Flying internationally with children:Once a year or semi annually, many families go on vacation. Maybe your family have already taken a trip or are planning on the next family vacation getaway. But with all the great family destinations out there; have you decided where to vacation? Whether it is vacationing within the USA or flying internationally with children, family vacationing can provide lifetime memories, fun filled adventure, and a lifelong experience for children.
Since you are flying internationally with children, you may want to plan your trip to accommodate them prior to making any type of reservation. The earlier you start preparing the better off you will be as you are likely to plan for every aspect of the vacation. This is even more crucial if your port of arrival is some foreign country. As compared to domestic travel, foreign travel has its own rules regarding children. In order to travel overseas, children would need a passport and depending on where they are departing from – a visa.
This situation is not the same for domestic travel. When flying internationally with childrenvery young children do not need to declare any form of identification except for a birth paper whether accompanied by a guardian or immediate parent.However, for international travel it’s a whole different story as your child is required to have a passport. Well, in some cases it depends on one’s port of embarkment. So, if your child does not have a passport, start the application as they usually take weeks to process. Some people get their passports and let it expire without ever traveling away from home. Make sure your passport has not expired and if has, renew it as it will come in handy when flying internationally with children!
Now that you have done your homework you can select a destination for your next family vacation, whether its domestic or foreign, travel reservations have to be arranged. This would entail choosing and booking an airline and hotel accommodations. After all these pertinent details have been taken care of, you will want to start packing because sooner than you might think the day of your travel will arrive. Once the day comes, there will be no turning back. Bear in mind that children will be accompanying you on the trip so be sure to take that into consideration and plan accordingly.
In addition to having the proper forms of identification, for international flights, you will also find that your child or children must go through the same security screening as everyone else. This means that they will have their carry-on luggage, as well as their checked baggage thoroughly examined. This examination may include an x-ray screening or a hand check. Should a problem arise, they will likely be pulled aside, like any other passenger. The only difference is that you should be able to accompany them,if and when this occurs.
In every airport, international and domestic alike, passenger screening is just as important as luggage screening. Therefore, all children, despite their age are checked out. This mostly entails removal of shoes (good idea to wear socks and flip flops to speed process) and a walk through the detectors. Should the alarm go off for any reason whatsoever, additional screening is implemented. This is a procedure that everyone goes through when an alarm goes off. So,when flying internationally with children be prepared for this.
These are just few of the many encounters you are likely to experience when traveling with children to a domestic or foreign destination. Some of these restrictions, rules,and regulations are not usually the same for all international airport or all airlines. Though the majority of travel rules and regulations are the same, differences are common as all international airports have leeway to modify air travel rules. To be on the safe side, when flying internationally with children it is best to read the terms of condition which are posted online or contact customer service that represents the airline servicing you or the airport you will be departing from, for more helpful information.