Questionnaire: Are You Prepared to Fly With Children?

Even the most experienced travellers can find themselves at a loss for how to best travel with children.

To help you prepare for flying with children we have put together the following questionnaire. Answer each question, then total your "yes" answers and match this total to the explanations at the end to determine if you are prepared to fly with children.

1. Do you have passports for all of your children?
2. Have you looked into your airline's policies regarding children's tickets?
3. Do you know how much luggage is allowed for each of your children?
4. Have you reserved bassinet seats if you are travelling with a baby?
5. Are you prepared to bring pyjamas and blankets for all of your children?
6. Do you have a backpack for each child to bring as a carry-on?
7. Do you have a bag into which you can pack nappies, toys and other items?
8. Do you understand all restrictions regarding bringing snacks and liquids on board?
9. Do you have a plan for walking through airports with children?
10. Do you know how you will hold children's hands, carry babies, push prams and look after luggage?
11. Have you looked into pre-ordering children's meals for your flights?
12. Do you know how many children can accompany each adult flying?

Are You Prepared To Fly With Children?

If you answered "yes" to between zero and four questions then you are most likely not prepared to fly with children. Look into every policy your chosen airline has about flying with children, and if there are any exceptions or additions that pertain to your tickets. If your children have never flown before, take the time to explain to them what to expect and how you will expect them to act. Children will undoubtedly get restless and frustrated during a flight, but by including them in decisions about what books and toys to bring along, as well as bringing out only one item at a time, you may be able to transform what could be a tricky journey into more of a fun adventure.

If you answered "yes" to between five and eight questions then you may be prepared to fly with children. It is likely that you have thought through various preparations, but may not have considered all aspects of flying with children. Take the time to look into the terms and conditions of your plane tickets, maps of various airports and consider what activities would be best for keeping your children occupied both in the airport and on a plane. Flying with children will test your patience, but the more prepared you are the better able you should be to cope with both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.

If you answered "yes" to nine or more questions then you are most likely prepared to fly with children. You seem to have considered most aspects of flying with children, from your luggage allowance and carry-ons to in-flight meals and entertainment. If you did answer "no" to any of the above questions then work on changing your answers to "yes" before your next flight and you should experience less frustration. Whatever you do, don't forget to travel with your sense of humour - you'll need it when you fly with children.