Lounge access will start your trip off on the right foot, we promise
Flying with kids is not something anyone looks forward to. There are so many things that could go wrong from blowouts to inconsolable toddlers to forgotten pacifiers and uncharged devices. As a travel editor, I’ve taken hundreds of flights with my kids, and some I would rather forget (like the flight with my can’t-sit-still-toddler when it felt like I was wrestling a 40 lb. carp for 4+ hours).
I recently flew on Alaska Airlines with my three kids and was pleasantly surprised by all the thoughtful elements the airline offers to make traveling with kids a little bit easier. Here is what I learned about flying Alaska Airlines with kids and my recommendations for making your travel experience even more comfortable for the whole family (hello, lounge access!).
What you need to know about flying with kids on Alaska Airlines:
- Alaska Airlines guarantees that kids 13 and under will be seated with at least one accompanying adult as long as you book your reservation together (and subject to some additional terms).
- Preboarding is offered for families traveling with little ones aged two and under. Lap infants (under the age of two) also fly free!
- Car seats and strollers fly free, so you don’t have to worry about paying baggage fees for these items.
Meals for kids on Alaska Airlines
When your flight is long enough to offer meal service, you’ll definitely want to pre-order one of the Kid’s Choice Picnic Packs for your little travelers. Not only do they come with kid favorites like Pirate’s Booty, applesauce, and gummi bears, but you’ll get a retro-fabulous Wikki Stix Play Pack to keep them busy from takeoff to landing. I’ve known a few adults who might enjoy playing with these as well!
Additional Alaska Airlines offerings to make your journey easy
Lounge Access
Start your travel day off on the right foot by visiting an Alaska Lounge before your departure. Access to the lounge is included with certain ticket levels or you can purchase a day pass as available. I especially enjoy accessing an Alaska Lounge when traveling with my kids because they can fill up on snacks and have a quieter area of the airport to relax before boarding the plane. Be sure you look for the pancake machine as kids will get a huge kick out of it!
Elite Leave Program
There’s no denying it; having a baby can change you from a jet setter to a homebody in a flash. Alaska Airlines recognizes this and offers the Elite Leave Program to allow you to keep your Mileage Plan™ elite status for another year during your pregnancy or parental leave.
Fly for All app
Traveling with a nervous flyer or a neurodivergent child? I definitely recommend you check out Alaska Airlines’ Fly for All app as it provides a social story that will show you what is going to happen every step of the journey from the airport to the flight.
—photos courtesy of Alaska Airlines
Note: This trip was paid for by Alaska Airlines, but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.
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