Air travel with children is becoming more and more popular, because air transport is the fastest, even the most remote point in the world can be reached in less than a day. Airplanes are also statistically one of the safest modes of transport. Therefore, many parents, going on vacation with a small child, choose a plane. What you need to know about the rules for transporting children on the plane and their belongings?
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A few years ago, flights with children were difficult and not very comfortable. Today, Russian and many other airlines provide everything necessary for a flight with a small child to go unnoticed. Until now, many parents are afraid to fly with small children, worrying about how the kids will endure physical activity, what they can do during the flight, whether they will cause inconvenience to themselves and other passengers.
You can dispel doubts by clarifying in advance with the airline all the necessary points: starting with the rules for transporting small children and ending with what the child will eat and what to play during the flight. It is in the interests of the parents to notify the air carrier as soon as possible that they will have a small child with them and to discuss all the details.
Transportation rules
Before taking a child with you on the plane, you must make sure that all the necessary documents confirming the child's age and permission to accompany, if the child is not flying with his parents, are taken with you. Up to two years old, a baby can only fly with parents or legal guardians.
From the age of five, the child can be accompanied by another adult if there is a power of attorney. The age at which a child can be sent alone on a flight varies, in different airlines it ranges from 12 to 15 years.
Most Russian airlines are ready to provide an escort service for children from the age of five. It is necessary to write a special application, transfer the child to the carrier's employee at the airport and stay with them until the very departure, and also make sure that the child is met at the airport of arrival at the exact time.
It is necessary to inform that the child needs an accompanying person when booking a ticket. When ordering such a service, a ticket for a child will have to be bought at an adult fare without providing discounts, in addition, the escort service itself (usually about 40 euros) and service during a transfer, if necessary, are paid for. This service is provided for children 5-16 years old.
It is best to book your tickets in advance to select nearby seats. Some airlines limit the number of babies transported per flight, so it's important to get there in time.
If the child is flying with one of the parents, it is necessary to obtain the permission of the other parent, certified by a notary. With international flights, the child must have his own passport or be entered in the parent's passport.
You cannot leave a child unattended in flight. Follow flight attendant instructions regarding flight safety.
If a baby under 2 years old is in the arms of an adult, he must be fastened with a separate child safety belt, which is attached to the belt of an adult passenger.
Age for free flight and discount
Each passenger has the right to take one child under two years of age with him on a flight in Russia without buying a separate ticket for him. In this case, the baby will have to be held in his arms during the entire flight or placed in a special cradle. At the same time, you should not count on free luggage for a child.
On international flights, you won't be able to take your baby for free, but the discount on his ticket will be 90%. If a separate seat is needed for such a child, then the ticket will have to be paid at the fare for children 2-12 years old.
If a passenger flies with several children under the age of two, then for one child the flight will be free, in the arms of a parent. The rest of the children will receive a discount of no more than 50% of the cost of an adult ticket, a separate seat in the aircraft cabin and free luggage within the limited weight.
Formation of tariffs
When planning to take a child with you on the plane, you need to take into account his age on the day of departure, regardless of when the ticket was purchased.
If the child turns 12 years old on the day of departure, then he needs to purchase a ticket at the adult fare. In other cases, airlines provide special fares for children under 12 years old.
Up to two years old, taking a baby with you on a flight is as economical as possible - without a separate seat for a child, the flight will be free or 10% of the cost of an adult ticket, but upon reaching the age of two, completely different fares apply.
Different airlines provide different discounts from 25% to 75%, in addition, free baggage is allowed for each child at the same rates as for an adult.
When a child is 12 years old, it is necessary to buy an adult ticket for it at full cost, but some airlines have special youth discounts, the availability and amount of which you need to inquire at the information desk.
Features of a flight with a baby
Airlines do not recommend taking children under seven days of age on board. However, if there is an urgent need, then you can fly with the baby the very next day after giving birth. If the baby is not yet seven days old, then the parents are required to provide the airport check-in agent with a receipt stating that the airline is not responsible for the consequences after the transportation of the baby.
Airlines also recommend that women who gave birth less than seven days ago, be sure to consult a doctor and obtain permission for such a trip.
A flight with a baby can also go quite comfortably, provided that the parents take into account all the necessary points in advance.
Most airlines provide passengers with babies with a special cradle that attaches to the front seat. The cradle is intended for children under one year old, weighing up to 11 kilograms and growing up to 70 centimeters. It is important that the airline should be notified of its necessity in advance, at least one day before departure.
The child in it should be placed with his feet to the aisle. During takeoff, landing and when passing through the turbulence zone, the baby must be removed from the cradle.
Some airlines allow you to take a folding stroller with you to the gangway or even into the cabin of the aircraft; this possibility and the permitted dimensions must be inquired at the carrier's information desk.
How do the children cope with the trip?
In Russia, there are no rules for limiting the age of a child from which he could be taken on a plane trip. But the age recommended by pediatricians is three months, from this moment the baby is already adapted to a new world for him, can normally tolerate a reduced level of oxygen and load on the body at high altitude.
Flight staff try to accommodate parents and provide the most comfortable seats. Due to safety rules, passengers with children must not be seated in seats near emergency exits. Seats where it is best to sit with a child are located in the front row or in other rows with increased legroom.
As a rule, more than one child cannot be placed on one row without a separate seat due to the presence of oxygen masks. If the plane is not completely filled, flight attendants are required to provide seats behind the empty seats. If you are very lucky, they may even be transplanted into business class, but the food will still remain from economy class.
What can I take on the plane as carry-on baggage?
When planning what to take your baby on a flight, you need to take into account his individual characteristics, but there is a universal list of things necessary in hand luggage.
Most often, the type of special food can be selected for the child in accordance with his taste, physical and even religious preferences. But the order of such meals must be made in advance, at least 36 hours before departure. It is better for the most fastidious babies to take baby food with them. You also need to ask the stewardess in advance if she can warm it up.
It is necessary to stock up on all sorts of entertainment and toys for the child, it is better if it is something completely new, which he has not yet seen, in order to surprise and interest the baby.
Despite the presence of toilets in the aircraft cabin, it will not be superfluous to stock up on special travel pots that absorb the contents. In case of motion sickness, it is also better to take a sanitary bag with you, although a similar item can be found on most aircraft in the pocket in front of the seat. Wet wipes will become an indispensable item during the flight.
It is important to check with the carrier about the possibility of taking a small folding stroller into the cabin, many airlines allow this possibility.
Here is an example of the carry-on baggage allowance at Aeroflot:
- Class "Business" - 1 piece up to 15 kg (the total value of three dimensions - up to 115 cm)
- Class "Comfort" and class "Economy" - 1 piece up to 10 kg (the total value of three measurements is up to 115 cm).
When registering, it is weighed and marked with a tag. If the weight or size limit is exceeded, carry-on baggage is checked in as checked baggage.
In addition to this norm, you can additionally carry things that are with the passenger and are not included in the baggage:
- women's bag / men's briefcase;
- folder for papers;
- umbrella;
- cane;
- bouquet of flowers;
- outerwear;
- laptop;
- camera;
- video camera;
- magazines and newspapers for reading;
- baby food for the baby during the flight;
- cradle for transporting babies;
- suit in a garment bag;
- cellular telephone;
- crutches;
- folding walkers;
- bag with purchases from "Duty Free".
Items from this list are not weighed, are not subject to registration and are not marked with tags.
What to send in baggage
The large stroller must be checked in, but you can use it right up to the gangway and get it back when you leave the plane, although you will have to wait for it to be brought from the luggage compartment. Many airlines allow you to take a child seat with you into the cabin with dimensions of no more than 40x40 centimeters. An oversized chair will have to be sent as luggage.
It is important to know that not every toy can be taken with you on the plane. For example, various pistols, knives and other plastic weapons must be checked in.
If these are your baby's favorite toys, it is worth stocking up on something new in advance to comfort the child and lure him during the flight.
How to keep your baby busy?
It is best to try to put the baby to bed, for this you can take a familiar thing that will calm him down and induce sleep. Also, a bottle with a drink or a nipple will not be superfluous, the main thing is to remember about the allowed volumes of liquid transportation. For older children, you can take an inflatable pillow that is worn around the neck.
Many airlines offer all kinds of entertainment for young travelers. Travel kits, coloring books, toys, puzzles and puzzles are issued.
Some planes even have special children's channels with cartoons, audiobooks and music. However, you should rely, first of all, only on yourself and take your child's favorite toys with you or download cartoons to your phone or tablet.
A tasty snack can brighten up your child's flight time.
Tips for a comfortable flight
To make the child comfortable during the flight, you need to ensure that all his needs are met. Most airlines take care of little travelers, offer them separate meals, games and bedding, it is better to take everything you need with you and clarify what kind of amenities your child can count on. Do not forget about medicines: nose drops, painkillers and motion sickness drugs should definitely be at hand.
To prevent the child from getting his ears blocked, a nipple or a bottle with a drink is suitable, for those who are older - a lollipop or candy on a stick. It is better for young children to change their diapers in advance before the flight; there are mother and child rooms at every airport.
It is very important to dress your child correctly for the flight. Clothes should be comfortable, not restrict the movement of the child, he should not be hot or cold. It is better to provide a change of clothes. And if you want to build a small canopy, then you can take a scarf and pins with you and attach it over the seats or to the side of them. This will protect the baby from light and help him fall asleep faster.
A flight on an airplane, even with the smallest child, can go relatively unnoticed for a parent if he knows about all the rules for transporting his child, notifies the airline in advance about the provision of some amenities and takes with him everything necessary for his baby.
And finally, a helpful video where you can find some more tips from experienced travel moms.
