Flight Attendants Share Their Top Tips for Flying With a Baby for the Holidays - Consumer Reports (2024)

Flying with a baby can feel high-stakes, especially when you’re headed out over the holidays. There’s extra gear to lug, crowds and long waits to navigate, tear-inducing cabin pressure changes, and even possible stress over whether you’ll be seated together (yes, really).

Having some extra intel can help you feel a little more prepared. So we turned to the pros who spend their days flying the friendly skies for their best advice for parents traveling with infants. Here’s what they say you should know.

Consider Flying at an Off-Peak Time, If You Can

Plan for Your Baby to Use Their Car Seat

Yes, children under age 2 don’t need their own ticket and are allowed to sit on your lap, which saves money. But having your baby sit in their car seat (or any other type of certified child safety restraint) is the safest way to travel, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and a slew of other expert organizations.

“You’ll need to book the extra seat and bring a seat that works for flying. When onboard you strap and secure it with the seat belt,” says Josephine Remo Finderup, a travel writer in Panama who worked as a flight attendant for seven years. Without booking a ticket for your baby, there’s no guarantee that there’ll be a seat available for their car seat.

You can find out whether your baby’s car seat is flight-approved by checking the label on the seat. (If it’s approved, it will say, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft,” according to the FAA.)

If your current seat doesn’t fit the bill—or you’re considering buying a more convenient travel model—look for something that’s lightweight and quick to install, like the Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat, recommends Carrie Bradley, a kids travel expert based in the U.K. and Orlando, Fla., who worked as a flight attendant for 12 years.

The FAA recommends measuring your car seat’s width to confirm that it’ll fit in the airplane seat: If it’s 16 inches or less, you’re good to go.

Prep to Zip Through Security

Bradley’s a big fan of the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA PreCheck. It typically spares you the hassle of having to remove 3-1-1 liquid bags or laptops from your carry-on, as well as taking off your shoes, belt, or light jacket, which can be a huge help when you have a baby in tow. “It’s a quicker line. We swear by it,” says Bradley, who uses it with her own kids when they travel.

If you want to take advantage, plan ahead. You’ll need to fill out a short online application, then go to a local TSA PreCheck enrollment center to have your documents verified and your fingerprints and photo taken (which takes about 10 minutes). Most applications are approved within three to five days, but some can take up to 60 days, according to the TSA. Children under the age of 12 do not need to apply for TSA PreCheck.

If PreCheck isn’t feasible, try to be as organized as possible before you step into the security line. Wear slip-on shoes, skip the belt, and have all your documentation in a baggie or an envelope that you can quickly grab with one hand, Bradley recommends.

Put breast milk, formula, or baby food in clear or translucent bottles for travel—the officer will be able to screen them faster than if they were in plastic bags or pouches, per the TSA.

Ask for Help With Seating Challenges

A handful of U.S. airlines (including American Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, and Alaska Airlines) have policies stating that they’ll always seat kids 13 or under with an accompanying adult, even if you haven’t paid to select your seats. (A recently proposed law would require airlines to provide fee-free family seating, so it’s possible other airlines may eventually follow suit.)

But if your airline wants to charge you extra for seat selection or you’re having trouble finding two or more seats together when you book your flight, you have some options. Start by talking to the agent at your ticketing area, ideally early, recommends Casandra R., a flight attendant based in Philadelphia with 13 years of experience working for a major airline. If that doesn’t work, you can also ask the agent checking passengers in at the gate. These personnel are better equipped to help you than your flight attendants, who are usually rushing around when everyone is piling into the plane.

If you can’t get help from someone at the gate, then try asking a flight attendant when you board. They’ll ask if any passengers are willing to trade seats so you can be next to your baby—and someone will say yes. “It’s all in the flight attendant’s approach,” Casandra says. “I’ve never been told no. Someone will always raise their hand and move.”

Keep in mind too, that on some U.S.-based airlines, your baby’s airline-approved car seat needs to be installed in a window seat. (Putting it in the middle or end seat may impede your ability to exit in the event of an emergency.) If you’re not ticketed for a window seat, let the gate agent or flight attendant know.

Carry on What You Need, But Not More Than That

You’ll likely be toting more than passengers without young kids carry, but consolidating your gear as much as possible will make for smoother boarding and deplaning. Bradley recommends putting your baby in a carrier and using a car seat backpack so your hands can stay free.

If you’re bringing a stroller, check it at the gate. “They’ll bring it up to the jetway once you land and you can use it when you deplane,” says Pat Sullivan, who worked as a flight attendant based in New York for 41 years before retiring in 2020.

In your carry-on, resist the urge to lug extra stuff and just stick to the essentials: Think diapers, wipes, a spare change of clothes for your baby and you, baby food and/or formula, any necessary medications, plus pacifiers or burp cloths if your baby needs them.

For diaper supplies and formula or food, “I recommend having one to two days’ worth in case your flight is delayed or canceled,” Bradley says. “Many U.S. airlines don’t have extra diapers or formula.”

Also: If you’re breastfeeding and are bringing your pump, many airlines will count them as medical devices, which can be brought onboard in addition to your carry-on bags, Marolf says. Just check your airline’s policy online to confirm.

Take Advantage of Early Boarding

Do Diaper Changes in the Bathroom

If you’ve been puzzling over how you’ll change your baby’s diaper in the tiny bathroom, here’s some key info: Many airplane lavatories have a fold-out changing table, Casandra says. Wide-body planes with two aisles (which are typically used for international flights) also have handicap-accessible bathrooms, which are roomier. “When I see parents with children, I’ll always recommend that bathroom if it’s an option,” Casandra says. (But if it’s not mentioned to you, you can always ask about it!)

As for using your seat as a diaper-changing station? It’s generally frowned upon by the cabin crew, since there’s the potential that the seat could get germy or soiled. And above all, please don’t change your baby on the tray table, which is meant for consuming food or drinks or for working. “Unfortunately, we see that a lot,” Casandra says. “I try to be delicate about it, but it’s uncomfortable to have to ask” parents to not do it.

Feel Free to Ask the Crew for a Hand, Just Be Mindful About Timing

If there’s something you need that would make your flight a little easier, speak up (nicely!). “[We’re] usually more than happy to find an extra blanket or pillow, warm a bottle, or even hold your child for a moment so you can organize yourself,” Finderup says.

Just make your ask during a period when the crew has some downtime and the fasten seat belt sign is off. “Be aware of the phase of the flight,” Marolf says. “I’m not allowed to get out of my seat when we’re taking off. But once we’re cruising and after beverage service, that’s when we’re more available.”

Don't Stress Too Much If Your Baby Cries

The cabin crew expects babies to fuss at some point. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, changes in pressure between the outer ear and middle ear can cause discomfort during takeoff and landing. “When we’re descending and the cabin pressure is changing, you’ll hear one after another get fussy and cry,” Casandra says.

Nursing your baby or giving them a bottle or pacifier can help ease pressure-related discomfort. But if your baby is wailing, try not to get too flustered. “Usually we’ll tell passengers, just let them cry,” Sullivan says.

Finally, social media horror stories aside, know that your baby’s crying is probably way more stressful for you than for your fellow passengers. “The general traveling public is pretty patient with people traveling with children,” Casandra R. says. “I haven’t had any people frustrated with people traveling with children, and I always see people helping.”