NY Post write-up:

Former flight attendant shares controversial take on why families with small children should board planes last

By Fabiana Buontempo

Published April 26, 2026, 2:31 p.m. ET

She said what she said.

Any parent will agree that traveling with youngings is stressful — especially when it involves flying.

Although protocol when boarding a flight is that families with small children are among the first to get on, one former flight attendant is sparking quite the online debate after saying it should be the other way around.

In a viral TikTok video with over 2 million views, Florida-based ex-flight attendant, Laura, shared her thoughts, writing in the caption, “Okay don’t come for me but I think families with babies should board LAST… “

After sharing her own frustrating experience boarding with her young son, she wrote that she “spent years watching families board first and slowly unravel before we even closed the door.”

To combat the parent-child anxiety combo waiting for the rest of the flight, Laura suggests to “Board last. Sit down. Take off immediately. Baby never knows the difference…The pre-board privilege is a trap. I handed it out for years and I’m only now admitting that,” she finished.

She clearly struck a nerve with many, as over 4,000 people rushed to the former flight attendant’s comment section to share their thoughts.

Many offered what they thought were even better suggestions.

“Hear me out — one parent boards first and gets everything loaded and ready while the other gets the energy out of the kiddo and boards last with them!” one wrote.

“I will never understand why they don’t just board back of the plane first,” a valid point someone else raised.

“Hear me out — they don’t board at all…” someone else rudely chimed in.

Another argued why families should continue to board first.

“Gotta get the overhead bin space for the stroller and get the car seat in! Two adults traveling works, but solo with a child gotta get on first.”

Someone else had a clever alternative to boarding first or last.

“My husband goes in first, sets the car seats, organize the items we need for the flight, puts up what’s not necessary and make sure some “what if” items easy to reach. Then when everyone boarded I come in with our boys. Best thing ever. No need to have babies sitting in there longer.”

https://nypost.com/2026/04/26/lifestyle/former-flight-attendant-thinks-families-should-board-last/

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5861043&forum_id=2...#49846920)

Main reason to board first is to not have to fight for overhead bin space. The other reason is to minimize time on the jet bridge and in a slow-moving queue through the aisle to your seats, though boarding as late as possible generally mitigates this.

Boarding last is cr to maximize time in the waiting area, where kids can run around and look at planes, and to minimize time on the plane.

Needing to get on early to set up is flame. Even boarding last, there is plenty of time to get situated before the plane pushes back.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5861043&forum_id=2...#49846949)