Many parents out there are struggling with changing diapers, especially when they travel with their child, who does not know yet how to use the restroom. In addition to this, not all airline companies have changing tables.
That is why some parents improvise and use their tray table as a means of changing their child’s diaper, but I am telling you this is not a good practice.
Hence, in order for you to avoid unexpected leaking of your child’s diaper, you just need to check first if the plane you will be boarding has a changing table.
Therefore, I have searched these three leading airlines if they have a changing table, and here is what I found out:
Southwest Airlines do have diaper changing areas on some aircraft. Another good thing is this airline does not fly many long hauls, so you can probably do it once you land. With United Airlines it’s a hit or a miss since there are just some selected airplanes with changing tables. Lastly, on American Airlines diaper changing tables are available.
Unfortunately, it is hard to find such information about the list of airlines with available changing tables, even SeatGuru, a helpful site that provides information about different airline amenities and layout, does not include changing table information.
That is why the best thing to do is that before you book your flight, make sure to give a call and ask whether your airline has a changing table.
Hence, here is the list of U.S Airlines, and they are also known for their family-friendly features.
Family-Friendly U.S Airlines With Changing Tables
Airline companies are different when it comes to services, especially for passengers on boards with kids. Some have diaper changing tables, and some don’t; other airlines have flight entertainment for kids. Therefore, check these airlines for your next travel vacation with your family.
American Airlines
American Airlines have baby changing tables available in the lavatories of all wide-body aircraft. In addition to this, here is some helpful information when you travel with your kids.
- Bassinets: Bassinets are available; however, they are on the first-come, first-serve basis at the gate for travel only on 767-300, 777-200, 777-300, and 787 aircraft. Be mindful that bassinets are not available in First/Business cabins.
- Car seats: Yes, these are allowed on board; however, they are not permitted in exit rows or rows directly in front or behind an exit row.
- Entertainment for kids: For flights longer than 4 hours, they provide free movies, TV-shows, games, and music.
jetBlue
This airline is equipped with changing tables on every lavatory, making it a perfect choice for an airline, especially if you travel with your kids.
If you are traveling with a lap infant, you can bring your diaper bag on board on your carry on items.
However, bassinets are not available on this airline; only car seats are permitted onboard.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is a hit or miss opportunity for airplanes with changing tables, and there is no information about which aircraft does have one.
Just like JetBlue, bassinets are not also for this airline.
Car seats are allowed in seats that are 15.35 and 17.37 inches in size, but they are not permitted to be placed in aisle seats, exit row seats, or rows directly in front or back of an exit row.
United Airlines
Yes, United Airlines have baby changing tables; however, changing tables are available only for their Boeing airplanes (747, 757-300, 767, 777, 787) and selected 757-200 flights.
Bassinets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for international flights.
And car seats are allowed UNLESS you will not bring belly belts and booster seats since these items are not permitted to bring on board.
Delta Airlines
Just like United Airlines that there are some airplanes without changing tables, but most of their aircraft have changing tables.
They also have bassinets that are called as SkyCots and are available on first-come, first-serve on some international flights.
Car seats are allowed to bring on board, but not permitted to be placed on exit rows, rows directing on front or back of exit rows, on flatbed seats, and bulkhead seats as well.
On the other hand, these are just confirmed airlines with changing tables, and if your airline that you will be flying with is not included in this list, you better check or call them to confirm if they have changing tables since this information is limited on their website.
Hence, here are some tips on how to change your child’s diaper on the changing table, especially if you are flying 30,000 feet off the ground.
Changing Diapers On A Plane: Helpful Tips
Changing tables are a must when changing your kid’s diaper, especially when you are traveling on a plane.
However, there are some cases where the plane you will be flying with does not have a changing table; therefore, what shall you do?
Well, no worries, here are some tips on how to change diapers with or without changing tables.
Tip 1: Do a pre-board diaper change
Change your baby’s diaper close to the boarding time as possible, as this can save you the struggle of doing it while onboard on the plane.
Tip 2: Check the location of the changing table
You are one lucky mom if the plane you are boarding with has changing tables.
Usually, the flight attendant will tell you right away if the plane has a changing table, but to be sure, call your airline and ask if they have this amenity. If they have, then you do your thing!
Tip 3: No changing table? No problem
Some airlines do not have changing tables at all, so what will you do? The best thing to do is to ask first the flight attendant for the perfect spot where you could change your child’s diaper.
Some alternative solution is to do cover the jump seat with sheets, and then you do the changing of the diaper, or you could do it on the back aisleway.
Either way, the most well-known tip recommended by people is to do it on a closed toilet seat.
Tip 4: Don’t forget to dispose of the diaper properly
Once you are done with changing your child’s diaper, put the used diaper on a plastic bags or ziplock if necessary as this can help in lessening foul odor smell since lavatories are small and smell will easily spread out.
Tip 5: Golden rule: Never ever do it on tray tables
Of course, who would like to watch changing a child’s diaper on board? This might be awful and rude for some passengers.
In addition to this, tray tables are not that sturdy to bear your child’s weight, they are no that clean also, and lastly, I repeat that this is rude.
Tip 6: Keep it clean
Never forget on your diaper bag to bring Clorox-style disinfectant wipes as this is helpful in eliminating germs on changing tables and toilet seats. This way, it can lessen the tendency for your child to catch a disease.
Tip 7: Changing a diaper on a closed toilet seat
This is the most popular alternative way when changing tables are not available on the plane. When changing a baby’s diaper on a closed toilet seat, make sure to keep your one hand on your baby at all times.
Closed toilet seats usually have lids wherein they have that slight curve that makes sure your baby will not fall.
This way is tricky and needs effort since your calf muscle will squat or kneel in the lavatory.
That is why it is recommended to have a baby carrier so that your baby is close to your baby, and you can use that to carry things once you are done.
Tip 8: Look for a perfect travel changing pad
Invest in travel changing pad since they will come in handy, especially for situations like this. Look for a travel changing pad that can be folded up into kit so that it can be easy to carry it around.
Image by Csaba Nagy from Pixabay
