What Time to Fly with a One Year Old

Hi A.,

In all honestly, there is no good time. You just have to pick your poison based on time you feel that you can handle it more. For instance, if you choose a flight early in the morning and you're tired and your patience are low, it's going to be twice as hard on the both of you! Pick what works for you with your schedule and you'll be able to better handle it. Bring your son's favorites (milk, snacks, juices, toys, comfort items, portable DVD player or iPod for his favorite music and shows) to keep him occupied. My son doesn't get to watch tv very often, so when I pull out the iPod Touch, he is glued to it, which helps in just getting thru the long travels, making it easier. Also, from my experience, having him in the carseat is the best option because it keeps him in place and also offers a source of comfort and stability as it is something that children grow accustomed to and rely on in car travel. Oh and if you are doing the carseat option, I highly recommend purchasing the 'Go Go Kidz Travelmate' - it is seriously worth its weight in gold for navigating the airports and air travel in general. Good Luck with your family travels!

During his normal nap time. I plan all trips as close to the time she will be sleeping and run her around the airport a little before we get on the plane to get her tired. :)

Whenever you can get the cheapest flight. Honestly it won't matter. Bring his car seat and strap him in like you do in hte car. Bring some snacks, his sippy cup, and relax. He will probably sleep the whole time, or at least the majority, of the flight.

I have a son who won't nap in public like lots of other kids I know. So I don't try for naptime hoping he will sleep through it. But if yours is one that will, that is a great time. I don't fly very often but I have found that mid day flights are less full, so those are what I fly. They also work best with our schedule. So we are usually flying through lunchtime. He gets his breakfast at home, we drive to the airport, he runs off some energy there, we get on the plane and eat and snack a lot, then we land and he usually falls asleep in the car. That is just what works best for us. Early morning is NOT a good time of day for me, and those flights are busier. And evening is not good for my son.

If you can afford it buy him his own seat. That way he has to sit in his car seat and is strapped in. He may not like it but that way you don't have to deal with trying to keep him on your lap. Also fly during his nap time. That way he will hopefully sleep on the plane.