Family Friendly Flying: Your Guide To Child Infant Travel Policies

Arranging a vacation with a family is doubtless a fun task. Besides that, you create a moment that will surely adore you for a lifetime. However, if there are kids and infants in your family, then this fun comes with enough responsibilities too. Likewise, flying with a little one can be quite a task. So, as a parent, you will also need to have patience. Above all, you need to be ready to stop your little toes from exploding. When you book flights, you need to know the child infant travel policies. Thus, while booking flight tickets, try to consider the best airlines for infants. Hence, you should also be aware of the age limit for booking airline tickets.

How Old Does a Baby Need to Fly?

Initially, there is no official age requirement for traveling with an infant, but airlines have different strategies. Notably, some airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, have no minimum age for infants to fly. On the other hand, in American Airlines and JetBlue’s view, two or three days young babies can fly. And others, like Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Frontier Airlines, allow the first week of babies on board.

If you are planning cheap business class flights to India with a newborn, few airlines will require infants to be moderately older. For instance, Southwest Airlines announced that children must be at least 14 days old to travel internationally.

Nevertheless, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages parents from flying with a baby too soon after birth. In fact, due to their sensitive immune systems, newborns are at a higher risk of contracting a disease on a plane. That’s particularly true if a baby is premature or has a chronic heart problem that makes them more unprotected.

Always consult your pediatrician about your infant’s travels and do what they recommend. They may, however, recommend an extra dose of certain medicines or vaccines, depending on the infant’s age and travel destination.

What Do Babies Need To Fly?

This may depend both on the child’s age and the airline you are flying with, as well as on child infant travel policies within the USA or internationally. Additionally, for domestic travel, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t need identification for children under the age of 18. Even if it is prudent to check the airline’s identification requirements. Despite this, some airlines, such as Jet Blue and Alaska Airlines, may require infant proof such as a birth certificate, passport, or immunization record.

Furthermore, Southwest Airlines may not require age proof but does need an infant-printed verification document at the ticket counter when securing a seat. Likewise, when in doubt, it doesn’t hurt to have extra documentation. Despite this, if you are traveling internationally, you will need to have a passport, irrespective of your age. After all, if a baby is flying with only one parent, then you will need to have a consent letter.

Do Babies Fly Free?

Babies and young children, most probably under 2 years of age, are not legally required to occupy an airplane seat. Despite this, they can travel as a lap infant on their parents’ tickets. Generally, lap infants are free of charge. However, you may pay a percentage of the full ticket price if you are traveling internationally. Moreover, we recommend not considering a Last minute flight to India with an infant.

Nonetheless, you are not required to purchase a ticket for a child under the age of two years. However, guidance experts agree that it is much safer and sound because they would bend into an approved child self-control system if the plane experienced uneven air movement.

Unrestrained children are the major cause of pediatric injuries on a plane and lap infants are shockingly killed during ordinary storminess. However, it can be distressing to think about but human arms are not powerful enough to hold a child in this event. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) all strongly advise parents to purchase an airplane ticket for their young children. Overall, it is also advised to book direct flights from USA to India for a trouble-free journey.

If you are considering booking a seat for your young child, bring an FAA-approved safety belt on board to strap them safely. Even if the additional cost is difficult to bear. However, many parents find that a baby in their seat is more comfortable, easier to manage, and more likely to fall asleep.

Tips For Flying With a Baby

1. Check In With Your Airlines

Whether you are flying with a lap infant or purchasing a seat for your child. In fact, it’s caliber to connect ahead of time to discuss your seating choice. Additionally, keep these in mind when engaging with an agent.

2. If You Choose the Lap Infant Option

Ask the airlines if there is an option of occupying a seat in a row with a sky berth. Notably, these in-flight cradles are design to offer a comfortable and organized sleeping area for babies aged six months and under. In summary, confirm whether there are any rules regarding the allowance of a certain number of lap infants per section or row. For instance, Alaska Airlines has child infant travel policies arranged so that lap infants can sit on certain aircraft.

3. If You Are Looking Your Baby Seat And Bringing a Car Seat

Some airlines may need a car seat kept next to windows because they don’t block other passengers. Furthermore, an abutment row is a good thing to request when traveling with a car seat because it takes up more room. Not to mention, with an abutment row, it can be difficult to approach a bag that may contain diapers, milk, or other useful items that you must have for your children. Because there is no seat in front of you to store your item. As a result, the airline will likely request that you review their child infant travel policies and stow your essentials in an in-flight compartment.

4. If It Is Possible Wait Until Your Baby Is 3 Months Old

Airplanes are breeding grounds for germs so it is not a good idea to fly with a newborn baby as their system is weak. Similarly, an airline is not going to ban a newborn from flying. However, a baby’s immune system is more likely to develop by 3 months of age, making them less capable of illness.

If you need to travel with a young child, then there is no need to worry. In other words, make sure to wash your hands very often or use sanitizer to protect the baby from germs. In addition, keep a safe distance from your little tot and from other travelers too.

Also Read: Child Age Limit For Flight Ticket Booking

5. Ask Whether Your Child is Eligible To Earn Points

While booking a seat for your child look into the airlines’ loyalty program and child infant travel policies. Nevertheless, not all but some airlines will allow children to earn points that they can use for near-future travel. Notably, Jet Blue allows children under 13 and younger to enroll in a True Blue account. As a result, you can then combine points earned within the family throughout the airline’s Points Pooling Program.

6. Confirm That Your Car Seat Is FAA Approved

If you have purchased an airline seat for your baby, then ensure that it is FAA approved. Moreover, this is the safest way to fly with a baby, and in addition, it will ensure that you will have a car seat for your baby throughout your destination. Furthermore, your child’s existing car seat is likely approved for airline travel.

7. Look Into Your Baggage Option

Airlines have different child infant travel policies for baggage but call ahead of time to understand what you can exactly bring on board. For instance, lap infants are generally not allowed carry-on bags. Many airlines allow families traveling with a small child to bring their child’s diapers, milk, breast pump, an FAA-approved car seat, and a compact onboard stroller in addition to the usual carry-on and personal item allowance.

8. Take Steps To Fight Jet Lag

If you are crossing a time zone, reschedule your baby’s sleeping schedule to prepare for the trip and expose them to sunlight once you arrive. In addition, you may keep the same timetable in the new time zone if that works best for you.

Also Read: Do minors need an ID to fly

9. Pack Smart

It is an art to pack stuff for flight with an infant. Not to mention that you must approach all of the essentials; thus, you must overpack and scrabble around in a large bag to find something you require, as well as be aware of child infant travel policies.

Notably, pack your bags according to your requirements during the flight. For instance, it’s helpful to have bags with diapers, wipes, disposable changing mats, diapers, and changing clothes at easy outreach. In addition, pack more stuff than you think you will need with your baby.

10. Be Ready For Flight Delays And Cancellations

When you are traveling with your little one, be aware of child infant travel policies. Besides that, another thing you have to deal with is getting stuck at an airport, although it happens, so be ready for that. Therefore, you need more than enough diapers and changing clothes for your baby. In short, as flight delays and cancellations can make it difficult to get your checked luggage, you need to have essentials with you.

11. Bring Plenty of Snacks

If your child has begun solids, bring baby-friendly snacks or food with you on your flight. For this purpose, containers with pre-chopped fruit, steamed veggies, tofu, and crackers are all easy choices. Notably, you are also allowed to take puree pouches through security, as the TSA considers them medically essential liquids and conducts thorough research for child infant travel policies. Moreover, make sure to include snacks for yourself too.

12. Prepare For Pressure Changes

If your baby’s ears seem to hurt from air pressure during take-off and landing, inspire them to breastfeed or suck on a bottle, pacifier, or sippy cup. Regardless, if you strap a baby into a car seat, give them something to suck instead of taking them out to breastfeed. However, this is the most secure way to secure both of you. Overall, it is also advised to take non-stop flights from USA to India for a trouble-free journey.

13. Bring Entertainment For Older Babies

Notably, while younger infants may be content to sleep, eat, and lie close to their parents, older babies or toddlers can be more difficult to entertain on a plane. At this age, kids are learning how to pull up to stand and walk or have freshly acquired these skills and are eager to explore an exciting ambiance. You don’t need to pack tons of toys. Despite this, you have to take a coloring book, crayons, stickers, and small board books.

Conclusion

Air travel with your baby or young child can be both exciting and stressful. In addition, to make the trip as smooth as possible, book an additional seat for your child. Moreover, you need to plan for security screening as well as pack sensibly for you and your child. Likewise, you need to know about a child’s age limit to travel on a flight. Notably, always consult your child’s pediatrician and do what they recommend. They may, however, suggest an extra dose of vaccine to travel safely. Last but not least, make sure to follow the child infant travel policies to travel safely with your little one. After all, these policies may help you travel safely with your baby. Further, for more information about airlines and policies for traveling, stay connected with MintFares. Here, in our website, you will find monthly offers and exclusive deals for international travel.

FAQ’s

Q1. What is the age group of an infant?
Ans: For safety reasons, the child above or under the age of 2 years on travel dates is eligible to travel on a flight.

Q2. Do I need to book an extra seat for an infant?
Ans: Notably, passengers cannot book additional seats for infants as they must seat them on their laps.

Q3. Do I need an ID to fly with the baby?
Ans: It depends on your destination but if you travel internationally, you will require ID proof.

Q4. How do I get my baby to sleep on a plane?
Ans: We recommend bringing something familiar to you or requesting an airplane cradle-it is like a small berth for babies.

Q5. How do I protect my baby’s ears while flying?
Ans: You can encourage them to feed or suck. In fact, this can help them get relief from any discomfort during travel.