Can children fly on a plane without their parents?
Traveling long distances is much more convenient and faster using an airplane. Is it possible for a child to fly without parents if they are not able to accompany him?
The answer to this question depends on the age of the children. Each airline establishes individual requirements for the transportation of underage citizens with and without escort.
Can children fly on an airplane?
Until recently, flying with newborn babies and children under one year old was considered undesirable. The planes were not equipped for comfortable travel with a young child.
However, at the moment this problem has been resolved, although airlines still have some age restrictions.
Most carriers do not prohibit flights with newborn babies. Passengers can travel to another city or country as early as the seventh day after giving birth, if they have no medical contraindications.
However, medical experts recommend using air travel after young passengers reach the age of three months. In this case, the child can more easily endure the loads that await him on the trip (pressure drops, low oxygen levels, etc.).
Can I send my child alone by plane?
If the parents are not able to accompany the child during the flight, he can fly alone or accompanied by an adult. Each shipping company sets individual requirements.
As a general rule, it will not work to send a child under the age of five unaccompanied. He can only fly if there is an accompanying adult, that is, a person over 18 years of age.
If the child is from 5 to 12 years old, parents or guardians have the right to use the escort service from the airline. In this case, an escort service employee or a flight attendant will monitor the minor passenger. This service is paid, its cost is set by the carrier company.
Most often, children over 12-14 years old are allowed to travel unaccompanied. In this case, a ticket for a minor passenger is purchased at the cost provided for an adult. The rules of the shipping companies do not prohibit ordering an escort service.
Some airlines have more stringent age requirements for unaccompanied children. For example, Aeroflot allows a person over 12 years old to travel independently, while Delta only allows a person from 15 years old.
Rules for the flight of underage children in Russia
In addition to the age restrictions listed above, some companies do not allow unaccompanied children to fly with transfers. For example, Delta only allows a child between 5 and 7 to be carried on a direct flight.
How can you send a child alone on a plane if there are connections? If the age of a minor passenger is from 8 to 14 years old (in some cases up to 12 years old), transfers are allowed when ordering an escort service, that is, under the supervision of flight attendants.
In most cases, children over 12-14 years old can travel on their own with direct and connecting flights.
To send a child with or without accompaniment, parents must comply with several important rules:
- book tickets in advance;
- prepare certain documents for a minor passenger;
- take your essentials with you (comfortable and warm clothes, wet wipes, baby food, medicines, toys, etc.);
- notify the carrier in advance of the unaccompanied child's flight.
Pregnant women and underage passengers cannot purchase tickets with emergency exit seats. Only legal representatives of the child (his parents, guardians, adoptive parents or guardians) are able to issue the escort service.
Documents required for the flight
The flight of a child with or without accompaniment is impossible without two documents:
- identity card of a minor passenger;
- written parent to leave, certified by a notary office.
The latter document will also be required for international transportation if the child is flying on an airplane without guardians, parents or guardians. If a minor citizen is sent to another city or country with his mother or father, the notarized consent for the trip from the second parent will also have to be issued.
Depending on the situation, other papers may be required, for example, a visa, a document containing personal information about the accompanying person, the citizen who meets the minor passenger and the child himself.
How to send a child alone by plane?
Legal representatives must fill out a special form for the carriage of an unaccompanied passenger, their form depends on the airline.
To draw up these forms, you need to have the following documents on hand:
- representative's passport;
- child's identity card;
- a document confirming the relationship between a minor and an adult (for example, a birth or adoption certificate).
The application and the application are filled in the offices of agencies involved in the sale of air tickets, or directly at the branch of a particular airline.
The application must contain the personal data of the person meeting the child, as well as his photograph. A citizen must be at the airport at the place of arrival in time for the arrival of the desired flight and have a passport or other identity document with him.
When sending a child to another city or country with or without an escort, you must take care of the list of things that should be with him on board in advance. We are talking about warm and comfortable clothes (it can be hot or cold on the plane, depending on the season and country of destination).
Many shipping companies offer a choice of children's menus. It is recommended to order food for the child in advance, especially if he has medical contraindications or religious beliefs.
In addition, during a long flight, it is better to take along additional fruits, cookies or other food products that are not prohibited to be taken on board.
Most airlines accept newborn passengers for flight 7-10 days after birth. At the same time, in some cases, parents may need a medical certificate about the possibility of admitting an infant to flights.
