Travel with Children - what time of day to fly with 3 yr old ADD kid

I'm flying for the first time with my 3 yr old the first week in December (he will be almost 4 by then) ewr-mco (newark-orlando) on Continental, regular coach. I won't qualify for a nifty row 14 upgrade. Flying out in early december on a monday. Counting hubby, there will be 3 of us.

What's the best time of day to fly on a Monday? I'd like to annoy the fewest people possible, so a less packed flight would be preferred. There's a 6:30 am, which means dragging him out of bed at 4:30 am, but maybe he'll sleep. There's a 7:40, 10:30 am and 11:30 am. He's better in the am than the pm.

And since we're going to Disney and can't get the room till 4pm, we'd be looking at hitting a park for the first two flights. Not sure if that's a bad idea.

Thanks.

I usually recommend that parents try to fly in the mornings when possible. Flights are more likely to be on time and children are in better humor.

I cringe every time someone says to fly when the child naps. As a Flight Attendant, I saw this go wrong so many times. First, if you have a delay, you're sure to have a meltdown. Also, some children get so overstimulated in airports that they don't settle down on the plane.

But having said that, I hate to recommend the 6:30 flight but we have done really insanely early flights and every time, it's gone really smoothly. My children are very active (the oldest and youngest especially) but no sensory disorders or hyperactivity. They're usually excited to be going and don't mind being woken up. Once they go through the whole dance of check-in, security, boarding, etc. by the time they get on board, they crash out (bad wording when talking about flying??)

I have worked similar routes. Orlando traffic tends to be a lot of children and mostly tourists. Early December is usually a quiet time since the Christmas vacations are coming up and most parents wait till the kids are out of school to go. Of course, there could be a conference or a to-die-for promotion going on so don't revel in too many empty-flight fantasies! But it's not unreasonable and you might want to "risk" the 10:30, just for your sanity's sake.

Since your child has a diagnosed condition, I assume that you have discussed this trip with his doctor (or plan to). Be sure to bring up the subject of drugs. Don't give him anything he hasn't taken on the ground first so you might want to bring this up, and organize it well ahead of time.

About the room being ready, officially it's 4pm but there's a good chance you'll be able to get in before that time. Once your room is cleaned, they'll give you the key. In any case, you can leave your bags and check-in right away.

You must be living next to the airport if you can get your child out of bed at 4:30 to make a 6:30 flight. In my experience, when flying with a 2 or 3-year-old, the entire process from wake up and get out of the house to arrive at gate goes at about 1/2 speed. I wouldn't consider a 6:30 AM flight for the 3 of us unless we planned to stay at an airport hotel the night before.

You must be living next to the airport if you can get your child out of bed at 4:30 to make a 6:30 flight. . The airport is about 8 miles away. Even with off-site parking and taking the tram, home to airport is under 30 minutes.

Dressing him the night before (or transporting him in pj's, still asleep) will expedite things. The few Monday's I've flown, I recall them being pretty packed with business travellers. I just don't know if they are going to orlando at 6:30 or 7:30 am.

The airport is about 8 miles away. Even with off-site parking and taking the tram, home to airport is under 30 minutes.


Does that include in and out of car seat, walk to the tram carrying a 3-year-old and luggage, bathroom break at inopportune time, etc?

Our child tends to get very oppositional as soon as he senses his parents hurrying and trying to rush him.

Does that include in and out of car seat, walk to the tram carrying a 3-year-old and luggage, bathroom break at inopportune time, etc?Hmm, very good points. Maybe if we plan for the 6:30 am but book the 7:40 am, we'll make it. :confused: I'm guessing an early flight means a less crowded airport and hence, a quicker check-in.

[QUOTE=Eclipsepearl;16184294

I cringe every time someone says to fly when the child naps. As a Flight Attendant, I saw this go wrong so many times. First, if you have a delay, you're sure to have a meltdown. Also, some children get so overstimulated in airports that they don't settle down on the plane.

I never thought of it this way. I always pick the flights during my 1 yr old's nap time or bedtime but she is very scheduled so maybe it just works for her.

Regarding the op, I wouldn't pick the flt you have to wake up your child early for because he wouldn't have had a full nights rest. And, typically the first flight out on a Mon usually more business travelers on it who avoided flying out on Sun night. Mid-morning would probably be the best time. Flights to MCO usually have lots of overly excited kids on them heading to Disney World so you won't be the only one.

I'm not sure when in Dec. the OP is planning to fly, but if it is during the holidays, -- you'll want to consider that there will be lots of holiday travelers, so it makes sense to try to for an earlier flight -- before the airport gets crazy busy!

Also, you'll want to factor in any possible weather issues, -- once any delays start, the potential for delays increases during the course of the day!

Early December is usually pretty quiet.

The nap tip works IF everything goes to plan, which it doesn't, and then you have a meltdown AND a delayed flight later in the day. I just don't want parents to be too fixated on getting their kids to sleep. Especially a child with sensory issues who might have difficulty nodding off in a strange place with a lot of people around.

Early morning can be very busy but I think it's more sane if 1. there are not a ton of low-cost and charters flying out of there and 2. You're not flying to an international connection point (i.e. JFK or MIA). Orlando is neither.

Early December is usually pretty quiet.

The nap tip works IF everything goes to plan, which it doesn't, and then you have a meltdown AND a delayed flight later in the day. I just don't want parents to be too fixated on getting their kids to sleep. Especially a child with sensory issues who might have difficulty nodding off in a strange place with a lot of people around.

Early morning can be very busy but I think it's more sane if 1. there are not a ton of low-cost and charters flying out of there and 2. You're not flying to an international connection point (i.e. JFK or MIA). Orlando is neither.

You've raised many good points!^

Of course, my perspective (re: airports) is from EWR & I have no idea where the OP is flying out of. Also, by age 4 -- my kids were no longer taking 'regular' naps, so I couldn't 'plan' on that at all!:eek: But, as you pointed out -- one really can't count on a 'nap' b/c the child could end up 'over-tired' & unable to fall asleep -- given the circumstances!:(

My daughter never goes back to sleep on early flights- she does on afternoon flights, but like Eclipse Pearl I have seen many kids melt down then. My recommendation would be to book a flight at a time that you, as parents, would most likely be well rested, so that you can best and most patiently deal with whatever transpires.

Then, I would recommend that you bring activities that your son enjoys- multiple activities in case he tires of them- like 5-10 different things or more. If you can tame him with the electronic hypnotist consider purchasing a DVD player or loading movies onto an ipod video. With many kids, that can buy you hours of peace.

My worst trips with my daughter have been when I am too tired to cope myself. No matter how badly it goes, if I am well rested then I can deal with it. For me, the 6:30 am flight wouldn't work. I would be too tired.

Hmm, very good points. Maybe if we plan for the 6:30 am but book the 7:40 am, we'll make it. :confused: I'm guessing an early flight means a less crowded airport and hence, a quicker check-in.

You are very sweet and considerate to think of others flying with you. However, IMO, do what is right for your family, NOT the other fliers. If you want to take a later flight, do so.

I miss the old days when my my kids were young so I'd love to sit next to an overly excited 3 year old than someone who takes up all the arm rests, snores, etc.

Have a good trip!

I'm guessing an early flight means a less crowded airport and hence, a quicker check-in.

Not my experience. Usually first thing in the am, the airport is very busy and security can be slow.

It's not a very long flight to MCO for you. Just bring lots of new little toys to keep his interest. I'd go with the 10:30 am flight so he could get a regular night's sleep. If you take the early flight and he doesn't sleep, you're in for a really long day.