Whether you’re heading to Hong Kong for a family vacation or beyond, travelling as a family can be stress-free, enjoyable, and—dare we say it— even fun! With a few simple travel strategies and the right airline support, parents can turn long-haul flights into seamless experiences. From smart packing tips to onboard entertainment and kid-friendly services, here’s how to make your journey as smooth as possible (without the tantrums).
More flights, more flexibility
One of the biggest challenges of travelling with kids is finding flights that work around nap times, school holidays and family schedules. Opt for an early morning departure to keep little ones on track with their routine or book an overnight flight to maximise sleep (and quiet) time for most of the journey.
It’s also worth noting that from this month, April 2025, Cathay Pacific is flying five times a week from Johannesburg to Hong Kong, giving parents more flexibility when booking – more options mean less stress when planning.
Stress-free airport experience
Airports can feel overwhelming when you’re managing kids, luggage and the general excitement of travel. The best way to ease the experience is to plan ahead and take advantage of time-saving services, including priority boarding to allow extra time to settle in and organise your space. Make sure all the essentials—snacks, toys, and comfort items—are within easy reach before take-off.
If you have a long layover or an early check-in, family-friendly lounges (available to eligible travellers) provide a quiet escape with comfortable seating, refreshments, and play areas where kids can burn off energy before the flight. Checking in online 48 hours before departure can also help avoid long queues and make the airport experience far smoother.
Keeping kids happy onboard
A happy child makes for a happy flight, and the right in-flight entertainment, meals and comfort features can make all the difference. Pre-ordering a children’s meal ensures they have something familiar and nutritious to eat, avoiding the stress of trying to find suitable food options mid-flight—and preventing a hangry toddler.
The in-flight entertainment system is generally packed with kid-friendly movies, TV shows and games to keep little travellers engaged for hours. On some airlines, younger passengers also receive activity packs filled with colouring books, stickers and small games. But you can also prepare your own home-made activity packs with fun, inexpensive activities to keep kids entertained.
What’s more, for parents flying with infants on Cathay Pacific, bassinets are available for babies under 12kg, and crew members are always on hand to assist with heating bottles or providing extra wipes when needed. Changing tables in the lavatories make diaper changes mid-flight much easier.
Packing a go-to bag with essentials like wipes, snacks, toys and a change of clothes ensures you have everything you need within reach. Bringing a small pillow, eye mask, and cosy pyjamas can also help encourage sleep, especially on overnight flights. A simple trick to keep kids comfortable is to bring child-friendly headphones, which fit better than standard airline ones and keep little ears happy while they enjoy their favourite shows or music.
Planning made easy with Cathay Holidays
Beyond just booking flights, organising a family-friendly holiday means co-ordinating accommodation, transportation and activities, which can quickly become overwhelming. Instead of juggling multiple reservations, families can simplify their planning through Cathay Holidays, a one-stop service for booking flights, hotels and car rentals.
From kid-friendly resorts with childcare facilities to seamless transfers between airports and hotels, consolidating your travel plans means fewer logistics to worry about and more time to focus on the fun parts, like choosing the best theme parks, wildlife experiences, or cultural activities to enjoy as a family.
Flying with kids doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. With daily flights from Johannesburg to Hong Kong, family-friendly services, and seamless holiday planning through Cathay Holidays, parents can focus on what really matters – creating incredible memories with their little ones. With the right preparation and airline support, travelling as a family can be easier, smoother and even enjoyable. So, pack your bags, embrace the adventure and let the journey be part of the fun.
For more information and to book your travel package, visit Cathay Pacific’s official website.
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