Comfortable seats on the plane with children. Flight preparation. Additional features for a comfortable flight

The birth of a baby is not only the hassle of finding a stroller, crib, toys and a high chair for feeding. This is also not at all a reason to deny your family travel, including long-distance ones. You should know some points so that the flight of children on an airplane passes without negative emotions.

1. In the process of searching and then booking a plane ticket, if you do this not online, but through representatives of the airline, be sure to warn the latter that a baby is flying with you. More will be booked for you convenient places in the cabin - in the front of the cabin.

2. If you are going to fly with baby, you should know that airlines provide a cradle for babies weighing up to 8 kg. and up to 10 months of age.

It is better to contact the airline representative in advance and check the availability of a cradle for children on the plane. There are no such cradles in domestic aircraft, in particular in "TU-shki". But if you fly on a Boeing or Airbus, this problem will not arise.

3. The cost of a plane ticket for a child under 2 years old is 10% of the fare for international flights, and completely free for flights within the country - without providing a separate seat.

If you are flying with two babies under the age of two at once, you can buy one seat with a discount of 25 to 33% on international destinations, and for 50% of the fare for domestic flights.

Tickets for children aged 2 to 12 will be 25% cheaper for international flights, and 50% cheaper for domestic flights. According to the rules of flying with a child, if you decide to buy a plane ticket for a baby under 2 years old with a separate seat, the cost will be calculated the same way as for a child t 2 to 12 years old.

4. As happy parents, you can enjoy some perks if you have already decided. For example, do not stand in line for registration. This is an unofficial rule for flying with a child, however, you can safely proceed forward to the check-in counter. If there is a source of disturbance in the queue, contact any airport employee for help.

5. Flying with a baby is often the need to carry a stroller. So, dear parents, a stroller-cane is not considered luggage, and its weight is not taken into account. So, you can simply check in the stroller in your baggage right in front of the gangway and get it back immediately after landing.

6. To make the baby feel comfortable in the cabin, you need to try to surround him with familiar objects. Therefore, when deciding what to take your child on a plane, do not forget about his favorite toys.

7. Doctors recommend putting cotton swabs in the child's ears, because many children, especially on the first flight, are frightened by the sound of turbines. Accordingly, throughout the flight they feel uncomfortable and act up.

8 . During takeoff and landing, as you know, it is very stuffy in the ears. A child, especially an infant, is unlikely to understand your explanations of what needs to be tolerated, etc. So, just in these few unpleasant minutes, breastfeed or bottle feed him. And in order for him to have a bite with great pleasure, delay the “snack” a little and do not knock down the baby’s appetite before registering.

9. On a long flight with a baby, that is, lasting more than 3 hours, you have the right to count on a special set for the baby. Usually it includes cottage cheese, fruit drink, juice and mashed potatoes. Often, passengers with children are also provided with a diaper, oilcloth and wet wipes.

10. The most worrying thing for parents is the issue of baby food. In fact, the airport staff will let you through with the amount of food that your baby will objectively need during the flight. Therefore, thinking about what to take your child on a plane, you can safely put his breakfast, lunch or dinner in a bag.

Your baby’s “snack” may well cool down during the time it takes to go through control, check-in and fly. Feel free to just ask the flight attendants to warm up the food, they are obliged to comply with your request.

eleven . You should be careful with drugs against motion sickness on the plane. If you think that your child should be given such a remedy, check with your pediatrician first. (Read Overview of Airplane Motion Sickness Remedies)

12. Depending on the country you are flying to, you should take care of all the necessary vaccinations and vaccinations in advance. It is also better to take a list of vaccinations with a doctor's stamp with you.

13. Do not think that during the search your baby will be able to avoid this unpleasant procedure. The rules for flying with a child are such that in some countries babies have to be undressed for screening. If you are flying alone with a child, do not hesitate to ask the airport staff for help.

14. On a flight, you may need to change your baby's diaper. To do this, use the toilet room. If you are flying in a Boeing or an Airbus, consider yourself lucky, because specifically for this purpose, the voiced aircraft have a folding changing table, all in the same toilet. Ask a flight attendant to show you one if you can't find it yourself.

15. Flying with a baby is not only unfamiliar, but also somewhat uncomfortable. If your child easily tolerates a little high blood pressure, then he will quickly fall asleep on the plane. If not, then be prepared for the whims and discontent of the baby.

Do not be nervous, who knows how sensitive the child is to your mood. If you are calm, then the child will most likely calm down quickly.

16 . If you have not just a flight with a child, but also a journey with a connection, relax in the mother and child room. Not only do you have it full right, but it’s just a sin not to take advantage of this opportunity to be with the baby in a calm environment.

17. What should a child take on a plane? Depending on the age of the baby, these can be coloring books and felt-tip pens, a favorite toy, change of underwear and diapers, napkins, medicines if necessary, baby food. It is absolutely optional to take a blanket into the cabin of the aircraft - flight attendants will provide it upon request.

As for medicines, if you are prescribed a course of treatment and have prescriptions, it is better to take all these prescriptions with you. Moisturizing nose drops are best poured into a large bottle, because under pressure the liquid pours out of the “tight” bubbles.

18 . As a rule, the allowance free baggage for a child is 10 kg.

19. If you need to go to the toilet, you can ask the flight attendant to look after the child. In general, do not hesitate to ask the flight attendants for help.

20. If you are flying with a child charter flight It's better to arrive at the airport well in advance. There are usually many parents with babies on such flights, and if you find yourself at the end of the check-in line, it may happen that your family is divided into the remaining empty seats. For example, dad will sit separately from mom with a child. So, it is better to get to the very beginning of the queue.

“The lady checked in a sofa, a suitcase, a bag…”

We change the word "lady" in the famous children's poem to the word "mother" and get the classic image of a woman going on vacation with a small child. Only instead of the “dog” (and the especially brave not instead of, but along with it), most likely, there will still be a stroller, a carrier and a million more, of course, very necessary items.

It is clear that each carrier has its own rules. They must be studied before booking tickets. But there are some general trends that we will talk about.

Let's start with the fact that most airlines understand that a child at any age is a full-fledged passenger. With things. Therefore, even crumbs up to two years old, although they are not allocated a place in the cabin, are entitled to a separate piece of luggage. Only not 20-25 kilograms, as adults, but 5-10.

The exception is some low-cost airlines that do not provide children with separate luggage. In this case, either the whole family must fit into the allotted norm, or pay for an additional suitcase. Children from two to twelve years old, as well as toddlers flying on a child ticket, are entitled to carry the same amount of baggage as an adult.

Important point! If you have booked a separate seat for your child, then you may (we emphasize again, it all depends on the carrier’s rules) be allowed to take a car seat on board free of charge to install it on the seat and put the baby in it. This seat must be certified specifically for flying.

Flying with children: how to save on a ticket for a baby

In addition, almost all airlines allow strollers to be carried free of charge, but there is another nuance here. Some ask to check them in as luggage at the airport, others allow you to take the baby in a stroller to the gangway of the plane, others allow you to take baby transport, if it is foldable and compact, into the salon.

If you have a lot of bulky baby things with you - cradles, strollers, seat cushions, car seats - then you may be asked to choose one or two things that you will carry for free, and you will be asked to pay extra for the rest.

What to take on the plane

1. Change of clothes. Not only the baby can get dirty, but also the older child. For example, if the plane hit air pocket just at the moment when he was drinking juice. And it can also rock him.

2. Water. Several small bottles. At the airport they are much more expensive than in conventional stores. Just keep in mind: you will be allowed to carry liquids with a total volume per liter. This will include water, and tonics, and lotions, as well as creams, shampoos and other cosmetics. Liquids carried by passengers flying together are not cumulative. So it turns out quite a lot. But liquids should be in bottles no larger than 100 ml.

3. Snack. Dryers, cookies, croutons.

4. Baby food, homemade food, if you are not sure that the child will eat what is given on board. It is better to use disposable devices.

5. Books, toys, games. Anything to keep your child entertained along the way. Sometimes, but not always, carriers take care of this. So we hope for them, but we do not fail ourselves. Many publishers publish special travel kits: compactly packed felt-tip pens, coloring and activity sheets, stickers, Board games etc. Gadget supporters can pre-download games and cartoons to their phones or tablets.

6. If the child is not yet potty trained, then a few spare diapers. If the journey had to do with the learning process, there are two options: either the child still flies in a diaper, or you take a travel potty with replaceable bags. You know perfectly well what queues for the toilet on an airplane are.

7. Wet wipes ideally antibacterial.

8. Lollipops for takeoff and landing, so as not to block the ears. Many pediatricians advise to drip into the nose before the flight - so we take drops too.

9. Medicines, if your baby needs them. Pay attention to the composition of the drugs. In some cases, you may need a certificate from your doctor about their appointment. On Emergency if something hurts - nurofen, panadol or other similar drugs.

Airplane stroller: choosing a model for travel

10. Sling, if the child is accustomed to it. It will be easier to put the baby to sleep in it.

11. Light tippet or scarf. They can cover a dozing baby or cover themselves if the baby needs to be breastfed.

Hello dear! Due to the fact that many people are interested in the issue of traveling with babies, I decided to write about how to fly with a baby on an airplane.

When a baby appears in the family, many parents prefer not to travel or fly anywhere, because they are afraid of harming their child. In fact (and own experience), these fears are unfounded. But I found out about this already on the way :) And at the stage of preparing for travel, I myself was subject to these phobias.

Life turned out so that forced flights and moving with our daughter began when Hannah was only 2 months old. Here's how to deal with fears of flying with a baby, how to prepare, what places to choose, and how my daughter and I flew, I'll tell you in this article.

You will be surprised, but a passenger can fly calmly (in every sense), starting from the 7th days own life. However, for your own parental peace of mind, it is better to undergo an examination and receive written confirmation from the pediatrician that the baby is healthy and the flight is allowed. Rarely, some airlines may request such a document. So it's better to arm them.

The smaller the baby, the easier it is to travel with him. Especially if the baby is breastfed. Gave breast and basically forgot about the little passenger. It is also an excellent prevention of pressure drops: swallowing movements will help the baby to calmly endure the laying of the ears. For older babies who have already given up breast or bottle, try to give more water during takeoff and landing of an aircraft. Or something like a lollipop.

If the child has a stuffy nose, then be sure to drip a vasoconstrictor and take it with you on board. Some moms arm themselves with ear drops, but in most cases, nasal drops are sufficient. If you know that your baby has a tendency to earaches, then bring the right medicine on board. Here you need to proceed from the individual characteristics of the child.

What if the child is sick?

It is better to reschedule a flight with a sick child. But if this is not possible, then take all the necessary medicines with you in your hand luggage. A first aid kit is available on board the aircraft, but special medical supplies should be on hand.

Sometimes it happens that even if all the precautions are observed, with all the preparation of the mother, the children are still very naughty with a pressure drop, or from stress due to an unusual environment. Mothers are very nervous about possible discomfort to other passengers, and this stress is transferred to your baby. Which makes him even more naughty. Vicious circle of damaged nerves.

Remember: no plane has yet crashed because of crying children or disgruntled passengers. Treat your own child with understanding, he needs a calm mother much more. And let others use earplugs;)

Conditions for the flight of an infant

Until what age do kids fly for free? Children under two years of age, if they do not occupy a separate seat. However boarding pass they get the same as their parents. If you checked in for the flight on your own, do not forget to print out the document for the child as well, it is required. For children over 2 years old, a child fare applies and the ticket price depends on the airline. From the age of 12 there is an adult rate.

Choose a seat at the beginning of the plane, ideally, of course, in business class, if funds allow. Clean air passes through the beginning of the aircraft and passes to the end, having collected all the sneezes and microbes of the other passengers. I also recommend choosing a place near the aisle. So you can simply stretch and stretch your legs.

Changing diapers during a flight is a breeze. There is a special table in the toilet of the aircraft, which, at your request, will be laid out by the flight attendant. The only negative is a small space, but in order to change a diaper, it’s enough, checked;) Grab only a diaper to cover the changing table.

Some airlines provide special cradles for babies. But the number of cradles is limited, so you need to warn in advance that you need it. Better to do it by phone. My friends flew in economy Emirates airlines and they were just provided with such a travel cradle. The whole family was very pleased: the parents' hands were free, and the child (he was three months old) slept peacefully in a comfortable bed. I myself have not used such a device, but I have heard extremely favorable reviews.

For baby's comfort

There are also special hammock cradles from Flyebaby, which are convenient for transporting babies. On the plane, the upper part of the hammock is attached to the table in the seat in front, the bottom is fixed with special belts around the mother's waist. In the hammock itself, the child is fixed with straps. Flyebaby is designed for children weighing up to 11 kg. This device is convenient and Everyday life: with it, any chair can be turned into a children's chair. You can buy

In any case, no matter what you use, during takeoff and landing, as well as during turbulence, you will need to fasten the child to you with a special belt provided by flight attendants. By the way, if you are a confident sling user or your child has already grown up to a special backpack, then it may even be better to use them. Some children fall asleep on their parents, almost without noticing the flight itself.

What to take with you in hand luggage?

5-6 change diapers;
3-4 cotton diapers;
Wet wipes. A lot of;
2-3 sets of changeable clothes for the child and at least one changeable item for yourself, because anything can happen on the way;
A warm thing and socks for the child for the plane, as it can be cold on board;
Food, snacks and water for older children;
Toys and books for entertainment;
First aid kit (vasoconstrictor drops in the nose at least).

Some mothers recommend taking familiar strollers, cradles and car seats with them so that the baby feels comfortable. But with such a weight, you will no longer be comfortable. In my experience, a sling or backpack is sufficient for traveling with one child. When there are more children, you can no longer do without a stroller. Choose one that is easy to fold. At the gangway, you still have to hand it in. By the way, the transportation of the stroller is completely free.

Personal experience

We started using airplanes quite early, at 4-5 months. that I gave up every time.

Experienced mothers confidently said that children fall asleep wonderfully as soon as takeoff begins. Maybe, but not my child. It helped a lot that we were on GV. My baby fell asleep after takeoff, after 20 minutes. As soon as I exhaled and calmed down, after half an hour she woke up and I had to entertain her;) On landing, Hanya behaved very badly, kicked and screamed, even pushed her chest away, which, of course, me very tense. Ears and adults are laying, and then the baby. Naturally, she was scared.

The apogee was a long and very plentiful fart that flowed out of the diaper🙈 So, my dears, everyone has terrible trips. It should be noted that those around me were sympathetic to my situation and helped in every possible way. I didn't hear any negative comments from anyone. The next two-hour flights no longer caused discomfort.

20 hours flight

The most serious flight was already a year and 1 month. We were on our way to Bali. For those who don't know, it's a 20 hour flight🙈

We've been in action Qatar Airways and took business class tickets. This helped me a lot. The wide armchairs that unfold in a horizontal position are just a salvation for mothers. Hanya refused to sleep while sitting, and as soon as I unfolded the seat, she immediately passed out.

We took snacks with us, mashed potatoes, an iPad with Smeshariki (I wrote a post that it was not the best solution), new books, a developing table. We were also given a baby kit on board the plane. All this was enough for half the journey. There is a child refused categorically, all the way the daughter sucked her breast.

We have a 20-hour return flight ahead of us, so I’m slowly preparing (mentally too) and collecting life hacks from moms on how to entertain a child on an airplane.

Lots of small toys, preferably new ones, to be given out one at a time. They can still be wrapped in foil, then the lesson will be useful for the development of motor skills.
Stickers. Well, this is our must-have. Hanya pastes them over herself, me, the surrounding objects, re-glues from place to place and she really likes it.
Pencil and leaves. We have begun the period of drawing, so for the return flight we will definitely stock up on a set of a young artist.
Children's magazines or books, where many small details are drawn. With them, you can play the game "find in the picture ..." and the child persistently searches, and then solemnly pokes at the found object. Hanya and I can play like this for a long time.

About the stroller

We took a stroller with us, but already at the gangway it had to be checked in as luggage. In Bali, it was not useful at all, but in international airport Doha, where we had a transfer, a stroller can be rented for free. In addition, my daughter loves to ride on special wheelchairs for luggage. So instead of dragging extra cargo, it’s better to find out what the situation is with the roads and sidewalks at your destination😅

There are no sidewalks in Bali at all, and if there are, then bikes dangle along them. If there is an urgent need for a stroller, then children's stores are everywhere, you can buy the cheapest one on the spot. Our stroller is just quietly and peacefully covered with mold from moisture.

In terms of transportation, a baby kangaroo backpack was more suitable for me. I really waited for Hanya to sit down to buy myself one. All flights, except the very first, we spent with a backpack. I must say, he helps us out in Bali, and even more so on the way. I fastened the child and forgot :) The chest is accessible, it is interesting to look around, so the solution is ideal. We bought our backpack from Aliexpress.

Child as a pass

One of the undeniable advantages of being a parent while traveling is that you skip the line everywhere! Often at Russian airports, you have to take care of this right yourself, but in other countries employees always approached us and invited us to board in the first place. This was the case even when we flew economy to Malaysia for a Visaran.

When we were waiting for boarding, an airline employee approached all the passengers with children and invited them on the plane. Moreover, we approached the business class check-in desk and were calmly registered in our economy class. So do not be shy, save yourself a lot of time and nerves.

The most important thing when traveling with a child is the inner peace of the parents. You can forget or get dirty all the spare diapers, crap all the taken sets of clothes and a lot of things like that, but these are all trifles. Clothes are washed, diapers are bought at the nearest pharmacy or asked from neighbors with children. Be simple and keep calm - you are already a great fellow that you decided to show your child the world.

Travel with children, do not make them shackles with your fears and prejudices.

Let children add new colors to your life!

By the way! If you are interested in seeing our Asian life in bright pictures, subscribe to my instagram account

Air travel with children is becoming more and more popular because air Transport the fastest, even the most remote point in the world can be reached in less than a day. Aircraft are also statistically one of the most safe species transport. Therefore, many parents, going on vacation with a small child, choose an airplane. What you need to know about the rules for transporting children on an airplane and their belongings?

Peculiarities

A few years ago, flights with children were difficult and not very comfortable. Today, Russian and many other airlines provide everything necessary to ensure that a flight with a small child goes unnoticed. Until now, many parents are afraid to fly with small children, worrying about how the kids will endure physical exercise what they can do during the flight, whether they will cause inconvenience to themselves and other passengers.

You can dispel doubts by checking with the airline in advance all the necessary points: starting with the rules for transporting small children and ending with what the child will eat and play with during the flight. It is in the interests of parents to notify the air carrier as early as possible that they will be Small child and discuss all the details.

Transportation rules

Before taking a child on a plane with you, you need to make sure that all Required documents, confirming the age of the child and permission to accompany, if the baby is not flying with their parents, they are taken with them. Children up to two years of age can only fly with their parents or legal guardians.

From the age of five, a child may 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, depending on different airlines it ranges from 12 to 15 years.

Majority Russian airlines is ready to provide the service of accompanying 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 discounts, in addition, the escort service itself (usually about 40 euros) and transfer service, if necessary, are paid. This service is provided for children aged 5-16.

It is best to book tickets in advance to select nearby seats. Some airlines limit the number of babies they carry per flight, so it's important to be on time to hit that number.

If the child is flying with one of the parents, it is necessary to obtain permission from the other parent, certified by a notary. At international flights the child must have his own passport or be inscribed in the parent's passport.

You cannot leave a child in flight unattended. Follow the flight attendants' instructions regarding flight safety.

If a baby under 2 years old is in the arms of an adult, it must be fastened with a separate child seat belt, which is attached to the belt of an adult passenger.

Age for free flight and discounts

Each passenger has the right to take with him on a flight passing through the territory of Russia, one child under two years old without buying a separate ticket for him. In this case, the baby will have to be held in arms or placed in a special cradle during the entire flight. At the same time, you should not count on free luggage for a child.

It will not be possible to carry a baby for free on international flights, but the discount on his ticket will be 90%. If such a child needs a separate seat, then the ticket will have to be paid for by the fare for children 2-12 years old.

If a passenger is flying with several children under the age of two, then for one child the flight will be free, in the hands of the parent. Other children will receive a discount of no more than 50% of the cost of an adult ticket, a separate seat in the cabin and free luggage within a limited weight.

Formation of tariffs

When planning to take a child on a plane with you, you need to take into account his age on the day of departure, regardless of when the ticket was purchased.

If a child turns 12 on the day of departure, then he needs to purchase a ticket already at an adult fare. In other cases, airlines provide special fares for children under 12 years of age.

Up to two years, 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 will be 10% of the cost of an adult ticket, but upon reaching the age of two, completely different tariffs apply.

Different airlines provide different discounts from 25% to 75%, in addition, each child is allowed to carry free baggage at the same rates as for an adult.

When a child is 12 years old, it is necessary to buy an adult ticket for him at full price, but some airlines have special youth discounts, the availability and amount of which you need to find out at the information desk.

Features of flying with a baby

Airlines do not recommend flying children under seven days old. However, if there is an emergency, then you can fly with the baby the very next day after the birth. If the baby is not yet seven days old, then the parents are required to provide the check-in agent at the airport with a receipt stating that the airline does not bear any responsibility for the consequences after transporting the baby.

A flight with a baby can also be quite comfortable, provided that the parents take into account all the necessary points in advance.

Most airlines provide passengers with babies with a special cradle that is attached to the front seat. The cradle is suitable 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 need in advance, at least one day before departure.

The child in it should be placed with their feet towards the aisle. When taking off, 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; you need to find out about this possibility and the permitted dimensions at the information desk of the carrier.

How are the kids handling the trip?

In Russia, there are no rules to limit the age of a child from which he could be taken on a trip by plane. But the age recommended by pediatricians is three months, from that moment the baby is already adapted to the new world for him, can normally tolerate a reduced level of oxygen and stress on the body at high altitude.

Flight staff try to meet the needs of parents and provide the best comfortable places. According to safety rules, passengers with children cannot be seated next to emergency exits. Places where it is better to sit with a child are located on the front row or in other rows with increased legroom.

As a rule, more than one child cannot be placed in one row without a separate seat due to the presence oxygen masks. If the aircraft is not completely full, flight attendants are required to provide seats behind empty seats. If you are very lucky, they can even transfer you to a business class, but the food will still remain from the economy class.

What can you take on a plane in hand luggage?

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 necessary hand luggage of things.

Most often for a child, you can choose the type special food 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. For the most picky kids, it is better to take baby food with you. You also need to ask the flight attendant in advance if she can warm it up.

It is necessary to stock up on all kinds of entertainment and toys for the child, it is better if it is something completely new that he has not yet seen in order to surprise and interest the baby.

Despite the presence of toilets in the cabin, it will not be superfluous to stock up on special camping pots that absorb the contents. In case of motion sickness, it is also better to take a hygiene bag with you, although such a thing can be found on most planes in a pocket in the front seat. Wet wipes will become an indispensable thing in 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 hand luggage allowance at Aeroflot:

Class "Business" - 1 piece up to 15 kg (total value of three dimensions - up to 115 cm)
"Comfort" class and "Economy" class - 1 piece up to 10 kg (total value of three measurements up to 115 cm).

When registering, it is weighed and marked with a tag. If the weight or size limit is exceeded, hand luggage is checked in as checked baggage.

In addition to this allowance, you can additionally carry items that are with the passenger and not included in the luggage:

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;
a cradle when transporting a baby;
suit in a suitcase;
cellular telephone;
crutches;
folding walkers;
shopping bag from Duty Free.

Things from this list are not weighed, are not subject to registration and are not marked with tags.

What to send in luggage?

A large stroller must be checked in, but you can use it all the way to the gangway and get it back when you get off the plane, however, you 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 no larger than 40x40 centimeters. A chair with larger dimensions will have to be sent in luggage.

It is important to know that not every toy can be taken into the cabin with you. For example, various pistols, knives and other plastic weapons must be checked in as baggage.

If these are the baby’s favorite toys, it’s worth stocking up on something new in advance to comfort the child and lure during the flight.

Flying on a plane with a baby is a test for both the child and his parents. Unusual physical sensations, closed space, a large number of strangers around - all this can affect the health and emotional state of the baby. Therefore, if circumstances force you to fly with a baby on an airplane, you should carefully prepare for the trip. The article gives recommendations to young parents on how to fly with a baby on an airplane.

How can flying affect your health?

Most airlines have a ban on flying on an airplane with a newborn under 7 days old.

One of the dangerous factors for the baby is the pressure difference during takeoff and landing. Even adults feel uncomfortable at this moment. This is how the work of the auditory (Eustachian) tube affects, which balances the pressure difference in the middle ear cavity and environment. If the auditory tube does not cope with this function, pain is felt in the ears, and hearing worsens (up to its temporary loss). In a newborn, this can lead to inflammation of the auditory tube and the development of otitis media.

A common cold in a child, and even more pronounced symptoms of SARS, in themselves worsen the functioning of the auditory tube, so there is Great chance that otitis media will develop after the flight. Doctors do not recommend transporting babies even with a slight runny nose.

Another harmful factor affecting the condition of small passengers is low air humidity on board. On a long flight, the nasal mucosa can dry out.

Important! To make breathing easier for children, irrigate the nasal passages with special solutions.

When traveling with a child, one should take into account not only the impact of the flight, but also the consequences of a sudden change in climate. Visits to hot countries in winter are especially affected. It should be borne in mind that acclimatization at the resort takes 2-3 days. And if the trip lasts only a week or less, returning to the cold can lead to a lingering cold even in an adult, not to mention a child. It is advisable to relax with a child at sea for at least two weeks.

At what age can you fly

Due to the reasons described, you need to be careful when planning a flight with infants.

If circumstances force you to fly earlier than a week after birth, parents will be required to sign a document in which the airline disclaims responsibility for the health of the baby.

If 7 days have passed since birth, little passenger on the plane will be accepted without additional formalities. But parents are advised to first make sure that the child can fly on an airplane. After the examination, the pediatrician will determine how many months it is safe for the baby to travel by air.

The behavior and well-being of each small passenger is individual, but there is some pattern:

It is easier for children under six months to fly when most time they sleep and are not too sensitive to extraneous noise;
From six months to a year, flying is more difficult: the child sleeps less, he is already bored just sitting on his hands, but he still cannot focus on one lesson for a long time. The kid will show curiosity or anxiety in an unfamiliar environment, so you will have to occupy him with something all the way;
Children from one to two years old may already be interested in toys or cartoons for a long time, so it is easier to distract them from whims and activities that interfere with other passengers.

Ticket price

The cost of children's tickets is determined by the airline. As a rule, one adult can transport one child under 2 years old free of charge in Russia without providing him with a separate seat. At the same time, the design child ticket Necessarily. When flying abroad, you may be required to pay up to 10% of full price, even if the baby flies in the arms of the accompanying person.

If a passenger is traveling with several children, for the rest it is necessary to buy a ticket at the children's fare (for different carriers it is 50-75% of the adult fare).

Airlines have strict rules regarding the age of children: if the trip coincides with the second anniversary, you should be especially careful when buying tickets. If two years have passed the day before or on the day of departure, then round-trip tickets must be purchased already at the rate for children 2-12 years old. If the birthday was on a trip, then only the return flight is paid at an increased rate.

Registration

When flying with children, it is better to check in online as soon as it opens. This will allow you to choose convenient seats and fly the whole family together. If this is not possible, then at the airport at the check-in desk you need to ask for convenient seats. Carriers have priority rules for boarding passengers with children. But if the plane is full, there is a chance that on safe places only a mother with a child will be placed at the beginning of the salon, and the accompanying persons (including the father) will be in other places. When checking in at the airport, passengers with children must skip the line.

Children without documents cannot fly. On domestic flights, you must present a birth certificate upon boarding. When traveling abroad - the passport of a small passenger. If the child is accompanied by a third person, a notarized permission from the parents or guardians may be required for the child to travel abroad.

Takeoff and landing

The most unpleasant sensations for a baby are takeoff and landing. Better when he sleeps at this time. If it is not possible to “lull” the child, he is restless or cries a lot - it is worth trying to feed him or give him a pacifier. Swallowing movements will help relieve spasm of the auditory tube and reduce discomfort. For the same purpose, before takeoff, it is recommended to drip vasoconstrictor drops into the baby's nose. Their choice should be discussed in advance with the pediatrician.

During takeoff and landing, as well as in the landing area, all passengers must be fastened. For the child, a special seat belt is issued, which is attached to the belt of an adult.

Sidecar flight

Each airline determines its own baggage allowance. children's luggage. If you are bringing a stroller with you, check in advance if it can be transported in the cabin. As a rule, strollers are picked up at the time of boarding. It is better to find out when it will be possible to use it again: sometimes they are served at the exit, but more often they are unloaded along with luggage onto a transport belt or oversized luggage rack.

For children under 2 years old, strollers are transported free of charge in addition to the children's free baggage allowance (in different airlines 10-15 kg per child). If the child is older, the weight of the stroller will be included in the free baggage allowance.

The stroller will be inspected, so do not load it with things. Some airlines allow you to take a foldable cane-type stroller into the cabin if it fits into the standard dimensions. Others allow the stroller to be used only until boarding, and then transport it to luggage compartment. In the salon, they are allowed to take only a carry cot from the stroller.

For a flight with a baby, a stroller-book is more suitable. The baby can both lie down and sit in it, it is convenient to carry it with one hand, it can be quickly and compactly folded.

As additional service on board, carriers can equip their airliners special cradles, which are attached to the partitions between the salons. This service is free, but it is better to agree on it in advance.

What to bring on board

Baby food and water

Passengers may be asked to leave bottles of liquid at the airport during personal and hand luggage screening - this is a security requirement. An exception is made for children - it is allowed to take on board baby food and water (the amount required for the flight) with a total volume of no more than a liter. The child needs to drink more on the plane, because the air in the cabin is dry. Some carriers offer a special children's menu on board upon prior request.

care items

The comfort and well-being of the baby is the key to a calm flight. Toilets in almost all aircraft are equipped with changing tables, so hygiene procedures for babies can be carried out right in the cabin. To be ready for any situation, you will need the following set:

diapers;
wet and paper napkins;
bib (if you feed baby food);
disposable diapers;
a few blanks.

Cloth

The kid should be in comfortable clothes, a spare set is required. In addition, you will need warm clothes or a blanket (plaid) - it is usually cold on the plane due to ventilation. Warm clothes will come in handy if you have to go outside directly from the plane to get to the terminal.

If you can fly light with a one-month-old baby and hope that he will sleep all the way, then for older children you will have to think about leisure. Toys, books, cartoons on a tablet (smartphone), etc. will come in handy. Might have to hold all the way children's attention so that he does not act up and does not interfere with other passengers.

first aid kit

On a trip to the cabin of an airplane, you need to take funds first medical care for a child, tested or recommended by a doctor:

remedies for abdominal pain and colic;
means for the normalization of the stool;
painkillers and antipyretics;
vasoconstrictor drops;
disinfectants: bandage, cotton wool, cotton swabs.

Neighborhood with other passengers

Travelers with children, in addition to caring for the health of the child, are forced to worry about how relations with others on the plane will develop. Infants may become naughty or cry out loud, and it is very difficult to calm them down. Stress for parents in this case will be added by disgruntled or even aggressive passengers. The task of the flight attendants in this case is to “resolve” the situation, perhaps to transplant nervous neighbors away from the family with the baby. You should not enter into a conflict, usually children feel the nervous tension of their mother and this can make them cry even more.

From how many months to fly with a baby in an airplane is the decision of each individual family. But at any age, traveling with a small child must be carefully organized. It is important for parents not to get confused, to understand what to expect from each stage of the trip.

Preparation begins even before buying plane tickets - you should study the rules for flying with children from suitable companies, they can fundamentally differ. The highlights are check-in, seat selection, baggage allowance, wheelchair transportation and meals on board.

In general, the staff is very friendly to children, because airlines are fighting for customer loyalty. Comfortable flight conditions have been created for the kids and their attendants, and on board flight attendants are surrounded by attention.