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Traveling with Children
Tips from American Airlines
American Airlines offers the following tips to help make that next plane ride easier on both parent and child.
- Buy an inexpensive camera (or a single-use camera) for children old enough to use. The trip can then be photographed from the child's perspective and will make for a great trip "memory book."
- Involve the child or children in the planning process of the trip or vacation. Use a map to pinpoint the destination and the plane's flight route and discuss travel plans by using travel books, Web sites and videos. Sites like AA.com provide tons of planning information from destination details to pictures and maps of the plane and on-board entertainment options.
- Consider the added convenience of purchasing a full travel package. Sources such as AAVacations offer trips to family-friendly sites such as Disney World in Florida.
Avoid packing more than is needed. While it is a good idea to be prepared with baby essentials and items to keep youngsters occupied, consider packing a few toys in your carry-on luggage. Put a few others in your checked bags. - Pack toys, books and games children enjoy to make the flight pass more quickly. Sitting in one place for long stretches of time is not easy for any child, especially a child traveling alone. Brand-new items or old favorites are best.
- Children hate waiting in line (don't we all!). To make it easier to get you and the kids through the airport quickly, consider Curbside Check-in if you're checking bags or the Self-Service Check-in kiosks. Also, American Airlines AAdvantage members can log onto AA.com and print their boarding pass and bypass the check-in lines altogether.