Traveling with children
People traveling with children sometimes experience inconvenience. Unexpected surprises are not always pleasant and, although these inconveniences seem minor at first glance, they are enough to spoil the impression of the trip. To avoid these difficulties, you must carefully prepare yourself and your child for the upcoming flight in advance. Since, according to experienced travelers, it is during the flight that these inconveniences arise.
To begin with, when planning your flight, you should familiarize yourself with the tariffs.
There are three tariffs:
- Children under 2 years old (infant). The child sits in your arms, fastened with your own seat belt. Typically, the cost of such a ticket is 10% of the cost of an adult. Low-cost airlines have a fixed price. Luggage is not included.
- Tariff from 2 to 11 years (child). Typically the price is 50-75% of the cost of an adult ticket. The child flies in a separate seat. This fare includes baggage.
- Children over 12 years old. The ticket price is the same as the cost of an adult ticket. Luggage is also included.
When registering with a child, you must have a number of documents with you:
- Birth certificate (border guards often ask for it)
- Passport
- Visa
If your child is flying with one parent while the other remains in the country, or if they are flying with a guardian, you must provide certified permission to travel to that particular country, at that particular time, and with that particular person.
We advise you to register online, because then you will be given the seats that you have selected in advance. Please note that on many airplanes in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rows, as well as in the emergency rows, the seats do not recline and the armrests between the seats do not rise. Therefore, your child will not sleep comfortably.
Many airports have fast lines. They are paid and used by business class passengers. But if you are with children, you can use this service for a more comfortable stay at the airport. In addition, this will give you the opportunity to use the business lounge.
When choosing a flight with a child, pay attention to the flight hours. If your child sleeps for a couple of hours after lunch, choose a flight that suits his sleep. This will make the flight comfortable for both parents and child.
Be sure to prepare your child for the flight a couple of days in advance. After all, preparation is needed not only by adults, but also by children. Especially if this is his first flight. Explain that there are certain rules on how to behave on an airplane, that you have to wear your seat belt and you can’t stand up. Let him pack his own backpack for the plane. This will allow the child to take a more responsible approach to the upcoming trip. A favorite game, book or cartoon will allow you to spend your time during the flight in a more relaxed manner.
Don't forget to take a change of clothes into the cabin if you are flying from a cold to a warm country. Take food for the child. Despite the fact that the food on the plane is often delicious, children, as a rule, do not like it. It could be liver, your favorite sandwich or porridge. Up to 100 ml of liquid is allowed on board the plane, except if you are flying with a child. Bring juice with you and indicate that your child must drink it.