Its that time of year again when the days start getting longer, the weather turns slightly less chilly and the school holidays loom. Yes! its holiday time. In this article we will explore the benefits and the not so benefits that come with travelling with kids on a plane

One of the many dilemmas that face parents today is where and how to go on holiday. Like all sane adults the appeal of tranquil beaches and gently lapping waves will be very tempting but not very practical. Most of these tropical beach paradises will be a long plane flight away so unless you are lucky enough to own your own plane the practically of a long flight with young children can be daunting.

However it is not impossible.

Firstly check out the airlines thoroughly. Look into seating arrangements and dimensions in the planes and opt for one with the largest seat. You may be tempted to sacrifice a few inches to save a few pounds but seven hours into a flight you may be regretting it.

Surprisingly some of the more popular long distance airlines can be the most stringy on seat pitch and size. Airlines though are bringing out newer planes that have improved economy seating.

Emirates for example in some of their routes have brought the business class entertainment system and most graciously installed it in economy. Of which on trips to Australia have been very much appreciated.

If you are not too bothered by seat size and are quite content for you and your family to sit in a sardine tin then the only thing that you must stand firm on is the back of the seat TV screen. This on long haul flights will be a lifesaver. With every plane development comes improved choices and entertainment systems that are touch screen controlled are now becoming more widely available so look into what has been installed in your flight.

Screens are now becoming bigger, movies and TV programs are endless and can start at the touch of a button and a wide range of games are available to keep kids of all ages amused.

These improvements are more evident on scheduled flights whereas the charter flights (these are the flights you would have on holidays booked through travel agents) are lagging behind a bit more so it is best to find out what entertainment is available from the holiday company for kids. If the offerings are poor then be prepared to take your own.

The location of seating can also make the difference on a flight. Try and bag the row in front of a partition as there is normally more leg room and may be enough space for a small play area for the kids. Do not try for the wider emergency exit aisles for obvious reasons and you won�t get them.

Some airlines are now charging for the more in demand seats so look into the costs before getting to the airport as some of these seats may need to be pre-booked before your flight. Also remember when checking in to state that you require all seats together, the assumption would be that you would be situated together but in some cases this has not happened and while one parent has a relaxing peaceful flight the other is left to contend with the kids. Not the most stress free way to start a holiday.

It can also be handy to take food with you on flights but be prepared to dump it at the other end if it is uneaten as many countries frown at bringing in �foreign� food. Put it in the last rubbish collection by the fight attendants as you may not find a bin at certain airports.

Carrying food on a long haul flight is handy when the airline food is sometimes less than edible or you have a fussy eater on your hands. Also some airlines especially night flight ones will leave long gaps between meals to allow the passengers to try and get some (if uncomfortable) sleep. Check with the airline or ticket agency about the food preferences as you should be able to get kiddies meals that may turn out to be slightly more palatable.

Preparation is the key to the success of any holiday and this should be applied to the travelling stage as well. Have activities for the kids that can be done in airports, not only in the departure lounge but also in any connecting airports.

Most importantly prepare for delays. These can be frustrating at the best of times but when you have a hungry, bored and tired kid this can test the patience of a saint and we have all seen the after-effects of that if you watch Airport.

Have the trusty colouring pad and crayons for the younger kid and a challenging puzzle book for the older one. Do not ban any hand held computer game from the holiday as you may find it�s the only thing that will keep them quiet.

But a word of advice put a stipulation on it that whenever it is played it is done so with either the sound turned down or using headphones. Just remember to switch it off during take offs and landings.

A handy thing to do if your child is old enough is to get them their own carry on luggage. Trolley bags now come in all shape, sizes and colours with a wide range of them aimed at kids. This is a handy place to put all of the vital equipment you will need for your child while travelling though make sure they are aware that it is their luggage and therefore it is their responsibility to transport it. Some of the funniest sights in airports are when you see grown men carting around a bright pink Barbie trolley.

Most importantly after all this preparation, don�t forget your passport.