Travelling with kids is never easy, especially when travelling via aeroplane.
You can guarantee that there will be tears, tantrums and uncontrollable fidgeting but the good folks at Virgin Australia have an exciting new initiative that will make parents around the country breathe a sigh of relief.
The airline has become the first Australian one to give travellers aged under 23 months a dedicated baggage allowance for both domestic and international flights.
Parents can check in an additional bag weighing up to 23kg completely free as well as two special infant items, whether that’s a pram, cot, car seat or baby capsule.
On top of that, if you’re travelling with your child the airline will let you bring an extra 7kg of carry-on for essential baby products. Sweet!
Pack your bags, Virgin Australia are making things a lot easier for parents
(Image: Getty Images)This is great news for parents, especially as a massive proportion of Aussie mums and dads think kids should be a certain age before they fly.
According to recent survey results commissioned by travel insurance specialist, InsureandGo, a whopping 60 per cent believe tots aged under one are too young to go on domestic flights with their parents, and 45 per cent think under-fives are too young for international travel.
Parents ranging from Ryan Reynolds to even Duchess Catherine have had to deal with unhappy tots on flights so it’s hardly news, but there are some tips to make things easier.
WATCH: Ryan Reynolds on flying with his daughters. Post continues after video…
Jonathan Etkind, a spokesperson at InsureandGo, says young children need to be comfortable and kept entertained during a flight.
“A child’s health and wellbeing is particularly important when travelling – and to the overall enjoyment of your trip,” he says.
“When flying, ensure to keep your children comfortable and entertained on flights, by packing extra snacks and things to entertain them, such as colouring books.”
That extra 7kg of carry-on would definitely come in handy!
An extra bag packed with extras for the kids to keep them entertained on board definitely comes in handy.
(Image: Getty Images)When it comes to travel when you’re parenting, minimalism sounds nice but is rarely achievable.
Speaking to Yahoo Travel, mum-of-two Drew Barrymore confessed, “I wish I could be a minimalist, but with kids, you always overcompensate and want to bring everything.”
“There’s a Burton bag that each one of my daughters and myself and my [now ex] husband have. If it fits in that Burton bag, then I can bring it.”
What’s your top travel tip?
