Airport tips - Gatwick with small dc

[Fourlittlepiggies]

We are taking our millions of dc on holiday next week. I’m not worried about the holiday itself but the airport/ flight/ 90 min transfer are giving me sleepless nights.

Any tips on making things easier? 4 dc under 6.

• Would you book fast track security at Gatwick?
• Baby has an allergy and I’ve read I can take food/ milk in hand luggage without restriction, does this delay things at security?
• I like getting on the plane last so they are contained for the least possible amount of time, is this a bad idea?
• I will take lots of snacks and entertainment but any other tips from seasoned travellers?

thank you!!

Yes. Bad idea to get on last. Decent airlines board families first. You cause quite a lot of disruption if you board last and you might find your carry on luggage isn’t anywhere near where you are sitting as lockers get full. Always book seats and board as early as you can.

Get dc involved in the whole process in terms of getting ready for security and queuing is inevitable at times. Fast track sometimes isn’t that fast. No idea about liquids but airport will have details on their web site.

Get dc to carry what they want for the flight and make sure it stows for take off. Older dc really should manage without a vast amount of input. Decide who is sitting where and what parent is supervising which child. Don’t expect other travellers to do it and keep disturbance of them to a minimum - hence boarding first.

One of the best tips I had was from mumsnet: save some distraction/toy and a treat for the queue at passport control when everyone is tired and suddenly there is a new 30+ minute wait. Brilliant.
I used to bring more than I really needed and I regretted it, a bag so full I couldn't get to the things.
I'd let them have as much screen time as they wanted on the plane, but success will vary with that.
I only had 2 DC, mind you.

Oh another great tip form on here: spare clean top for you. Someone will dump a drink or spit up on you. Also excellent advice.

I would also lean towards getting on later/ last, especially if you don't think your cabin bags will end up too far from you or gate checked (only reason to board early). Pinning dc down for 40 mins before you even take off? No thanks. As for disruption to others, well, the calmer your DC are the better for them too. Later is better for boarding.

Without DC I also like to get on last. Why sit there even longer?

Security has family lanes. Use those. They will be used to dealing with formula, pushchairs, etc and you won’t have business travellers in a rush getting arsey behind you.

BA prioritise families with young dc. It’s like first class and not paying for it. DC should settle on board. Why would they not? Who wants to be disturbed by 4 dc arriving late? It’s standard for families with babies to go first.