The best time to fly with kids While you can't always fly at the optimal time (based on your child's age, that is), it's great when you can. The best times, most agree, are between three and nine months, when kids aren't yet mobile, and any time after age two or three.
But infants aren't as fragile as parents sometimes fear. And by age 3 months or so, babies are pretty good candidates for travel, as long as the trip is low-key.
12-18 Months Old
At this age, children are still too young to understand and follow instructions, so discipline is ineffective. Distraction and maybe bribery are really your only tools! This is the age and stage where my family experienced our own personal “flight from h-ll” when my daughter was 17 months old.
This is because newborns' immune systems prior to their vaccinations are still weak, making them extra susceptible to falling ill. So, while a 2-month-old baby can travel on a plane, it is not advisable. Air travel should be avoided altogether if your baby is sick unless you get approval from your physician.
If you're worried about the loud noises of a plane, you can certainly pack along some baby-safe earmuffs. Earmuffs can be used for hearing protection and noise reduction, which can help ensure your baby (and you) can rest peacefully on a longer flight.
If you need to travel urgently or perhaps you have a holiday or vacation booked before baby arrived, then you need to know the rules on how soon can you travel with a baby. As a very general rule, most airlines specify a baby must be over 14 days old to travel so a four month old infant can travel by plane.
Usually infants must be at least two weeks old before they can travel although some airlines allow seven-day old infants on board. The booking policy differs from one airline to another, so it is important to check directly with the airlines. . But three to seven months is a great window .
Typically, air travel is appropriate for most healthy, full-term infants. However, before you fly with your baby, consider: Your baby's age and health. Your baby's health care provider likely will discourage unnecessary air travel shortly after birth.
Air travel increases a newborn's risk of catching an infectious disease. Babies born prematurely, with chronic heart or lung problems, or with upper or lower respiratory symptoms may also have problems with the change in oxygen level within the air cabin.
Decide whether you want to purchase a seat (this is usually 60-100% of an adult fare) and use an airline approved car seat or if your baby will sit on your lap for the flight. A lap baby often travels for free on USA domestic flights but in other cases the fare is usually 10% of an adult fare + any applicable taxes.
Although traveling with young children isn't necessarily a walk in the park, traveling with an infant is definitely easier than traveling with a toddler. So next time the opportunity for adventure arises, don't put it off under the guise that traveling with an infant is too hard.
Lap infant fares on international flights
Most international flights allow children under 2 to fly as lap children, but with one big difference — it's usually not 100% free. Typically, if you're flying on a revenue ticket, you must pay the taxes and fees for your lap infant plus, in some cases, 10% of the fare.
It's best to wait until your baby is at least four to six weeks old. But if you really need to travel shortly after birth, then experts recommend waiting for between seven to 14 days before flying with a healthy baby who was born full term.
Flying can cause pain in babies' ears, and it can temporarily reduce hearing, but it is not a cause of permanent hearing loss. The pain results from stretching of the eardrum caused by pressure changes.
According to The Health Journal, the most common reason for their discomfort on flights is because cabin pressure presses down on their sensitive ears. Babies' ears are more sensitive than adults' ears, and they cannot equalise the air pressure in their ears as well as adults can.
Choose the Right Airplane Seats when Flying with your Child
First, choose the bulkhead, the window, and near the toilets. These seats are the most convenient spots for families when flying. Second, if you have an infant, get a bulkhead seat, and request a bassinet, a crib that attaches to the cabin's front wall.
You can take your pushchair or buggy through security, right up until you get on the plane and its put into the luggage hold for you. You won't usually get access to the buggy again until you get to the baggage reclaim area in your destination.
From a purely medical standpoint, healthy term babies generally are OK to fly after the first week or two, but be sure that your baby falls into this category before starting your trip. Your pediatrician will want to make sure the baby doesn't have any heart problems or jaundice and is feeding well.
Use a Pacifier or Bottle During Takeoff and Landing
The sucking action can neutralize ear pressure and calm—so pacifiers, bottles, and other sucking toys work, too.
If your baby isn't interested in a snack during takeoff or landing, sucking on a pacifier can help keep their ears open. Make sure to bring backup options, especially if this is your baby's first flight.
There are loads of unavoidable loud noises, which can harm a baby's developing ear canals. So, baby headphones for plane journeys are a worthwhile investment. They'll protect your baby's ears and make them feel safer.
Domestic (Australia & New Zealand) In Australia and New Zealand infants (0-23mths inclusive) who do not occupy a separate seat are carried free of charge. There must be one adult for every infant booked or a fare must be paid. Once a child turns 2 years they must occupy a seat and pay the applicable fare.
Standard strollers, folding wagons, and car seats can be used to get to your gate and then checked for free. They'll be returned to you on arrival. Collapsible strollers can be stored in-cabin. Car seats can be used onboard your flight too.
“With regards to your inquiry, a stroller is considered a complimentary item for passengers travelling with a baby or infant. If they are not travelling with you, this would need to be checked in while you are checking in your baggage, this also will be subject to additional fees.”