Four Ways to Simplify Air Travel with a Large Family

Family vacations are the perfect time to make unforgettable memories. No matter where you go, it should be an enjoyable experience for all. However, there are some aspects of vacations that can go awry when traveling as a large family, particularly when flying. It can be stressful and overwhelming, but the right planning can ease these worries.

 

There are various methods of vacation planning that can make it a simpler experience for a large family. This post outlines four of the best ways to simplify air travel, guaranteeing your family vacation begins on the right foot.

 

Reserve Your Seats

 

When flying with your family, especially young children, reserving your seats is crucial. Not only will this provide peace of mind during the flight, it will also make it easier to ensure everyone stays together when boarding and disembarking the plane. Some children might get confused when sat alone, especially when people begin leaving the plane and exit with the crowd. Having them sit with their parents or older siblings can prevent this from occurring.

 

Not reserving your seats could result in your family being separated throughout the plane. This is more likely if there is limited seat availability on the plane or if the airline assigns seats at random. However, some airlines make seat reservations mandatory if an adult is traveling with children under the age of 12, so you should check your chosen airline’s policies.

 

Avoid Overpacking

 

If you are packing for several members, it can be easy to get lost in what you have and what you don’t. You might end up packing duplicates of some items without even knowing it. It is wise to remember that only the essentials are needed for family trips, and packing more than what’s needed could result in additional baggage fees. Your airline’s website will state any size or weight limits, and you should ensure you follow these restrictions when packing.

 

Overpacked bags and suitcases can make it difficult to move through the airport and at the destination. Between this and your children, you might find yourself becoming overwhelmed quickly. This is another reason to pack light when traveling by plane. Not only that but having too many suitcases could also make it difficult to find transport if you haven’t booked it ahead of time.

 

Arrive at the Airport Early

 

Although it can be very easy to arrive late when traveling as a large family, preparing yourself to leave the house with plenty of time to spare is essential. An early arrival at the airport provides a buffer for any unexpected delays, allows you to go through the check-in process, and helps manage the needs of your kids. This can lead to a smoother travel experience with very little stress.

 

While driving yourself to the airport can seem like a good idea, this might be very cramped when you consider all of the luggage your family might have. Instead, you should book a car service, like Executive Car Service LAX, so there is plenty of room for all family members and their suitcases. These chauffer services can plan your route to the airport, guaranteeing you arrive well ahead of your departure time, and have car seats on hand; you just have to let them know if you need a car seat when booking.

 

Plan Ahead for Security 

 

Being prepared can make security checks a lot easier. This can be a daunting experience for people, especially young children, who might find the machines scary. You can ease this anxiety by explaining the process to your kids and showing them what items need to be placed in a tray. Knowing what to expect will lessen the fear young children have.

 

You should also ensure that your family goes through security together but in a particular formation. Think of it like a sandwich – adults, or the eldest children, as the bread, and the youngest kids are the filling. A parent should go through security first to catch the children as they go through, with the other parent coming through last. This prevents any children from getting lost during the checks.

 

To conclude, families should prepare for air travel ahead of time. This will include reserving seats, packing correctly, arriving early, and planning for security checks; all of these considerations will help lessen the stress that family vacations can cause.