Tips for flight to HNL with small children

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has any advice for keeping children entertained for the flight from mainland to HNL? Even navigating airports generally and in time of COVID? We'll have an infant, 3 yr, 5 yr, and 6 yr old. They've not been on a flight longer than 2 hours before, and not since pre-pandemic so it's been a while. Thanks in advance

 

[tankin]

iPad loaded with tv shows / movies they like
Magnetic games / puzzles / adventures (my kids had something that looked like a reusable picture page
Mask practice. Most of them are going to have to wear masks longer than they're used to.... start practicing now.
Headphones for the older ones so they can listen to movie etc without disturbing those around them .... headphone splitter so two can watch at once.
Snacks
Might consider something like melatonin (talk to your pediatrician about the dose) to help them fall asleep on the trip home .... Actually came from our pediatrician on a trip to Europe

Backpacks for the older kids with their stuff in them ... takes the load of the parent pack mules...

 

[Kmk2]

Snacks and IPads - we took Hawaiian, so no WiFi, from JFK so we knew it would be hard. But they - my kids and their cousins - were wonderful. I would also suggest a day flight that gets you there later afternoon. We had a TON of CC points so we took Hawaiian “first” class - which it makes it easier
(More for adults) but was not necessary

 

[PoohBearFamily]

iPad loaded with tv shows / movies they like
Magnetic games / puzzles / adventures (my kids had something that looked like a reusable picture page
Mask practice. Most of them are going to have to wear masks longer than they're used to.... start practicing now.
Headphones for the older ones so they can listen to movie etc without disturbing those around them .... headphone splitter so two can watch at once.
Snacks
Might consider something like melatonin (talk to your pediatrician about the dose) to help them fall asleep on the trip home .... Actually came from our pediatrician on a trip to Europe

Backpacks for the older kids with their stuff in them ... takes the load of the parent pack mules...

Oh I love the idea of backpacks! Thanks so much for the tips!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Snacks and IPads - we took Hawaiian, so no WiFi, from JFK so we knew it would be hard. But they - my kids and their cousins - were wonderful. I would also suggest a day flight that gets you there later afternoon. We had a TON of CC points so we took Hawaiian “first” class - which it makes it easier
(More for adults) but was not necessary

First class sounds lovely... And I think we're leaning towards day flights that arrive in the afternoon. Thanks for the tips

 

[nkereina]

If you haven't booked your flight yet, I'd suggest looking into the actual aircraft that's flown on the flights you're looking at. An aircraft could change, but they typically run the same models on the same routes. We spent a little more and specifically chose the Airbus 300 on Delta that had a 2-4-2 seat configuration. We sat in coach, but having our own row made us more comfortable. The plane was also newer with seatback TVs at each seat full of free movies, TV shows, and games and they served a full hot meal for every passenger. I'm not sure how meal service has changed in the Covid era, but the entertainment options (plus power at each seat) was crucial for us and made the flight much more bearable. I would think that's even more important with kids. I'd suggest using the web site Seat Guru to research plane types and amenities.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you haven't booked your flight yet, I'd suggest looking into the actual aircraft that's flown on the flights you're looking at. An aircraft could change, but they typically run the same models on the same routes. We spent a little more and specifically chose the Airbus 300 on Delta that had a 2-4-2 seat configuration. We sat in coach, but having our own row made us more comfortable. The plane was also newer with seatback TVs at each seat full of free movies, TV shows, and games and they served a full hot meal for every passenger. I'm not sure how meal service has changed in the Covid era, but the entertainment options (plus power at each seat) was crucial for us and made the flight much more bearable. I would think that's even more important with kids. I'd suggest using the web site Seat Guru to research plane types and amenities.

GREAT advice. Wide body aircraft makes such a huge difference on a long haul flight.

We did BOS to HNL direct, which is the longest nonstop domestic flight in the world. Kids were 5 and 2, and my wife was 8 months pregnant. The flight out was absolutely flawless. Leaving at 8am local time and landing at 3pm Hawaiian time was perfect, and the kids were asleep in the hotel room by 5pm.

We will *not* be doing the return flight direct with kids again. We did everything right, but they just couldn't sleep, meaning we didn't sleep. We landed at 6am Boston time, and I was so tired driving home that it was legitimately dangerous. On our next trip, we're going to take an extra day coming home and do HNL late morning to LAX evening, spend a real night sleeping in a hotel, then a separate flight LAX late morning to BOS evening.

I'll add that a flight this long is where I'd consider an upgrade to Premium Economy to be worth the money, especially if you can get a bulkhead row. The Hawaiian A330 has a little cabin of just 12 seats in between first class and the rest of the plane, and it's super spacious and private.

OP, I would definitely be sure to buy a ticket for the baby. 6 passengers is a great number because you can do 3-3 or 4-2, depending on the plane, without needing to sit next to any strangers.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Oh and the Graco Room For Two Classic Click & Connect Stand & Stroller rules for getting around an airport if you're in the market for a Sit/Stand double. It looks bulky in pictures but it folds small enough to easily fit through the airport x-ray machines.

 

[Twohsieh]

I agree with the others that you need to take their electronic devices with their games and movies that they love to play/watch. Snacks/meals are definitely essential to bring as some airlines do not provide food during the flight. In addition, I used to pass out little lego packs or small action figure toys for my boys and have coloring pages with crayons for my daughter.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

If you haven't booked your flight yet, I'd suggest looking into the actual aircraft that's flown on the flights you're looking at. An aircraft could change, but they typically run the same models on the same routes. We spent a little more and specifically chose the Airbus 300 on Delta that had a 2-4-2 seat configuration. We sat in coach, but having our own row made us more comfortable. The plane was also newer with seatback TVs at each seat full of free movies, TV shows, and games and they served a full hot meal for every passenger. I'm not sure how meal service has changed in the Covid era, but the entertainment options (plus power at each seat) was crucial for us and made the flight much more bearable. I would think that's even more important with kids. I'd suggest using the web site Seat Guru to research plane types and amenities.

Thank you for the tip! I'll look up Seat Guru

 

[PoohBearFamily]

GREAT advice. Wide body aircraft makes such a huge difference on a long haul flight.

We did BOS to HNL direct, which is the longest nonstop domestic flight in the world. Kids were 5 and 2, and my wife was 8 months pregnant. The flight out was absolutely flawless. Leaving at 8am local time and landing at 3pm Hawaiian time was perfect, and the kids were asleep in the hotel room by 5pm.

We will *not* be doing the return flight direct with kids again. We did everything right, but they just couldn't sleep, meaning we didn't sleep. We landed at 6am Boston time, and I was so tired driving home that it was legitimately dangerous. On our next trip, we're going to take an extra day coming home and do HNL late morning to LAX evening, spend a real night sleeping in a hotel, then a separate flight LAX late morning to BOS evening.

I'll add that a flight this long is where I'd consider an upgrade to Premium Economy to be worth the money, especially if you can get a bulkhead row. The Hawaiian A330 has a little cabin of just 12 seats in between first class and the rest of the plane, and it's super spacious and private.

OP, I would definitely be sure to buy a ticket for the baby. 6 passengers is a great number because you can do 3-3 or 4-2, depending on the plane, without needing to sit next to any strangers.

I'll definitely consider buying a ticket for the baby. 3-3 or 4-2 would be great! Thanks for all your tips!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I agree with the others that you need to take their electronic devices with their games and movies that they love to play/watch. Snacks/meals are definitely essential to bring as some airlines do not provide food during the flight. In addition, I used to pass out little lego packs or small action figure toys for my boys and have coloring pages with crayons for my daughter.

We don't have any electronic devices but I think we could swing buying a Kindle and a portable DVD player prior to the trip! Great advice. Lego packs is awesome idea.

 

[monsterkitty]

I'll definitely consider buying a ticket for the baby. 3-3 or 4-2 would be great! Thanks for all your tips!

I second the consider buying the ticket for the baby. I was on a flight that had lap children and we hit turbulence and it wasn't pretty.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I second the consider buying the ticket for the baby. I was on a flight that had lap children and we hit turbulence and it wasn't pretty.

I'll do a lap child from New England to Orlando, maybe 3 hours, but that's the limit.

 

[Suzabella]

Not sure where you're flying from but consider an overnight layover somewhere in between or even a longish (3 hours or so) layover. We flew direct once into Cincinnati with our teenager and he was miserable which that meant we were miserable too. Those seats get rock hard after that long.

 

[Suzabella]

Oops!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I second the consider buying the ticket for the baby. I was on a flight that had lap children and we hit turbulence and it wasn't pretty.

Oh I can imagine! Good point!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I'll do a lap child from New England to Orlando, maybe 3 hours, but that's the limit.

Its just hard to give up the discount of not paying for the fourth child's seat, especially with Hawaii tickets ($$$) lol!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Not sure where you're flying from but consider an overnight layover somewhere in between or even a longish (3 hours or so) layover. We flew direct once into Cincinnati with our teenager and he was miserable which that meant we were miserable too. Those seats get rock hard after that long.

How was the overnight layover? We're considering that for the way back, because it's a bit cheaper than the daytime flight from HNL and it'd give us an extra day to enjoy Aulani.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How was the overnight layover? We're considering that for the way back, because it's a bit cheaper than the daytime flight from HNL and it'd give us an extra day to enjoy Aulani.

An overnight layover will significantly limit your options in terms of which airlines and itineraries will work. You're better to buy two completely separate one-way flights, i.e. one flight from HNL to LAX (or whatever California airport works best), then a second one-way flight from California to your home airport. This usually isn't any more expensive and it gives you a ton of flexibility because you can mix and match airlines.