But what's above the clouds? The natural curiosity that drives children leads them to want to get on a plane as soon as possible. But after the initial astonishment, boredom sets in. With the risk that the crossing in the air turns into a nightmare for the parents who struggle to keep them at bay. According to a study by Booking.com (carried out among 1,000 Italian children aged 6 to 11), although 52% of children like to fly, 76% of them do not know what to do during the trip and 45% say that the experience is much more enjoyable for adults. How to deal with I travel by plane with my children? Here is a series of tips to leave with peace of mind. Already when booking the ticket.
Family rates and plane tickets for children
For children up to 2 years old, reservation of places is not obligatory. The little ones can travel for free in the arms of your parentsto which they will be attached with a special safety belt. After 2 years, you must instead reserve a separate seat but there are ad hoc rates. And many companies offer f-optionsfriendly and familywhich guarantee, in addition to savings, benefits and possible assistance.
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Good practices, register online firstto save you from annoying queues at the airport.
And as a precaution, send yourself an email to both parents' inboxes with i digital tickets Hey documents of the whole family.
What times should I choose for a departure with children?
Don't feel guilty if you choose a flight based on the convenient fare – otherwise you'll have to get up early – over more convenient times. “In fact, travel naturally modifies daily rhythms, by definition. The little ones, in any case, will sleep. Older children will be buoyed by the adrenaline of adventure. However, the human being's ability to adapt will prevail: let us realize that traveling necessarily implies an extraordinary nature. Let's make sure we have snacks, water, a change of clothes, a pillow, and toys. For the rest, we leave, without wanting to reproduce the same habits as at home: otherwise, what kind of trip is it?” he reassures. Stefania Andreolidevelopmental psychotherapist.
Before you leave: how to prepare to fly with children
“While adults experience flying, some with fear, others with impatience and relaxation, for the little ones there seems to be only room for enthusiasm. But on one specific condition: get involved in the trip in a participatory and active way,” he explains. Andreoli.
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It is therefore important to start talking about it a few weeks in advance, explaining to the children the details of the organization and the pleasant aspects, offering them the opportunity to make a walk in the cockpit and receive the diploma with the “baptism of flight”to hang in the bedroom once you get home.
“This will also be useful involve the little one in preparing their backpack: maybe he has a favorite puppet with whom he wants to share the adventure”, he continues. Andreoli.
At the airport: baggage loading and preferential lanes for families
If you are traveling with a child up to 2 yearsyou have the right to board the stroller as extra neck and many airlines have policies friendly and family which include additional hand luggage dedicated to the little one. THE Car seat it is considered special baggage.
Don't forget to put it in the bag you take with you in the cabin something for the baby to suck on during takeoff and landing, to avoid any discomfort to the ears: if it is an infant, attach it to the breast or give it a pacifier. For older children, a pacifier can be offered.
Regarding the security checks and boardingif you are traveling with children there is an extra charge priority access to avoid the queue. You can keep it with you stroller to the threshold of the boarding gate, where it must however be handed over to the ground staff who will make it available after landing.
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In flight: how to manage baby's fears and crying attacks?
Crying attacks are usually associated with discomfort and earache. “In general, otherwise, a child is much less likely than an adult to have a phobia of flying. If we, parents, are afraid of it, let's be careful how we transmit it: it will be possible that they react to our mood and thus, by not feeling calm, they will not feel calm themselves – analyze Andreoli – However, if all the precautions are not useful and the child is really afraid, let's try to stay calm: don't get angry and above all don't think that we are disturbing the other passengers, because this will make the little one even more nervous. Let's instead contain it with a hug and talk to him gently and in a low voiceperhaps assessing whether it is possible to visit the cockpit.”
How to entertain children during the flight?
The cuddling technique is valid until the age of two: it is likely that the little one sleeps most of the time and is always in the arms of his parents if he travels for free.
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Otherwise, the child must have fun sitting in his seat with his parents. favorite games: “the puppets, the dolls, the cuddly toy, the little cars in this case will also symbolically be a piece of your own house. We also don’t fail to bring paper and markers,” emphasizes Andreoli.
Movies and cartoons they should be dosed sparingly and allowed on longer flights, alternating them with other activities. Obviously, only for children aged 2 to 3 years and older. Then consider that almost all airlines offer little guests gadgets to keep them entertained.
Food and baby food: feeding children on the plane
First rule, avoid giving food shortly before takeoff and landing, to avoid the risk of vomiting. During the cruise, food can also serve as a distraction from boredom and the distribution of the legendary tray with mini-portions by the hostesses is generally a much-awaited moment.
If the children are small, it is You are allowed to bring your own food into the cabin, asking the flight attendants to please warm them up. Check liquid quantities with the airline in advance.
Children and planes: research into their desires and fantasies linked to flying
But what are children's expectations when it comes to flying? What do they want and what do they imagine? The responses, analyzed in the Booking.com survey, make you smile but also reveal fantasies and attitudes. In the planes of the future, children would like to find a transparent roof to see the stars (39%), a swimming pool (28%), a mini-football field (24%), a go-kart track along the aisle . (22%), an area where you can build sandcastles (16%) but also an area prohibited for adults (11%).
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As for the destination, the children would take the plane of their dreams to visit Santa Claus in Lapland (41%), “in the land of kangaroos” (32%) or a Paris (31%). And if everything were really possible, 58% of them would take the plane. moon. But without going that far, getting on the plane is in itself an amazing and fun experience for a child. And that makes him touch the sky.
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