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Flying with Children
  • Q. Do you need identification for a child to fly? What ID does the TSA require for minors?

    Children under the age of 18yrs do not require Identification to present when travelling within the United States. However, it is advisable that the minors should carry some sort of identification with them during the trip. This is basically for the minor between the ages of 5yrs - 14yrs. However, in case of 15yrs - 17 yrs. may be required to provide some sort of identification as below.

    • Driver’s license
    • Learners permit
    • Passport
    • Passport card
    • Credit card
    • School ID
    • Company ID
    • Library card
    • Birth certificate
    • Social Security card
    • Organization ID (athletics club, theater group, etc.)
    • Proof of auto insurance in the passenger’s name

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  • Q. What do you need to bring when flying with a child?

    Children who are flying under the age of 2 yrs beside their travelling preferences (on seat/on lap) the airline will require identification such as birth certificate for the child age proof. While travelling Internationally all children must have a passport, even newborn babies.

    Though it might not be required to present this identification at the TSA checkpoint, it is necessary to present it at the gate, prior to boarding. Both parents are required to sign passport applications for minors and they may not be renewed by mail.

    In case where children are not travelling with their parents/guardian then US custom & border protection recommend to have a notarized documentation stating that the accompanying guardian has permission to take the child on the trip.

    The same applies in cases where children are not accompanied by both parents. CBP (custom & border protection) recommends that both parents sign a letter stating, “I acknowledge that my wife/husband/etc. is traveling out of the country with my son/daughter/group. He/she/they has/have my permission to do so.” While this documentation is not a requirement in the U.S., Other countries, such as Canada, may refuse entry without it.

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  • Q. Do you have to pay for a seat for an infant?

    In case of travelling with Infants (children under the age of 2 yrs), guardians have 2 options of carrying them. One is Infant on Lap & Infant on seat. If an infant is travelling on a seat then there is a full fare seat charge to it.

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  • Q. Can I bring snacks on a plane for my child?

    Yes, snacks can be carried in carry-on luggage however as per the rules the snacks should not be in liquid or gel form & should be in solid form.

    Foods which are creamy liquids have certain weight restrictions. They are limited to travel sized containers that are 3-4 ounces or less per item and will need to fit into a quart-sized bag.

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  • Q. What is the best way of travelling with infants and children on a flight?

    Flying is not always that much happening as it seems; a lot of planning, preparing, and packing go into it. To make things worse, throw kids into the picture and see things going haywire pretty quickly. How about we tell you that traveling with kids can be every bit of fun? Well, with the right tips and hacks, your journey will literally be a cakewalk.

    Right planning goes a long way – Even before you make the bookings, planning begins at a much earlier stage. What takes precedence when planning to travel with young ones is the flight schedule and picking the right seats. You’d want to avoid traveling with a cranky kid at all costs. So, make sure that you book the flight that does not impede your little one’s sleeping schedule or daily routine. Also, pick the seats right on time so that your kid is not on its own.

    Red-eye flights should be a no-no – Red-eye flights can be unnerving for passengers of all age groups, let alone toddlers and infants. Departing late in the night and landing early in the morning can take a toll on anyone’s health. People often board red-eye flights to catch some sleep and unwind while on the go.

    It’s best to avoid catching overnight flights with kids. Well, if you can’t, you’ve got to make a couple of adjustments for yourself as well as others’ sake.

    • Make sure to have your dinner either at home or at the airport so that all you’re left to do is catch sleep on the flight.
    • Comfort is the key. You’d want to make sure that kids are flying comfortably in every way possible. Carry travel pillows or any other gear your kid might need aboard.

    Make the airline schedule favorable for you – Abstaining from having to board a red-eye flight doesn’t mean that you won’t have to have your way around the airline schedule. Try to book a flight that matches your little one’s nap time. There are high chances that your kid will be asleep most of the time on the flight. If you happen to schedule the flight at their playtime or non-sleepy hours, then make them worn out with outdoorsy stuff so they remain inactive onboard.

    Pick the right seats and in time – If you do not wish to fork out unnecessarily and want all of you as a family to be seated together, select your preferred seats right on time. Earlier is better. Also, be mindful that seats at the rear of the plane give easy access to the lavatory which can be quite useful when you’re flying with a baby and frequent trips to the lavatory are common. That being said, seats in the front row come with their own advantages. Economy flights often have the front row reserved for families flying with kids. With all the kids’ stuff, you can make the most of the extra room offered by front-row seats.

    A reality check is a must – When it comes to setting expectations, you need to have a reality check and know what your flight with kids is going to have in store for you. Don’t just expect a stress-free and smooth air journey wherein you can take a siesta to your heart’s content as you can when flying solo. You ought to spend the most of your time running after your kids (not literally, there is not enough space in the cabin!). But indubitably, your flight will mostly be about tending to your kids and putting them to sleep anyhow. You have to be mentally prepared that getting enough rest onboard will be nothing but a far-fetched dream for you.

    Have your kids prepared mentally – If your little ones are flying for the first time, it calls for more work on your part to prepare them for their first-ever flight – both mentally and physically. Keeping them engaged during the flight is more necessary than ever. A gaming console, a pair of headsets, any favorite toy, or whatever works for them to stay put should find a place in your carry-on. It certainly is not as easy as it seems, for kids are always energetic and playful. What you can do, though, is to rehearse at home and acclimatize them to the aircraft cabin. This way there will be reduced chances of kids making a scene onboard.

    Pack everything extra – You can never be sure when flying with children; it’s more so with infants. Although all airlines have rules in regard to the permissible quantities of liquids to be carried in the carry-on, they usually allow breast milk, formula, and baby food even if their quantity is beyond what’s acceptable. From feeding bottles to wet wipes and pairs of onesies to snacks to munch on, throw in everything extr

    Go out of your way – As a parent, it’s your responsibility to do whatever it takes for your child to behave, show manners, and be composed throughout the entire flight. However, it’s also true that no matter how much you strive to get things right, there will be passengers around you who simply don’t like to fly in the company of kids. Even so, you can go the extra mile and bring little gifts for passengers seated around you. Dropping a handful of chocolates or candies alongside a friendly note on seats might work wonders for a great flight.

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  • Q. How shall I travel with children with medical conditions, disabilities or mobility aids?

    Flying with children who have special needs and thus need extra care isn’t that hard after all if you take care of a few things:

    • Inform the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel well in time about the medical condition or disability of the child and whether or not the child is dependent on a mobility aid. It will help keep any concerns (or doubts) at bay at the time of the screening process.
    • You should also clear it with the TSA personnel concerning if the child would be able to walk through the metal detector on its own or need a helping hand and has to be carried by you to ease the process. The TSA personnel are not going to remove the child from a wheelchair, scooter, or any such mobility device.
    • You can always seek assistance from TSA Cares, which is a helpline to assist passengers with medical conditions and disabilities. It’s best to call 72 hours ahead of your flight schedule to be in the know about procedures, policies, and security check process if you have any queries. You can also seek assistance to go through the checkpoint.

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