Family vacations are a great way to give your kids new experiences and create lasting memories together. But with all the joy that travel brings, there can be a lot of planning and logistics to get you where you’re going. Whether you’re a family of three or seven, have infants or pre-teens, and are traveling with a village or flying solo, we’ve gathered these tips to help make family travel easier on everyone.
When you fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport, there are a number of ways you can prepare for your travels. A great way to start is by reserving your parking, guaranteeing a spot in your preferred lot when you arrive and your car close by when you return. Parking reservations are available in our Long-Term North Lot, Long-Term Garage, or our new Premier Parking, offering options at all price-points. While you can’t reserve space in our budget-friendly Economy Lot, we’ve recently added more parking spots, and our convenient shuttle runs every 10 minutes to get your group (and all their gear) to your gate faster and easier.
Enrolling in TSA PreCheck can also streamline your airport experience. Children 12 and under can accompany an enrolled parent, and those ages 13-17 can use the PreCheck lane if they are on the same reservation as their guardian, even without their own membership.
PRO TIP: If you forget to download your airline’s mobile app or boarding passes before you arrive, GRR offers free, high-speed Wi-Fi that’s available for all guests.
Including infants in your next adventure can seem overwhelming, but GRR and our trusted airline partners are here to make the experience easy and convenient. Infants under 2 can fly either as a ticked passenger with their own seat (which requires use of an FAA approved car seat onboard), or as a lap infant with a ticketed adult. You can also check one stroller and one car seat for free on most airlines, either at the ticket counter or at your gate. We recommend always checking with your airline on their specific policies for infants and checked gear prior to arriving at the airport to avoid surprises.
GRR is also proud to be a nursing-friendly airport, with dedicated nursing rooms both pre- and post-security.
PRO TIP: Airlines reserve the right to request proof of age for lap infants, so be sure to have a copy of their birth certificate when traveling.
There are lots of ways to keep little ones engaged before you board your flight. First, check out our Kids Port play areas, located both pre- and post-security, which include a play helicopter and a replica air traffic control tower. Then, calm any pre-flight jitters in our new sensory room, located in Concourse A, designed to minimize overstimulation and provide a comfortable adjustment from one sensory experience to another.
And, of course, be on the lookout for everyone’s favorite mascot, Jerry the Jet, who can occasionally be spotted around the concourses. If you don’t happen to catch him in person, you can grab his activity book in the Kids Port play areas, and catch his travel tips on gate monitors.
PRO TIP: Both concourses offer many family-friendly amenities—from retail partners with last-minute travel essentials, to a variety of dining options for picky eaters, and plenty of charging stations and gate outlets to keep those tablets charged.
Now that you’re ready to fly, start planning your next trip at flyford.org! Check out our 35+ nonstop destinations, and be sure to stay up to date with airport information, new routes, events and more by signing up for our e-newsletter.