Tips for travelling with kids

Keeping the children amused on flights to holiday destinations is often a challenge so cheapflights.co.uk has researched some top tips on travelling with kids.

Child friendly travel is on the increase, according to the website and airlines such as Virgin Atlantic are leading the way in keeping children and parents happy.

The airline offers children their own seatback TV with its very own kids channel as well as a backpack complete with puzzles, crayons and other goodies.

Children's meals including popular dishes like pizza and fish fingers are also available.

British Airways has different goodie bags for kids depending on age. Three- to five-year-olds get a blue rucksack, a 'going on a plane' storybook, wristband aircraft, activity cards, crayons and stickers.

Older children (six to 12 years) receive a white rucksack with an electronic game, a reading book, travel journal and a pen.

Long haul flights feature on screen entertainment from Disney, the Cartoon Network and family movies that have a parental lock to prevent viewing of unsuitable material.

The low-cost carriers have limited child-friendly facilities, so parents are advised to pack plenty of snacks, activity books and gadgets.

Before the flight takes off there are the hours at the airport to get through and London's Gatwick airport has a play area with baby-landings, soft play and finger-box play tables (interactive/educational games consoles).

There is also a new family lounge, which requires pre-booking.

At Heathrow there is a supervised family lounge catering to kids aged five to 14, equipped with a TV, DVD player, reading material and toys.

Supernanny.com's expert Sarah Siese commented: "Without you knowing it, many airlines and tour operators do offer families special provision to make travelling with children easier, so take them up on any assistance offered and ask when booking what else they can help with."

Her top tips include taking boiled sweets to help with ears popping on the descent, having a new exciting toy or book to offer as a treat and not forgetting that favourite teddy.

See the Cheapflights website for more tips on flying with children, including pushchairs and child-friendly facilities to food options for kids.