Checklist for Parents Travelling from USA to India

Snigdha Rout
June 11, 2025

Being a parent isn’t that easy but involves a lot of duties, even if you are travelling with kids. It’s not all about booking flight tickets but evolving, planning, preparing and ensuring a safe & comfortable journey for all family members. If you are a parent and checking over flights to India from the USA, then FlyDealFare is a one-stop solution. Let’s dive into the guide, which offers a comprehensive checklist to manage travelling with children smoothly. 

Booking Flights from USA to India

That’s the initial step when choosing flight tickets to India from the USA. Invest good time in the selection of airfare depending on budget, layover preferences, airline policies for kids and travel time.

How to Book a Flight to India from the USA?

Use Comparison Portals

Ensure you are using a trusted website or tools that give fare comparison like FlyDealFare. This helps in knowing the flexibility of tools to compare prices.

Set Fare Alerts

You must track airfare tickets cost over time with running deals. The ultimate grabbed offers will let you have the best efficiency on cheap flight tickets.

Consider Stopover

Do check on for the direct flights that are quicker-especially when you have long-haul travel plans with kids. However, they are costlier. The layover can reduce the cost and ensure rest.

Use Miles or Credit Card Points

Get to redeem the flight tickets to India and upgrade to business class.

Use Miles or Credit Card Points

Redeem points for flight tickets to India from the USA and potentially upgrade to business class.

Choosing the Right Time to Travel

Ultimately, the year impacts ticket prices and comfort.

Best Seasons for Travel from USA to India

  • ✔ Winter (Nov-Feb)- Go for the pleasing weather that’s ideal for North India to enjoy travelling with kids.
  • ✔ Summer (May-July)- Typically, the airfares are high in cost due to holidays and summer vacations in schools.
  • ✔ Fall/Spring (Sept-Oct or Mar-Apr)- Go for the USA to India flights in the fall or spring that give balanced pricing & moderate climate.

Pro Tip

If you are planning to book flights to India, then you must not book airfare in peak festive seasons-Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, and New Year. If possible, either book on priority or take at least 2-3 months in advance for better deals from the USA to India.

Documents Checklist

Parents need to be careful and precise over the board with kids on flights to India from the USA. Ensure that all critical documents are handy and organized.

For Adults-

  • ✔ Ensure the passport is valid- minimum of 6 months validity.
  • ✔ Must have an Indian visa-tourist or entry visa.
  • ✔ OCI card-if required and applicable.
  • Flight tickets to India from the USA.
  • ✔ Vaccination certification and checklist over the requirements.

For Children-

  • ✔ Passport
  • ✔ Visa or OCI card
  • ✔ Birth certificate (especially for infants/toddlers)
  • ✔ Consent letter (if one parent is not travelling)
  • ✔ School ID (optional but helpful)

Parent Pro Tip:

Being a parent-best is to carry and store documents that are necessary for travel in digital format on the phone and also as printed copies.

Packing Essentials

As a parent, you must pack smartly and ease with kids on long-haul travel with children.

Must-Haves for Kids:

Obviously, flight tickets to India from the USA with kids aren’t easy. The must-haves for kids are-

  • ✔ Diapers, wipes and changing mat.
  • ✔ Pack extra clothes-2-3 pairs.
  • ✔ Formula or baby food-TSA allowing formula/milk over 3.4 oz.
  • ✔ Keep pacifier, favourite toys and interactive books to keep kids engaged on board.
  • ✔ Ensure to carry a blanket and a small pillow.

For Older Kids

On board, if you are kids are older than 10, then ensure essentials such as

  • ✔ Snacks (non-messy)
  • ✔ Water bottle (fill post-security)
  • ✔ Headphones
  • ✔ A tablet loaded with shows/games (Airplane Mode ready)
  • ✔ Colouring books or puzzles

For Parents:

If you are on a long-haul flight with older parents or family members, ensure to keep things handy like-

  • ✔ Medications and first-aid kit
  • ✔ Travel insurance copies
  • ✔ Charger and power bank
  • ✔ Noise-cancelling headphones
  • ✔ Currency (INR) or international credit/debit card

Preparing for Long-Haul Flights to India from the USA

The USA to India airfare is long ranges between 14-4 hours, depending on route & layovers.

Travel Tips for Parents             

Select Seats in Advance

Go for the bulkhead seats that are quite spacious and extra legroom.

Meal Requests

Go for the airlines that give special meals, but pre-booking is required at least 24-28 hours before departure.

Time Your Flight Wisely

Ensure you have overnight, especially for long-haul boarding, to synchronize with your child’s sleep schedule. 

Pack a Mini Toiletry Kit

Keep certain essentials handy in separate bags, like wipes, sanitiser, baby lotion and lip balm. 

Dress in Layers

Make sure kids have enough clothes as per temperature and comfort. Carry a small and soft kids’ blanket or light jacket on board.

In-Flight Entertainment

Apart from choosing the flight tickets to India from the USA, ensure the carrier has enough in-flight entertainment. Go for certain aspects, such as

  • ✔ Pre-download of kids’ shows and movies on the tablet.
  • ✔ Use parental controls on apps and devices you want kids to operate on board.
  • ✔ To keep them engaged in travel, ensure to keep interactive play activities like soft puzzles, books, etc.

Understanding Baggage Policies

It’s very precise to understand the baggage allowance by the carrier you choose to fly from the USA to India.

Common Allowances

  • ✔ Economy Class: 2 checked bags (23 kg each) + carry-on (7 kg)
  • ✔ Kids (including infants): Usually one bag + stroller allowed
  • ✔ Baby items like formula, diapers, and toys are allowed as additional carry-on (confirm with the airline).

Book with FlyDealFare

Next, as a parent, book your flights from the USA to India wisely and choose your airline carefully. FlyDealFare offers affordable fares and expert assistance to help you pick the best options for family travel. Apart from that, the right preparation is a must-follow to make travelling with kids on the long haul safe, smoother and comfortable. Ensure the checklist above is followed to stay organized and ready for anything that comes across on a flight with children.

FAQs

1) What documents do parents need while traveling from the USA to India?

Parents should carry a valid passport, Indian visa or OCI card, flight tickets, travel insurance, and a government-issued ID.

2) Is travel insurance necessary for parents visiting India?

Yes, travel insurance is highly recommended to cover medical emergencies, trip delays, or baggage loss.

3) What items should parents pack for their trip to India?

Comfortable clothing, prescription medicines, snacks, mobile phone with charger, emergency contacts, and necessary documents.