Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

I hate flying..however we are flying to disney.

DD and DS have never flown.

We are going Southwest from LI to Orlando.

Any tips?

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

I hate flying too. I always have to take something beforehand and that barely even does the trick.

Definitely bring snacks on the airplane for them. It's a relatively short flight but all they serve is a tiny little bag of pretzels or nuts, which never seems to quite cut it for my kids.

If you have a portable dvd player I would highly recommend bringing that too, along with any Nintendo DS's etc. Coloring books, sketch pads and crayons always seem to keep them busy for a little while too.

They''ll be fine -- especially because they'll be all excited about going to Disney. On the flight home they'll be so wiped out that they'll probably sleep the whole time!!

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

Thanks. We have a 6:15am flight, so I am hoping they go back to sleep..but I doubt it because they have been counting down to disney.

I have the DS's charged and ready to go. I guess I have to buy snacks after security right? Because they don't let you bring food in?

We are bringing high-back booster seats for the rental car...should I have them sit in those or should I check them?

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

Dd is 5, we flew in feb for the first time without a car seat and she complained that she wanted it. We are flying soon too and plan to check it again, but if you feel like carrying in I would bring it on the plane, it makes them more comfy I think.

Also with southwest, last time we payed for the preboarding, but found it was a waste of money because the allow "family boarding" between A and B I think, so you can get on earlier with small children. Make sure you ask if you are in B, they will let you on the plane sooner.

I think you are allowed to bring food/snacks. No drinks though.

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

You can bring food in but not liquids..

they should be fine with their DSs.. :)

I would just check in the seats.. being that your kids are older

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

I let them each pack a backpack with snacks, toys and then throw in something new that will hold thier interest. I also bring their portable dvd players and buyt them each a new dvd. I also bring thier blankets since it gets chilly in the plane. I brought thier car seats but stopped when they went into booster seats. Now I let them sit in the regular seat.
Also - wake them in enough time to just pee and leave for the airport. I kept them in thier pj's and woke them up as late as possible.

Just a word of advise. Take it slow the first day in disney, when we took the 6:30 am flight I was like great we have the whole day in the park and it set up the trip for disaster. They were MISERABLE the first 3 days because they were so tired and it just kept carrying over. Now we always take the 10 am flight and we are there by 1:00 and have a much better time the first day. No one is exhausted.

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

Another thing that someone told me and it has worked out great every year is to sit one parent with one child and sit in the row behind the other set. It is easier to hand things between the parents, don't have to hand them over the person sitting on the end seat, and 1 parent doesn't get stuck with taking care of two kids and you may luck out and no one will sit with you as that third seat and you can let the child actually lay down on you and take up more room. Also allows if they kids want to switch seats an easier switch.

Unless you can get DH to sit with the two of them and then get a seat several rows away. I am always hoping this will happen to me but have not figured out how to get it to work.

Message edited 6/29/2011 12:42:57 PM.

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

Thanks for the great tips!

DH wanted to pay for the early check in but I told him I would just wake up early and do it.

We don't plan on going to disney the first day...if anything maybe at night. We are staying at our timeshare resort so we want to go to the grocery store to get a few things and maybe enjoy the pool.

I didn't think of the blankets!

I am such a baby...I am going to be scared sitting in a row alone. I am so use to flying with my husband and grasping his arm whenever we hit a bump.

Lastly, we are also flying with my inlaws. There are 8 of us total...so hopefully we can all sort of sit near each other to help entertain the children.

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

On SW you can check in 24 hrs in advance on the computer to get group A. Otherwise families with children go on right after A boards no matter what with group B and C following.

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

Small things but.....

Taking off /putting on shoes when going through security can be a PIA...If you can have them wear slip ons (no laces)

DS sometimes complains of his ears popping...You may want them to chew gum....

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

We flew an early flight out and stopped at a bagel store for breakfast and took everything on the plane. It kills a good half hour by the time you get settled and eat. Plenty of snacks, portable dvd player with a new dvd is wonderful. Check the booster seats at the gate, you don't need them on the plane. Have a great time!!!

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

THanks. I was up early today to get A boarding...even at 615 (exactly 24 hours) I got B. I guess all the other people paid for early check in.

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

If you bring a portable DVD player don't forget the headphones

Re: Tips for Flying Southwest with 4/5 year olds

The flight here was a success! (They basically slept the whole time!)