Flying with children comes with questions nobody thinks to ask until the booking is already made. Will your baby need a baby bed onboard? What if they turn two while you’re away? Do you get kids’ meals on a plane? And which documents do you need for travelling with kids internationally? Before you pack the snacks and download 14 episodes of Bluey, here are the tips for flying with kids that make the whole trip easier.
Get the child travel documents sorted first
For international travel, children need their own valid passport and any visa required for the destination.
If you’re travelling from South Africa, you may also need supporting documents depending on who the child is travelling with.
Keep these handy where relevant:
- Full or unabridged birth certificate
- Consent letter if travelling with one parent
- Copy of the absent parent’s ID or passport
- Court order or death certificate, where applicable
- Any documents required by your destination
South Africa’s unabridged birth certificate and parental consent requirements can differ depending on your circumstances, so check before you fly rather than relying on what worked last trip.
Tip: Unsure which documents your family needs? Call the TravelBar team while you’re planning.
Baby bassinet on a plane: request it early
A bassinet can be a lifesaver on a long flight, but being under two doesn’t automatically mean your baby qualifies.
Airlines set their own limits based on:
- Age
- Weight
- Length
- Aircraft type
- Availability
Around 10 to 11kg is a common maximum, but the limit varies by airline.
And bassinets are limited. Request yours when you book, not when you arrive at the gate with a sleepy baby and misplaced optimism.
Check your child’s age on the flight home
This one is easy to miss.
Children aged two and older generally need their own seat. So if your baby flies out at 23 months and turns two during the holiday, the return flight may need to be booked differently.
Hack: Always give the agent your child’s age for both the outbound and return dates.
Your infant can sometimes have their own seat
Flying with an infant doesn’t always mean two hours, eight hours or twelve hours on your lap.
Some airlines let you buy your baby a separate seat and use an approved car seat or child restraint, but check first. Airlines set their own rules on:
- Approved car seats
- Infant fares
- Child fares
- How many infants one adult may travel with
Travelling with twins or more than one infant? Definitely confirm the rules before booking.
Kids’ meals on flights: ask for one
A child ticket doesn’t always automatically come with a child’s meal. Depending on the airline, you may need to request one before departure, otherwise, your child gets the standard onboard meal.
If they have dietary requirements, request the correct special meal too. Pack snacks anyway. Airline catering is great, but only you know your child’s palate.
Check the baby baggage before buying more
Babies may be small. Their luggage rarely is.
Extra baggage allowance for babies varies by airline, but some tickets include checked baggage plus items such as:
- A pram or stroller
- Car seat
- Carrycot
Your pram may also be accepted at the boarding gate instead of the check-in desk.
Travel hack: Check what’s already included before paying for extra baggage. The entire nursery probably isn’t necessary either. Probably.
Pack familiar formula, nappies and medicine
Your usual baby formula, nappies or medication may not be easy to find abroad.
Some airlines provide formula, food or nappies onboard. Not all do, so treat that as a backup rather than a plan.
When travelling with baby formula abroad, pack enough for the journey plus delays, and keep the essentials in hand luggage.
For travelling with kids’ medication:
- Keep it in its original packaging
- Carry prescriptions or supporting documents where needed
- Check destination restrictions
- Pack the important stuff in your cabin bag
Travel hack: Photograph the active ingredients and dosage. Finding an overseas equivalent is much easier when you know what’s actually in it.
Travelling with a child who needs extra support?
Contact the airline before the flight. Some airlines and airports offer additional assistance for children with autism, sensory sensitivities, hidden disabilities or other needs. Depending on the airline, this could include:
- Assisted or priority boarding
- Seating assistance
- Sensory resources
- Extra help through the airport
If your child uses noise-cancelling headphones, comfort items or other familiar tools, bring them along rather than assuming they’ll be provided.
The earlier the airline knows what your child needs, the more they can help.
Pregnant and booking ahead?
Planning the first family trip before baby arrives? You can plan it, but you generally can’t ticket the infant yet.
Airlines need details like the baby’s passport, name and date of birth before issuing an infant ticket.
Flying while pregnant also comes with airline-specific limits. How late you can fly typically depends on:
- How many weeks pregnant you are
- Whether you’re expecting one baby or multiples
- Whether there are complications
- Whether a medical certificate is required
Travel hack: Check how far along you’ll be on the return flight, not just when the holiday starts.
Flying with a toddler: use what already works
You don’t need to reinvent parenting just do this:
- Download their favourite shows before you leave
- Pack familiar snacks
- Bring one new toy for novelty
- Keep wipes somewhere reachable
- Pack spare clothes for them
- Pack a spare top for yourself
- Keep the favourite teddy in hand luggage
If extra screen time gets everyone to the destination peacefully, consider it an aviation strategy.
Flying with kids: How to manage Jet lag
Little body clocks don’t care about your itinerary.
If possible, shift bedtime slightly before a big time-zone change. Once you arrive:
- Get outside in daylight
- Move meals towards local time
- Keep naps reasonable
- Drink plenty of water
- Don’t overload the first day
The Eiffel Tower will still be there tomorrow.
Your flying with kids checklist
Copy this into your Notes app before the family trip.
Before booking
☐ Check your child’s age on every flight date
☐ Check infant and child fares
☐ Request a bassinet if needed
☐ Check bassinet weight and size limits
☐ Confirm infant seat and car seat rules
☐ Check baby baggage allowance
☐ Check pram or stroller rules
☐ Request a kids’ meal
☐ Request additional assistance if needed
☐ Check unaccompanied minor rules if relevant
Documents
☐ Child identification needed by the airline
☐ Passport for international travel
☐ Visa, if required
☐ Birth certificate, if required
☐ Parental consent letter, if required
☐ Copy of absent parent’s ID/passport
☐ Court order or death certificate, where applicable
☐ Destination entry documents
Hand luggage
☐ Formula or baby food
☐ Snacks
☐ Medication
☐ Nappies and wipes
☐ Spare clothes
☐ Comfort toy
☐ Downloaded entertainment
☐ Chargers
☐ Extra essentials for delays
What parents usually ask before flying with kids
Do I need an unabridged birth certificate to travel with my child from South Africa?
It depends on your circumstances. South African child travel requirements vary according to who the child is travelling with and the documents already available. Check the latest requirements before departure.
Can a child travel without both parents?
Yes. Children can travel with another adult or as an unaccompanied minor, but additional documents and airline rules apply.
Can I take baby formula or breast milk through airport security?
Usually, yes. Baby milk, formula and food are generally treated differently from standard liquid restrictions, but airport rules can vary. Check before you fly, especially internationally.
Can I take a child’s liquid medicine on a flight?
Usually, but security and documentation requirements may differ, especially for international travel. Keep medication in its original packaging and bring a prescription or doctor’s letter where necessary.
What should I do if I have a question about my child’s booking?
For a new Travelstart booking, speak to the TravelBar team before you book so they can help check airline-specific rules and special requests. If you’ve already booked, Customer Support can assist with your existing trip.
Ready for the family trip?
Flying with kids gets much easier when the documents, bassinet, baggage and meal requests are sorted before airport day. Save the checklist, check the rules for your airline and destination, then get to the good part: choosing where the family is going. TravelBar can help with questions and special requests when you make a new Travelstart booking, while Customer Support can assist if you’ve already booked. Now find your flights or family holiday package, and let’s get everyone somewhere worth packing for.
