December 21, 2025 | 09:14 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The long Christmas and New Year holidays are a much-anticipated time for families to travel and create memories together.
Yet, navigating crowded airports and busy flights with young children can be a challenge. Brittney Thompson, a seasoned flight attendant and mother of two, shared practical tips with USA Today to help parents make air travel with kids smoother—and more enjoyable.
Thompson emphasizes that careful preparation is key to reducing stress for both children and parents. Here are her top strategies:
Bring a Car Seat on Board
A familiar car seat can provide comfort and security for young children, especially during turbulence. Thompson noted that her child prefers a car seat over a standard airplane seat, as it helps them feel at home and stay calm throughout the flight.
“[My son] is most comfortable when he is familiar with his surroundings, so he prefers it when we take his car seat on the airplane,” Tompson said.
“The one time we did not take his car seat, he was like, ‘Mommy, this isn’t comfortable, I want my car seat.’”
Relax Screen Time Rules
Electronic devices can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping children entertained during a flight. “He never gets a whole lot of screen time at home, but when we’re on an airplane, he is carte blanche with that tablet,” Thompson told USA Today.
She does, however, stress the importance of headphones to avoid disturbing other passengers.
“You’ll have that one family with three kids, and all three kids are playing Peppa Pig at volume, and that’s not just annoying for the other passengers around you; it could lead the flight attendants to make you turn the devices off, and then your kids will really be upset."
Pack Snacks and New Toys
Thompson recommends preparing a “snackle box” with a variety of snacks to make mealtime more fun. Bringing new toys or books can also capture a child’s attention more effectively than familiar favorites. She advises avoiding items like stickers that might stick to seats and create a mess.
“We bring all the snacks,” Thompson said. “I’ve seen ‘snackle’ boxes, they look like little fishing lure boxes, but they’re filled with 12 different kinds of snacks,” and that can make snack time a mini game of its own.
Check Luggage into the Cargo Hold
Checking luggage in advance allows parents to board without the stress of finding space in the overhead bins.
“I know a lot of times it’s hard to do this, a lot of parents try to do it as cheaply as they can, so they don’t want to check any bags. I totally get that, we’re carry-on people too, but there comes a point when you’ve got to check in and check a bag,” Thompson shared.
“You’re way less stressed when you can walk on the airplane and don’t have to find overhead bin space.”
Less parental stress also helps children remain more relaxed during the journey.
Empathy from Fellow Passengers
Finally, Thompson reminds travelers without children to show patience toward fussy toddlers. Crying is often a child’s response to stress, and sympathetic attitudes toward parents can transform the flight experience into a more positive one for everyone.
“Those kids are just screaming because all of us want to scream, and that’s the only way they know how to communicate,” Thompson said.
“I always have all the sympathy for the parents, and none of the sympathy for whining adults.”
For Indonesian families traveling domestically or abroad during the year-end holidays, these tips can make a significant difference. With a little preparation and patience, Christmas and New Year journeys can be filled with joy and memorable moments—without the usual travel drama.
Read: Which Is Better, Early Morning or Late-Night Flights?
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