Any tips for flying with a 3 year old? My toddler will be 3 in May and we are taking a trip to see his other family. Just nervous and anxious about it as this will be his first airplane ride. Any tips or tricks would help!
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We flew to Ireland with our toddler and it was a very long trip back. Thankfully we could let him stand and play with his tablet at some point during the flight. He stayed in between us and it made him less fussy. But, being a tablet or something haha
Drinks &/or gum to help keep his rears from popping on takeoff/landing. Lots of snacks, move around if you get a chance, do activity songs like Baby Shark, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Here is (finger—I’ve heard Mommy finger, Daddy finger, and pointer, tall man versions) he can do while seated. Bring a coloring book & crayons, small picture books, teach some simple origami or just fold paper, sing songs—anything that will keep him occupied.
Before you get on the plane run up and down in the airport (my son also loved escalators) and have him jump up and down and do jumping jacks while waiting to board so he won’t be so wiggly and might take a nap on the plane.
Have spouse (if you have one & they’re going) board early with all your stuff and stow it when they let people with kids board. You & son wait until towards the end to actually take your seats. If he has a fave stuffy have him take it along to comfort him. Tie it on a ribbon attached to his wrist so it’s harder to lose it or leave it somewhere.
If you are close enough to visit he airport in advance so he knows what to expect, do so. See if you can find videos of people in airports and on planes so it takes away any mystery about what happens. See if he likes looking out the window while onboard.
Pay for alcoholic drinks on the plane if it helps! Go to the restroom early and often so there are no accidents if potty trained, or blowouts if not. When you arrive and can unfasten the seatbelts, have him jump up and down on his seat while awaiting the slow moving sludge of people pulling out their bags and debarking in front of you, or be prepared to book it if they let you off first.
Rent a Smarte Carte for luggage AND your son to rest in so you can move through the airport quickly without dragging a screaming toddler by the hand or trying to balance him on your rolling suitcase.
If you can travel during his bedtime that helps too if he will sleep. Good luck & have fun!
Saw a video where they had toddler sitting on the rolling suitcase. They put a jacket on the kid and then zipped it around the extended handle to pull with. Turned the suitcase into a stroller lol.
We check ours. Way easier! Just get a car seat bag. They’re cheap. Also, bring a stroller. You can be one of the first to board and they take it at the airplane door and put it below and then it’s waiting for you when you get off.
The stroller helps control the kiddo and helps carry stuff 
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I’d take it on the plane and have them sit in it if possible. Since it’s a seat they are used to sitting in they may complain less than sitting in the belt on the plane.