Taking your kids on their first flight is a milestone filled with excitement and curiosity! When we first learned we’d be flying as a family, we knew we had to prepare the kids for everything about air travel. Talking about what to expect at the airport helped ease their anxiety and gave them a sense of confidence. By the time we approached the TSA line, they were already reminding us to remove our shoes and get our electronics ready!
Preparing for the Airport Experience
For any kid’s first flight, the airport can seem like a big adventure. Our son, for example, was fascinated by the signs, even learning that tools like wrenches are allowed as long as they’re less than 7 inches. Small details like this sparked his curiosity, making him even more engaged with the process!
Packing Their Own Backpacks
Encouraging your children to pack their own backpacks is a great way to involve them in the trip. This also helps them think ahead about what they might want to do at the airport and during the flight. Our youngest child filled her bag with small toys, books, a notepad, and wiki sticks we’d saved for just this occasion. Her older brother packed a Dog Man book, a sketchpad, and his trusty iPad.
One of the best tips for a smooth first flight for kids is to bring entertainment! The iPads, which only come out for long trips, were a special treat. The apps they hardly ever play at home became lifesavers during the flight, and their kid-friendly headphones made sure everyone stayed happy.
In-Flight Experience: What to Expect
As the plane prepared for takeoff, we discussed the different things they might see and hear during their first time in the air—like the engines roaring and the popping ears! Since it was a first-time flight for both, they got to choose their seats. Our window-seat kid was delighted by the tiny cars below, the rivers that looked like roads, and the fluffy “cotton candy clouds.”
For many children, the first flight experience is about discovering how different the world looks from above. Our kids loved watching the plane’s wings and guessing what the moving parts were for. It’s something they’d never fully understood until they saw it with their own eyes!
Layovers Can Be Fun!
Layovers are inevitable, but we made the most of ours by playing a few rounds of UNO while waiting for our next flight. Time went by so quickly that when we told the kids it was time to board again, our son exclaimed, “But we have a 2-hour layover!” The experience of flying with kids can be filled with moments like this—unexpected fun and learning at every turn.
A Special First Flight Memory
The kids’ first flight was truly unforgettable, and we can’t wait for future adventures. Each flight will bring new discoveries and experiences we haven’t encountered before.We also have to give a shoutout to the wonderful Southwest flight attendant who made their first flight even more special. She gave them plane cutouts, their own wings, and certificates marking the big event! If you’re flying Southwest, be sure to mention it’s your kids’ first flight—they might get a little extra magic for the journey.