https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:44:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927059 Thu, 19 May 2022 12:52:56 +0000 hellobeeboston 2927059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How are your kids with sleeping? Is it fairly easy for them? I have found that overnight flights work well for my kids because they will sleep the entire time... BUT usually the parents don't really get to sleep in this case, and we usually have a kid with their head in our lap unless they get some room to spread out.... Pros &amp; cons to both. </p> <p>I have only had to deal with a 4 or 5 hour time difference so far with kids. We have found it best to gradually adjust - so that might mean eating earlier/later, earlier/later bed times, etc. I try not to force it too much. </p> <p>Sometimes that red-eye flight can really help with the time change to get you to adjust faster.</p> <p>GOOD LUCK -- sounds like an amazing trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927050 Tue, 17 May 2022 10:34:29 +0000 winter_wonder 2927050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can I think an overnight is best. I think they might be more likely to sleep. </p> <p>Jetlag- lots of outdoor time the first day and then an early bedtime. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927044 Mon, 16 May 2022 19:54:34 +0000 julie31 2927044@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice on the flight time really as we usually don’t have a choice relying from the west coast to France. I do try to avoid connections at all costs - I drive 3 hours to Seattle airport to get a direct flight instead of flying out of my local airport. </p> <p>Once at your destination, try to get a lot of time outside, in the sun, to reset their internal clocks. Trying to keep them awake during the daytime is key to getting over the jet lag fast. An afternoon nap is tempting the first few days but i always ended up regretting it at bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927042 Mon, 16 May 2022 18:36:45 +0000 karenbme 2927042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: This sounds so fun! I have been researching gorilla trekking in Uganda, but for now it’s a pipe dream with a two year old and one on the way. I don’t have any advice, but I hope you have a great trip! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927040 Mon, 16 May 2022 14:18:40 +0000 JennyPenny 2927040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds like so much fun! When we've flown overseas to Europe we generally don't get a choice in timing. Flights there take place overnight and on the way back they're during the day. But when looking for connections I have some general rules of thumb:</p> <p>1) Stay in the US as long as possible and then aim to get final destination as the longest flight. So I'll prioritize a New York connection over a London one. I like flights that leave right around bedtime. My kids will last through the meal and then conk right out (usually)</p> <p>2) Opposite on the return, get back to the US as soon as possible. Really both of these are just because I'd rather be in my home country if something goes wrong with connections.</p> <p>3) Short connections are AWFUL with kids so I tend to choose flights with longer connection times than I would if it was just me.</p> <p>And then for time zone change, when we go to Europe (6 hr difference) we usually try to just split the difference with home. So for us that means our kids usually sleep 7p-6a at home, but we have them on more of a 10p-9a when we're overseas. It makes it easier to not worry about an early bedtime and makes the jetlag less significant when coming back too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/best-time-for-long-haul-flight-with-kids#post-2927039 Mon, 16 May 2022 08:49:06 +0000 Chuckles 2927039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Next year we're taking an amazing trip to Tanzania, Kenya, and Zanzibar. Our kids will be 3 and almost 10. For a long travel day with kids, and a big time zone difference, do you think it's better to leave in the evening and hope they'll sleep on the plane or better to fly during the day? Also, best tips on helping kids adjust to a new time zone? It will be 8 hours later there. Thanks! </p>