Family holidays overseas often start with the biggest challenge: the long-haul flight.  Whether it’s 8 hours to Asia, 14 hours to Europe, or a full day of travel with layovers, flying with kids can feel overwhelming.

The good news? With the right preparation, you can turn a stressful flight into a smoother enjoyable journey for the whole family.
Here are my top tips for travelling with kids on long flights:

1. Choose Your Flights Wisely
• Opt for overnight flights when possible, so kids can sleep through most of the journey.
• Book seats near the toilets or bulkhead rows for extra space.
• If budget allows, select seats in advance to keep the family together.

2. Pack Smart (but Light)
Every parent’s hand luggage is their survival kit. Essentials include:
• Snacks (think mess-free: crackers, fruit strips, cereal bars and lots of it).
• Entertainment: colouring books, puzzles, tablets with offline movies and games.
• Comfort items: a favourite blanket, stuffed toy, or small pillow.
• Extra clothes: for kids and parents (spills and accidents happen!).

4. Think About Sleep
• Bring neck pillows and eye masks to help kids rest.
• Dress them in comfy layers (planes can get chilly).
• Stick to bedtime routines: brushing teeth, give them their favourite blanky or soft toy, etc.

3. Keep Kids Entertained
Attention spans shrink on planes. Plan a rotation of activities every couple of hours:
• Digital time (movies, shows, games).
• Screen-free breaks (card games, sticker books, magnetic puzzles, colouring in for kids over 3 with colourpens that can be wiped off if accidents happen.
• Creative time (drawing, writing travel journals, map puzzles of the destination).
Tip: Wrap small toys or books as “surprises” to hand out throughout the flight.

5. Stay Hydrated & Move Around
• Offer water regularly (avoid too much juice or soft drink).
• Walk the aisles when possible to stretch little legs.
• For toddlers, use the galley area for mini “stretch breaks.”

6. Snacks Are Your Best Friend
Airplane meals aren’t always kid-friendly. Having your own stash of healthy snacks avoids hangry meltdowns. Pack a mix of sweet and savoury, plus a special treat as a reward.

7. Use Technology Wisely
Download movies, audiobooks, and kid-friendly apps before you fly.  Don’t rely on in-flight entertainment—it might not suit your kids’ age group or could be broken.  Headphones made for kids are a must.

8. Prepare for the Unexpected
From flight delays to lost luggage, things don’t always go smoothly.  Keep essentials like medication, nappies/wipes, and a (couple of)  change of clothes in your carry-on.  Having a “just in case” mindset makes surprises easier to manage.

9. Stay Calm and Positive
Kids feed off your energy. If you’re stressed, they’ll feel it too. Treat the flight as part of the adventure, not just a hurdle. Celebrate little wins—like when they nap, finish a movie, or eat their meal without fuss.

Long flights with kids can be tiring, but they’re also an opportunity to bond, play, and start your holiday adventure early.  With planning, patience, and a well-packed carry-on, you’ll make it through with stories (and maybe even smiles) to share.

We have made this part our travel so much fun, kids actually enjoy and look forward to long layovers.  We play lots of games with each other.  And find quiet spots in Airports for kids to sttetch out play and sleep if we have connecting flights. 

✈️ Your turn: Have you flown long-haul with kids? Share your survival tips in the comments!