Arrive at the airport on time, that the documentation is up to date, do not forget anything important, that the bag does not weigh more than what is allowed in the franchise.
Traveling by
plane
can be stressful and requires organization.
Above all, if you are traveling with
children
and, even more, if the minors are going to
board alone
.
Here is a guide with everything you
need to know
.
From what papers are requested for the children to travel alone, to how to dispatch a stroller, how much the tickets cost or what services the airlines offer.
1. What documents are needed to travel with children
This is the first thing to take into account when traveling with children on a plane.
Documentation for children under 18 years of age
varies
depending on the route to be taken and who is traveling with them.
Parents traveling with minors need to have documents proving their parentage.
Photo KLM.
For international destinations, if the minor travels accompanied by both parents, it will be necessary to present the valid ID or passport (depending on the destination), and
prove the relationship of their parents
with one of these options: Family Civil Book, Birth Certificate, Certificate of Birth (regardless of the date of its issuance) or DNI of the minor where the filiation data of the parents are recorded.
If the minor travels accompanied by only one parent, another adult or alone, they must also present an
authorization
signed by both parents or by the absent one.
This document must be made before notaries, Argentine consuls abroad, competent judges, authorities of the Registry of Civil Status and Capacity of Persons or foreign consuls in Argentina.
Children under the age of two are in the arms of the responsible adult, they do not occupy a seat.
Photo KLM.
It can also be done at the
Central Migration Headquarters
and at offices throughout the country.
As explained on the Migrations website, the normal procedure (takes 10 business days) costs $4,500;
the express (48 business hours) costs $7,500 and instantly, $9,500.
The latter is the only one that can also be requested at land, river and air border crossings.
The authorization can be requested to be used for a single trip, for a defined period of time or until the age of majority.
Attention
: these are the exit requirements imposed by Argentina.
But each destination can request other documents.
For example, there are countries that require the authorization to be translated into English.
It is always convenient to check the regulations in the country of destination.
On the other hand, for
national routes,
minors between the ages of 12 and 18 may travel alone within the country without the permission of their parents, except those traveling to Salta, Jujuy, Catamarca and La Rioja.
Minors traveling to the north of the country with their parents must prove the link.
Photo Shutterstock.
Minors traveling alone to these provinces must present their parents' identity document and written
authorization
legalized before a notary public or justice of the peace.
Also, those who travel with a companion must present the identity document of the persons traveling and parental authorization legalized before a notary public or justice of the peace, which must include the personal data of the responsible companion traveling with the minor.
Minors under 18 traveling with one or both of their parents will be asked for the identity document of the persons traveling and birth certificate or marriage certificate to prove their
affiliation
.
For more information, you can go to the migration page (www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/migraciones) or check with the airline.
Guys traveling alone by plane
In addition to the documentation, those who travel alone should check the
regulations of each airline
for the travel of minors.
For example, in Aerolíneas Argentinas, children between the ages of 2 and up to 5 years old must necessarily travel
accompanied
by their parents or a responsible person over 18 years of age in the same cabin and in adjoining seats.
Children traveling alone can fly accompanied by the crew.
In the case of children between 5 and 11 years old, they may travel alone, but they must necessarily hire the
unaccompanied minor
service so that company personnel can assist them at all stages of the trip: check-in counter, supervision during the flight and Help at the destination airport.
This option must be booked at least 72 hours before the flight.
It is only available on direct or connecting flights of up to 5 hours operated by the company.
This service has an
extra fee
, it is per section and per passenger.
For flights within Argentina it costs 48 dollars;
for South America, 121 dollars and the international category (Europe for example), 182.
From the age of 12, hiring is optional.
Depending on the age of the minor and the airline, contracting the escort service may be mandatory or optional.
Another example is that of KLM.
Boys from
5 to 14 years old
who travel alone must have contracted this service to be able to board.
It is necessary to contact the customer service center at least 24 hours before the departure of the flight and contract the option.
For young people between the ages of 15 and 17, the service is optional.
The fee varies depending on the route.
On average, the service for unaccompanied minors costs from
100 euros
per section.
On
Copa Airlines
, children between the ages of 5 and 14 must contract the service if they are not accompanied by a family member, guardian or host of at least 18 years. It is only available for direct flights and costs
$200
on international routes.
A passenger entertaining while painting a book.
Turkish Airlines also has staff to accompany children and adolescents.
It must be requested at least 48 hours before the flight.
The
father
,
mother
or
legal guardian
of the child are the ones who have to take the minor to the airport and need to have a notarized document indicating that they have the authority to release the child.
On the other hand, in the case of the low cost Flybondi,
they do not have
the alternative
as an unaccompanied minor, so passengers between the ages of 2 and 11 must always travel with a legally responsible adult, over 18 years of age.
How much are the tickets for boys?
Minors have
differential rates
that depend on each airline.
Aerolíneas Argentinas check-in counters.
Photo Daniel Cáceres.
In Aerolíneas Argentinas, infants (under 2 years of age) on domestic routes fly
free of charge
and do not have the right to occupy a seat.
For regional or international flights, they pay
10%
of the adult fare plus the corresponding taxes and charges, without the right to occupy a seat.
Children between 2 and 11 years old pay
90%
of the cost of the ticket and those over 12 are considered adults.
In the case of Turkish, infants (0 to 2) pay
10%
of the adult fare, without seat rights, and children between 3 and 11 pay
75%
of the adult fare.
In KLM, babies up to 23 months old pay
10%
of the fare and travel in their parents' laps.
Each adult can travel with 2 babies, but can only take one to upa, in these cases, for safety reasons, it is necessary to manage an additional seat.
KLM plane.
Photo Sem van der Wal / ANP / AFP.
Children between the ages of 2 and 11 have a
25%
discount, which is applied to the rate, not to the final price.
Copa Airlines considers children between 0 and 23 months as babies.
They must always travel accompanied by an adult and travel in the arms of an adult.
On international flights, the fare is equivalent to
10%
of the adult plus tax.
travel with stroller
Among the luggage of the little ones, the
stroller
is a must.
In this case, the system of the airlines consulted is very similar.
At Flybondi, for children up to 4 years old, they allow it to be
dispatched at no
additional cost.
A hand luggage tag is placed at the check-in counters to identify it.
The stroller must be delivered folded at the
boarding gate
or at the foot of the plane as indicated by the company's staff.
Upon arrival at destination, it is delivered at the foot of the plane or on a tape with the rest of the luggage, this depends on the regulations of each airport.
Passengers can keep the stroller until the last moment.
Photo Shutterstock.
Aerolíneas Argentinas also does not charge extra to dispatch a stroller or a car seat.
On domestic flights it is allowed to have it until the
last minute
.
At KLM they allow you to bring a seat or stroller for each child in the hold and at no cost.
In addition, in cases where a seat has been reserved for a child, a car seat or an
aviation child restraint
system can be brought on board , without having to pay any extra.
In these cases, the device must not present any defect, it must be certified for use in air transport and it must not exceed 42 centimeters, which is the distance between the armrests of the seats.
Also, since not all seats are suitable for this type of chair, it is recommended to call the service center at least 48 hours before the departure of the flight.
Two children enjoying the entertainment and food on board.
Emirates photo.
On the other hand, Copa Airlines allows you to bring a stroller and a car seat, but only
one item can be dispatched free of charge
.
The chairs can go as hand luggage as long as it does not exceed the maximum accepted measurements.
Those at Dubai International Airport traveling with Emirates can request
free strollers
at Terminal 3 that are used until just before boarding the plane.
Services on board: food and entertainment for children
To make the experience more enjoyable, airlines usually offer some
services
so that children travel more comfortably and have a good time during the flight, especially on long-duration ones.
For example, a
bassinet
may be requested .
On routes operated by A330 aircraft, Aerolíneas Argentinas offers bassinets for babies weighing no more than 10 kg and measuring less than 70 cm.
To make the reservation you must contact the company with a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the departure of the flight.
This is the KLM children's menu option.
Photo KLM.
Turkish also has this possibility, as long as the adult is sitting in the
first row
.
The airlines also offer
special menus
for the little ones.
In the case of KLM, it must be requested through the website at least 24 hours before departure, and in the case of Turkish, at least 48 hours before departure.
For babies under two years of age, KLM recommends that responsible adults bring their own food.
In these cases, there are no
restrictions on transporting liquids
and cabin staff may be asked to heat food during the flight.
On intercontinental routes, passengers up to 2 years of age receive a bib.
Some airlines deliver kits to entertain the little ones.
Photo KLM.
Emirates also offers a special menu for children and for babies they offer
infant milk
and
bottles
on board.
On the other hand, on intercontinental flights, KLM gives the kids a
kit
that contains a game, pencils, tracings, among other things.
They are also given a sleep
mask
with the company's character, Bluey.
Plus, on the shorter international routes, kids get an activity book and a Bluey passport cover.
Another example is that of Turkish, at the Istanbul airport, the airline delivers High Five Kids Club themed boarding kits with luggage tags and address for children from 0 to 7 years old.
At
Emirates
, in addition to screen entertainment, which includes series, movies and games, children up to 12 years old can enjoy fun gifts.
Babies are given a set of stuffed animals that are used to attach them to pushchairs or strollers.
Little travelers playing kits given to him by the airline.
Emirates photo.
Older children are given a kit with various activities.
The bag has puzzles, crafts, an Amazing World series book with travel questions, flashcards filled with facts, and a travel journal.
The toys are made from
recycled materials
, and the bags are made from 100% recycled plastic bags.
In addition, the headphones that are delivered have designs designed especially for the smallest passengers.
Also to promote comfort, the bathrooms of most aircraft have a changing table.
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