[UPDATED] What Documents Do Children Need to Fly? Essential Tips

What Documents Do Children Need for Domestic Flights?

'What documents do children need to fly?' is a common question among parents planning to travel with their children. According to regulations, the required documents for domestic flights vary depending on the child's age.

What documents do children need for domestic flights?

What documents does an infant need to fly?

Infants are allowed to fly when they are at least 7 days old or between 14 days and under 1 month old depending on the airline's regulations. In this case, the infant must be in good health. If they are less than 7 days old, airlines will not accept transportation.

When taking an infant on a flight, parents need to provide a birth certificate, within 30 days from the date of issue.

>> Read more: Can a birth certificate be used for air travel?

What documents do children aged under 2 to under 12 need for air travel?

Children between the ages of under 2 and under 12 need to present a birth certificate for air travel. Parents should note that they must use the original birth certificate or a certified copy extracted from the original register, not a photocopy certified by a notary public.

However, in cases where children do not have a birth certificate for air travel, they may use their personal passport or a passport shared with their parents/guardians as an alternative.

Children need to use a birth certificate for air travel

Children over 12 years old traveling by air

• Children aged 12 to under 14, although their ticket prices are calculated as adult fares, can still use a birth certificate for air travel procedures.
• Children aged 14 and above must present at least one form of personal identification such as a citizen identification card/identity card, passport, driver's license, etc., to be able to travel by air.

Travel documents for children with foreign nationality flying

Children flying with foreign nationality need to prepare one of the following types of documents to go through domestic flight procedures:

• Foreign passport
• Exit permit
• Exit visa
• Residence card/temporary residence card;

If a child unfortunately loses their passport, they need to obtain a confirmation letter from the diplomatic or consular mission of the child's nationality. Note that this type of document is valid within 30 days from the date of confirmation.

What documents do children need for international flights?

Children traveling internationally by air must have a passport. Additionally, parents need to prepare visa, exit permit, residence card/temporary residence card, etc., depending on the immigration regulations of the destination country.

A child's passport can be either an individual passport or a shared passport with parents, guardians, etc. However, many countries only accept entry if the child uses an individual passport. Therefore, parents need to understand the entry requirements of the destination country to prepare the passport correctly for the child.

Airline-specific regulations for children flying

Below are the specific regulations of each airline for children flying:

Vietnam Airlines

Children traveling by air with Vietnam Airlines must adhere to the following regulations:

• Infants under 7 days old or needing incubation are refused carriage by the airline
• Children under 2 years old do not have their own seats and must sit with an adult
• Children from 2 to 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult

Furthermore, Vietnam Airlines provides various services for children flying, such as:

• Complimentary carriage of strollers for infants under 2 years old.
• Providing cribs on board.
• Complimentary special meals for children
• …

Vietjet Air

When taking children on Vietjet Air flights, parents need to be aware of the following:

• Infants over 2 weeks old: The airline only accepts carriage if the infant is in good health.
• Children under 2 years old: Must travel with an adult over 18 years old, can sit with the adult or the accompanying adult can book an extra seat.
• Children from 2 to under 12 years old: Must have an adult over 18 years old flying with them, which can be a parent or not.
• Children from 12 to under 14 years old: Can fly alone.

Jetstar Pacific Airlines

Passengers who are children flying with Jetstar Pacific Airlines need to understand the airline's regulations as follows:

• Infants under 7 days old: The airline refuses carriage.
• Children from 2 to under 12 years old: Must travel with an adult at least 15 years old.

In addition, Pacific Airlines specifies that each passenger can travel with a maximum of 2 infants. Among them, 1 infant can sit on the passenger's lap, while the second infant must sit upright in a separate seat without any supporting device. In the case of traveling with more than 1 infant, passengers need to contact the airline for assistance with seat reservation.

Bamboo Airways

Regulations for children flying with Bamboo Airways are as follows:

• Infants from 14 days old: The airline accepts carriage.
• Infants under 2 years old: They do not have a separate seat and must sit on the lap of an adult during the flight.
• Children from 2 to under 12 years old: Must be accompanied by an adult over 18 years old.
• Children from 12 to under 14 years old: Can travel alone by air.

Vietravel Airlines

Children flying with Vietravel Airlines must adhere to the following regulations:

• Infants under 7 days old: Not allowed on Vietravel Airlines flights
• Infants with unstable health/kept in an incubator must be at least 14 days old to fly.
• The airline only accepts carriage of 1 infant per seat
• Passengers aged 2 to 6 must travel with an adult
• Children from 7 to 14 years old must have an adult over 15 years old flying with them

What documents are required for children flying alone?

In addition to personal documents such as birth certificates, passports, children flying alone need to provide additional documents according to each airline's regulations:

Regulations for unaccompanied minors flying with different airlines

What documents are required for children flying with non-parental guardians?

In cases where children fly with individuals other than parents, necessary personal documents such as birth certificates, passports, or equivalent documents are required. Additionally, accompanying adults must carry proof of guardianship to proceed with the child's boarding procedures.

Is it mandatory to purchase airline tickets for children?

Children flying by plane are required to purchase tickets. Specific regulations based on age are as follows:

• Children under 2 years old: Purchase tickets at infant rates and sit on the lap of accompanying adults.
• Children from 2 to under 12 years old: Purchase tickets at child rates as per airline policies.
• Children from 12 to under 14 years old: Purchase airline tickets at adult equivalent prices.

Key considerations when children fly

To ensure a smooth flight journey with your baby, keep these important tips in mind:

• Consult with a doctor beforehand: For newborns or infants with unstable health conditions, it's crucial to seek advice from a specialized doctor before booking tickets.
• Choose appropriate flight times: When planning to travel with a child by plane, avoid purchasing tickets for late-night or early morning flights as these times can make children tired and irritable.
• Provide complete information: When contacting to book tickets, provide detailed information about the child's age, health status, etc., to the airline staff/agency for advice on necessary documents and procedures.
• Select a safe seating position: Avoid choosing seats near emergency exits or close to the engine for the child's comfort.
• Prepare adequate luggage: In carry-on luggage, parents should bring milk, snacks, etc., for the child. Additionally, consider preparing thin blankets, jackets, etc., to keep the child warm.
• Learn about methods to prevent ear discomfort for the child in advance: Air travel can cause ear discomfort for children. You can mitigate this by inserting cotton balls into the ears or allowing the child to suck on a bottle.

We hope the article from Mytour.vn has helped parents address the question 'What documents do children need to fly?' along with the necessary regulations when flying with children.

To receive assistance with booking cheap flights and for advice, clarification on air travel regulations, please contact Mytour via the hotline 1900 2083.

Author: Phuong Thao

Image Source: Internet, Mytour