Airline Freebies For Families Entertainment Toys And Perks For Flying With Children

Flying with children can present numerous challenges for parents, but many airlines recognize this and offer complimentary items and services to make the journey more enjoyable for families. From activity packs and toys to practical amenities and seating benefits, numerous airlines provide freebies specifically designed to keep children entertained and comfortable during flights. This article examines the various types of complimentary offerings available across different airlines, helping families maximize their travel experience without additional costs.

Activity Packs and Entertainment

One of the most common freebies for young travelers is the activity pack, designed to keep children engaged during flights. These packs typically contain a variety of items such as coloring books, puzzles, games, and crayons, providing screen-free entertainment options.

Virgin Atlantic offers the KiD backpack for children aged 2 to 6 years old, which includes various novelties like holiday journals. British Airways provides Skyflyers activity packs equipped with postcards that children can send home. Emirates Airlines distributes take-home bags containing activities, puzzles, and games, while Singapore Airlines offers free toys to children under 12, with older children receiving card games and toddlers receiving stuffed animals.

Several other international airlines also provide similar offerings. Nippon Airlines and Japan Airlines hand out toys and activity kits, as does Cathay Pacific, which offers children's fun packs for kids aged 3 to 6. Etihad, while no longer providing its former on-board nanny service, still gives activity books, crayons, and games to children between 3 and 8 years old, while children aged 9 to 13 receive passport holders and Scooby-Doo backpacks.

For U.S.-based travelers, American Airlines provides activity kits for children aged 5 to 10 traveling from certain airports, filled with puzzles, activities, and extra snacks. United offers kids' packs containing an activity book, crayons, a puzzle, and, upon request, a sensory calming strip designed to help young children overcome flying anxiety.

Other airlines reportedly offering activity packs and entertainment items include Air France, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, United, Qantas, EVA Air, Gulf Air, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysian Airlines, Qatar Airways, South African Airways, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Thai Airways. It's worth noting that these offerings may be subject to change, particularly around holidays.

Toys and Special Gifts

Beyond standard activity packs, many airlines provide special toys and gifts that children can take home as souvenirs of their flight experience. These offerings vary by airline and often depend on the child's age.

Singapore Airlines distinguishes itself by offering different toys based on age groups. While older children may receive card games, toddlers are gifted stuffed animals. Cathay Pacific provides special gifts for children aged three to six to commemorate their time on board. According to Travel + Leisure, Lufthansa has been known to give children small toys like lovies and mini stuffed airplanes that some children become attached to, with reports of a two-year-old who "cannot sleep without" these items.

ANA (All Nippon Airways) offers its own branded toys for children, while Emirates provides free packs containing stuffed animals and other fun items. Delta offers a unique freebie in the form of trading cards that highlight different aircraft in its fleet, often matching the exact type of plane being flown. These trading cards have been distributed by Delta for over two decades but gained widespread recognition after going viral online.

Some airlines go beyond physical items by offering special experiences. For example, children enamored with planes can request a free meet and greet with the captain, and in some cases, may even be allowed to tour the cockpit. This experience can be particularly memorable for young aviation enthusiasts.

Practical In-flight Freebies

In addition to entertainment-focused items, many airlines provide practical freebies that benefit both children and their parents during flights. These amenities help address common travel needs and contribute to a more comfortable journey.

Most airlines distribute complimentary luggage tags that can double as a drawing space for children, providing both functionality and entertainment. Many carriers also offer free headphones, allowing parents to watch entertainment in peace while children enjoy their own content or activity packs.

Some airlines provide additional amenities specifically for families. British Airways, for instance, offers children's meals and has a Family Check-In Zone at Heathrow Terminal 5 where families can receive activity packs. Emirates provides free stroller use at airports, which can be particularly helpful for families with young children.

Delta operates Sky Zone kids lounges at certain airports, giving families a dedicated space to relax before their flight. Hawaiian Airlines has improved its family-friendly policies by ensuring families can sit together, addressing a common concern for parents traveling with children.

Family Seating and Child Fare Benefits

Beyond complimentary items, several airlines offer benefits related to seating policies and child fares that can significantly impact family travel costs and experiences.

Frontier Airlines stands out by offering free flights for children under 15 on select domestic flights when traveling with an adult who has joined their Discount Den club, which costs $59 per year. This benefit is guaranteed at the time of booking if seats are available.

American Airlines has previously run "Kids Fly Free" promotions and offers child discounts during certain promotional periods. British Airways provides up to 25% discounts on some flights and has offered free fares within the UK in the past. The airline also allows free advance seat reservations for lap infants and ensures children are seated with at least one parent.

Emirates offers a 25% discount for children and a 50% discount to reserve a child's seat in advance. Eva Air also provides a 25% discount for child fares. Hawaiian Airlines offers discounts on some international flights, while Iceland Air provides 20% discounts on international flights.

United Airlines distinguishes itself by offering free family seating at booking, ensuring that families can sit together without additional fees. The airline also allows parents to call after booking to reserve seats in advance for free, and in some cases, even provides preferred seating.

It's important to note that seating policies vary significantly among airlines. While some carriers guarantee family seating, others do not. Allegiant, for example, does not offer free child fares and recommends reserving seats in advance, potentially at an additional cost. EasyJet charges standard infant fares for lap infants, which could be more than an adult fare.

Tips for Maximizing Freebies

To make the most of airline freebies when traveling with children, several strategies can be employed. These approaches can help families access additional benefits without extra costs.

First, it's often beneficial to mention special occasions to flight staff. Iona Wark, senior holiday product manager at online travel agency Loveholidays, advises that it's "always worth casually dropping your special occasion to score a freebie." This could include mentioning a first family holiday, a special birthday, or other celebrations. She recommends sharing this information with airline staff while in the air rather than in crowded lines.

When requesting freebies, timing and approach matter. According to experts, the key is "asking nicely and ideally when the crew isn't in the middle of a service rush." For unique items like Delta's trading cards, some pilots have these items, but passengers should check with a flight attendant first before approaching the cockpit, as this is the safest and most respectful way to make such requests.

For families concerned about seating, calling the airline after booking can be beneficial. One parent reports that United has consistently reserved seats in advance for free and even provided preferred seating for their flights. When airlines don't offer such accommodations, paying to reserve seats may be preferable to the risk of not sitting together or not having preferred seating for young children.

It's also worth noting that many airlines have specific family amenities that aren't widely advertised. For example, British Airways has a Family Check-In Zone at Heathrow Terminal 5 where families can receive activity packs. Researching airline-specific family policies before traveling can help parents take advantage of these lesser-known benefits.

Conclusion

Airlines offer a variety of freebies and benefits specifically designed to make flying with children more manageable and enjoyable. These range from entertainment packs and toys to practical amenities and seating benefits. While offerings vary by carrier, many airlines provide complimentary items such as activity books, crayons, games, and even special gifts for young travelers.

Some airlines go beyond physical items by offering unique experiences like cockpit tours or special meet-and-greets with pilots. Others provide practical benefits such as free headphones, luggage tags, and family-friendly seating policies.

Families can maximize these benefits by researching airline-specific offerings, mentioning special occasions to flight staff, and requesting items politely when the crew isn't busy. By taking advantage of these complimentary offerings, parents can reduce travel stress and create more enjoyable experiences for their children during flights.

While the availability of freebies may vary and change over time, many airlines remain committed to providing family-friendly amenities. As travel continues to evolve, these offerings are likely to adapt, but the core principle of making air travel more comfortable for families appears to endure across the industry.

Sources

1. Airlines That Offer Freebies to Kids So Parents Can Fly in Peace
2. Free Things You Can Realize to Get from Airlines in Plane Economy
3. Surviving an Airplane Trip with Littles - FREE printables
4. Airlines with Discount and Free Child Fares
5. Best Airline Freebies You Can Get in Economy