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We love, love, love to travel, so when our little one joined our family of two, we knew he’d have to be the best little traveler ever. And he is.

It’s been a lot of trial and error, but we’ve picked up some good tips along the way.

So, without further ado, here are our top tips for flying with baby:

  1. Invest in a travel stroller. We looked at the Doona and the Babyzen YOYO and ultimately decided on the YOYO. It’s amazing, lightweight, and rolls down the aisle of an airplane. We usually bring it with us, fold it up, and stow it away in the cabin bin.
  2. Make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time to do these important things: a) check bags, b) add baby as a lap child if you’re not buying your bundle a separate seat, and c) gate check strollers or car seats.
  3. Another reason why you’ll want to get there early? Extra security screening time. Guarantee that 9 out of 10 times something in your diaper bag or carry-on will require you to be pulled aside for additional screening.
  4. Boarding begins 30-45 minutes before takeoff depending on the airline you’re flying with, the aircraft, and the flight schedule. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the gate in time. Depending on the airline, you may want to pre-board if that’s an option.
  5. Double-check that your seat assignment is not an exit row or the rows near an exit row. Infants aren’t permitted in those seats, so you’ll have to be reseated. If you discover this at the airport, you could run into trouble if your flight is full.
  6. It probably goes without saying, but if you’re traveling with a spouse or caregiver, try to book flights with aircraft having a pair of seats. It makes flying a little more comfortable when you don’t have a middle seat or aisle mate to crawl over for multiple trips to the airplane lavatory. I should caveat that this, of course, is great for when you’re traveling with lap children, but the opposite is true if you’re a family of 3 traveling with 3 purchased tickets. You’ll want your entire row in an ideal situation if that’s the case.
  7. Triple-check airline regulations on car seat and stroller weights. Some airlines won’t allow heavier strollers at the gate.
  8. As you’re booking your ticket, take into consideration airlines with baggage allowances or airlines where you or your spouse has built up status with. Sometimes it pays to spend a bit more on airfare if it grants you an extra free bag or two.
  9. Be cognizant of your flight times. Early morning flights are generally better for littles, especially babies. Late night flights, or flights too close to bedtime, can be tricky.
  10. Along the same lines, make sure that you time out your connecting flights well if you have any as some airlines sell a trip with a connection on a single itinerary and you may only have 30-35 minutes between flights. Make sure you allow plenty of time in between so that you can get from one gate to the next, stop by the restroom for diaper changes/bathroom stops, pick up a meal or snack if you need to, and allow buffer time in case of flight delays or changes in the schedule that could put making your connecting flight at risk.
  11. Don’t forget to start a logbook for your little one, bring it along, and be friendly to the flight crew. They can make your flight a much better experience.
  12. Purchase and fly with relevant travel bags for your baby gear. UPPAbaby will replace your stroller if it’s damaged in flight, but only if it was packed in the UPPAbaby.

BONUS Tips: What to Know in the Hotel

I can’t sign this one off without calling out a few things we highly recommend requesting from your hotel and keeping in mind as you land at your destination.

  • Crib or pack-n-play. Use the chat function in your hotel app or call before arrival to confirm.
  • Humidifier if going somewhere at a high altitude.
  • If possible, non-adjoining rooms help avoid disturbing your neighbor if your little one is fussy. Same is true if your neighbor has a party and your bundle of joy is sleeping.
  • Be prepared to bathe baby in something other than a tub if rooms with tubs are unavailable.

Bon voyage!