your airline’s specific rules for children under 2 without their own seat before you fly.

Important practical tips:
Protective covers: Strollers and car seats are often handled roughly during loading. A sturdy bag protects against dirt and damage.

Labeling: Clearly mark every piece of luggage with your name, flight number, and cell phone number.

The Science of Snacks: Food as Entertainment

Flying with children
Snacks are our best activity tool when traveling

Snacks are your most important tool when flying with toddlers. Variety is everything: pack lots of different little things.

The container hack: Transfer everything into resealable containers. Nothing is more annoying than rustling, torn-open bags rattling around in your carry-on — and it makes the trip so much easier, with something new for each stretch of the journey.

Our favorites:

  • Corn puffs: Keep kids busy for a long time and melt in the mouth.
  • Fresh fruit and veggies: Grapes (quartered), apple slices, cucumber sticks.
  • Crunchy snacks: Mini pretzels, spelt sticks, soft pretzels with butter.

Breastfeeding tip: Use nursing during takeoff and landing to help equalize ear pressure and to soothe your baby.

Toys That Fit in Any Carry-On

Child playing with Post-its on a plane
Post-its always work

We go for maximum “entertainment time per square inch”:

  • Post-it party: They stick everywhere and come off without a trace.
  • Stickers: Always a hit!
  • Magnetic games: Nothing goes flying around the cabin.
  • Water coloring books: Mess-free painting.
  • Stacking cups: Light and versatile.
  • Baby board books: Indestructible series or sticker books.
  • The gift trick: Wrap new little items individually.
  • Colored masking tape: Great together with the Post-its.
  • Digital drawing pad: We always have one for our kids.
  • Toy keys: A perennial favorite.

Screen Time & Bribery: Different Rules Apply Above the Clouds

Our tip: Forget the rules for a few hours! On a plane, everything that keeps the peace is fair game — whether that’s gummy bears or a tablet.

Screens as a Wildcard (Even for the Very Little Ones)

young children with an iPad and a phone
Screen time rules are suspended when flying

Before our kids turned 3, the smartphone was mainly good for:

  • Looking at photos: Toddlers love swiping through the camera roll.
  • Offline music: Download your Spotify playlists beforehand.
  • Galaktobox: We always bring ours, along with tokens and headphones.

Two Tech Lifehacks for Parents

  1. “Guided Access” (iOS) / “Pin app” (Android): Locks the phone to a single app. Your child can’t accidentally delete apps or call someone.
  2. The trash bin trick: Make sure deleted photos go to the trash first. After the flight, you can easily restore any accidentally deleted pictures.

Movement: Burn Off Energy Instead of Sitting Still

  • Terminal adventures: Let your child run and crawl around the airport. Tired kids are much more likely to sleep on the plane.
  • Moving around on board: Aisle walks are totally fine.
  • Aisle seat connection: Many fellow passengers enjoy a quick interaction with little ones. A smile goes a long way!

Ear Pressure: No Need to Fear Ear Pain

Young children often can’t consciously control ear pressure equalization.

The Wildcard: Decongestant Nasal Drops

Always pack decongestant nasal drops. Clear nasal passages mean better ventilation of the ears.

When to use them? About 30 minutes before descent. If your child has a cold, also 30 minutes before takeoff.

Note: We’re not doctors — this is just our personal experience. Please talk to your pediatrician.

Chewing, Drinking, Sucking

Jaw movement helps during takeoff and landing:

  • Drinking or eating
  • Nursing or a bottle
  • Pacifier

Pro tip: Wait to start drinking or eating until the plane is actually changing altitude. On the taxiway it’s still too early!

The 22places Verdict: Stay Relaxed!

Your calm energy transfers to your child. With good preparation and a bag full of snacks, the flight is the first step toward an amazing vacation. Have a great flight!

Bonus tip: If you ever have a flight delay, check out our article on flight delay compensation for tips on how to get your money back.