Travelling with children: What you need for a minor to travel by plane

Travel can be exciting for children, especially when it comes to getting on a plane, a mode of transport that excites most. The vast expanse of the sky and what it symbolises hold a mystery for our little ones; this magnifies their desire to fly and explore the mysteries of the universe. Unfortunately for parents, the experience of travelling by plane with our children may not always be equally pleasant and can cause us stress, particularly if we are not adequately prepared.

Surely, we all remember the time-consuming process of getting an ID card or passport at the police station. Well, all parents are worried about having to go through the same process with their children, who might be toddlers or even infants.

In this article, we will look in detail at what documents you need for your children depending on where you are travelling and when it is necessary to get a passport. A little preparation will prove very useful, so follow our guide for a calm and happy journey for you and your children.

Do children need an ID card to fly? What other documents are essential?

• For domestic flights and up to 12 years of age, children can travel with a health booklet or a birth certificate.
• Over 12 years of age, you will need to get an ID card or passport.
• Also, if you are travelling outside Greece, the child, regardless of age, must have a passport.
• If the child is travelling with one parent, it is advisable to have a declaration from the other parent permitting their child to travel.
• If the child is not accompanied by either parent but by a third party, both parents must have co-signed the declaration, which will certify the relationship of the accompanying person with the child and state consent for the trip.
• We always take the children's health booklets with us on every trip because you never know what might happen.

Using your taxisnet codes, you can create your own declarations and authorisations here. You will also need your AMKA (Social Security Number).

Tip: For international flights, declarations must be in English.

Useful information to know before booking your flights for a trip with children.

What else do you need to know before booking your flights? See below! From the discounts you are entitled to, right through to infant luggage, we have gathered everything you need to know.

• An infant must be 7 days old to be able to fly. If there are medical reasons, it may be allowed earlier but with a medical certificate.
• In various cases, especially if the infant is very young, a medical certificate may be requested.
• One adult can only accompany one lap infant.
• Only one lap infant is allowed per row of seats, as otherwise, there would not be enough oxygen masks. For example, if you have twins, do not choose consecutive seats, as they will be changed. Instead, sit behind or in front of another adult with the infant on their lap.
• Each lap infant is entitled to their own bag with essentials for their nutrition and hygiene, weighing up to 6 kg.
• The infant fare provides a 90% discount on the infant's ticket up to 2 years old, provided you hold them on your lap. If you want the infant to have their own seat, you are entitled to the child fare, but you must have a car seat that complies with international safety regulations.
• The child fare applies from 2 to 12 years of age and offers a 33% discount on the ticket price.

A few tips for travelling with children

Whether it's a short or long flight, it can be quite long and tiring for your children, who may behave in one of two main ways. Either they are relaxed and sleep throughout the flight, or they cannot settle down for a moment and are inconsolable. I am happy to say I have experienced both on a trip with an infant and a toddler by myself!

There doesn't seem to be anything in between (unfortunately). For this reason, we offer you a list of useful tips to ensure that both you and your children get through all airport procedures and the flight smoothly and pleasantly.

# Check-in online

Online check-in can now be done very easily from your mobile phone, and then you can have all your tickets and boarding passes gathered in digital format. So remember to take care of all travel 'administrative' tasks online in advance, to minimise queuing time as much as possible. Calculate how much earlier you need to be at the airport, depending on your flight, and add a little extra time because of the children!

# Stay calm and enthusiastic

Try not to show your stress. Your children have no reason to be stressed, but if they see their parents in such a state, they will start to believe there is something to be afraid of. So try to show enthusiasm for all the new experiences you will share with your children. If you can look out the window, observe the clouds, the city or the sea below, and answer all their questions.

# In-flight entertainment

Take one or two toys to keep your children occupied and, most importantly, in their seats, but not such a large variety that they cannot decide. If they use a tablet, make sure it is fully charged and loaded with games they love, TV shows, and movies. Do not rely on the plane's Wifi; instead, it is good to have them downloaded beforehand. We always bring headphones with us so as not to disturb other passengers.

Stickers are a very nice idea, as are magnetic books.

# Snacks and empty water bottles – (they will empty them at security)

Whatever your reasons for travelling, it is a good idea to carry some snacks in your hand luggage. There is nothing worse than a hungry toddler trapped on a plane that won't have their favourite snacks. A good idea is to offer them snacks during take-off and landing to prevent their ears from hurting.

Don't forget to bring their favourite water bottle to keep them hydrated during the flight.

# Comfortable travel clothes

Choose the right clothes for your children to travel in. Something comfortable for them to sit in, without buttons or other irritating features that could cause them discomfort. Avoid clothes that could get caught or zipped, such as belts, hair clips, and jewellery. For yourself, we would recommend wearing comfortable shoes so you can chase after your little mischief-makers.

Frequently asked questions

Have a question? We're here to answer you!

# Can children travel unaccompanied?

Yes, children aged 12 to 17 can travel alone. However, you may need to sign certain documents due to potential medical issues that may arise for the minor without a guardian present to approve treatment.

You must check with the specific airline your child will be flying with for details regarding unaccompanied minors. The child will be able to fly, but there may be bureaucratic procedures, fees, or rules you need to be aware of.

For example, minors are often prohibited from taking the last flight of the day to an airport. This is because, if there is a delay, the airline does not want to be responsible for the child overnight.

# If my child flies unaccompanied, what is the pick-up procedure?

First and foremost, you must follow all the airline's written procedures and pay a special fee.

Then, you arrive at the airport one hour before your child's flight arrival time, bringing copies of the documents and your ID.

Next, you go to the airline counter to inform one of the airline staff that your X-year-old child is travelling alone on flight Y, arriving at time Z.

After that, the airline employee will give you a security pass so you can go to the gate and meet your child when they arrive.

Finally, the airline employee will escort you to the aircraft door and collect the child's custody acceptance form with your signature.

# What should I avoid when flying with children?

Bring whatever you think you need, and then remove about half of it. Yes, as we just said, just remove them.

Many parents easily fall into the trap of bringing too many things when travelling with children. This results in overcrowded bags where you can't find anything and can't fit anything extra, like, for instance, a bottle of water. So, be selective about what you bring and only pack the essentials.

An aeroplane trip with children will certainly be a very stressful process. With the right preparation, however, you have nothing to fear. Book the right tickets, have your boarding passes on your mobile, and the necessary other documents in an easily accessible pocket of your bag. In your hand luggage, only pack the absolute essentials.

All that's left is to arm yourself with patience and your sweetest smile! Have a good trip and we hope you enjoy the flight through your children's eyes.

Now you are ready for a unique trip with your children! Book cheap flights on Travelo.gr and off you go for new adventures!