Airport tips for travelling with children

Travelling with children. Three words that can single-handedly make hair stand on end and send shivers down the spine of every parent known to mankind. Organising the essentials (think itinerary, passports and visas), packing and lugging your bags through the airport, obtaining boarding passes, checking in bags, navigating the security screening, dealing with hunger pangs and getting around the airport when it's just you is more than enough to conquer. But when you add a tiny human or two into the mix, well... things can understandably seem daunting.

But it needn't be that way. With a little bit of foresight and a whole lot of tip following, travelling with your little ones can be a manageable, enjoyable, and incredibly rewarding experience.

What should you consider before you arrive at the airport?

Plan, plan and then when you think you've planned enough, plan some more. It's important to remember that travel in the years before children required a lot less multitasking, research and organisation.

What questions to ask when booking flights with children

When it comes to airlines, children under the age of two are classed as a baby and will be required to sit with an adult on the plane or occupy a seat (on their own ticket) in an approved child restraint system. Children between the ages of two and twelve will have their own seat on a child fare.

Before you book your flights, be sure to research all of the different airlines available and ask the important questions to identify which airline will best meet your needs:

• Are there baby/toddler/children's meals available?
• Is there an option to check strollers at the gate, or do I need to check in my stroller at the oversized bag drop-off?
• Are there loan strollers available?
• Are there infant bassinets available?
• What are the in-flight entertainment options for children?
• What are the baggage allowances per passenger?
• Can you check-in online from home (save time and prevent tiny hands from mauling the check-in screens = win-win!)?

Consider evening and night-time flights. Planning flights around your child's bedtime is a good solution when it comes to minimising the chance of having to contain a bundle of energy.

What to consider when packing for children

Once you've booked your flights, write a list of everything your children could possibly need during the flight before you even start packing. This list will be your go-to, and you will need to pack these items in your carry-on bag. Think entertainment, medication, food, water, a change of clothes, nappies, wet wipes, etc. Best leave those ice skates, scalpels and letter openers at home, because anything with sharp, pointy edges or anything that can be used to harm someone (or even resemble an item that could harm someone) will be confiscated at security.

If you aren't sure whether an item meets the 'may cause harm' criteria, consult the Australian Government's TravelSecure website to ensure there are no issues with any of your planned carry-on items.

Another valuable site to visit is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority dangerous goods search. Search any item, and it will tell you whether the item is permitted or not. Cue the Family Feud bah-booow sound when an item comes up as not permitted.

On domestic flights, there is no limit to the volume of powders, liquids, aerosols or gels that you can take on board in your carry-on baggage. But all aerosol containers must have a fitted cap or locking device.

For international flights, liquid, aerosol or gel items must be in containers of 100ml or 100g or less. For powders, the total volume of inorganic powders must not exceed 350ml or 350g per person. There is no limit on organic powders, such as food and powdered baby formula. 

How to get to Brisbane Airport with children

Time, and plenty of it, will be your best friend when it comes to getting to and navigating Brisbane Airport with tiny humans in tow. Take the stress out of your journey by allowing extra time for the unforeseeable - traffic delays, issues with public transport or finding a park, peak period congestion, etc especially in peak travel periods like school, Easter and Christmas holidays. The more time you allow, the less likely you will be frazzled and have to do the mad dash across the terminal to make your flight.

If you're looking to park at the International Terminal and don't have a travelling companion to help with the additional arms, legs and suitcases, consider the ParkValet service.

If you have wonderful friends and family who have put their hand up to drop you off, consider booking ParkShort, so they can extend the goodbye and help you get the luggage and children into the terminal. 

What to expect at security screening with children

Brisbane Airport is a child-friendly environment and staff are on hand to accommodate families as much as possible, particularly through the often-dreaded but incredibly necessary security screening process. It is a requirement by law that staff screen everyone, regardless of age, at the security checkpoint. Here is a list of things you can expect to encounter:

• Babies and children will have to be taken out of carriers or strollers for screening
• Babies can be carried by an adult
• If children can walk without assistance, they will be asked to walk through the screening point on their own.  Children will not be screened via body scanners
• Strollers, prams, and carriers must be screened along with any other carry-on baggage.

Once you've made it through the security screening process, the hardest part is done. Phew! Now it's time to take full advantage of the food and beverage on offer at Brisbane Airport before boarding to make that 'holiday feeling' start within the terminal and keep everyone (the kids) happy.

One of our biggest pre-flight tips for parents? Visit one of the many parent rooms located throughout the Domestic and International Terminal, all of which are equipped with baby change facilities, toddler-sized toilets, feeding chairs and microwaves. Find a parent room here.

Did you pack some airport entertainment?

Whatever you do, avoid cracking open the emergency entertainment pack within your carry-on before you board your flight! Tiny humans are curious, adventurous beings, and Brisbane Airport is the perfect environment to engage in exploration and education. Why not try the following:

• Old-fashioned plane spotting. Find a window in the terminal where you can watch planes take off, land, disembark and refuel. Talk to your kids about the processes involved and allow their inquisitive minds to come up with questions and observations
• The terminal is also the perfect place to participate in people watching, where you can give the kids a goal of finding 'five ladies wearing red' or 'two purple suitcases'
• Alternatively, a take-turns game of "I spy" will pass the time.

The most important part of travelling with children? Enjoy the experience. It's meant to be fun. By following the above tips and taking the time to be in the moment with your little ones, you are bound to leave Brisbane Airport with some wonderful memories that will make you smile for years to come.

What you need to know about airport safety

Travelling with kids through an airport can feel like a mental and physical juggling act worrying about bags, boarding passes, snacks and little legs all at once. When terminals are busy, a few simple habits can make a big difference to keeping everyone moving safely. 

• Skip the suitcase ride: It might seem like a quick fix when little legs are tired, but suitcases aren’t designed to carry people and can tip suddenly especially on changing floor surfaces. If kids need a break, consider using an approved baby carrier, travel pram, or building in short rest stops along the way. 
• Keep kids within arm’s reach in crowded areas: Busy terminals can be distracting, making it easy to get separated. Keeping children close, particularly around escalators, travelators, queues and baggage areas, is one of the simplest ways to reduce risk. 
• Use escalators and travelators carefully: Always hold the handrail and take a moment stepping on and off. If you’re travelling with heavy bags, a trolley, or lots of little helpers, using the lift can often be the calmer and safer option. 
• Airport equipment isn’t a playground: Baggage carousels, screening areas and moving walkways can look exciting to kids, but they’re working equipment. A handy rule for young travellers: “look with your eyes, not with your hands.” 
• Stay safe in car parks and pick‑up zones: Follow marked pedestrian paths, hold hands near traffic lanes, and avoid walking under boom gates. Slowing down in these areas helps everyone arrive safely. 

Allowing a little extra time, staying close together, and choosing the safest option – even if it takes a minute longer – can help your family start the journey on a calmer note.

Frequently asked questions about travelling with children through Brisbane Airport

What should I pack when flying with children?

Pack essential items in your carry-on bag, including snacks, water, medication, nappies, wipes, spare clothes and entertainment. Keep important documents handy and check your airline's baggage allowances before travelling. Remember that international flights have additional restrictions on liquids, aerosols, gels and powders.

Do babies and children need to go through airport security screening?

Yes. All passengers, including babies and children, must undergo security screening at Brisbane Airport. Babies may be carried by an adult, while children who can walk independently may be asked to walk through screening on their own. Prams, strollers and other baby equipment must also be screened.

What facilities are available for families travelling through Brisbane Airport?

Brisbane Airport offers parent rooms, baby change facilities, family-friendly dining options and places to watch planes before boarding. Families can also access free Wi-Fi and charging stations throughout the terminals. Explore our guides to the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal for more tips.