TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Flying with children is often described as the most rewarding and challenging part of the holiday experience. A good flight can be a great start to a family holiday or an exhausting one! At Gold Coast Airport we want to make your family holiday as enjoyable as possible, so we have put together some helpful information to plan your next family flight.

BEFORE DEPARTURE
Passports and Visas for International Travel
You will require a passport when travelling internationally. Make sure passports and any necessary visas are valid for everyone travelling, both for the countries you will be visiting and for transit stops.

Health Requirements
Arrange to have all necessary inoculations well in advance of your departure date. If you or your children take any medication make sure that you have enough for the duration of the trip.

Insurance
It is highly recommended that you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family. Travel Insurance is designed to cover against personal, baggage and cancellation risks. It will also protect against the high cost of emergency medical and hospital care overseas.

Meals
Some airlines have special child, toddler and baby meals available which can be requested at the time of reservation. If you do not require a meal, make sure appropriate food and drink is packed for the trip. Carry biscuits, water, juice & snacks for your kids.

Getting there
Get to the airport in good time. Bear in mind your check-in times. Remember to allow extra time for airport car parking, traffic delays, road works and such like. Get a route plan before you leave so you are fully prepared and don't run the risk of getting lost. For more information on getting there click here or click here for a Terminal map.

AT THE AIRPORT
Make sure you allow plenty of time to arrive at the boarding gate particularly when travelling on international flights. Keep an eye out for express security lanes for checking in with children. If you have time on your side your whole party will be stress free which will rub off on your children - happy children equals happy parents!

If travelling with infants and young children, you will be invited to board the aircraft before other passengers whenever possible.

AIRPORT TASK LIST
1. Obtain Boarding Pass and Check Luggage
2. Go Through Airport Security
3. Locate Gate – it can change!
4. Obtain Gate Check Tag for Stroller
5. Inquire about Pre-Boarding
6. Use Restroom near Gate. Nursery facilities and parents' rooms are provided at the Gold Coast Airport.
7. Organise Carry-on for Flight
8. Show children the plane and explain where they are going

IN THE AIR
During takeoff and landing you must nurse your baby. Your baby or young child may cry on take off and landing due to the brief 'popping' in their ears as cabin pressure adjusts to altitude. This is perfectly normal. By giving your baby a bottle or breastfeeding at this time, you will help to relieve the 'popping' sensation. For older children and for yourself, the 'popping' can be simply alleviated by chewing on a toffee or sweet.

Bring your own supplies. Be sure to pack more supplies than you think you'll need for a standard journey. You can find baby changing tables in selected washrooms on the aircraft. Use these facilities rather than change your baby at your seat. This is for your own comfort and that of fellow passengers. Washrooms are equipped with special disposal chutes for nappies. Nappies must not be disposed of in the aircraft toilets.

On long flights when there is time to sleep, change your small children into their pyjamas and settle them in their seat or on your lap. The more normal their routine, the more likely they are to sleep. It is often helpful to bring along a favourite bedtime toy for them to cuddle.

On the whole, children sleep very comfortably onboard aircraft. For safety reasons, children are not permitted to sleep on the floor of the aircraft. Please also make sure that your child does not have any limbs protruding into the aisle while they sleep. This can be dangerous both for the child and for unwary passengers.

Keeping a child entertained is a huge part of air travel, especially on long-haul trips. Pack a couple of your child's favourite games from home. It's also a good idea to stow away a couple of games they haven't played before for later - when they've worked their way through the old ones and are getting restless. Bring toys out one by one - it's the best way to stretch the most interest out of everything you pack.

Take some special treats, such as favourite snacks or little presents wrapped up in colourful paper. These can be used as surprise gifts for when your child becomes tired, irritable or restless, or as incentives for good behaviour.

ON ARRIVAL
Bathrooms are located near baggage collection areas for your convenience.

Never leave children and bags unattended.

Know how you are going to get to your final destination. Have a car booked, bus tickets pre-purchased, know exactly where you are going for the bus and taxi pickups. For information on car rentals from Gold Coast Airport click here or click here for other transport information.

MORE INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN A FAMILY FRIENDLY FLIGHT

Safer Air Travel - Travelling with Children Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Australian Government

Smart Traveller - Travelling Parents Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government

Going on Holidays with Children - Health and Daily care Raising Children Network

 

Your next family holiday at the Gold Coast:
Australia's Gold Coast has a lot to offer families - from beautiful clean beaches, fantastic theme parks, family friendly dining and shopping, live shows, tours and plenty more to keep the kids and adults entertained. Find endless accommodation options with great kids club or kid minding services, kids eat free deals and transfers to major theme parks. Come and enjoy all the amazing features of the Gold Coast with travel made easy by Gold Coast Airport.

 

TRAVEL TIPS:

" I give my 10 year old son a backpack to take on board. In it I pack a "Word Search" puzzle book, pens, pencils, exercise book, a travel diary. I also pack him his MP3 player and Nintendo DS. And some a couple of novels to read. I usually find between all that, and getting up to check out the toilet a few times, he's kept fairly well occupied. If all that fails, there's the on flight entertainment.." - Wendy

" We have two toddlers aged 3 and 1... and travelling can be a challenge! Here are some of our tips:
1) Pack lots of healthy snacks, but try to avoid anything too sweet or full of additives/preservatives because otherwise your flight will be spent chasing children up and down the aisles and apologising to fellow passengers!
2) Hold off breastfeeding/bottle/sippy cup or popper juice until take off and landing so that the children can equalise their ears without the pain.
3) Pack a little bag of toys and drawing materials for each child. Look for plane friendly activities such as • colour books with 'paintbrushes' filled with water (as the pages are 'painted' the pages change colours) • a tub of playdoh • paper and crayons/pencils/washable markers • books to read • sticker books • puzzles or books of brain-teasers for older children • computer games ." - Melissa and Stephen

" I have 3 yr and 16 month old both are completly different. Prepare and relax is my key ingredient. A great toy for young kids that isn't noisy and can't hurt is Felt toys use your imagination - get the kids the dress them and have different scenery, ( holidays) They are light and you can fold them to fit in a backpack. And always have a spare change of clothes." - Michelle