Traveling with Family And taking a plane with children

When traveling with family, it is essential that each person has the following documents in their own name:

• Airline tickets
• Identity card for the European Union or passport for other destinations
• Visas to enter the destination country and any countries transited or connected if necessary.

If the accompanying adult does not have parental authority (grandparents, uncles, aunts, older siblings, third parties...), an authorization to leave the country (AST) must be presented, as for a minor traveling alone. The AST must be signed by one of the parents and presented with a copy of the signatory's identity document.

Babies can travel by plane from 7 days after birth, unless there are medical contraindications. Generally, it is recommended to prefer short flights and wait until at least the end of the first month for longer trips.

To know the minimum age required for traveling with family, contact the relevant airline directly.

Airplane tickets for infants

Children under 2 years old are the only ones who can board without reserving a seat. You can have them travel on your lap or take advantage of the bassinet option offered by some airlines. Generally, the trip for a baby without a seat is free or at a minimum fare.

Do you still want to reserve a seat for your baby? In this case, the fare will be the same as for children aged 2 to 12.

Airplane tickets for children

From 2 years old, reserving a seat is mandatory, and prices vary depending on the chosen airline. But good news for parents: airplane tickets for minors are often available at preferential rates for children under 12!

The baggage allowances for children and adults are not always the same. This is particularly the case for babies traveling without a reserved seat. Before starting to pack your suitcases, check the baggage allowance for each of your children.

In the cabin, a backpack or a small lightweight suitcase containing all the essential items for their trip will make your children happy: pack games, snacks, and something to cover themselves to face the air conditioning on planes.

Liquids and baby food in cabin baggage

On airplanes, baggage regulations are the same for everyone. Only cabin baggage for infants is an exception to the liquids on airplanes rule. Indeed, if you are traveling with a baby, you can carry liquids over 100 mL provided that:

• They are only food for your baby,
• They do not exceed the strictly necessary quantities for the trip,
• You can open and taste the food if required by security agents.

All parents know that traveling with family is not easy!

So, to start your vacation on the right foot, we advise you to arrive well in advance to avoid rushing the whole family. To do this, check the check-in deadline and plan to arrive at least one hour before for a short flight, and 3 hours before for a long-haul flight.

Between airport formalities and flight duration, air travel often requires a lot of patience. And that's the big question for parents traveling by plane with children: how to keep them entertained during the trip? Plan to bring everything they might need, such as toys, board games, books, coloring books, tablets (with charger!), etc.

Some airports offer play areas accessible to passengers. Airlines sometimes also offer an entertainment program adapted for children (movies, cartoons, video games, etc.).

To facilitate family travel, some airports and airlines offer various services to parents:

• Bassinet on the plane (limited quantity),
• Transport of a stroller or car seat with your checked baggage,
• Adapted baggage allowance,
• Toilets with changing tables at the airport,
• Priority boarding and security checks,
• Children's play kits,
• Adapted meals,
• etc.

You now have all the keys for a successful family trip. Have a good flight!