We recently took our first vacation with the twins and while we survived, it wasn’t an easy feat.
Here are some tips for surviving an airplane flight with twins in tow:
- It is cheaper if they can be free “lap children” so fly before your twins turn two.
- Flying earlier in the day means that everyone is fresher and it’s more likely they’re at their best than later in the day. The downside to this is that flights are more likely to be full earlier in the day. Something to consider based on the needs of your family: full flight and better behaved, or extra space and worn-out kiddos?
- For planning purposes, it’s good to know that you can only have one lap child per row on the plane. This is because there is only one extra oxygen mask for any row of seats.
- If you’ll be flying your twins as free lap children, you probably won’t be sitting all together, side by side. Plan to be across the row from each other. This way you can pass supplies or even babies back and forth with your spouse across the aisle with more ease than over a seat.
- Pack a bag for each baby that goes with the parent or adult that is holding that twin. This is especially helpful if your twins are mobile. You’ll have your hands full corralling an active lap child and will need to have your snacks, toys, and books at your fingertips.
- Get a direct flight to your destination. Anyone traveling with kids will tell you it’s easier to get on a plane and get off a plane one time than it is to change or connect with other flights. Basically, you want to reduce the amount of time you are on the plane with your kids. It will even be worth the extra money if you can avoid changing planes en route. Just trust me.
- Check all the luggage you can. Especially if you have other kids, you won’t have any free hands for extra luggage to carry on. Take your kids, supplies for them, and a lot of patience. Check everything else.
- You can check your car seats. Many airlines have large plastic bags that you can put your seats in to protect them from dirt and damage during transit.
- Take your double stroller and check it at the gate right before you get on the plane. You don’t want to have to carry your twins and carry-on bags through the airport terminals. Let the stroller carry the baby burden and maybe you can even sling some bags on the back of it.
- Read the labels of the airplane snacks before you give them to your babies. You don’t want to be introducing new foods or risk allergic reactions when confined on a plane.
- Your twins will want to play with the peanut snacks because of the texture and sound of the packaging. While this will provide needed diversion for at least ten minutes, if your twins have teeth, realize that it is possible for them to chew a hole in the packaging and make a really big mess (my wife learned the hard way on this one).
- Have a sequence of toys and activities you can pull out over time during the flight to entertain your twins. Attention spans are short so plan accordingly.
- Make sure your twins have something to eat, drink, or suck on during take off and landing. This will help alleviate any pressure in their ears and will prevent extended pain-induced crying fits.
If you have other kids and have traveled with them before, you probably know a lot of these tips already. However, with twins you’ve got twice as many things to worry about.
The bonus of twins is that they are such an anomaly that people in the airport, on the plane, and during your trip will not only stop and comment, “Oh! Twins!” but will be more likely to help you when they see your hands are full.
Take advantage of those that offer to help because once your kids are bigger, help won’t be quite as easy to come by.
