Summertime travel with children, especially when it includes airports, can be challenging. Vacations can get off to a horrible start with an unexpected delay and nothing for the kids to do. If you and your family are flying this summer, check out the new, free Kids Airport Diversion Guide from flight deals publisher Cheapflights.com, available at http://www.cheapflights.com/guides/ . The guide includes kid-friendly diversions at 22 U.S. airports — everything from Kidports at the Boston Logan and Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Airports, to the Kids on the Fly exhibit at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport, to Dallas/Fort Worth Airport’s Junior Flyer Clubs.
“Many airports offer activities to entertain children, so waiting for a flight doesn’t have to be stressful” said Jerry Chandler, aviation expert, correspondent for Cheapflights’ “Flight News” blog and father of five. “The guide features many activities that you may not be aware of, ranging from 3,000 gallon fish tanks to live music stages, allowing you to start your kids’ vacation at the airport. If you find your family with extra time at the airport, this guide can help turn ‘delayed’ into ‘delighted’,” said Chandler.
Airports cited in the guide include: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall, Boston Logan International, Charlotte Douglas International, Chicago O’Hare International, Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International, Dallas/Fort Worth International, Denver International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Las Vegas McCarran International, Los Angeles International, Miami International, Minneapolis/St. Paul International, Milwaukee Mitchell International, Nashville International, New York John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, Orlando International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma International and Washington Dulles International.
As the father of five children, Chandler has experienced the challenge of traveling with children first-hand. He offers these additional tips for families flying with kids this summer, or anytime:
- Book direct, non-stop flights whenever possible, to avoid airplane changes. On international flights, try to travel at night, so children can sleep.
- Ask about early boarding to avoid crowds; many airlines pre-board families traveling with children.
- If you’re child requires a car seat, call ahead to ask about on-board car seat regulations and availability; you may need to bring your own.
- New laws require that every child, no matter how young, travel with a valid individual passport for international travel; children can no longer travel on their parents' passport.
- Keep kids busy! Choose an airline with movies and seat back video games for older kids. For younger ones, pack crayons, paper, books on tape, cards, stuffed animals, etc. in your carry on, but don't unpack them all at once.
- Bring snacks. New regulations prohibit passengers from carrying liquids through the security checkpoint, so leave time to purchase water and juice in the terminal prior to boarding. Rice cakes, breadsticks, dried fruit and small boxes of dry cereal are great portable snacks.
- Prepare for the worst. Snacks and activities will be especially needed if you are delayed on the tarmac for an extra two hours. Arriving to the airport early will leave plenty of time for crowded security checkpoints.
- Many infants under age two experience ear pain when changing altitudes, which can cause cabin-rattling crying. Encourage swallowing, which reduces discomfort, by giving them a bottle or pacifier.
About Cheapflights.com Cheapflights.com is a leading U.S. flight price search and comparison website listing nearly one million low-cost airfare deals from hundreds of different travel providers, including airfare deals not available anywhere else. For more information, visit www.cheapflights.com.
Founded in London in 1996, Cheapflights.co.uk is the UK’s leading price search and comparison website. Cheapflights recently launched in Canada (www.cheapflights.ca).
