Flight delays are frustrating when you're travelling alone.
With children, they can become an entirely different challenge.
You've arrived at the airport on time, passed through security, found the gate and prepared everyone mentally for the flight. Then the departure board changes.
Delayed.
Perhaps it's 45 minutes.
Perhaps it's three hours.
Sometimes nobody seems entirely sure.
Meanwhile, your toddler is becoming restless, the snacks are disappearing rapidly and the carefully planned bedtime flight is slowly turning into a middle-of-the-night departure.
You can't control whether your aircraft leaves on time, but you can control how prepared you are for a delay.
A well-packed cabin bag, flexible expectations and a few simple strategies can make an unexpected airport wait considerably easier.
Assume a Delay Is Possible
One of the easiest ways to prepare for flight delays is to assume they might happen.
That doesn't mean arriving at the airport expecting disaster.
It simply means your hand luggage should contain enough essentials to cope if the journey takes considerably longer than planned.
Don't pack every useful item into checked luggage.
Once your suitcase disappears at bag drop, you may not see it again until your destination.
Keep the things you might genuinely need with you.
Pack More Nappies Than the Journey Requires
If you're travelling with a baby or toddler, don't calculate nappies based only on the scheduled flight time.
Include the journey to the airport, check-in, security, boarding, flight, arrival and possible delays.
Then add a sensible reserve.
The same applies to wipes.
Running out of nappies during an unexpected four-hour airport delay isn't an experience most parents want to repeat.
Pack Spare Clothes for the Children
Every child should have access to a change of clothes during a long journey.
For babies and toddlers, consider more than one.
Drinks spill.
Food gets dropped.
Nappies leak.
Children become sick.
A delay simply increases the amount of time available for something to happen.
Pack complete outfits rather than only spare tops.
That means underwear and socks too.
Pack a Spare Top for Yourself
Parents often remember spare clothes for children and forget themselves.
Then the baby is sick directly onto Mum or Dad ten minutes before a five-hour delay is announced.
A lightweight spare T-shirt can make the rest of the journey considerably more pleasant.
It takes very little space.
Protect the Snack Supply
Airport delays can destroy even the best snack plan.
Children who were supposed to eat one snack before boarding may suddenly be sitting in the terminal for another three hours.
Pack more than you expect to need.
Choose a mixture of familiar, portable foods appropriate for your children's ages.
Avoid giving everything out immediately.
If children know you have six snacks, they may request all six during the first hour.
Keep part of the supply in reserve.
Keep an Emergency Snack
Have one or two snacks that don't enter normal circulation.
These are the delay snacks.
You don't mention them.
You don't display them.
You don't casually offer them because someone is slightly hungry.
They're for the moment when the departure time changes again and you've already used everything else.
Parents have many important responsibilities during travel.
Protecting the emergency snack is one of them.
Keep Water Available
Airports can involve long periods of walking and waiting.
Children may become thirsty without saying anything.
Once you've passed through security, refill bottles where facilities allow or buy drinks if necessary.
Offer water regularly.
If the delay is significant, don't ration drinking simply because you don't want another toilet visit.
Hydration matters more than avoiding the airport bathroom.
Don't Use Every Activity Immediately
The biggest mistake during a delay is deploying your entire entertainment strategy during the first 30 minutes.
Sticker book.
Tablet.
Colouring.
Snacks.
New toy.
Film.
Everything.
Then the departure board announces another three-hour delay.
Stagger activities.
Start with the simplest options.
Walk around.
Watch aircraft.
Play a verbal game.
Explore the terminal.
Save the most effective entertainment for later.
Create an Airport Activity Bag
Give each child a small bag containing a few travel activities.
Depending on age, this might include:
colouring pencils
activity books
stickers
small toys
cards
puzzle books
headphones
tablet
reading book.
Avoid toys containing dozens of tiny pieces.
Airport floors are excellent at making important pieces disappear permanently.
Choose compact activities that are easy to pack away quickly when boarding finally begins.
Bring Something New
You don't need to buy an expensive present.
A small new activity can be surprisingly powerful during a long delay.
It might be:
a sticker book
small colouring set
new puzzle book
comic
small toy
card game.
Keep it hidden until you genuinely need it.
Novelty buys attention.
Download Entertainment Before Leaving Home
Airport Wi-Fi may be excellent.
It may also be slow, unavailable or difficult to connect to exactly when you need it.
Download films, television programmes, games, audiobooks and music before travelling.
Make sure apps actually work offline.
There's nothing quite like proudly presenting the tablet during hour three of a delay only to discover the promised film requires an internet connection.
Bring Headphones
If children are watching or playing something on a device, use headphones.
Other passengers probably don't want to listen to the same cartoon episode for two hours.
Choose comfortable headphones suitable for your child's age.
Test them before travelling.
A flight delay isn't the ideal time to discover your child refuses to wear them.
Carry a Portable Charger
A phone or tablet with a dead battery becomes considerably less useful during a delay.
Charge devices fully before leaving.
Carry appropriate charging cables and a power bank where permitted.
Remember that airlines and aviation authorities may have rules about how power banks and spare lithium batteries are carried, so check the current requirements for your airline and journey before travelling.
Don't assume airport charging sockets will always be available.
During major delays, everyone else wants them too.
Walk Around the Airport
Children aren't designed to sit quietly beside a departure gate for four hours.
If you're able to move around without risking missing important announcements, explore the terminal.
Walk.
Look at shops.
Watch aircraft.
Find interesting displays.
Visit a viewing area if the airport has one.
Check whether there's a children's play area.
Movement can help children use some energy before eventually sitting on the aircraft.
Find the Children's Play Area
Some airports have dedicated children's play spaces.
If yours does, use it.
Even a small play area can transform a long delay for younger children.
Check where it is before travelling or look at airport information after arriving.
Remember to allow enough time to return to the gate when required.
Airport distances can be deceptive.
“Five minutes away” with a toddler can easily become considerably longer.
Watch the Aircraft
Airports themselves can provide entertainment.
Find a window overlooking the stands or runway where permitted.
Count aircraft.
Look for different airlines.
Watch baggage vehicles.
Spot aircraft taking off.
Guess where planes are travelling.
For children interested in aviation, this can occupy a surprising amount of time without requiring another screen.
Play Airport I Spy
I Spy works particularly well at airports because there is so much happening.
You can also create airport-specific spotting games.
Find:
a red suitcase
a pilot
a luggage vehicle
an aircraft with a blue tail
a departure to another country
a family with a pushchair
a plane taking off.
Older children can create challenges for younger siblings.
Create an Airport Scavenger Hunt
Turn the terminal into a game.
Children might need to spot:
five airline logos
three different languages
a flight leaving for somewhere they've visited
a destination beginning with a particular letter
an aircraft being refuelled
a suitcase of a particular colour.
Keep children with you and don't encourage them to run around the terminal independently.
The objective is observation, not an airport-wide treasure hunt.
Use Screens Strategically
A flight delay is probably not the best moment to worry excessively about your normal screen-time routine.
Screens can be extremely useful during travel.
The trick is timing.
If the delay has only just started and the children are happy exploring the terminal, don't immediately hand over the tablet.
Save it.
When everyone is tired and you've exhausted several other options, a downloaded film can be extremely valuable.
Break the Delay into Smaller Sections
“Three hours” can sound enormous to a child.
Break it into smaller activities.
First we'll walk around.
Then we'll have a snack.
Then we'll do the sticker book.
Then we'll watch some planes.
Then we'll have lunch.
Then perhaps we'll watch a film.
Children cope better when they understand what happens next.
You don't need to explain that your entire schedule is secretly designed to survive until boarding.
Don't Keep Promising That You're Boarding Soon
Airline delay estimates can change.
If the screen says departure in 40 minutes, avoid repeatedly telling a young child:
“We'll definitely be on the plane soon.”
If another delay appears, disappointment can make behaviour worse.
Use neutral language.
“The plane isn't ready yet. We'll keep checking.”
That is easier to manage than making promises you don't control.
Keep Checking Official Information
Monitor the airport displays and official airline updates.
Gate information can change.
Departure times can change.
Announcements may be made.
Don't rely entirely on something another passenger heard.
Keep phones charged and notifications enabled if you're using the airline's app.
If you're moving around the terminal, continue checking the flight rather than assuming somebody will personally find you when boarding starts.
Speak to Airline Staff When Necessary
If the delay becomes significant, pay attention to information from the airline about the reason, revised departure time and any assistance being provided.
If something is unclear, ask staff politely.
Rules concerning meals, accommodation, rebooking and compensation depend on factors including the journey, airline, delay and reason for the disruption.
Keep relevant booking information and receipts, and check the current passenger-rights guidance applying to your journey.
Keep Receipts
If disruption means you need to purchase reasonable food, drinks or other essentials, keep your receipts.
Whether expenses can be reclaimed will depend on the circumstances and applicable passenger rights.
Photograph receipts as a backup.
Small paper receipts have a remarkable ability to disappear during family travel.
Protect Nap Time Where You Can
A flight delay can completely destroy a carefully planned toddler nap.
If your child needs sleep, look for a quieter area.
A pushchair can be invaluable.
Some children may sleep in a baby carrier.
Don't keep an exhausted toddler awake for hours simply because you expected them to sleep on the aircraft.
Plans have changed.
Adapt.
A rested child in the airport may be considerably easier than an overtired child on the eventual flight.
Don't Panic About the Schedule
Perhaps the original plan was:
Airport at 4pm.
Dinner at 5pm.
Board at 6pm.
Child asleep shortly after take-off.
Now it's 8pm and you're still staring at the departure board.
At this point, abandon the perfect schedule.
Feed hungry children.
Let tired children sleep if they can.
Use the activities you brought.
Travel days sometimes require survival mode.
You can rebuild the routine after arrival.
Find Somewhere Quieter
Busy departure gates can become overwhelming.
If your child struggles with noise, crowds or sensory overload, look for a quieter part of the terminal while remaining aware of boarding information.
Some airports provide dedicated quiet or sensory spaces.
Ear defenders or suitable headphones may also help children who find airport noise difficult.
Research available facilities before travelling if your child is likely to need them.
Toddlers Need Movement
Expecting a two-year-old to sit beside a gate for several hours and then sit on an aircraft isn't particularly realistic.
Let them move safely.
Walk around together.
Find a play area.
Look through windows.
Play simple movement games in an appropriate space.
The more safe opportunities they have to move before boarding, the easier the next stage may become.
Babies Need Familiarity
For babies, concentrate on essentials.
Feeding.
Nappies.
Comfort.
Sleep.
Appropriate clothing.
A familiar blanket or comfort item where safe and suitable can help.
Keep important baby supplies in hand luggage rather than checked baggage.
Delays are much easier when everything necessary is immediately accessible.
Older Children Can Understand What's Happening
Explain delays honestly in age-appropriate language.
“The aircraft is late, so we have to wait another two hours.”
Older children may be disappointed, but understanding what's happening is usually better than receiving vague answers.
Give them some control.
Would they rather walk around or read?
Eat now or later?
Watch a film or play cards?
Small choices can make waiting feel less frustrating.
Teenagers May Be Easier – Until the Wi-Fi Fails
Teenagers can usually entertain themselves more easily.
Make sure they have:
a charged phone
headphones
downloaded entertainment
a charger or access to your power bank.
But don't let everyone disappear completely into separate screens.
Make sure teenagers know when and where they need to meet if they walk around independently.
Airport gates can change quickly.
If the Delay Becomes an Overnight Delay
An overnight disruption requires another level of planning.
Listen carefully to the airline's instructions.
Find out what arrangements are being made and what you're expected to do.
Keep essential medication, basic toiletries and children's sleep necessities in hand luggage.
This is another reason never to pack absolutely everything into the checked suitcase.
If you're provided accommodation, photograph or save any relevant information and keep documentation relating to the disruption.
Keep Essential Medication with You
Important medication should be accessible during the journey rather than unavailable inside checked luggage.
Bring enough for the expected journey plus a sensible contingency for delays, following appropriate storage requirements.
If medication needs refrigeration or special handling, plan this before travelling and check the relevant airline and airport procedures.
Flight Delay Survival Kit
A well-prepared family cabin bag might contain:
extra nappies
plenty of wipes
spare clothes for children
spare top for a parent
water bottles where permitted
snacks
emergency snacks
small activity books
stickers
colouring materials
a small new toy or activity
downloaded films and programmes
audiobooks
headphones
charging cables
suitable power bank
comfort item
essential medication
travel documents
sealable bags for dirty clothes
tissues
hand sanitiser.
You don't need to carry your entire house.
Just enough to survive several additional hours if necessary.
Don't Let the Delay Ruin the Holiday Before It Starts
A major flight delay is frustrating.
Children may become bored.
Parents may become stressed.
Plans at the destination may need to change.
But children often take their emotional cues from the adults around them.
You don't need to pretend a six-hour delay is wonderful.
Simply concentrate on the next manageable step.
Find somewhere comfortable.
Feed everyone.
Let children move.
Use your activities gradually.
Keep checking official information.
Charge the devices.
And protect the emergency snacks.
Eventually, one of two things will happen.
You'll board the aircraft.
Or you'll receive instructions about what happens next.
Either way, being prepared makes the waiting considerably easier.
And when the departure board finally changes to Boarding , try not to celebrate too early.
You still have the flight with the children to survive.