Flying can be a testing time at the best of times, but particularly if you are on a flight filled with crying babies and ratty children, writes Beci Wood (a scared mummy-to-be!).
While their parents are forced to struggle on and other mums and dads might be sympathetic, for single folk it’s a whole different ball game.
Here’s our Top 10 tips to handling the stress…or reducing it!
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1. Travel during term time
Or if that’s not possible opt for a very early morning flight on short haul journeys and a night flight if travelling long haul. Most families travelling to Europe find early flights a difficult option (as it takes a long time to get out of the house!) while you would hope that most children will sleep for at least some of an overnight journey.
2. Pick a good airline …
With a varied inflight entertainment system. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airways always seem to have lots of programmes and games specifically aimed at children. Virgin often provide colouring books and crayons too to keep them occupied.
3. Take ear plugs
Or in a last resort wrap a jumper, scarf, blanket around your head to block out as much noise as possible. An eye mask is a handy accessory too. If you’re unfortunate enough to be sitting next to a pesky child if they think you are asleep they hopefully won’t bother you.
4. Have a couple of alcoholic drinks …
Before your board or on the early stages of the flight to knock you out so you can sleep for some of the journey. Or if that fails, Night Nurse is a good option for making you drowsy.
5. Invest in a good pair of headphones
While it might seem unimaginable to pay £50 plus for a pair of headphones you’ll be thankful when they block out ALL the noise. It’s also worth putting a good playlist together on your iPod. Your headphones will also come in handy for immersing yourself in a good in-flight entertainment system.
6. Take a bag of sweets for the journey to share out
Sometimes a sugar fix can help a bored and tired child. (Just ask the parent for permission first!)
7. Travel to more unusual destinations
European beach breaks are popular choices for families travelling on first holidays with young children so maybe pick a long-haul destination for your holiday like the United States, Australia, Asia and South Africa. Or pick adult choices such as city breaks to Barcelona, Berlin, Valencia, Iceland, Copenhagen or even Mongolia! Obviously avoid places like Orlando and Paris which are very popular with families travelling to Disney!
8. Sit by the window
This won’t eradicate the situation completely but at least you’ll avoid desperate mums walking up and down the aisles trying to calm a baby or annoying kids running around.
9. Choose your seat in advance
Look at a map of the plane in advance and pick a seat away from the toilet where bored children often congregate. Many families choose the middle row so a family of three or four can sit together.
10. Travel first class…
if you can afford it! Or even business/premium economy. Very few families will pay extra money for the whole family to travel so you should be able to travel in relative peace.
(Feature image: Kenny Louie)
