On a plane with a baby: how to organize a flight with a newborn and at what age should a child buy a ticket?

Modern parents, even after the birth of children, do not want to change their usual way of life. The outlook on life in recent years has changed a lot, today no one is surprised that young parents go on a long journey by plane with their newly born son or daughter. However, if the mother of an infant is going to fly with a baby for the first time, she may have a lot of questions.

When can you start flying with your baby?

At what age can you fly with an infant? If the baby is healthy and the pediatrician does not see any contraindications, it is possible to fly with the newborn 7 days after his birth. It may happen that the baby's mom and dad will need a receipt for the airline. According to this document, parents have no complaints about her, if suddenly their infant feels unwell during the flight.

From birth to six months is an ideal period for flights. Such children sleep a lot, they are not disturbed by noise. Perhaps the child will fall asleep immediately after takeoff and sleep through the entire flight.

From 6 to 12 months - babies become more mobile, flying with them is a little more difficult. They do not like to be in one place for a long time, as well as to play with one toy, because their attention is constantly switching to something new. It makes sense to take with you on your trip a few toys bought the day before. Moms and dads will have to constantly play with the baby and entertain him on the plane.

From one to 2 years old - it's already easier to fly, the kid during this period is still the same fidget, he cannot sit still for a long time, but he can already be carried away by watching cartoons by giving him a tablet. Keep him busy with drawing or various children's games, books or stickers.

It should be noted that acclimatization is difficult for a child's body. If you have already decided to fly on vacation to countries with hot climates, you should not do this in winter. A sharp change in the weather upon returning home will negatively affect the health of the baby. Better to change the climate from warm to hot, while giving preference to longer tours. The recommended time for a child to stay at sea is at least three weeks.

Features of buying tickets for children

This article tells about typical ways of solving your questions, but each case is unique! If you want to know from me how to solve your particular problem - ask your question. It's fast and free!

For young travelers, airlines, like other passenger services, offer reduced fares. They have a strict classification:

• infant - 0-2 years old;
• child - 2-11 years old;
• adult - from 12 years old.

Infant is for infants between 0 and 2 years of age. This fare assumes that the child is in the arms of one of the parents during the flight and costs only 10% of the cost of an adult ticket. Low cost airlines also offer reduced flat rate fares for children. Airlines may set baggage rules for the Infant fare, but the stroller is always carried free of charge. In some cases, children under 2 years old can be taken on the plane without payment, such offers are valid on so-called domestic flights, while adults must have their luggage.

When buying a plane ticket for a child under 2 years old, parents should take into account the age of the children not at the time of buying or booking tickets, but on the date of the flight (for more details, see the article :). If your child turns 2 on the day of departure, then the discount is no longer valid for him, although, perhaps, you purchase a ticket two weeks earlier. If the child turns 2 years old during the trip, it is possible to buy a discounted ticket there, and pay the return ticket at the fare intended for children over 2 years old.

From the age of two, the child rate applies. It is used by children under 11 years of age. Its cost usually ranges from 50 to 75% of the cost of an adult ticket - here the child is given a separate seat, in addition, luggage is checked in according to all the rules. If parents want to book a separate seat for a child under two years old so as not to hold it in their arms, they can pay for a ticket at this rate - this is convenient and profitable.

From the age of 12, children fly at the full cost of an adult ticket. Some airlines have youth discounts that you can take advantage of.

What documents are required for departure?

If during the flight with children you will cross the border, you must prepare all the necessary documents in advance. If a teenager is already 16 years old, you must have a plane ticket and visa with you. For children under the age of 16, the list of documents is presented below:

1. birth certificate;
2. a notary's office permission to leave the country from the father or mother, if the child is flying with one of them, or from both parents, if he is flying with other adults;
3. Airplane ticket;
4. visa, if needed.

In the airoport

Since check-in can be tedious, please note if there are many passengers with children and if there is no way to check in at the Business Class counter. If there is no queue, airline employees can meet mothers with small children, thereby speeding up the check-in process.

How to behave during takeoff and landing?

When the plane starts to take off or lands, parents should make sure their children are wearing seat belts. When entering a turbulence zone, this rule must also be observed. If the baby is 5 months old, flies in the arms of the mother, it is attached with a special device to the adult's seat belt. The mount for the baby is provided by the stewardess.

The takeoff and landing of the aircraft is difficult for some people because of the strong pressure drops, from which their ears are blocked. These sensations are especially unpleasant for children. To eliminate them, adults swallow saliva. You can't explain this to babies, so you can give them candy, and mom's breast, a bottle or a dummy will help the baby. If the nose of a newborn or an older child does not breathe or he often suffers from otitis media, it is better to drip his nose with drops that have a vasoconstrictor effect before planting.

What can you take on the plane?

When preparing for a trip by plane with a newborn or an older child, mothers have a question - what is allowed to take on board? What is the situation with food and drink for the baby, are there suitable conditions in the salon to change clothes for the baby? What things should you take with you? Can I take a stroller on board?

Is it allowed to take a stroller into the cabin?

Until boarding the plane, it is allowed to use a cane or a book. However, upon landing, the flight attendant will pick it up, although there is no need to pay for transportation. It is necessary to clarify where to look for it upon arrival, since the stroller can be both at the exit from the salon, and on the belt along with bags and suitcases, as well as be on the counter with oversized cargo. It is much more convenient to travel with book strollers. When folded, this stroller can be carried in one hand. In addition, this stroller is equipped with a rigid insert on the back, which means it can be used for children who cannot sit. She can also take a lying position. All wheelchairs are inspected without fail. After that, you will receive a “Checked” and “Carry-on” sticker.

Baby food and drink

Although it is forbidden to take liquids on board, you can take baby food. Its amount should be calculated based on the child's needs for the duration of the flight. If necessary, you can ask the stewardess for hot water to prepare the porridge or mixture. Put in your bag more drinking water for children in small bottles that do not exceed 330 ml.

Other things and hygiene items for the baby

It is good if you take a backpack with you as carry-on luggage, in which it is convenient to put things for a child. You should put in it:

• diapers (3-4);
• several waterproof diapers;
• a couple of sets of clothes;
• cotton diaper;
• bib;
• toys, rattles;
• nipples;
• a bottle of water and a mixture.

You also need to have some medications with you, because there are a lot of people on the plane, so there is a great risk of contracting some kind of infection. Put antiviral, antipyretic, antihistamine in your bag. You should not stock up on towels and blankets, they will be given to you in pure form upon request. You don't have to take the pot either, everything is provided on the plane.

Additional features for a comfortable flight

Every plane has a changing table in the toilets, and large airliners are equipped with rooms for mothers and children, a place for games. It is possible to ask for a special cradle for babies if their weight does not exceed 11 kg. It is attached to the partition between business and economy class. It will be convenient for the baby to lie or sleep in it during the flight. However, during takeoff and landing, the baby should be seated on his hands. If you have your own carrycot, please check if it is allowed on board your aircraft.

Since airlines always strive to place mothers and babies in safer places, families arriving at the final stage of registration sometimes cannot count on being accommodated next to each other. Although, perhaps, the flight attendant will try to help - find places for women with a baby next to an accompanying relative.

To keep your flight comfortable, follow the advice of seasoned travelers. Their recommendations are as follows:

1. Always try to book travel tickets in advance. It is better to do this through special services on the Internet, then you can independently choose suitable places. If the airline has a limit on the number of babies on board, you will definitely be included in the number of missed ones.
2. Give preference to flights with a small number of passengers, then there is a possibility that you and your child will be seated separately from other people. In addition, it will be possible to put the baby in an empty seat, and not hold him in your arms during the entire flight time. In the midst of the holiday season, it is difficult to find an uncrowded flight, but if you book tickets for a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday departure, there will be slightly fewer passengers than on other days.
3. Fly in the morning when the kids are calmer.
4. Arrive at the airport in advance so you don't get crowded in lines and be the first to check in and take comfortable seats.
5. To free their hands for various procedures at the airport, it is better for mothers to get either a kangaroo bag or a sling in advance (we recommend reading :). During the inspection, things will have to be laid out on a tape, and then folded again, as well as repeatedly present documents to airline employees. For children over a year old, a cane stroller or a compact carrier is suitable.
6. Feel free to contact the airline staff and cabin neighbors if you need something. Usually people are very helpful when it comes to traveling with small children. Someone will gladly change places with you or skip out of line at customs control, and the stewards will always bring you the things you need or contribute to a more comfortable accommodation.
7. Use additional opportunities - visit the room for games, feeding, changing. In addition, the stewards have various entertainment devices for the little ones - books or coloring books, please check this question.

Entertaining the baby

To keep your little traveler entertained, buy some age-appropriate toys. If we are talking about a two-month-old baby, then there should be no problems. But the older the child, the more difficult it becomes to keep him in place. Play the notorious "Okay" or "White-sided Magpie" with your baby.