1. Book Special Meals Early
Almost every carrier offers special menus—gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, allergy-safe…and of course, children’s meals. To avoid disappointment:
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Order when you book (or at least 24–48 hours before departure).
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Check for fees: on long-haul flights a child’s menu is usually complimentary; on short-haul or low-cost carriers a small surcharge (e.g. 790 CZK per child on SmartWings) may apply.
2. Sample Children’s Menus
Here are real menus you might encounter when flying with kids:
| Airline | Age Range | Menu Highlights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmartWings | 2–12 years | Chicken fillet with mashed potatoes, peas & mixed vegetables; chocolate bar; Termix (Czech dairy dessert); light bun, butter; apple juice | 790 CZK/person |
| Emirates | 2–12 years | Organic Ella’s Kitchen vegetable moussaka with lentils; sweet prunes; organic fruit purée | Complimentary; special diets also available via “Manage Your Booking” |
| Air France | < 8 years | Specially prepared hot meal (e.g. pasta or chicken dish); fun dessert | Served before adult meals; children up to 11 years via pre-order |
| Alitalia | 2–12 years | Child-friendly classics (e.g. pasta with tomato sauce, meatballs); dessert | Service unavailable on domestic Italian routes |
| Austrian | All ages | Pasta dishes or steaks (no extra charge on > 3.5 h flights); under-2 meals available onboard while stocks last | European meal € 15 (pre-order 36 h before departure) |
| British Airways | 2–12 years | Hot meal (may contain pork or beef); dessert; juice | Order up to 24 hours before departure |
| Brussels Airlines | All ages | “Kidbul” menu in a colourful crocodile box; fruit-juice beverage | Pre-order at least 24 hours before departure |
| Cathay Pacific | Baby & 2–12 yrs | BBML baby meal (meat or vegetable, dessert, juice); CHML child meal (boneless fish or meat, seasonal sides) | Pre-order 24 h before departure; seasonal ingredients |
| Delta Air Lines | 0–2 & 2–12 yrs | Infant bottles with pureed fruits/veggies/meats; milk or juice; children’s menu based on healthy foods | Complimentary on most long-haul flights |
| EL AL | All ages | Choice of meat dish (steak, fries, hummus, veggies, chocolate dessert) or dairy meal (waffles, yogurt, cottage cheese, chocolate spread); kosher options available | Free in all classes when booked |
Tip: Even if your airline’s children’s menu is complimentary, you must still select it in advance using the booking portal or by calling customer service.
3. Security & Baby Food
Prague Airport follows EU liquid rules (≤ 100 ml per container in a 1 l clear bag), but:
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Baby food & milk for the journey are exempt—just expect a security officer to ask for a taste.
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Medicines & dietary foods likewise (carry prescriptions or certificates).
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Duty-free liquids stay sealed in their tamper-evident bag until gate-to-gate.
Once aboard, simply ask a flight attendant to heat bottles or baby food.
4. Beyond the Main Meal
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Extra drinks: Unlimited juice, water or soft drinks on request.
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Snacks: Some airlines offer child-friendly nibbles between meals.
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Bring your own: Pack familiar crackers, fruit pouches or cereal bars—small comforts go a long way.
5. Seating & Cabin Comfort
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Check in early online to choose adjacent seats.
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Ask the crew if you end up apart; they often can swap seats last-minute.
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Use the restroom before boarding—the seat-belt sign can stay on for many minutes.
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Locate the changing station in the aircraft lavatory.
6. Gear, Gadgets & Games
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Strollers: Gate-check most models for free; some lightweight travel strollers can tag along as your hand luggage (but count toward your allowance on low-cost carriers).
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Dress in layers: Cabins can swing from warm to chilly—have an extra outfit and don’t skimp on wipes!
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Entertainment: Choose familiar, sturdy toys and activity books. Use a small drawstring bag to keep everything contained—no hunting for runaway puzzle pieces in your neighbor’s footwell.
7. Embrace the Unexpected
Planes are public transport, not luxury liners. Kids may nap at strange times—or not at all. A stroller-walk down the aisle or a sing-along can work wonders. Fellow passengers and crew tend to be understanding (and often helpful!), so stay flexible and enjoy the journey together.
With meals pre-booked, snacks stocked and a few savvy seat and gear strategies, your next family flight from Prague can feel less like chaos and more like quality time at altitude. Safe travels!