Istanbul to Nice: A Calmer Start to a Family Holiday

When travelling with children, the most tiring part is often not the flight itself but everything surrounding it. Luggage, hand baggage, passports, security queues and impatient children waiting at the gate can create stress before the holiday has even begun.

That was the main reason we chose to charter a private jet for our trip to Nice.

Planning for two children and a baby

We were travelling as two adults, two children and a baby. Before the flight, we shared our child-seat requirements, the dimensions of the pushchair, the number of suitcases and our catering preferences with the broker. These details were considered when selecting the aircraft.

A quieter departure

On the morning of departure, we arrived around 35 minutes before the scheduled time. Our vehicle stopped close to the entrance, and the ground team collected the luggage. We did not need to walk long distances through a large terminal with the children.

The waiting area was quiet, so the children were not overwhelmed by crowds. While the documents were checked, we finished breakfast. A vehicle then took us directly to the aircraft.

The jet selected for the flight offered suitable cabin and baggage capacity for our family. The pushchair was placed in the luggage compartment, while familiar snacks, fruit juice and simple meal options for the children had been arranged in advance.

Onboard with the family

After take-off, we noticed that the children were much more relaxed than on previous scheduled flights. We were all seated together, and because the cabin was private, we had more freedom to move and respond to their needs.

One child watched a film, while the other drew pictures at the table. When the baby fell asleep, we could keep the cabin activity calm and adjust our routine accordingly.

The flight to Nice took approximately three hours.

Landing in Nice

The arrival was as smooth as the departure. A spacious vehicle had been arranged with the required child seats already installed. Once the luggage was loaded, we left for our hotel near Cannes.

While walking by the sea that afternoon, we talked about how much of the first day of a family holiday is normally spent in airports. This time, the children were neither exhausted nor restless. We did not need an additional day simply to recover from the journey.

The return flight

On the return trip, we were able to choose a departure time that suited the children's sleeping routine. Rather than rushing out of the hotel, we had breakfast, took a final walk and left at the agreed time.

What mattered most

For families, the value of private aviation is not limited to larger seats or personalised catering. The real difference is the reduction in crowds, waiting and the constant pressure of trying to stay on schedule. Choosing the right aircraft category for the group and its luggage matters just as much as the destination.

When travelling with children, beginning the holiday calmly can be just as valuable as the destination itself. See more family-friendly destinations we regularly coordinate flights to.