Surviving a long-haul flight to Japan with young kids
How to get through the flight from Australia to Japan with young children — booking smart, what to pack in the carry-on, managing sleep and screens, and easing sore ears.
The flight from Australia to Japan is long but very manageable with a plan. Direct flights run around nine to eleven hours depending on your city; a good strategy for the aircraft and a light first day on arrival make all the difference.
Book with kids in mind
- For babies, request a bassinet seat when booking — they are limited and allocated early.
- Consider an overnight flight so children sleep for part of it, if it suits your family.
- Choose seats together, ideally near a toilet for younger kids.
- Pre-order kids’ meals if your airline offers them.
The carry-on that saves the day
- A change of clothes each for kids (and a spare top for you).
- More snacks than you think you need, plus an empty water bottle to fill after security.
- Headphones that fit small heads, and pre-downloaded shows and games.
- A few small, new, quiet toys or activities, revealed one at a time.
- Wipes, nappies, medication and a light blanket or comfort item.
Managing the flight
Alternate quiet activities with rest, keep hydration up, and don’t fight sleep when it comes. Screens are a completely reasonable tool on a long flight — pace them so there is something left for the last stretch. A short walk down the aisle resets everyone when patience runs thin.
Sore ears on take-off and landing
Encourage swallowing during ascent and descent: a drink, a snack, a dummy for babies, or chewing for older kids. This eases the pressure that causes ear pain.
Landing well
Keep arrival day gentle — get outside in daylight, eat at local mealtimes, and resist booking anything demanding. See our jet-lag guide for settling into Japan time quickly.
Book ahead for this trip
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Start planning →Common questions
- How long is the flight from Australia to Japan?
- Direct flights are roughly nine to eleven hours depending on your departure city. One-stop routes take longer but can break up the journey for some families.
- Are screens okay on a long flight with kids?
- Yes — on a nine-plus-hour flight, screens are a sensible tool. Pre-download content, bring kid-sized headphones, and pace usage so there’s still something for the final hour.
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