I just wanted to share our flying experience with Anna when she was four months old.  We flew home to PA to visit for my father's 70th birthday surprise.  Our flight to PA was so awful, my husband and I were scheming on how we could drive 33 hours back home, so that at least if our baby cried, we wouldn't have to share it with everyone around.  We didn't just experience crying, but that inconsolible crazy colic crying that eats at you soul for 4 hours.  After mustering all our courage, we had a dream flight back home and Anna slept the whole way.  What gives?  Here is what we could come up with: 

Fly early in the day.  It seemed Anna's tollerance of the airport and all the extra stimulation was much greater. 

Have something for baby to suck on, breast, bottle or paci during take off and landing.

Set up for a nap right before boarding the plane.  We did our change, feed and walk normal nap routine.

Try a dose of Tylenol if ok with your doctor, it seemed to help Anna relax a little, fall asleep and stay asleep despite take off and hurting ears.

Stay Calm yourself.  I worked hard to breathe deep and visualize a calm, peaceful, sleeping baby.  Somehow, I really think this helped.

I hope our experience will help someone who is traveling over the holidays have a smooth trip.