When Is the Best Time of Day to Fly With Kids? All of Your Questions for Avoiding Jet Lag, Answered

Flying with kids or babies in tow is no simple feat, but there are ways to make it easier. One of which is carefully selecting the time of day you choose to take off. According to research, there are optimal periods that vary by your child's age, whether they're a newborn or a teen. “Many parents assume overnight flights are always the best option; that isn’t necessarily true for every age group,” Omar El-Gohary, chief executive and superintendent pharmacist at IQ Doctor, explains. Further, some parents disregard the possibility of jet lag altogether, as Julissa Baez, pediatrician and clinical professor at New York University, has observed in her practice. “The most common misconception…is that babies and young children do not get jet lag,” she notes. Although children of all ages are affected by the travel fatigue differently, the direction of travel matters greatly. Eastbound travel, such as the UAE to Australia, is generally harder on children than traveling west to Europe or the US. To help you make the most of your summer travels, we break down the best flight times for kids by their age category below.0-2 years old: MorningWhile popular opinion suggests red-eye flights are best for babies, Baez recommends 6 to 9 a.m., the time frame infants naturally sleep. The thinking behind this is that it avoids disrupting the all-important bedtime routine and, as El-Gohary sees it, removes “pressure for babies to sleep on cue." While your baby is small enough to have an unpredictable nap schedule, taking an overnight flight could be deemed a risk. “A baby who refuses to sleep on a night flight can leave parents dealing with over ten hours of overstimulation, crying and exhaustion in a confined space,” El-Gohary says. To align with natural wake windows, morning departures work best, particularly if you “keep naps flexible on travel day."Tips for flying with 0-2 year olds:Avoid arriving at the airport too earlyFeed during take-off and landing to help with ear pressurePack one completely new toy for mid-flight distractionDon’t try to force destination bedtime immediately after arrival2-4 years old: Late morning to early afternoonToddlers are notoriously difficult to travel with as they have big emotions and an abundance of energy. That's why a late morning or early afternoon flight is best—after they have tired themselves out running around at the airport. “They'll be rested, thus preventing meltdowns from over-exhaustion,” Baez says. You are doing yourself a favor by skipping the early morning wake-up, because “disrupted sleep routines can trigger emotional dysregulation for the entire day," El-Gohary adds. To further prevent the risk of a breakdown, Baez urges parents to bring familiar objects such as pajamas, toys, and blankets along for the trek.Tips for flying with 2-4 year olds:Let them run around before boardingAvoid too much sugar pre-flightDownload comfort shows beforehandBring snacks in small surprise intervalsUse destination daylight strategically after arrival5-12 years old: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.The body clock begins to mature around the time children go to school, which means “overnight flights become more effective for reducing jet lag on long-haul routes," says El-Gohary. Being on the plane overnight at this age should feel easier, as children begin to understand travel and cope better with delayed bedtimes around the age of five. But be careful of falling into the trap of letting them watch films and eat sugary snacks on the plane, as it can lead to them arriving even more tired than parents. Baez advises adjusting sleep schedules two to three days before the flight and focusing on syncing their circadian rhythm with the new time zone by keeping screens dim. Either get your kids straight to bed or expose them to sunlight once you’ve landed, depending on your arrival time, and, when in doubt, “children [who] nap should continue napping at the same time, even in the new time zone,” Baez says.Tips for flying with 5-12 year olds:Slowly change bedtime a few days before departureEncourage sleep shortly after meal service onboardKeep screens dim during overnight flightsChange watches and devices to destination time immediatelyPrioritize sunlight exposure after landing (if the timing aligns)13-18 year olds: 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.With teenagers naturally having a later sleep cycle, “they often adapt better to overnight travel than younger children,” says El-Gohary. Late evening flights are suited to teens who naturally prefer staying awake later, especially as they can sleep independently during the flight if they need to. Parents should be aware of hidden jet lag symptoms, though, which include irritability, low motivation, and headaches. The easiest way to combat this? “Avoid screen time,” Baez says.Tips for flying with 13-18 year olds:Reduce caffeine before flightsEncourage hydration before and during travelAvoid sleeping immediately after landing if arriving during daytimeLimit overnight scrolling and blue-light exposureKeep first-day holiday plans light