What you need to know before traveling with kids

Getting ready for that first flight with the kids? Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or a guardian, traveling with kids can be equal parts exciting and stressful.

From packing the essentials, to navigating airport security, to organizing the proper documents, there’s a lot to consider. But the right preparation means less turbulence for everyone. Here are a few key things to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Check if your child is old enough to travel

So when can you travel with a baby exactly? How old should a child be before they can fly? Medical professionals usually advise against traveling with a newborn in the first 7 days. This is because infants at this age are still developing their immune system and are prone to getting sick. After they get their first set of immunizations at around 2 months they have some protection from illnesses in place.

That said, most airlines are fine with having a baby on board as long as they’re at least 8 days old — though a few hold out for the 14 day milestone. Policies vary, so before you pack the diaper bag and head to the airport, check with your airline to make sure your tiny traveler is cleared for takeoff!

Make sure you have the required documents

Identification

Parents and guardians often ask, “Can a baby travel without a passport?” The answer is it depends on whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally.

For example, in the US, children under the age of 18 don’t have to present any ID when traveling within the country as the ID of the accompanying adult is usually enough. However, in the EU and most other countries, children have to have their own valid ID to travel.

When it comes to international travel with kids, pack the paperwork before the pacifiers otherwise your trip will be grounded before it begins. Babies and children need their own passport and, depending on the destination, visas, travel authorizations, and immunization requirements, just like the adults do.

Consent for travel

Before your little traveler takes off, there are some minor details (pun intended!) you might need to sort out. In some cases, you’ll need written consent for traveling with minors, especially if they’re:

• A minor traveling alone

• Traveling with an adult who isn’t their legal guardian

• Flying with only one parent

In the EU, rules vary by country, so it’s important to check if you need an official authorization in plenty of time before your trip. You can find the necessary forms on government travel websites or ask your airline for guidance — because the last thing you want is turbulence at the check-in counter!

For kids traveling alone: unaccompanied minors fee

When children fly solo, airlines typically charge an additional fee on top of the ticket price. This is usually mandatory for unaccompanied minors aged 5 to 14, but you can opt out for teenagers aged 15 to 17. Kids under 5? No solo adventures yet — they’ll need an adult travel buddy.

Think of the fee like a chaperone service. Airline staff check in on unaccompanied minors and help them board on time. During long layovers, kids traveling alone can hang out in a children-only lounge . Upon arrival, they’re usually the last to exit the plane so the crew can hand them over safely to their waiting guardian.

Skip lines at the airport and while boarding

One of the perks of traveling with a baby or a small child is getting to skip the lines at security and boarding.

Policies vary but a quick game of I-Spy should reveal a separate priority line for families traveling with kids under 12, especially if you’ve got a stroller. If you don’t see one, don’t be afraid to ask staff about priority access.

The liquid limit rule doesn't apply to baby formula

Good news for parents: when you're traveling with an infant or toddler, the usual liquid restrictions don’t apply! That’s because formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, baby food, and puree pouches are considered medically necessary liquids and can exceed the 100-milliliter limit.

So how to travel with baby formula? It’s easy! Simply pack them in individual bottles not exceeding 2,000 milliliters. While there’s no limit on how much you can stash in your checked luggage, be mindful of weight restrictions. To keep everything fresh, you’re also allowed to bring ice packs, freezer packs, or other cooling accessories.

At security, all baby liquids will need to be screened. Some airports have automatic bottle liquid scanners but often a security agent will need to manually inspect them — sometimes with a quick sniff or liquid test. To make the process smoother, use clear, resealable bottles and have them easily accessible.

Check in your stroller for free

Most airlines — though not all — let you check your stroller, baby carriage, or car seat at no extra charge. You can check in one stroller per child and it won’t be counted in your luggage allowance.

At check-in, let the desk know that you have a baby stroller with you even if you’ve already checked in online. They’ll tag it and the gate staff will take it and hand it back when you land.

Understand your seating arrangements in the aircraft

Traveling in your lap

Infants under 24 months can travel on their parent’s lap like the world’s cutest carry on. Most airlines price infant tickets lower than the standard air fare. Staff should give your pint-sized passenger a special seat belt to attach to yours and show you how to secure it

Traveling in a child seat

If you want your child to have their own seat instead of traveling in your lap, but they’re too small to sit safely in the aircraft, make sure you bring a child seat. Like strollers, a child seat travels with you free of charge and won’t count towards your luggage allowance. However, since your little co-passenger will be taking up a seat, many airlines will charge you full price, though a few might offer discounts.

When buying a seat, make sure it’s suitable for use in an aircraft as car seats aren’t the same thing! Bring the user manual so that you can install the seat safely and, if you’re unsure, ask your flight attendant for help.

Sitting together

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK makes it clear: you should be seated with your children, ideally, in the same row. If that’s not possible, they should be no more than one seat away. The US is taking a similar approach, with proposals that airlines scrap seating fees for families who want to travel together.

So if you’re traveling with a child, let the airline know so that they can reserve seats together for your family. And don’t worry, most cabin crew will be happy to help you.

Familiarize yourself with the facilities onboard

Airlines mostly want to make traveling with infants easier for parents and guardians, so it's a good idea to check what services your airline offers before your flight.

That means things like changing tables in onboard restrooms, so you can change your baby’s diaper comfortably and without bothering other passengers. The last thing you want is turbulence when your hands are full of dirty diapers so secure that baby with the safety belt and throw the waste in the bin, stat.

Some airlines have bassinets, often free of charge — especially in business or first class although, typically you can only use them when the seatbelt sign is off. During takeoff, landing, or turbulence, keep your baby snugly on your lap using the infant seat belt.

Most airlines will give you free boiled or sterilized water for baby bottles but, to be sure, bring your own.

For peace of mind, always check with your airline ahead of time to see what support they offer for traveling with a baby.

Children get the same compensation as adults

You might assume children aren’t eligible for compensation for flight delays and cancellations because their tickets were cheaper than the adult fare. But that’s not the case — child tickets are still eligible for full flight compensation! The amount depends on factors like flight distance, the length of the delay, and whether the passenger had a confirmed, paid ticket — not on the ticket price itself. So in Europe, for example, children can get as much as €600 for a flight, just like an adult passenger.

But there’s one catch — if your child flew for free, such as on a completely complimentary ticket with no fees or airfare paid, compensation won’t apply.

Enjoy your travels with kids

Traveling with kids has its challenges, but don’t let that discourage you — a family vacation should be a trip to remember! Just remember to check your airline’s specific guidelines, give yourself plenty of time to get everything together, and most importantly, stay flexible. With a little preparation and a lot of patience, you’ll create amazing travel memories with your kids. Safe journey!

Flight delays happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them. You may be entitled to as much as €600 in compensation if your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last three years.