Read these tips before you embark on a flight with your kids on a budget airline! Are you flying with airlines like WOW Airlines, Ryan Air, and EasyJet? Budget airlines are one of the best ways to travel when you have a family – paying for more than 3 tickets can get expensive. You once only had to pay for one ticket, and next thing you know, you are having to pay for 2, 3, 4… Budget airlines or traveling with points is the way to go for most families! Once those kids turn 2, or just too big to be a lap infant, the costs can really add up and we totally get it.

Even mainline airlines like United Airlines are starting to have “budget” class seats where you have to pay extra for seat assignments, carry-on, or to board early. So, paying cheap plane tickets does come with a “cost” – so read these tips to avoid having to pay more than you need to.

Here are some tips to successfully travel on budget airlines/seats without getting trapped having a bad experience or paying for additional fees.

Budget Airline Tip 1: Get the Right Seats

Empty Seats in Seat Plan = Good Chance Flight is Not Full

Check the seating plan on the plane often – if the plane looks pretty empty (e.g. many unreserved seats), chances are, you will have a good selection to choose from when you get on. If it looks like a lot are already reserved, pay that extra $ and reserve the extra leg room seats, or seats together, etc. If you didn’t buy a seat for one or both of your kids, book your seats so you are leaving the middle seats empty (if traveling with two adults, book the window and the aisle so the middle seat(s) are still not reserved). Chances are, those middle seats would be booked last. Chances are better if you book the back of the plane seats.

Don’t Let Go of Hope

Don’t give up until the doors are closed! Ask at the counter if there are any extra seats, or any room for upgrade. Even if they can’t accommodate you then, look around the plane when the doors close. If there are extra seats you think you can snag, ask the flight attendant. You don’t even have to move you, your kids, and all your stuff – the person sitting next to you may be happy to move to that extra seat so you and your kid(s) can sit together/have the extra seat.

Budget Airline Tip 2: Don’t overpay for luggage fees

Read the airline rules about luggage allowances and fees and plan ahead of time. We don’t go as far as weighing the luggage we bring in, but we pack all of our luggage in one big duffel bag that doesn’t weigh as much as a suitcase. We also bring plastic grocery bags so just in case the bag we check is over the weight limit, we can stuff those plastic bags with heavy items (shoes, Tony’s jeans – why do they weigh so much!?) in those bags. Those plastic bags have never been counted as a carry on bag, so they can’t charge us. We also all carry one carry on per person. Henry has his own little rolling suitcase that he carries on every trip.

Budget Airline Tip 3: Don’t Get Stuck With Nothing to Do

Bring your own snacks and entertainment – Budget airlines usually charge for everything (even water) and won’t have the little screens in front of you or even on overhead. Bring lots of toys, iPad, snacks to keep those kids entertained! We love to stock up on reusable sticker books (avoid the big Melissa and Doug pads – those are amazing on land, but so big for inside the airplane, the “puffy sticker” ones are a good size). The stickers are great for many ages (our 15 months old loves it, and so does our 3.5-year-old) and it peels off easily from any surface. Water WOW is great for kids above 2-years-old too.

Budget Airline Tip 4: Bring Snacks, Drinks, and Cups

Like I mentioned above, budget airlines sometimes charge even for water. Some are good with the selection of food and snacks they provide, but some are not. Be safe when traveling with kids and bring their favorite snacks – or a special treat. Also, bring your own water bottles and sippy cups! Water bottles are great because you can fill them up after security, and airports usually have water stations for this reason.

We also always have little gummies (the Paw Patrol gummies only come out during flights) for Henry to chew on during take-off and landing to prevent his ears popping. They are a special treat that only comes out on airplanes! For a baby – don’t forget to nurse/feed on take off and landing or bring out the pacifier for those times for the baby!

Budget Airline Tip 5: Know the Airline’s Policy on Boarding Passes

Some airlines charge for printing out your boarding passes at the counter. Some are $5, some could be up to $15! Don’t get stuck with that charge when you can print it out on your own at home (or ahem, at the office) for nearly nothing!

Budget Airline Tip 6: Know the Airport and Terminal You Are Flying Out Of

Budget airlines often depart out of smaller, lesser known airports. Don’t make the mistake of going to the wrong airport! I’ve made this mistake and found out the night before that the airport is at a really far away airport not close to the London airport I knew well. Same with San Francisco – Oakland airport is a little further away, and traffic can be pretty awful. Do your research before booking the flight to avoid lots of headaches later.

Even within airports budget airlines could be located in the furthest part of the airport. One of the flights we took, it took us 15 minutes to walk to, when the numbers of the gate seemed so close from where we entered security. Always go to the gate first, and then get comfortable waiting for the plane.

There you have it!

These are the things we do to prepare for our trips on budget airlines like WOW Air, Spirit Airlines and more! With these tips, we’ve actually never had issues traveling on these airlines and we save so much money.

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Have you traveled on a budget airline with kids? What are your tips?