Nowadays, family trips are becoming increasingly popular among most parents, but many families have questions about taking babies on planes. Today, Mommy Junbao has summarized her experience flying with a baby and is sharing it with everyone, so that dads and moms can confidently travel with their little ones in the future!
How old does a child have to be to fly?
Air China allows healthy babies who are at least 14 days old to fly. However, for the health and safety of the baby, it is recommended to wait until the baby is over 3 months old before flying.
Do babies need to buy tickets to fly?
Babies do need to buy tickets. Infants under 24 months old must purchase an infant ticket, which is 10% of the adult full fare and does not include a separate seat. For long-haul flights over 3 hours, you can request a baby bassinet when booking the ticket.
Children aged 2 and above but under 12 need to purchase a child ticket, which is 50% of the adult fare and includes a separate seat. International flights may have different requirements depending on the airline, so it’s best to call the airline for details before booking. If there are special discounted tickets at 20%, 30%, or even 10% off, you can also buy an adult ticket directly for a 2-year-old.
Babies also need identification when checking in. If they don’t have an ID card, a birth certificate or household registration book can be used. Regardless of age, children need a passport to travel abroad.
What do babies eat on the plane?
Infants under 2 years old can pre-order baby meals, but you need to call the airline in advance to arrange this. Children over 2 years old can eat the regular airplane meals with adults.
What should you pay attention to during takeoff and landing?
Many parents are hesitant to take their children on planes because the cabin is pressurized before takeoff. This pressure can affect the eardrums, causing discomfort for many adults, and babies’ eardrums are even more delicate, making them very uncomfortable and leading to crying and fussiness.
To handle this, you can feed the baby milk or water, give them snacks, or encourage swallowing motions. If there’s no food available, bring a pacifier or teething toy for the baby to chew on. Alternatively, distract the child by making them laugh, cry, or open their mouth wide—these actions can help relieve ear discomfort.
What should you bring when flying with a baby?
Nursing cover
This is a must-have for breastfeeding moms. When the baby is hungry, crying, or needs mom, the nursing cover comes in handy—it helps avoid awkwardness and soothes the baby. It can also double as a small blanket when the baby is asleep.
Bottles and formula
These are necessary for babies who are not breastfed.
Snacks and baby food
Useful during takeoff and landing. They can also be given to the child if they get fussy during the flight, but don’t overfeed. The first time Junbao flew, he kept eating non-stop during the two-hour-plus flight and ended up vomiting during landing, likely due to air pressure issues.
Utensils
Although planes offer baby meals, they don’t provide baby utensils. Bringing your own utensils ensures hygiene and familiarity for the child.
Toys and sticker books
The space on a plane is limited, and kids won’t stay calm for long, so it’s important to bring some of their favorite toys or books.
Tissues and disinfecting wipes
Every mom knows how much tissue paper is needed before and after a child eats. It can feel awkward to keep asking flight attendants for more.
Diapers
These are essential. Walking around the plane with a baby is inconvenient, and if the baby has a diaper blowout, it can quickly become uncomfortable if left unattended.
What should you do if your baby cries on the plane?
First, try to figure out why the baby is crying.
Hungry or thirsty
Give some snacks, breastfeed, or offer some water.
Not used to the environment
Give the child a toy they usually like, or distract them with something else.
Too hot
The air on the plane is stuffy and not well-circulated. Since you can’t direct the air conditioning at the child, you can remove some of their clothing.
In short, traveling with a baby is quite a challenge, but it’s truly a valuable experience and a wonderful memory for both you and your child. Babies are very adaptable, so moms can feel more confident. We hope everyone can have an unforgettable and enjoyable trip with their little one.