What is the age limit for a child on a flight ticket?
  • 21 May, 2024
  • Travel tips
  • Travomint

What is the age limit for a child on a flight ticket?

Kids come in handy with a lot of responsibility, and airlines ensure they are very secure about the children when flying with them. To make it a little more secure, they have some basic rules for flying a child in an aircraft. Usually, all the respective airlines have different rules and regulations, but regarding the child limit, most airlines offer you the same age limit for a child on a flight. Although every child can fly in an aircraft, there is an age limit for the child to travel alone without guidance. The airline does not take responsibility for flying with an infant or a child below the age of 12 or 14, depending on the airline's availability.

What are the rules for flying with a child in an aircraft?

The airline applies several terms and conditions to flying with an unaccomplished minor. To learn about the child policy, focus on the steps mentioned below and get updated. Although the policies mentioned below are generic, they do not belong to any of the prefectural airlines, as every airline has its own rules and regulations when it comes to flying with a child. 

  • Children under the age of 1 are considered infants, children from the age of 2 to 12 or 14 are considered children, and passengers with an agent above 14 are counted as adults.
  • As per the airline's child policy, children under the agent of the airline's child policy, usually 12 or 14, are not considered adults, so they are not eligible to fly alone. They can only fly in an aircraft with their guardian along with them. 
  • Most airlines offer no-cost flights for infants, whereas some charge you 10% of the fee for adults to fly with the respective airlines.
  • During the departure, if the child is an infant and in the return the age of the child turns 2, then you have to purchase an adult returning flight ticket instead of an infant.
  • For children aged 2 or more, you need to buy separate flight tickets, but this depends upon your respective airline's child policy from whom you have made your reservation.
  • The age of an adult should be at least 16 years. Most airlines consider 12 or 14 as an adult, where they get the eligibility to fly alone without any guardian.
  • While traveling with an infant, you are supposed to carry the basic medical documents from the children's doctor that prove your child is healthy enough to withstand the high-mileage pressure.

Does a 3-year-old child require a separate flight ticket?

Well, as per the airline's child policy, a 3-year-old child is not considered an infant. So, the airlines do not allow you to settle your child on your lap. You do have to purchase a separate flight ticket for your little one whose age is above 2 years. Usually, Airlie only considers a child with t=the agent of 1 as an infant, and some might also consider a 2-year-old. However, children above 2 will not be considered infants and will not get the privileges.

How much do we have to pay for a child above 2 years?

There is no concept of free flight tickets; if you are flying with your child, you have to pay the respective flight ticket charges to the airline. Flying with an infant is also not free of cost; you are requested to pay the child's fare even if the child will be seated on your lap. At the same time, flying with the child of agent 2 and above will cost you a normal adult fee. Otherwise, some airlines offer you 75% of the adult fee for children of agents 2 to 12. 

What documents do I need to carry while flying with an infant?

If you're flying with an infant, you must carry some of the documents for verification. If your child is just a few days old, airlines ask for the medical validation provided by the child's doctor to determine whether they are truly eligible to fly and healthy and strong enough to exhale the above-ground pressure.

  • Ensure that you carry the child's birth certificate to identify the age of the infant so the child is being counted in the respective categories.
  • Also do carry along with a medical prescription which represents that the child is fit enough for flying.