Should I bring a car seat on the plane?

If your child is under 40 lbs, it is safer to use a FAA-approved car seat. It also keeps them contained in a familiar seat, which often leads to better sleep.

How do I deal with the time zone shift?

Shift your children's sleep schedule by 30-60 minutes each night for the four days leading up to the flight. Once on the plane, immediately set your watches to the destination time and force lights out based on that clock.

Booking long-haul flights to Asia with children

Prioritize direct flights or those with a single, long layover to maximize sleep windows for kids. Use airline tools to select bulkhead or bassinet seats immediately upon booking to ensure physical space for your family.

Filter for 'Child' tickets, not 'Adult'. Even if the flight is just for you and the kids, ensure you select the correct passenger age brackets. Infants (under 2) usually travel as 'lap infants' for 10% of the fare, but check airline rules—some carriers require you to purchase a seat for them if you want to use an FAA-approved car seat.
Use ExpertFlyer to check seat availability. Before booking, use ExpertFlyer or seatguru.com to check the cabin layout. You need to see exactly where the bassinet positions are located (usually at the front of a section). Call the airline immediately after booking to reserve these specific seats.
Optimize your layover length. Avoid layovers under 3 hours; the stress of clearing customs or rushing between gates with kids is not worth the potential savings. Aim for an 8-hour 'day' layover to let kids run around, or a 15+ hour 'overnight' layover where you book a hotel inside or near the airport to reset sleep cycles.
Request child meals during checkout. Most major Asian carriers (ANA, JAL, Singapore, Cathay Pacific) offer special child meals. These are usually served before the main meal service, which helps kids eat and settle down before the cabin lights go out for the night.

Should I bring a car seat on the plane?: If your child is under 40 lbs, it is safer to use a FAA-approved car seat. It also keeps them contained in a familiar seat, which often leads to better sleep.
How do I deal with the time zone shift?: Shift your children's sleep schedule by 30-60 minutes each night for the four days leading up to the flight. Once on the plane, immediately set your watches to the destination time and force lights out based on that clock.