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| Find out the extras you might want to book when flying with your family |
Collaborative post by another author.
When you are booking a flight to go on holiday there are so many extras you can add on. While most of these extras come at an additional fee, many of them could help to make your journey more convenient and stress-free, especially when travelling with young children. You probably can’t afford to pay for them all, but spending a little extra on one or two of these perks could be worthwhile. Below is a list of 15 different you might want to consider when booking a flight for your family.
Booking family tickets at the same time doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll get seats together. Most airlines will try to seat a child with an accompanying adult, but when travelling with two adults and two children, both adults may still be split up.
By paying to select your seats, you can make sure that you’re all sat together. The cost of this can vary between airlines. You usually have until 24 hours before the flight to select your seats, but the longer you leave it, the less chance there will be enough available seats together, especially if you have a large family.
Some economy seats come with very little legroom. While you might not think young kids need extra legroom, it can actually come in handy by providing more space to stretch, move around and sleep.
Some planes will have limited extra legroom seating so it’s worth booking it as early as you can. The cost of these extra legroom seats can vary, but is generally not too much more than regular seating if you book early.
Paying for priority boarding allows you to board the plane before everyone else. The benefit of this is that you get the first choice of where to put overhead luggage. You can also settle young kids before everyone else has boarded. In some airports, there may also be other benefits such as being able to use a separate departure lounge that is less crowded.
Priority boarding fees can vary. The likes of Ryanair charges up to three times less if you book priority boarding while booking your flight as opposed to waiting until you get to the airport.
At some airports, you can also pay to go through security faster. You still need to put all your belongings on the conveyor belt and walk through the security scanners like everyone else, but at peak times you can walk past the lengthy queues. This can be handy during peak times if you’ve got tired and impatient kids.
Some airlines allow you to book fast track security tickets during the flight booking process, while others require you to do it directly through the airport.
Want to take an extra suitcase? Many airlines will allow you to pay an extra fee to take additional baggage on-board. This could be useful when travelling on some airlines that have tight luggage restrictions (budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet are famous for this and will charge you a big penalty fee if your luggage is even slightly over the weight/size restrictions).
It’s often cheaper to pay for extra luggage during the booking process than waiting until you get to the airport. You typically don’t have to pay extra for prams unless you want to take more than one pram per child (some airlines even allow you to take compact fold-up prams onto the plane).
Quite a few airlines offer bassinets for babies to sleep in. This could help your little one to settle. You may not have an option to book a bassinet during the online booking process, so you’ll want to contact an agent separately via phone or email after booking.
Bassinets are often free. However, there is a catch; you can usually only use them if you book a bulkhead seat at the front of the plane, which will cost you extra money. This is why it’s important to book them early to prevent anyone taking these seats.
On long-haul flights, food and drink is usually included for free. You may have the option to choose your food in advance. If you have strict dietary requirements, it’s key that you notify the airline beforehand as they normally only have a limited range on board unless prebooked.
On shorter flights, food and drink is often not included and can come at an premium price. Buying some food and snacks in the airport lobby might be cheaper in some cases. While you can bring some food from home you wont be able to bring any liquids or drinks through security. You can bring a useable water bottle though and fill up after security. If you prefer to grab something on the plane some flights charge less if you book food and drink in advance, but others only allow you to order it on the plane. Do you research ahead as to whether the airline takes cash or card (annoyingly, some only accept cash, while others only take card payments).
You may be able to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi on some airlines. This could be useful for allowing kids to watch YouTube or play online games. Prices for in-flight Wi-Fi vary massively from £2.99 to £17.99. This price may depend on the length of time you want Wi-Fi for (some offer Wi-Fi for the entire flight, while others charge by the hour).
Do you really need Wi-Fi? On a long-haul flight, entertainment options are usually good enough that you do not need it. You could also find that in-flight Wi-Fi is not very reliable and you won’t be able to use streaming platforms like Netflix as soon as you move into another country’s airspace due to different content restrictions. It usually makes more sense to download some of your children's favourite content from Netflix, Disney Plus or on the Sky Go app so that it can be watched offline.
Something that is worth looking into if you have young kids is activity packs. The likes of British Airways offers free activity packs for kids.
Some airlines may hand out these activity packs on the plane or at the check-in desk. Others may require you to enquire about them, so check what is available on your airline.
Flying business class or first class will cost you quite a bit extra. But it can have many perks including more spacious seating, better entertainment options, use of the airport lounge, priority boarding, additional baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi and gourmet food and drink. Pretty much all of the perks listed above!
Did you know that it’s possible to get upgraded to business class or first class for free? During less busy flight times, there may be empty seats available. If you arrive early to check in or if there is a problem with your seat, airline staff may just upgrade you for free. Check out this guide on how to bag free upgrades to business class/first class.
Something that you can also consider while booking your flight is airport parking. This could allow you to take your own car instead of having to book a taxi or take public transport. During the booking process you will usually be given the choice to book parking there and then. However, you can book it at any point (just bear in mind that it may be more expensive the later you book it and there may be less availability during peak travel periods).
It may actually be cheaper to book airport car parking through a separate site than via the airline. Such sites often provide more options when it comes to local car parks. Most of these will have shuttle buses leading to the airport, however some won’t, so check this beforehand. Car parks nearer the terminals will usually cost more. The most expensive, but most convenient, form of parking is meet and greet parking, which allows you to drop off your car outside the terminal for a driver to park up for you. This allows you to head straight into the terminal without having to worry about finding a space or catching a shuttle bus.
Looking to hire a car when you get to your destination? You can also do this during the flight booking process. Many car hire services will be able to drop a car off at the airport for you to collect, while others will have someone pick you up to take to the car hire shop allowing you to drive the car from there.
As with booking parking, it may be cheaper to look for car hire services separately. You’ll usually have more options, however you should consider that this may include car hire services that are not approved by travel companies for a good reason.
When going to a resort, there will usually be a coach service or paid minibus that can take you from the airport. Airport transfers are included for free with some travel companies, while others require you to pay an extra fee.
Not travelling to a resort? You’ll usually have to find your own way to your accommodation. Some travel companies may allow you to book a taxi in advance, but you may find it’s cheaper to do this separately.
You may also be given the option of buying travel insurance when booking your flight. This can protect you and your family by providing compensation for medical emergencies, lost baggage or flight cancellations.
It’s often cheaper to shop for travel insurance elsewhere. Look for family travel insurance deals to make sure you are all protected.
Some travel companies will also give you the option to buy foreign currency during the booking process. Some travellers like to do it there and then so that they don’t forget, but often it’s much cheaper to shop elsewhere.
Online companies, travel agents or your local post office may have some great deals. Don’t buy major currencies from the airport, as you often pay a much larger exchange fee. When travelling to more obscure countries with less used currencies, it may be cheaper to buy your currency when you get there.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of extras you can invest in! Some of them can be worth it for extra comfort and convenience. Many extras that aren’t related to the flight itself may be cheaper to purchase elsewhere rather than via the airline or travel company.
Seat selection
Booking family tickets at the same time doesn’t always guarantee that you’ll get seats together. Most airlines will try to seat a child with an accompanying adult, but when travelling with two adults and two children, both adults may still be split up.
By paying to select your seats, you can make sure that you’re all sat together. The cost of this can vary between airlines. You usually have until 24 hours before the flight to select your seats, but the longer you leave it, the less chance there will be enough available seats together, especially if you have a large family.
Extra legroom
Some economy seats come with very little legroom. While you might not think young kids need extra legroom, it can actually come in handy by providing more space to stretch, move around and sleep.
Some planes will have limited extra legroom seating so it’s worth booking it as early as you can. The cost of these extra legroom seats can vary, but is generally not too much more than regular seating if you book early.
Don't confuse standard extra legroom seats with seats next to emergency exits or restricted seats as these aren't suitable for children or people travelling with families.
Priority boarding
Paying for priority boarding allows you to board the plane before everyone else. The benefit of this is that you get the first choice of where to put overhead luggage. You can also settle young kids before everyone else has boarded. In some airports, there may also be other benefits such as being able to use a separate departure lounge that is less crowded.
Priority boarding fees can vary. The likes of Ryanair charges up to three times less if you book priority boarding while booking your flight as opposed to waiting until you get to the airport.
Fast track security
At some airports, you can also pay to go through security faster. You still need to put all your belongings on the conveyor belt and walk through the security scanners like everyone else, but at peak times you can walk past the lengthy queues. This can be handy during peak times if you’ve got tired and impatient kids.
Some airlines allow you to book fast track security tickets during the flight booking process, while others require you to do it directly through the airport.
Extra luggage
Want to take an extra suitcase? Many airlines will allow you to pay an extra fee to take additional baggage on-board. This could be useful when travelling on some airlines that have tight luggage restrictions (budget airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet are famous for this and will charge you a big penalty fee if your luggage is even slightly over the weight/size restrictions).
It’s often cheaper to pay for extra luggage during the booking process than waiting until you get to the airport. You typically don’t have to pay extra for prams unless you want to take more than one pram per child (some airlines even allow you to take compact fold-up prams onto the plane).
Bassinet
Quite a few airlines offer bassinets for babies to sleep in. This could help your little one to settle. You may not have an option to book a bassinet during the online booking process, so you’ll want to contact an agent separately via phone or email after booking.
Bassinets are often free. However, there is a catch; you can usually only use them if you book a bulkhead seat at the front of the plane, which will cost you extra money. This is why it’s important to book them early to prevent anyone taking these seats.
In-flight food and drink
On long-haul flights, food and drink is usually included for free. You may have the option to choose your food in advance. If you have strict dietary requirements, it’s key that you notify the airline beforehand as they normally only have a limited range on board unless prebooked.
On shorter flights, food and drink is often not included and can come at an premium price. Buying some food and snacks in the airport lobby might be cheaper in some cases. While you can bring some food from home you wont be able to bring any liquids or drinks through security. You can bring a useable water bottle though and fill up after security. If you prefer to grab something on the plane some flights charge less if you book food and drink in advance, but others only allow you to order it on the plane. Do you research ahead as to whether the airline takes cash or card (annoyingly, some only accept cash, while others only take card payments).
In-flight Wi-Fi
You may be able to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi on some airlines. This could be useful for allowing kids to watch YouTube or play online games. Prices for in-flight Wi-Fi vary massively from £2.99 to £17.99. This price may depend on the length of time you want Wi-Fi for (some offer Wi-Fi for the entire flight, while others charge by the hour).
Do you really need Wi-Fi? On a long-haul flight, entertainment options are usually good enough that you do not need it. You could also find that in-flight Wi-Fi is not very reliable and you won’t be able to use streaming platforms like Netflix as soon as you move into another country’s airspace due to different content restrictions. It usually makes more sense to download some of your children's favourite content from Netflix, Disney Plus or on the Sky Go app so that it can be watched offline.
Activity packs
Something that is worth looking into if you have young kids is activity packs. The likes of British Airways offers free activity packs for kids.
Some airlines may hand out these activity packs on the plane or at the check-in desk. Others may require you to enquire about them, so check what is available on your airline.
Business class/first class
Flying business class or first class will cost you quite a bit extra. But it can have many perks including more spacious seating, better entertainment options, use of the airport lounge, priority boarding, additional baggage allowance, complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi and gourmet food and drink. Pretty much all of the perks listed above!
Did you know that it’s possible to get upgraded to business class or first class for free? During less busy flight times, there may be empty seats available. If you arrive early to check in or if there is a problem with your seat, airline staff may just upgrade you for free. Check out this guide on how to bag free upgrades to business class/first class.
Airport parking
Something that you can also consider while booking your flight is airport parking. This could allow you to take your own car instead of having to book a taxi or take public transport. During the booking process you will usually be given the choice to book parking there and then. However, you can book it at any point (just bear in mind that it may be more expensive the later you book it and there may be less availability during peak travel periods).
It may actually be cheaper to book airport car parking through a separate site than via the airline. Such sites often provide more options when it comes to local car parks. Most of these will have shuttle buses leading to the airport, however some won’t, so check this beforehand. Car parks nearer the terminals will usually cost more. The most expensive, but most convenient, form of parking is meet and greet parking, which allows you to drop off your car outside the terminal for a driver to park up for you. This allows you to head straight into the terminal without having to worry about finding a space or catching a shuttle bus.
Car hire
Looking to hire a car when you get to your destination? You can also do this during the flight booking process. Many car hire services will be able to drop a car off at the airport for you to collect, while others will have someone pick you up to take to the car hire shop allowing you to drive the car from there.
As with booking parking, it may be cheaper to look for car hire services separately. You’ll usually have more options, however you should consider that this may include car hire services that are not approved by travel companies for a good reason.
Airport transfers
When going to a resort, there will usually be a coach service or paid minibus that can take you from the airport. Airport transfers are included for free with some travel companies, while others require you to pay an extra fee.
Not travelling to a resort? You’ll usually have to find your own way to your accommodation. Some travel companies may allow you to book a taxi in advance, but you may find it’s cheaper to do this separately.
Travel insurance
You may also be given the option of buying travel insurance when booking your flight. This can protect you and your family by providing compensation for medical emergencies, lost baggage or flight cancellations.
It’s often cheaper to shop for travel insurance elsewhere. Look for family travel insurance deals to make sure you are all protected.
Currency exchange
Some travel companies will also give you the option to buy foreign currency during the booking process. Some travellers like to do it there and then so that they don’t forget, but often it’s much cheaper to shop elsewhere.
Online companies, travel agents or your local post office may have some great deals. Don’t buy major currencies from the airport, as you often pay a much larger exchange fee. When travelling to more obscure countries with less used currencies, it may be cheaper to buy your currency when you get there.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of extras you can invest in! Some of them can be worth it for extra comfort and convenience. Many extras that aren’t related to the flight itself may be cheaper to purchase elsewhere rather than via the airline or travel company.
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