Reserve seats on a flight that is scheduled to leave during the infant's regular sleep schedule. For a cross-ocean flight, schedule to leave in the evening. A flight that is less than 6 hours could be scheduled whenever the infant takes a longer nap so that most of the time is spent sleeping.
Reserve seats by the window. According to USA Today in "How to Get an Infant to Sleep on Long Flights," window seats are not only darker, but there are less distractions of other passengers, airline workers, and noise.
Reserve a seat for the baby. While most airlines don't require parents to buy a ticket for an infant, they usually offer them at reduced rates. For a long flight, it is worth it to have a little extra space to buffer you and the baby from the next passenger.
Bring comfort items. According to Easy Baby Life in "Traveling with Baby?" Anything that makes the infant's sleep situation as normal as possible will be helpful. Pacifiers, favorite blankets, and toys can all help the infant to relax and be able to sleep.
Feed the baby during the plane's ascent to alleviate ear pressure so that the baby doesn't experience lingering pain which could prevent sleep. Have a bottle ready as the plane takes off. The sucking motion will make the infant's ears pop and avoid discomfort.
Consider the time zone. When staying at your destination more than a couple of days, the infants schedule will adjust to that time, so schedule the return flight in response to the new schedule. In "How Time Changes, Vacations, and Temperament will Affect Your Baby's Schedule" Baby Center encourages parents to be mindful of the fact that time flucuations can change a baby's schedule so plan a return flight accordingly.
