The best family flight starts before anyone reaches the airfield. To prepare children for scenic flights, replace the unknown with a little excitement, a clear plan and expectations that suit their age. A short flight over the coast or out to an island can be a core holiday memory – especially when your child feels included rather than rushed.
For parents, the appeal is obvious: less time in transit and more time enjoying the destination. For children, the highlight is often much simpler. They want to know where they will sit, whether their ears will pop and if they can spot a boat, a quokka habitat or their hotel from above. Answer those questions early and the whole experience feels more like an adventure than a big day of travel.
Prepare children for scenic flights before departure
Children cope brilliantly with new experiences when they know the basic shape of the day. A day or two before flying, explain that they will be travelling in a small aircraft, will wear a seatbelt for the whole flight and may hear more engine noise than they do on a larger commercial service. Keep it upbeat and factual. There is no need to over-explain every sound or movement, but never promise that the aircraft will feel completely still.
Show younger children a few photos of aircraft and the scenery they may see. Talk about the route in familiar terms: the city getting smaller, the coast appearing below, boats leaving white trails and an island coming into view. Let them know that take-off can feel like a quick push back into the seat, then the climb settles into a smooth flight.
If your child is nervous, avoid labelling them as a fearful flyer. Instead, try: “It is normal to feel excited and a bit unsure when you do something new. We will be together, and the pilot will tell us what to do.” This gives them confidence without dismissing what they feel.
Choose the flight time around your child
The most impressive view is not always the best option if it clashes with a toddler’s nap, a missed meal or the part of the day when your child is usually overtired. Morning flights often work well for families because children are fresher, temperatures are milder and there is more time at the destination afterwards. That said, an older child who loves a sunset might find a late-afternoon scenic flight especially memorable.
Build in breathing room around your departure. Arriving early means you can handle check-in, bags and loo stops without turning the start of a premium experience into a sprint across the tarmac. It also gives children time to look at the aircraft from the ground and ask questions before boarding.
Pack for comfort, not every possibility
Small aircraft have sensible baggage limits, so family packing works best when it is deliberate. Bring the essentials in a compact day bag that is easy to manage, rather than loading yourself up with toys, spare outfits and bulky snacks.
For most children, a water bottle, a familiar light snack, wipes, a small comfort item and an extra layer are enough. It can feel cooler at altitude and conditions at an island or regional destination can change quickly. A jumper or light windproof layer earns its place even on a bright Perth morning.
Headphones or child-sized ear defenders can be useful for children who are sensitive to sound. Do not assume they will need them, but having the option helps them stay comfortable. A favourite soft toy can also be reassuring, provided it is small enough to keep secure.
For children prone to motion sickness, keep the pre-flight meal light and familiar. Avoid a big, greasy breakfast, but do not fly on an empty stomach either. Look towards the horizon when possible, encourage fresh air before departure and speak with your pharmacist or GP beforehand if motion sickness is a regular issue. Medication is not a last-minute experiment on the day of a special flight.
Make the safety briefing part of the adventure
A safety briefing is not a pause before the fun begins. It is part of flying well. Children are more likely to listen when they understand that every passenger has a job: sit in their allocated seat, keep their belt fastened and follow the pilot’s instructions.
Before boarding, set three simple rules in language they can remember: walking feet near the aircraft, hands to themselves unless invited to touch something, and listening straight away when the pilot speaks. Older children can help a younger sibling remember their belt or carry a small bag, which gives them a useful role without adding pressure.
Let the crew lead. They will explain how to enter and exit the aircraft safely, where to place belongings and what to expect during the flight. If a child asks a question, encourage them to ask it. Aviation is full of fascinating details, and a calm answer from the person flying the aircraft can turn nerves into genuine curiosity.
During the flight, keep their attention outside
Once you are airborne, children rarely need constant entertainment. The view does the heavy lifting. Rather than handing over a screen, turn the window into a simple game of discovery. Can they find the shoreline? Which boats look tiny? Where does the water change from deep blue to turquoise? What shapes can they see in the reef or farmland below?
This approach is especially effective on flights to Rottnest Island, where the changing colours of the water and the island’s outline give children plenty to notice. If you are travelling with more than one child, avoid making window access a competition. Agree before boarding on who sits where, and whether they will swap views at a sensible point if the seating arrangement allows.
Some children go quiet when they are concentrating or taking in a new setting. That is perfectly fine. You do not need to fill every moment with questions. A hand to hold, a reassuring smile and a relaxed parent are often the best signals that everything is going to plan.
Handle ear pressure calmly
Ear pressure during take-off and landing is common and usually brief. For babies and younger children, swallowing helps, so offer a drink at the appropriate time. Older children can sip water, chew a suitable snack or try a gentle yawn. Explain the sensation beforehand as a funny pressure change, like going up a hill quickly in the car, rather than something alarming.
If your child has a heavy cold, ear pain or a current ear infection, check with a health professional before flying. The right decision may be to postpone, depending on their symptoms and the advice you receive. A beautiful day out is not worth turning into an uncomfortable one.
Plan the landing as carefully as the take-off
A scenic flight may be quick, but a family day needs an easy landing plan. Keep the first activity at your destination simple: a snack, a drink, a short walk or time to use the facilities. Children who have been beautifully behaved in the air can still unravel when they are hungry, hot or expected to march straight into a full itinerary.
If you have booked a Fly & Dine day, golf experience or island stay, share the next step with children before landing. Tell them whether a transfer is waiting, where lunch will be and when they will get to explore. A clear next step prevents the familiar chorus of “What are we doing now?” before it starts.
Rottnest Air Taxi can make the journey feel wonderfully direct, but the most successful family flights still leave space for children to move at their own pace once they arrive. The goal is not to pack every minute with a highlight. It is to give the day enough room for the flight itself to remain one of them.
Take a photo before departure, then put the mobile away for part of the journey. Your child’s first view of the coastline from the air may last only seconds, but the memory has every chance of lasting much longer.
