Flight attendant reveals the best plane seats for kids – and why parents with babies should never fly at night

CHOOSING the right flight when booking a holiday with young kids can be a tricky decision to make.

However, the seats you book and the time of day you fly can make all the difference.

Getty Choosing a day time flight with babies can make it much easier on parents, say flight crew[/caption]

A flight attendant has helpfully revealed the three areas you should book on the plane if you are flying with babies or kids.

Rebecca Love, a flight attendant for Virgin Atlantic, explained why he bulkhead, the window and near the toilets are the best options.

She told the Mirror: “If they’re little enough, try and get a bulkhead seat and request a bassinet (one of the cribs that attaches on to the front wall of the cabin).”

This means they will be able to move around or sleep much better than if they were in a normal plane seat.

On most airlines, passengers have to book tickets and then call up to request the bulkhead.

Rebecca explained that window seats are also good to keep kids distracted by the outside, and they have a much more “soothing” view than the cabin interior.

However, families with older kids are advised to book a seat near a toilet.

She explained they are more likely to need the toilet more often, so it saves any “mad dashes” halfway down the cabin.


And families with babies should avoid night-time travel for a relaxing flight – Rebecca advises going for a day flight instead of an overnight flight.

She explained that it can avoid any worry about keeping other passengers awake during any particularity loud tantrums.

Recent research revealed kids are most likely to have a tantrum just 27 minutes into a flight – and will go on for at least 15 minutes.

The study was conducted by Oxford University’s Dr Tom Crawford, who said they are caused by four triggers – sleepiness, boredom, hunger and noise.

He said if all of the issues are addressed that the “average time can be increased to 129 minutes” before a tantrum happens.

He added: “This covers many short-haul flights to Europe that many will be taking in half term.”

Passengers who want to stay away from kids on a flight should book a trip with Japan Airlines, who offer a seat map showing where parents with kids have booked seats.

And Corendon is the first European airline to offer child-free zones on planes too.

The Turkish-owned carrier said the Only Adult zone will be on flights between Amsterdam and Caribbean Island of Curacao, with just 93 seats.

Other tips for travelling with kids include bringing enough food and snacks for emergencies as well as entertainment such as books and toys.

One mum went above and beyond, after handing out goody bags with earplugs and sweets to her fellow passengers after flying with her baby for the first time.

Shutterstock Window seats or ones near the toilet are a great option for older kids[/caption]

   

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