Reservations of tickets and accommodation, possible itineraries, excursions and places to visit, lists of clothes to put in the suitcase: planning a trip is a mixture of pleasure and stress, because you have to be attentive to several organizational issues, especially if you travel with children and by plane.
It is essential to be clear about what documentation must be presented to travel with minors, both at check-in and at Migrations, or even at the destination. The papers to be presented vary according to the route booked and whether the children travel with their parents, with other adults or alone.
Travel abroad
In case of international destinations, if the child is with both parents, it is necessary to present the DNI or valid passport (depending on the destination) and prove the link with their parents with one of these options: Civil Family Book, Birth Certificate, Birth Certificate (regardless of the date of issue). The minor's DNI also serves if there are the filiatory data of the parents.
To travel alone, minors must have parental permission. Photo Shutterstock.
If the minor is accompanied only by the parent, another adult or alone, the minor must also present a travel authorization signed by both parents or the one who is absent.
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. It can also be obtained at the Migration Headquarters, at delegations throughout the country and at land, river and air border crossings.
The authorization can be requested to be used on a single trip, for a specific period of time or until the minor reaches the age of majority.
On trips abroad with minors, parents must prove parentage. Photo Shutterstock.
Attention: these are the departure requirements imposed by Argentina, but there are destinations that can request other documents. For example, some countries may request authorization translated into English. Always check the travel requirements of the chosen country.
Flights within Argentina
If it is a trip within Argentina, minors between 12 and 18 years old can travel alone by plane without the permission of their parents, except to Salta, Jujuy, Catamarca and La Rioja. For these provinces, the identity document and written authorization of the parents legalized before a notary public or justice of the peace must be presented.
A family arrives at the airport with a stroller. Photo Shutterstock.
Also those who go with a companion -who is not the father or the mother- have to present identity document of the people traveling and authorization of the parents legalized before a notary public or justice of the peace (they must include the data of the responsible companion traveling with the minor).
Minors under 18 who travel with one or both parents are asked for their identity document (like all people traveling) and the birth certificate or marriage book to prove filiation.
Boys alone
If minors travel alone by plane, in addition to the documentation, you must check the regulations of each airline.
Airlines have staff to accompany children traveling alone. Photo KLM.
For example, in Aerolineas Argentinas children between 5 and 11 years old can travel alone, but they must obligatorily hire the unaccompanied minor service so that company personnel can assist them in all stages of the trip: check in, supervision during the flight and help upon arrival.
This option must be booked at least 72 hours before the flight and is only available for direct or connecting flights of up to 5 hours, operated by the company. For children from 12 years of age, hiring the service is optional.
Flybondi, on the other hand, does not allow travel by unaccompanied minors: children up to 11 years old must travel with an adult.
Each airline sets its own rules on how old children can fly alone. Photo KLM.
At Emirates, children aged 5 to 11 can fly alone under the supervision of company staff. Fun for those travelling with infants: At Dubai Airport, Emirates offers free strollers to use until you board your plane.
At KLM, children from 5 to 14 years old travelling alone must have contracted the escort service to board. It is booked at least 24 hours before flight departure (for teenagers from 15 to 17 years old, the service is optional).
Copa Airlines explains that children between 5 and 14 years old traveling alone must have contracted the service, only available for direct flights.
Turkish Airlines also has this option. Parent or guardian must surrender the child and present a notarized document stating that they have the authority to let the child travel alone.
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