And with Special Needs 
Flying is a pain. No way around it. Long lines; unnecessary questions; removing half your clothes only to still have to go through a pat-down… Now let’s add kids into that mix – sounds like fun! (Eyeroll)
Now add special needs to that kid we just threw into that mix. The eyeroll becomes something much more overwhelmed, or maybe even terrified.
I cannot make flying with kids easy. Sorry. There’s no magical solution for that. (And please don’t try chocolate. It may seem like a magical solution, but it ends poorly. Every. Time.)
I can, however, give you some tips from my experience to make flying with kids (even with extra needs!) go as smoothly as possible. Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Park for Free (Getting to the airport)
Getting to the airport is chaos. It just is. You’ll leave late, or in a rush, even if you’re on time. You’ll be double checking numbers of minutes left in your head at every stop light and traffic back-up.
While researching economy parking for our last trip (12 days), I discovered that many hotels offer free parking (or a combo package), and an airport shuttle, when you spend the night with them. For our last trip, we were looking at $170 for parking, or $160 for a hotel and parking. Ummm… I went ahead and booked it, figuring that even if we decided not to stay we could still save money on parking! You can find some package offers on Park Sleep Fly, but we actually did better just looking up hotels in the area that offered both free parking and an airport shuttle. If this is the route you choose, I suggest you call in advance to make sure that “free parking” can include past your one night’s stay. It was great to wake up already in the airport area, with our bags packed, and the whole day ahead of us. We were able to add a bonus run to NYC to our trip!
2. Bring Your Wheels
Not only can you bring your own wheelchair to check at the gate (let them know ahead for that one), but a stroller OR wagon can also be checked at the gate for each child. Airports are big. Don’t risk having to carry your child and all your bags. Just bring a stroller.
You can also choose to check your wheelchair with your luggage and borrow one from the airport, but these are not for independent use and will require someone to maneuver the chair.
3. Bring the Bags
Diapered children get an extra carry-on (diaper bag), even if your ticket doesn’t include a carry-on. On our last flight, we were only allowed one personal item per person: no carry-ons. Thanks to diapers, we were allowed two carry-on bags at no additional charge.
Thanks, kids.
4. Bring the Liquids
That’s right, folks. Don’t sweat how you’re going to feed the child who can’t do solids, or what you’re going to do about medications. Bring it all along. Medically required liquids and baby foods can be packed in your carry-on, they just have to go through an extra screening.
5. Allow for Extra Time
A stroller adds on about ten minutes because you may have to push it through a separate lane.
I’d say up to 20 extra minutes for medical liquids or baby foods, depending on the lines.
Security with a wheelchair or extra equipment is beastly. Plan for extra time. (It took us an additional 45 minutes after the usual checkpoint… which feels even longer with three small children.)
6. Call Ahead
If you have questions or concerns about getting what you need through security, you can call TSA at 855-787-2227. If you have a disability and need assistance, you can have someone escort you through security. This can also help with #4. If you can predict that you’re going to get pushback trying to get dish soap into the airport (exactly eight times, to eight different people, explaining, “It’s part of the enema system: it makes his intestines contract to push the poop out.”), go with an escort who is pre-informed and can help you through the process. It’s totally free and can’t hurt.
7. Bring the Carseats
This is really more of a budget tip than an airport survival tip. Car seats travel for free for each kid who needs one (as opposed to paying exorbitant rental fees on location). You can check them with your luggage or have your kids fly in them. Most airlines will also let you check them at the gate, it’s a pain to haul them through the airport… but may balance out depending on your state of mind after seeing how their handled with checked luggage…
You can bring them in bags, but the airport will bag them for you if you don’t. You can also buy padded bags with straps to make it easier to carry them in, and ease your mind as they’re being loaded.
8. Bring the Goods
You made it! Getting to the plane is half the battle, but don’t forget to be prepared for the flight itself.
Elevation is tough on tiny ears. Bring gum. If your kids are too young for gum, bring snacks. Actually, no matter how old they are, bring snacks. Lots of them.
Bring their favorite sleep items so they can catch a comfy nap.
Bring activities to keep them from getting bored. I’ve done wiki sticks, sticker books, and coloring sheets. At this point, I let the kids pack their own back packs with one book, one stuffed animal, one outfit (in case luggage is lost), and then as many activities as they feel comfortable carrying. They don’t pack much, but they seem thrilled with the random items they’ve thrown into their own bag.
9. Just Ask (Nicely)
I’d like to think that hospitality and kindness are alive and thriving… but it could just as easily be that in the age of social media a customer complaint can go viral in about five seconds. Either way, airline employees and airport workers are happy to help (especially if you start with a smile). If you’re not sure about something, just ask. If you want the best bathroom in the airport for your medical routines, ask someone where it is. If you need a restaurant to accommodate dietary needs, ask. If you can’t handle carrying all of your stuff while pushing a wheelchair and dragging a three year old, just ask. If you need help transferring your kid from a wheelchair to the plane, just ask. There is always someone to help.
10. Do a Test Run
Still nervous about the stresses of this new experience for your child, or worried about sensory needs? You can do a test run with mock security, boarding and even a quick trip around the runway. Wings for Autism hosts events around the nation and both Delta and American Airlines have started running their own mock flights.
Not sure where to fly to? Check out these seven places that are more accessible than ever.
Not sure how to pay for a flight? Check out these vacation planning strategies to travel for almost free.
