When we boarded an international 8-hour flight, we were all feeling great. Bags packed, baby fed, and excitement was high. However, we were mid-flight, cruising at 35,000 feet, when our 11-month old child (at the time) started showing signs of being sick. And not just a little carsick kind of sick—this was full-on stomach bug, in-the-air, nowhere-to-go kind of sick. If you’ve ever been there, you know: it’s stressful, emotional, and yes, incredibly messy.

Thankfully, the Delta flight attendants were absolute angels. They showed up with towels, sick bags, and calm reassurance just when we needed it. However, that experience taught us some important lessons—ones that we now follow every single time we fly with our kids, sick or not.

If you’re traveling with little ones, this post is for you. I’m sharing the biggest takeaways from that flight, what we always pack now, and a free printable Sick Kid Flight Survival Kit Checklist (click below!) you can stash in your carry-on. Because even if everything goes perfectly, it’s worth being prepared.

The Realities of Flying with a Sick Child

There’s nothing that makes you feel more helpless as a parent than being in a confined space with a sick child—and no quick way to help them feel better. Whether it’s motion sickness, a sudden stomach bug, or a surprise fever, getting sick mid-flight happens more often than you’d think.

And let’s be honest: planes aren’t exactly designed with sick kids in mind. Between the tight spaces, the recycled air, and the “seatbelt sign is ON” moments when you can’t move an inch, it can feel like a disaster waiting to happen.

That’s why preparation is everything. We learned the hard way, but you don’t have to.

Flying with Sick Kids? 5 Things We Always Do Now

1. Pack Extra Clothes (for EVERYONE)

Most parents remember to pack an extra outfit for the baby or toddler—but what about you?

We learned the hard way that when a kid gets sick in your lap, you’re in the splash zone. Now, each of us packs a full change of clothes in our carry-ons, including an extra shirt, pants, underwear, and socks. It takes up a bit of room, but it’s 100% worth it.

Pro tip: Use gallon-size ziplock bags to store clothes and to seal up anything that gets messy.

2. Bring Disinfectant Wipes

This is a must even when everyone’s feeling fine, but especially crucial if you’re worried about germs or potential messes. We use wipes to clean every surface our child might touch: tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles, windowsills, and the touchscreen.

They’re also great for mid-flight cleanups when napkins just don’t cut it.

3. Stay Seated if Your Child Feels Sick

It’s tempting to walk up and down the aisle with your little one to calm them down. But if they’re vomiting, feverish, or feeling queasy, staying seated is the best move.

Keeping them contained can reduce the spread of germs, give them a secure spot to rest, and—let’s be honest—save the aisle carpet from disaster. Make use of air sickness bags and ask flight attendants for help if needed. In our experience, they’ve always been kind and understanding.

4. Bring Extra Liquids (and Snacks)

If your child gets sick, staying hydrated is key. TSA allows parents to bring larger quantities of breast milk, formula, or electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte when flying with infants or toddlers. Keep those items easily accessible and bring more than you think you’ll need.

Also, bring bland snacks (crackers, dry cereal, applesauce pouches) in case they can keep food down later in the flight.

5. Watch That Water Bottle

A strange but surprisingly important tip: open your water bottle slowly. Cabin pressure changes can turn a regular bottle into a geyser, which is exactly what you don’t want while trying to keep a baby calm or a toddler clean.

This one’s minor—but trust me, it’s a quick win that can save your sanity mid-flight.

Free Printable: Sick Kid Flight Survival Kit Checklist

We created a one-page printable checklist (see above!) to help parents feel confident and prepared for flying—even if someone ends up feeling unwell. This is the resource I wish I’d had that day on our flight.

Here’s what’s inside the checklist:

• What to pack in your carry-on for babies, toddlers, and parents
• Emergency essentials we’ll never fly without again
• What to do if your child gets sick mid-flight
• Bonus tips we’ve learned the hard (and messy) way

You’ve Got This, Parents!

Flying with kids is already an adventure. Throw in an unexpected illness, and it can feel overwhelming. But a little extra planning can turn a stressful situation into a manageable one—and maybe even a calm one.

The goal isn’t to have a perfect flight. The goal is to be prepared for the bumps (and tummy troubles) along the way.

If you’ve been through it and have a few hard-earned tips of your own, I’d love to hear them in the comments. Let’s help each other out and make family travel a little easier for everyone.