TL:DR

• A Porter Flight out of Victoria was cancelled in August 2026 after a young child wouldn’t stay buckled for takeoff.
• The plane returned to the gate, and by the time the situation was resolved, the runway had closed for the night, so the flight was cancelled.
• Arlene Panganiban, CEO and Publisher of VancouverMom.ca, joined CBC Radio’s On The Coast on August 10, 2026 to discuss what flying with young kids is really like and how parents can prepare.
• Her key message: a mid-flight meltdown isn’t a parenting failure, it’s a normal response to an overwhelming environment.
• Full audio and practical tips for flying with kids are below, along with an FAQ

Anyone who has flown with a toddler know the flight itself is only half the challenge. The other half is everything happening in a tiny seat next to you: overtired kids, popping ears, and a seatbelt sign that won’t budge.

That reality made headlines this month after a Porter Airlines flight from Victoria was cancelled when a young child would not stay buckled in for takeoff. Crew and the child’s parent worked to resolve it, but the plane had to return to the gage, and by the time everything was sorted, the runway had closed for the night.

The story spread quickly, and so did the opinions. CBC Radio’s On The Coast invited Arlene Panganiban, CEO and Publisher of VancouverMom.ca, on air August 10 to bring some perspective to the conversation, not about that specific family, but about what travelling with young children actually looks like for the average Metro Vancouver parent.

Listen to the full interview: CBC Radio, On the Coast – Air Travel with young children

During the inteview, Panganiban made the point that a meltdown mid-flight isn’t a parenting failure, it’s a normal reaction to an overwhelming environment. Loud engines, cabing pressure, and hours of sitting still are a lot to ask of a small nervous system, and most parents have had a rought flight moment of their own.

Tips for Flying with Young Kids

• Practice at home first. Buckle your child into a seatbelt or car seat a few times before the trip so it’s not a brand-feeling on travel day.
• Time it around sleep. Book flights close to nap or bed windows when you can.
• Save something new. A toy or snack your child hasn’t seen yet can buy valuable minutes during takeoff and landing.
• Talk it through before. Explain what to expect: engine noise, ears popping, the seatbelt sign staying on.
• Loop in the airline early. Let gate staff know if you’re expecting a tough transition. Many airlines can offer early boarding or extra support.
• Build in buffer time. Skip the tightest connection when booking, a little breathing room goes a long way.

FAQ

Why was the Porter flight cancelled? The plane returned to the gate after a young child wouldn’t stay buckled for takeoff. By the time the situation was resolved, the runway had closed for the night, so the flight was cancelled.

Is it normal for kids to struggle with seatbelts on flights? Yes. Engine noise, cabin pressure, and long stretches of sitting still can overwhelm young children, and pushing back against a seatbelt is a common reaction, not a discipline issue.

Why are seatbelts rules so strick on planes? Takeoff and landing are the highest-risk parts of any flight. Crews are legally required to have every passenger secured before the aircraft can move.

What can parents do to make flying with kids easier? Practicing the seatbelt at home, timing flights around naps, packing a “new” toy or snack for takeoff, and giving fate staff a heads-up ahead of time can all help.

Where can I hear the full CBC interview? The full conversation is available on CBC Radio’s On The Coast, recorded om August 10, 2026. Listen here.

What happened on the Porter flight in Victoria, BC? A Porter Airlines flight leaving Victoria in August 2026 returned to the gate after a young child would not stay buckled in for takeoff. The delay caused the flight to miss the airport’s overnight runaway closure, and the flight was cancelled as a result.

How can I prepare my child for their first flight? Walk them through what to expect before travel day: the engine noise, the feeling of ears popping, and staying buckled during takeoff and landing. Practicing with a seatbelt at home ahead of time also helps make it feel familiar rather than new.

Who is Arlene Panganiban? Arlene Panganiban is the CEO and Publisher of VancouverMom.ca, a Metro Vancouver family and parenting media platform. She was interviewed on CBC Radio’s On The Coast on August 10, 2026 to speak to the realities of travelling with young children.

VancouverMom.ca is a Metro Vancouver’s trusted resource for local parents, covering family travel, events and everyday parenting life.