Many Brits are preparing for a late summer getaway with the kids or perhaps booking a half-term break in October. Online searches for ‘child-friendly airlines’ have increased by a massive 1,400% over the past year.

Latest research has looked at regulations various airlines have in place about taking a pushchair on the journey or providing a free seat for children.

Manchester based life insurance broker Reassured has researched 24 airlines departing from UK airports to compare what they’re offering for travelling parents and their kids.

According to their comprehensive research, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Qantas offer the most perks for family’s travelling with children.

Every one of the 24 airlines studied allow for a pushchair to be taken on board for free. However, 18 airlines charge a fee for a child’s seat and among those are Etihad Airlines, Lufthansa and Jet2.

Most of the airlines provide children’s entertainment such as appropriate movies/TV programmes or colouring pens/paper. However, parents flying with Flybe, Jet2 or Ryanair are in for a disappointment, as no entertainment is offered for their little ones. Ryanair and Jet2 do however offer free kids’ meals.

 Air Canada, American Airlines, Ryanair and FLYBE were identified as being the least child friendly airlines in the research, all charging for a child seat and for their luggage.

A spokesperson for Reassured said: “During the summer months many families will be looking forward to their holidays, but the planning can be daunting. Packing and ensuring you’re allowed to take everything on board can be time-consuming, so we hope our breakdown will help towards a relaxed start to your holiday.”

The below table showcases how different airlines compare against one another in terms of child-friendliness in 2022:

In light of these findings, Manchester’s very own Reassured Ltd spoke with childcare experts, Kathryn Lord and David Doughty from Admiral Jet, and together they have correlated a list of 10 travel tips to prepare your children for a flight.

1. Age-appropriate books can help children get an understanding of what to expect. You can also use a map to show the route you’re taking, and they can ask all those burning questions while the excitement sets in.
2. Showing children photos of the destination and explaining how hot or cold it is will help them to take part in choosing what to pack.  This way they can take on some independence by packing appropriate clothes as well as pick out some games they might want to play on holiday.
3. If you have any anxieties about planes, try not to let your child notice this. 
4. Especially during the holiday season long queues and a lot of new noises can be expected when getting to the airport. Explaining to children a little about what to expect can be a great help for a smooth and stress-free check-in and security check.
5. Ensure to carry extra nappies, wipes and change of nappies as necessary. You’ll also be able to bring enough milk and formula as these items are exempt from the 100ml rule.
6. Wear or pack comfy clothes for your child to sleep in if the flight is a long haul. Taking the toothbrush to do their teeth and changing into PJs can help signal that it is time to go to sleep – a good way to pass the flight time 
7. Providing a comfy seat or a small flatbed can help settle your child. Some prams have a removable seat but ensure to check with the airlines if accepted.
8. Bring picture or painting books to keep the little one busy. Paperback books are lightweight and offer hours of fun! If old enough, you can start playing little games like tic-tac-toe.
9. With only a few things to do, screen time can be a good way to keep the little ones distracted. You can download their favourite films or shows before the trip and make sure you charge the battery before the flight. Bring comfy earphones for them so other passengers won’t be bothered by the sound.
10. Fill up their water bottles before getting on the plane and bring some of their favourite snacks in case the hunger kicks in between meals. Raisins, a packet of crisps or some wine gummies are often available in smaller packages and won’t take up much room.

For more information see the full research findings from Reassured here.

We hope this article has been helpful for any parents considering getting away this year. Have fun!