How to fly with a child without problems: detailed instructions

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Find out how to book a ticket correctly, what to take with you on the road and what to do with your little one.

Flight preparation

What documents are needed

To travel with a child of any age, you need:

• Identity document: birth certificate or passport, and when traveling abroad - a passport.
• Notarized consent to leave, if the child leaves without the accompaniment of parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees.
• Confirmation of the possibility of air travel and the recommendation of a pediatrician - for children in the first seven days of life. This is just in case.

How to book tickets

Airlines divide child travelers into two categories: INF - infant (child under 2 years old), and CHD - child (child from 2 to 12 years old).

A child under two years old can fly with their parents for free and on handles, that is, without their seat. To be allowed on the plane, issue a ticket for the baby when booking. In this case, you must indicate the age of the baby at the time of the flight. That is, if at the time of purchasing the ticket the child is 1 year and 5 months old, and at the time of departure - 2 years and 1 day, then you need to buy a ticket for a child from 2 to 12 years old.

Some airlines limit the number of small children on board. Book your tickets in advance so you can choose the best seats or even fly away.

According to the rules of air travel, one adult can carry only one child under two years of age free of charge. For each next one, a child ticket with a separate seat is purchased.

For children from 2 to 12 years old, a child ticket with a separate seat is also issued. If your child is 12 years old by the time of departure, they will have to buy an adult ticket.

Always choose low-crowded flights. This is difficult to find during the holiday season, but remember that on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday flights are the least busy. If the plane is half empty, you can take up more space or change where there is more space.

Where is the best place to sit on a plane

If you did not specify a seat when booking, try to visit the airline's website immediately after opening online check-in. Most often this happens in a day.

Whatever age the child is, it is best to sit in the front rows of the plane: there will be less shaking during takeoffs and landings, and you will sit down and get out faster. The most comfortable seats in Economy Class are in the first row. There is plenty of room and you can stretch your legs. This will be especially useful for mothers with babies: a cradle is attached to the front wall for children weighing up to 10 kg and up to 70 cm tall.

When is the best time to fly

It depends on the child. If he falls asleep easily in unfamiliar surroundings, then take the night flight. The kid will sleep through the entire flight, and you do not have to entertain, calm and feed him. If the child is too active at night, fly during the day. He will play and have fun, and when he gets tired, he goes to bed himself.

Doctors and airlines do not recommend flying with babies, especially those under the age of one, over long distances. The maximum flight time that a baby can theoretically withstand is 2, 5–3, 5 hours.

If you are flying with connections or your flight is suddenly delayed, try to find other parents with children. The guys will get to know each other and will find something to entertain themselves with. You just have to keep order.

What to take with you on the plane

For babies and toddlers

• Diapers.
• Wet and dry wipes.
• One spare set of clothing - just in case.
• A diaper or bedding.
• Pacifier and favorite toys.
• Moisturizing nasal drops such as Aquamaris, Marimer, Otrivin Baby.
• Moisturizing cream (babies' skin dries a lot during the flight).
• Food and drinks: infant formula, biscuits, water, juice, compote.
• Febrifuge. Some sensitive babies may have a fever.

For older children

• Sketchbook for drawing, coloring, pencils or felt-tip pens.
• A small book if the child likes to read.
• Favorite toys.
• Tablet or smartphone (if there is no screen with cartoons and games on the chair in front). And don't forget to exercise.
• A healthy snack and drink never hurts.
• Pillow for travelers.
• Lollipops to keep your ears from blocking.
• Paper handkerchiefs and wet wipes.

In flight

How to transport a stroller

Airlines allow strollers on the plane. You can use it before boarding.

It is better to find out more about the conditions of carriage and restrictions on the weight of the stroller by calling the hotline or on the airline's website.

Where to get the bassinet and changing table

Infants are provided with cradles. They must be ordered on the airline's website a few days before departure. Your application is reviewed and then approved or not.

The number of cradles on board is limited, and on some ships there are no mounts for their installation at all. In this case, you can take a carrying bag on board. However, if there are no empty seats on the plane, you will have nowhere to put it.

You can change the diaper in the toilet (there is a folding table).

How and what to feed your baby on board

If you are only breastfeeding your baby, then everything is clear. If the child is bottle-fed, you can take the required amount of any liquid for the baby: the ban on transportation does not apply to medical drugs and baby food. You can also ask the flight attendant for warm water to dilute the mixture.

Baby food can only be ordered when booking tickets. Children are always served food earlier than others. Please note that juices from ready-made sets are cold. If your child is picky about food, take food with you that he will definitely eat.

What to do if a child's ears are blocked

The baby can be given to suck on the breast, bottle or pacifier. Give the older child a lollipop. Another way is to play fish. Opening and closing your mouth like fish do: this also reduces pressure in the ears.

What to do if a child is seasick

Children under one year old rarely get seasick on a trip due to the special structure of the vestibular apparatus. Older children are deprived of this magical property. If the child feels nauseous, give him a lemon wedge, water, or take anti-motion sickness medication before the flight. You should also have a sanitary bag or towel handy.

How not to get sick

The cabin contains products of fuel combustion, including carbon monoxide, ozone, which irritates the respiratory tract and aggravates asthmatic manifestations, pesticides, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. You can protect the child from the latter with the help of oxolinic ointment. She is usually lubricated with nasal mucosa.

How and how to entertain your child

Cartoons on a tablet or phone, coloring books with felt-tip pens and pencils, favorite toys - this is usually enough for a child. There are exceptions and whims, so, just in case, it is better to tire the child before takeoff: on the eve of the trip, spend a very active time in the fresh air. Then, most likely, during the flight, the child will go to bed.

Some aircraft are equipped with an entertainment system built right into the seats. You just have to choose a cartoon or a game. There you can also look at the map, monitor the climb, temperature overboard and other flight parameters. It is interesting even for adults.

You can also entertain the child by contemplating the view from the window or communicating with other children. True, during turbulence, everyone will have to sit strapped in a chair.