Flying with kids can add a new layer of excitement – and sometimes a bit of stress – to travel plans. For families, a few thoughtful amenities can make all the difference. Some airlines truly shine in this area, providing kid-friendly entertainment, special meals, and helpful services that make the flight smoother and more enjoyable for parents and kids alike. Here’s a look at the top airlines for family travel and what they offer to make flying with children a breeze.
1. Emirates Airlines 🌍
Emirates is one of the leading airlines for family travel, providing a variety of services to keep kids entertained, comfortable, and well-fed from takeoff to landing. From exclusive activity kits to special meals, they’ve designed their offerings to keep young travelers happy.
- In-Flight Entertainment: Emirates’ ICE (Information, Communication, Entertainment) system offers an impressive selection of over 100 kids’ movies, educational shows, cartoons, and interactive games. Kids can pick their favorites, keeping them engaged for hours. There’s also an onboard camera feature that allows children to view outside the plane from different angles, adding an extra layer of fun to their flight experience.
- Fly With Me Animals and Activity Kits: Emirates welcomes kids with its exclusive “Fly With Me Animals” collection, featuring adorable stuffed animals designed for younger children to cuddle. Each kit includes puzzles, coloring books, and games, keeping kids busy with fun activities throughout the flight.
- Kid-Friendly Meals: Emirates’ children’s meals are created with nutrition and fun in mind. Meal options include mini-burgers, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and juice boxes. Meals are served on bright, colorful trays to make them more exciting for kids, and they often come with small surprises to keep young travelers happy.
2. Qatar Airways 🌟
Qatar Airways is another top choice for families traveling with kids. Known for its attentive service and attention to detail, the airline has invested in creating a family-friendly experience, from interactive entertainment options to thoughtful extras that keep children engaged and comfortable.
- In-Flight Entertainment 🎮: Qatar Airways’ Oryx One entertainment system offers a large selection of kids’ movies, cartoons, music, and games. With new content regularly added, kids can explore plenty of options that cater to all age groups. The system also provides interactive educational games, so parents can rest easy knowing the entertainment is both fun and enriching.
- Skyfun Activity Packs 🎒: Young travelers are greeted with “Skyfun” activity packs, filled with engaging games, coloring books, puzzles, and arts and crafts materials. Each pack is tailored by age group, so kids have age-appropriate activities to enjoy during the flight.
- Dedicated Kid-Friendly Meals 🍕🍌: Qatar Airways makes dining fun and nutritious for kids, with specially crafted meals that include popular kid-friendly dishes like pasta, sandwiches, and fresh fruit. Meals are presented in colorful, playful packaging, making mealtime a treat and helping to encourage even picky eaters to enjoy their food.
3. Singapore Airlines 🌏
Singapore Airlines is celebrated for its world-class service, and they put the same care into their family-friendly offerings, ensuring kids are entertained, well-fed, and comfortable throughout the flight. Their thoughtful touches and attention to detail make the journey enjoyable for all ages.
- KrisWorld Entertainment for Kids 📽️: Singapore Airlines’ KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system provides a wide selection of kids’ movies, TV shows, and games. The system is designed to be intuitive, so even young children can explore and find something they enjoy. For those who love a hands-on experience, KrisWorld includes interactive, educational games that combine fun with learning.
- Toys and Activity Packs 🎨: Upon boarding, young travelers receive themed activity packs with age-specific toys, games, and coloring materials, keeping them happily occupied for hours. For long-haul flights, Singapore Airlines even provides kid-sized headphones to enhance their entertainment experience.
- Special Kid’s Meals 🍲: The airline takes pride in offering a dedicated children’s menu with nutritious and kid-approved choices like pasta, chicken nuggets, fresh fruit, and dairy snacks. Meals are served on brightly colored trays that appeal to younger flyers, and special dietary needs can be accommodated upon request, making mealtime a breeze.
4. JetBlue Airways 🇺🇸
JetBlue is known for making family travel easy with thoughtful services and free in-flight entertainment, making it a popular choice for families flying within the United States. With extra amenities and a commitment to comfort, JetBlue is ideal for parents traveling with young ones.
- Seatback Entertainment 🎬: JetBlue provides free seatback entertainment, including live TV, movies, and games that are family-friendly. Kids can enjoy watching their favorite shows or playing games directly from their seat, keeping them entertained and happy throughout the flight.
- Free Wi-Fi 🌐: JetBlue’s Fly-Fi® offers free high-speed Wi-Fi on most flights, making it easy for parents to access additional streaming options or educational apps for kids who may need a change of activity mid-flight.
- Snacks Galore 🍪: JetBlue is generous with snacks, offering unlimited options like animal crackers, popcorn chips, and juice boxes – perfect for keeping kids satisfied and parents stress-free on shorter flights.
5. Qantas Airways 🇦🇺
Qantas Airways has a strong reputation for family-friendly services, providing an enjoyable flying experience for kids and parents alike. Their focus on making the journey entertaining and comfortable has made them a go-to airline for families traveling to and within Australia.
- Qantas Entertainment App 🎉: Qantas offers its exclusive Qantas Entertainment App, allowing kids to access movies, TV shows, and games on their own devices before they even board. The in-flight entertainment also includes a wide range of kid-friendly content, making long flights a bit easier.
- Joey Club Kits 🦘: Little travelers are greeted with Joey Club activity kits, filled with puzzles, coloring books, and small games tailored to different age groups. These packs keep kids engaged and entertained, especially during longer flights.
- Kid-Friendly Meals 🍕: Qantas serves kid-friendly meals with options that appeal to younger palates, including pasta, sandwiches, and fresh fruits. They also offer special dietary meals upon request, ensuring that all children can enjoy a satisfying meal in-flight.
6. Southwest Airlines 🇺🇸
Southwest Airlines is a popular choice among families traveling within the United States, thanks to its family-friendly policies and straightforward services. The airline’s commitment to making air travel accessible and comfortable for families has earned it a loyal following.
- Family Boarding 🛫: Southwest offers a unique boarding process that includes a Family Boarding period. Families with children aged six or under can board between the A and B boarding groups, allowing them to find seats together without the need for early check-in or additional fees. Southwest Support
- Bags Fly Free 🧳: One of Southwest’s standout features is its generous baggage policy. Each passenger is allowed two free checked bags, which is particularly beneficial for families traveling with extra luggage, such as strollers or car seats.
- In-Flight Entertainment 🎧: Southwest provides free in-flight entertainment accessible via personal devices. Families can enjoy a selection of movies, TV shows, and live TV, helping to keep children entertained during the flight.
7. Delta Air Lines 🇺🇸
Delta Air Lines is known for its comprehensive services that cater to families, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable flight experience for passengers of all ages.
- Early Boarding for Families 🛫: Delta offers early boarding for families with young children, allowing them to settle in and get comfortable before general boarding begins. Upgraded Points
- In-Flight Entertainment 🎥: Delta’s seatback entertainment system, Delta Studio, offers a wide array of children’s programming, including movies, TV shows, and games, ensuring that kids have plenty of options to stay entertained during the flight.
- Special Meals for Kids 🍽️: Delta provides special children’s meals on select flights, featuring kid-friendly options that are both nutritious and appealing. These meals can be requested in advance to accommodate dietary preferences.
8. Alaska Airlines 🇺🇸
Alaska Airlines is another fantastic option for family travel within the U.S., known for its helpful staff and comfortable flights. The airline has several kid-friendly amenities designed to keep families relaxed and entertained.
- Family Boarding 🛫: Alaska Airlines provides early boarding for families with children under the age of two, giving parents extra time to settle in without the rush of general boarding.
- In-Flight Entertainment 🎥: Alaska Airlines offers free streaming entertainment, accessible on personal devices. Kids can enjoy a variety of family-friendly movies, TV shows, and games, ensuring they stay occupied throughout the flight.
- Flexible Seating Arrangements 💺: Alaska Airlines does its best to accommodate families seated together, with seat assignments that prioritize keeping families close.
9. United Airlines 🇺🇸
United Airlines offers family-friendly services with an emphasis on comfort and convenience for travelers with kids. Their amenities and policies make traveling with children easier for parents on both short and long-haul flights.
- Early Boarding for Families 🛫: United allows families with children under two years of age to board early, ensuring they have ample time to settle in.
- Kid-Friendly In-Flight Entertainment 📺: United’s seatback screens offer a range of movies, cartoons, and games for kids, giving them plenty of options to keep entertained during the flight.
- Special Kid’s Meals 🍕: United Airlines offers children’s meals on select international flights. These meals feature kid-approved options that are nutritious and fun, making dining enjoyable for young travelers.
10. American Airlines 🇺🇸
American Airlines has worked to make its flights more accessible and enjoyable for families with kids. With a combination of entertainment options and helpful boarding policies, they cater to families seeking stress-free travel.
- Priority Boarding for Families 🛫: American Airlines allows families with children under two to board early, providing a calmer, more convenient boarding experience.
- Kid-Friendly In-Flight Entertainment 🎬: On many flights, American Airlines offers seatback screens with family-friendly movies, shows, and games. For flights without screens, American provides free streaming entertainment that can be accessed on personal devices, keeping kids entertained from gate to gate.
- Special Children’s Meals 🍲: Available on select flights, American Airlines’ children’s meals are designed to appeal to younger palates. The meals are colorful and nutritious, helping even picky eaters stay satisfied.
