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Flying with toddlers can be tricky, especially if it\u2019s a long-haul trip, an early morning flight or their first time in the air.\u00a0Express.co.uk\u00a0spoke to Stansted pilot, Maria Pettersson, to find out her top tips for flying with children.<\/p>\n
Maria said: \u201cWhen travelling with kids, it\u2019s essential to keep them occupied, and to choose their activity wisely. One fantastic option that has worked wonders for me is popping into WHSmith to pick up a kid\u2019s magazine for my daughter that includes reusable vinyl stickers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beauty of reusable vinyl stickers is that they only stick to the sticker book they come with.<\/p>\n
“So, you don\u2019t have to worry about your toddler putting them on surfaces where they shouldn\u2019t be.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlus, they are lightweight and take up very little space in your bag, making them an excellent choice for travel.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> \u2018Incredibly beautiful\u2019 seaside town crowned best in Wales – full list<\/strong><\/p>\n Maria told\u00a0Express.co.uk\u00a0she always opts for fast-track boarding to avoid queues and toddler meltdowns.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cThis game-changing tip has made travelling with toddlers much smoother for me, and it\u2019s my top recommendation to follow. We all know that waiting in queues can be challenging for little ones, so adding FastTrack to your travel plans can make a significant difference.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means you and your family get to bypass the regular queues, saving precious time and avoiding potential meltdowns. Not only does it help during departure, but you can also make the most of FastTrack when arriving back at the airport to skip the long family passport queue.<\/p>\n \u201cIt turns a potentially stressful experience into a breeze, allowing you to focus on creating enjoyable memories with your kids throughout the journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n The Stansted based pilot added that she likes to schedule any flights with toddlers around their nap time. She warned parents to try not to let their children sleep before boarding.<\/p>\n She added: \u201cBefore the flight, let your child run around in the terminal. By having them active before the flight, they are more likely to feel tired and fall asleep during the journey.\u201d<\/p>\n This could also help parents avoid any awkward interactions with fellow passengers as their children will be quiet during the flight.<\/p>\n Maria said she likes to arrive at the airport at least two hours before her flight to make sure she doesn\u2019t have to rush around.<\/p>\n Parents will also need to consider whether they need to pay for a seat to sit next to their child. On some budget airlines, parents won\u2019t be automatically seated with family for free.<\/p>\n Recently, a mum went viral after she shared how she got revenge on a woman who refused to swap seats with her so she could sit with her children.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/25\/590x\/secondary\/TRAVEL-Maria-4923509.jpg?r=1692791351124\")
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