Airport Survival Guide: Family Edition

As a parent, you know that visiting new places and experiencing new things can be a source of delight and wonder for the whole family. No need to stress about airport travel with kids! We've gathered top tips to help you prepare, handle challenges, and use smart airport hacks for a smoother journey. So read on for ways to reduce stress, save time and avoid the drama that might otherwise leave you needing a vacation from your vacation.

Airline Family Seating: Research then book

Experienced vacationers know that good preparation is the foundation for any trouble-free trip, especially when navigating airports with children. Ready to book your flight? Check the Department of Transportation Airline Family Seating Dashboard to see which airlines guarantee family seating. Once you’ve purchased tickets, download boarding passes and keep them with travel documentation including passports, IDs and travel consents.

Carry-on bags

When it comes to packing your carry-on bags, focus on the basics. Think of that carry-on as your all-in-one oasis in the desert, ready to satisfy the family’s pangs of hunger (with snacks that won’t make a mess), boredom (with books, drawing paper, portable music and electronics) and unease (with things like a favorite plushie or a surprise toy). Let kids carry a small backpack with their own chosen goodies—it gives them responsibility and reassurance, and you’ll be free to manage the essentials like medications, travel documents, diapers and a change of clothes. 

Family airport survival: The security line

Airports are full of stressors that might trigger a pint-sized meltdown—crowds of people, a tight schedule, long waits and unfamiliar surroundings—so be sure to have a pre-trip conversation with the kids about what they should expect. Let them know there are a number of places your family might find itself waiting—at baggage check, in the security line, at the departure gate and even on the tarmac once you’ve boarded your flight. Although lots of walking and waiting might not sound like much fun, remind them that they can choose fun things to take with them from home to pass the time.

If age-appropriate, have the kids practice some of the things they’ll have to do when they’re at the airport. Rehearsing the security line at home preps your kids for the real deal and turns a stressful moment into something familiar and fun. Get them used to the idea of unpacking quickly with a game of loading empty laundry baskets, shoeboxes or other makeshift “security bins.” Make it even more fun by turning it into a race.

Best time for families to arrive at the airport

How early you need to get to the airport depends on whether you’re flying domestic or international. If your family has a domestic flight, arriving two hours before departure will allow extra time for any delays at check-in, at security screenings and on your route to your departure gate. For international flights, try to arrive three hours before your flight. Other things to factor into when you should leave for the airport include traffic, parking and if you’re going to a major or busy airport. And of course, be sure everyone is well-rested before leaving home. (This works best if you’re able to schedule a flight that won’t interrupt your kids’ nap times or routines.) 

Final insights: Navigating the airport with kids like a pro

Once you’re at the airport, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• Security:  Children 12 and under do not have to remove shoes, lightweight jackets or headwear during screening. Minors under the age of 18 traveling with a responsible adult do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel, but they will need the same travel documents as the adult when traveling internationally. Strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray.
• Dining:  When carry-on snacks won’t do, family-friendly dining areas can keep everyone fed and happy. Look for comfort and convenience. Ask for a children’s menu, and see if they offer healthy choices like grilled chicken wraps or whole grain pasta. Families with picky eaters may want to stick with a chain restaurant that’s familiar to them for tried-and-tested options.
• Downtime: Check your airport’s website to see if it features a play area where kids can burn off energy, as airports worldwide provide diverse activities to keep passengers of all ages entertained. At Denver International Airport, a charming team of therapy dogs and one delightful cat uplifts travelers with hugs, pets and photo ops, while in New York City, you might even lace up for some roller skating. Meanwhile, AAA’s travel partner Delta offers multi-sensory rooms in select airports, providing a calming escape for those needing a break from the hustle and bustle.
• Departure Gate: If you have an umbrella or lightweight stroller under 20 pounds, it can be gate-checked (inform staff that you plan to check the stroller when you arrive at the gate). Larger strollers can’t be gate-checked and will need to be checked at the ticket counter along with your checked bags. Most child safety seats with labels indicating they are approved for motor vehicle use can be carried through the departure gate for use in the plane.

Find more tips for traveling with children at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s TSA website. 

Airport Hacks for Families

These clever tips will give you the inside edge when traveling with kids:

• Find out two weeks or more before your trip if TSA PreCheck is available. Travelers enrolled in PreCheck have a smoother security screening process with no need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets.
• Save yourself the trouble of lugging checked bags through the airport; use curbside check-in instead. There may be a small convenience fee in addition to any checked bag charges, plus any tip you choose to include.
• To prepare for the possibility of getting separated from your kids, have a photo of the whole family that you can show to airport staff and give each of your young travelers a piece of paper with your name and phone number on it.
• You can avoid rummaging through all the family’s carry-ons at the security checkpoint by putting sunscreen, 3-ounce carry-on liquids and any other items that TSA will need to check in a single bag.
• For speedy passage, take advantage of family lanes and priority boarding options at bottlenecks like the security checkpoint and the boarding area.
• If you weren’t able to book adjacent seats, you may still want to talk with airline staff to see if they can coordinate family seating.
• Are the kids rambunctious? Rather than boarding early, consider waiting for final boarding call to let them burn off a little energy before the flight.

Entertaining a captive audience

Nothing beats keeping the peace at 30,000 feet like a mix of food and fun. Before you board, find out your airline’s meal options and have your own backup of carry-on snacks that you brought from home or purchased in the airport terminal. For entertainment, think compact and engaging: books, music or travel games that fit in tight spaces are perfect picks. Pro tip—bring headphones for any electronic devices to enjoy your tunes or shows without disturbing fellow passengers. The aim? Keep everyone calm, content and carefree while the plane handles the heavy lifting.

The payoff

You may not always be able to have your travel plans work out how you want them to, but the way you react to complications can make a difference for everyone involved. When you’re able to maintain your cool despite unexpected problems, delays or other annoyances, your calm approach will help the kids keep their own composure. And if the family mood ever needs recalibrating, remind your kids that the airport is just one part of the travel adventure—the real fun begins once you’ve safely reached your destination.