2. Get a passport for your baby or bring their birth certificate We never had to show ID for our young son before taking a domestic flight. But parents traveling with infants for the first time should expect a closer inspection. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent has every right to require parents to produce birth certificates or adoption documents for babies and young children who do not have their own ID，sports fitness .
We did bring our son's birth certificate with him on his first flight. After that, there is no need. After returning from that trip, we applied for a passport for the little guy because we knew we needed it to arrange an international vacation later that year. On international flights, you must show your child's passport, so make sure you get one as soon as you've confirmed your travel dates.
Our child's passport arrived in six weeks, but the State Department recommends a minimum of eight weeks, although you can speed up delivery for an additional fee. Expect to pay less than $100 for a non-expedited passport, including photography.
Choose a family-friendly airline Every airline accepts paying customers, but some airlines are known to be more family friendly than others. After welcoming our son, on the three airlines we fly - Delta, American and Aer Lingus - we think American is best for families with young children. However, the differences are subtle and our experience may not be typical. We've heard that Southwest is especially good for families, but haven't flown with them yet.
Before you book, talk to other parents and browse online travel forums to draw your own conclusions as to which airline is best for your family. Note that if your home airport is small, or you're flying to a destination served by only one airline, you may not have many options.
If practical and economical, schedule flights for infants For newborns, the timing of the flight doesn't matter, and once the plane reaches cruising altitude, they may pass out and wake up just to feed.
For kids who sleep a little bit older, flight time is important, perhaps decisive. Paying extra for a flight close to your child's normal bedtime may be advantageous, especially if the route is long enough to allow for quality sleep. On shorter routes, taking off before the normal nap time works well - though, for us at least, predicting nap time is more of an art than a science.
Following this advice isn't always practical or affordable—and sometimes it isn't. Flights arriving at their destination hours before check-in time create new logistical problems — namely, how to pass the time in unfamiliar places, possibly with luggage in tow. Flights at ideal times are usually more expensive because they are more popular. If the cost is beyond your means, you may have no choice but to sacrifice convenience and put up with irritable babies.
Baby pacifier sleeping on the plane by the window seat Milking lap babies (lap children), it's worth it As a general rule, children under the age of 2 fly freely as "lap babies" within the continental United States (and sometimes further afield). If you are willing and able to control your child during the flight, there is no need to purchase separate fares for them.
On most international flights, lap babies under the age of 2 are not completely free. Most airlines charge 10% of the adult fare, but pricing can go up to 25%, depending on the airline and destination. Laptops are usually more expensive on transpacific flights, for example. Some discount airlines, such as Southwest and JetBlue, waive lap infant fares (though not taxes) on international flights in North America or the Caribbean.
For safety reasons, an adult cannot travel with an infant more than once. If you are flying alone with two children under the age of 2, you will need to purchase a seat for one child. If you booked online, you may need to call the airline to add your lap baby after confirming your booking. Don't forget this step - if you do, it's going to be a headache and waste a lot of time at the airport.
To be clear, holding your baby during a flight is not as safe as strapping them to an airline-approved car seat or restraint. If you're worried about what to expect on a rough bump or a rough landing, your best bet is to pay for the extra seat.
But there's a chance you don't have to. When you arrive at the check-in counter, ask the airline staff if the flight is fully booked. If not, see if they can move other passengers to free up the seat next to you. The American Academy of Pediatrics has more tips on safe flying for parents with young children.
