Travel Easier With Toddlers This Summer {Tips Guide}

Posted on June 9, 2019

Summer vacation travel season is on the horizon.

Emirates Airlines conducted a U.S. Travel Survey on Family Travel, identifying key struggles of traveling with kids and what parents say are the most effective ways to make the experience better for them and the kids.

In the survey of 4400 adults with a passport, planning to take an international trip in the coming year or have taken an international trip in the past few years, and who travel at least once every two to three years and are between the ages of 18 and 64.

It’s no secret kids can get antsy during flights.

Emirates found that while kids get better at flying as they get older, many kids across all ages are already antsy within the first two hours of a long-haul flight:

Under 2 Years Old: 70% of travelers say kids under 2 get antsy in the first two hours of the flight
3-5 Years Old: 57% of travelers say kids 3-5 years old get antsy in the first 2 hours of a flight
6-10 Years Old: 32% say of travelers say kids 6-10 years old get antsy in the first 2 hours of a flight, with another 50% saying this older group gets antsy between 2-4 hours into a flight

The survey found that parents serve a child’s favorite snacks as one of the top needed distraction.

Additionally, while kids across the U.S. reportedly get restless in the early parts of their flights, kids from Boston tend to be the antsiest flyers in the U.S., with 38% of respondents reporting kids under 2 and 24% of kids 6-10 years old are antsy as soon as the plane takes off.

Keeping kids busy on the ground can be tricky, let alone on a plane.

The number one way to keep kids occupied during a long flight? People say devices are the best at keeping kids occupied across all age groups.

The most helpful methods across age groups include:

Under 5 Years Old: 57% of respondents say devices to watch movies, TV shows or videos are by far the most helpful, followed by devices to play games (17%) and activity books and toys (16%)
6-10 Years Old: 96% of respondents say devices to watch movies, TV shows or videos and devices for games tie for being the most helpful in keeping kids content, but are followed closely by having snacks kids enjoy on hand (88%)

However, parental worry about keeping kids entertained through a flight isn’t created equal – Emirates survey found that flyers in Orlando, Houston, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles are the most concerned about this issue when flying.

Is this Seat Available?

It’s no secret that many people try to avoid sitting near kids to ensure peace and quiet during their flight.

Emirates found that the average traveler’s willingness to sit next to kids depends on how long the trip is.

It turns out that 61% of fliers would say no to sitting next to kids on a flight over 10 hours, and of that, men are actually more likely to agree to it (57%) than women are (64%).

While the West Coast is known for friendliness and the South for hospitality, residents in San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale are actually the least willing to sit next to kids on long-haul flights.

Here are Emirates’ Cabin Crew’s top tips for traveling children this vacation season:

For parents flying with babies, try to choose a flight that is as close as possible to their bedtime. This can help them sleep for a large part of the flight. Also, make sure you have sweets or a bottle of milk for babies/toddlers to suck on during take-off or descent, as they may have difficulty equalizing their ear pressure and feel uncomfortable.For small children, keep one new toy aside to give them mid-flight to ensure they don’t grow bored of the ones they already have. This will provide a fun, distracting surprise, and will keep them occupied longer than one of their old toys.

For kids of all ages, find ways to break up activities during the flight. Don’t depend solely on games or videos – pack a small puzzle, colouring book or interactive toy in addition to devices or in-flight entertainment systems, and use time between shows or movies to try something different.
When kids are awake, take brief strolls when they are already in good moods. This will help them stretch and break up the time between activities in their seats, and help prevent a restless-child meltdown.
When going through an airport, bookend your kids with one parent upfront and one taking the rear (if possible) to ensure you don’t lose any little stragglers along the way, and keep them moving quickly through checkpoints.

Good luck!

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Memorial Day Plane Travel Tips: What Not To Wear

Posted on May 16, 2019

If you’re planning an upcoming journey on an airplane, you probably want to know what to wear on the journey.

This is particularly true if it’s your first time flying, and you want to make sure that you are comfortable, make a good impression, and don’t do anything to embarrass yourself!

There are certain guidelines with regards to not only appropriate behaviour on a plane, but what one should or shouldn’t wear.

Here are five things you should never wear on a plane:

Perfume

It isn’t a life or death situation if you forget this rule and apply perfume before boarding. However, you really should avoid wearing perfume on a plane. This guideline is more about being considerate of other people, than it is a fashion faux pas.

Wearing strong fragrances in the vicinity of other people during a flight will make their flying experience less enjoyable. Mainstream commercial airlines have hardly any space between seats and passengers, particularly in the economy section.

Your floral fragrance will be memorable, for all the wrong reasons. Think about it: have you ever encountered or even walked past someone who is wearing strong perfume or aftershave? It might smell nice as it wafts through the air during your momentary encounter, but imagine being immersed in it for hours and hours in close proximity. It’s simply about considering other people, really. Be selfless: go au naturel. However, don’t hold off on antiperspirant if your ‘au naturel’ might be the pungent smell of body odour!

Clothes That Are Too Tight

Many of these guidelines should be common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people prioritize vanity and style over practicality. Another thing you should never wear on a plane is anything that is too tight.

This might be a tightly-buttoned blouse, or a pair of skinny jeans that you have to squeeze yourself into. Alternatively, it could be a bodycon dress or a pair of tights that are a size too small. Oh, and don’t forget corsets! Now, why anyone would wear a corset on a plane is beyond me, but you never know!

As a general rule, any clothing item that hinders your breathing or leaves you feeling trapped is a no-go. During flight, the changes in altitude cause swelling on certain parts of your body, including your feet, so you need to wear light and loose fabrics that allow your skin to breathe.

If you’re already struggling to move in your too-tight clothing, you’re not going to have a fun time trying to get comfortable on the plane. Be sensible: avoid tight clothing.

Inappropriate or Offensive Clothing

Having your cleavage hanging out or wearing offensive slogans on a shirt are examples of inappropriate or offensive clothing. Traveling on a plane is not an exercise in showing other passengers your curvaceous body or your interesting political views.

Like wearing perfume, it is highly inconsiderate, and could get you a lot of angry glares or whispered comments.

Anonymity is key: keep your outfit simple, and like a wallflower, fade into the background. This is not the time for you to be giving your Oscar speech.

Uncomfortable Shoes

You might be really excited about your upcoming flight, and want to look great for boarding the plane. However, plane journeys are not fashion shows, and you will have a much more pleasant flight if you sacrifice your keen fashion sense for an outfit that is more practical.

One of the aspects you should be thinking about in this regard is to wear comfortable shoes. If you are a lover of high heels and exotic designs, you might not even own a pair of shoes that could be called practical or comfortable.

However, you should really think about investing in a pair of flats with cushioned soles for air travel. Believe me, you’ll thank me once you’ve reached your destination.

Uncomfortable shoes should never be worn on a plane because your feet are going to be sore, and you will likely be in pain while airborne. Due to the swelling mentioned above, make sure you wear a pair of shoes that allow your feet some breathing space in preparation for the higher altitudes.

This way, you’ll be less fidgety in your seat and can enjoy the view out the window or your new book instead.

Long Dresses or Maxi Skirts

Finally, you should never wear long dresses or maxi skirts (or dresses) on a plane. This is actually more about before and after boarding the plane.

When you wear clothes that can potentially hide a lot underneath, you’re going to get a lot more unwanted attention at the security areas.

Long dresses or skirts are simply not a smart choice, and the last thing you want is to be searched for a longer time than the average person. Choose loose pants and a simple blouse instead.

Above are five things you should never wear on a plane. Remember these, and your next plane journey will go by a lot more smoothly. Enjoy your flight!

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Tips

These Plane Travel Tips Could Save you Neck and Back Pain

Posted on August 9, 2018

Vacations are usually meant to be relaxing, but traveling can cause increased stress on the body, and ultimately be a pain in the neck!

Especially for moms-to-be or women who have recently given birth, the seats in airplanes, cars, trains, and buses are not always the most comfortable. With 80% of Americans suffering from back pain, the thought of a long trip can be discouraging. Luckily, the pain associated with travel can be greatly reduced, and in many cases avoided.

Dr. Kenneth Hansraj, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon specializing in cervical, thoracic and lumbar procedures for example laminectomies and spinal fusions, offers these travel tips to help keep your spine comfortable and healthy while on the go:

Check Your Posture: Sitting for prolonged periods can strain your back, and your positioning can make it even worse. To provide yourself with the most relief, make sure your back is aligned against the back of the seat and your headrest is supporting the middle of your head. Keep your shoulders straight and avoid rounding forward. Both feet should be firmly resting on the floor

Smart Preparation: Reduce the time spent standing in lines by planning ahead. Purchasing electronic tickets, acquire elite frequent flyer status, take advantage of digital electronic check-in by smart phone, and check your luggage curbside

Travel Light: Resist the urge to over-pack and reduce the stress on your shoulders and spine. Choose a light suitcase with wheels and a handle for rolling

Tilts: Tilting your seat backward, with a pillow behind your back in proper posture will lead to the efficient loading of your spine. Behind your neck rests are usually two foldable pads that can be adjusted close to your neck. This prevents sleeping with your neck in an awkward position

It’s all in the legs: Keep your legs out in the extended position. The bent or flexed position leads to your leg veins being stagnant, and may lead to a blood clot. It is important to get up and walk, stretching the legs and arms at least once an hour

Stretch: When all else fails keep moving! Simple stretches of the neck, shoulders, and back will help keep the blood flowing. Blood brings important nutrients and oxygen to the structures of the back. This helps to stimulate the soft tissues in your back and keeps them from stiffening, which can reduce aches. Even a few seconds of stretching and moving is better than not doing anything at all!

Breathe: Place your hands on your abdominal area and feel your belly move as you inhale and exhale. Do this as many times a day as possible to improve your posture and overall spinal health.

Intention: Realize that the trip itself is a destination to be planned and thoroughly enjoyed. Watch your intentions. “I have a gorgeous hour to listen to my music, my book, or chat with a friend” is a better intention than “Ugh, I’m a prisoner on this trip.”

Best Hours: Face it! Some of our best hours of our lives are spent travelling. Be thoughtful about it. Choose a vehicle that is safe, ergonomic, comfortable and that you love. Upgrade to business class if possible (less expensive, booked 1 month early).

See Opportunity in Delays: Expect delays. Look for the opportunities to read a book, or watch a movie and connect with your travel companion. Anger and frustration leads to shallow breathing, stiff muscles and pain.

Safe travels!

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Plane travel tips