Flying with Children & Minors

Travelling internationally with family or sending young people on field missions requires careful preparation. Airline rules for children, baggage allowances, and required documentation vary significantly depending on the age of the child and whether they are travelling with adults.

Below you will find everything you need to know to ensure a smooth and safe journey for young travellers.

When travelling with an infant, you generally have two choices regarding seating, baggage, and comfort.

• Ticket Fare: If you prefer your infant to have their own seat, a child fare (usually 75% of adult fare) applies.
• Baggage Allowance: The child has the same baggage allowance as the adult. 
• Car Seat Rules: You must bring an approved aircraft-compatible car seat (marked with FAA approved or ECE R44/04 / UN R129 for aviation use).

• Diaper Bags & Strollers: Most international airlines allow one free collapsible stroller/pram or car seat (checked at the gate or counter) plus one additional diaper bag (containing essentials like diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes) free of charge alongside your standard hand luggage.

If you are expecting a baby and planning international travel, keep in mind that every infant requires their own ticket, even if they will be sitting on your lap without their own seat.

Because an airline ticket can only be issued once the baby’s official name and date of birth are known, you cannot book the infant’s ticket prior to birth.

• Do not wait to book for the rest of your family: We strongly advise securing the flight tickets for the parents and other family members early to lock in availability and favorable fares.

• Adding the newborn later: As soon as your baby is born, simply contact SIAMA with their full name and birth date. Our team will seamlessly add the infant to your existing reservation for the trip or to the return flight only.

• Baggage Allowance: Children enjoy the standard adult baggage allowance (including any extra baggage privileges included in SIAMA humanitarian tickets).
• Strollers & Car Seats for Young Children: Even though children over 2 have their own seat, most airlines still allow you to check in one collapsible stroller or car seat free of charge in addition to their regular luggage allowance.
• Child Meals: Special child meals (nutritious, easy-to-eat, and fun) can be pre-ordered free of charge up to 24–48 hours before departure.

Border control authorities and airlines strictly monitor the travel of minors to prevent international child abduction and human trafficking.

This applies not only to children travelling completely alone, but also when a child travels with only one parent, or with non-parent guardians such as teachers, sports coaches, relatives, or a mission team.

If a child is travelling without both parents or legal guardians, additional documentation is legally required. Failure to present these documents can result in denied boarding or severe delays at immigration checkpoints.

Required documents to carry:

• Signed Parental Consent Form: An official permission letter signed by both parents (or the non-travelling parent with legal custody) authorizing the specific trip and dates. (Preferably written in English).

• Copies of Passports/IDs: Clear copies of the passport or national ID card of the parent(s) who signed the consent form.

• Child’s Birth Certificate: An official copy or international excerpt of the child’s birth certificate showing parental relationship.

• Legal Custody Papers (if applicable): Court orders, sole custody decrees, or death certificates in the case of a deceased parent.

💡 SIAMA Tip: Is a school group, sports team, or church youth mission travelling together? The team leader must carry a physical binder containing completed consent forms and ID copies for every single minor in the group.

When a child or young person flies without any accompanying adult, specific airline policies and mandatory escort services apply based on their age.

For children in this age bracket travelling without an adult, the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Service is mandatory across almost all international airlines.

• How It Works: Airline staff take responsibility for the child from the check-in desk, guide them through security, passport control, and boarding, monitor them during the flight (and layovers), and hand them over directly to the designated adult guardian at the destination airport.

• Fees & Booking: This service carries a mandatory additional fee per direction. It cannot be booked online and must be arranged directly through your travel agent during ticket reservation.

• Ages 12 to 14: Most airlines permit youth aged 12 and older to travel independently, though the UM service can often be requested as an optional extra for added peace of mind. Note that certain airlines enforce mandatory escort rules up to age 14 or 15.

• Ages 15 to 17: Generally travel under standard adult rules, but must still carry a signed parental consent form for border control authorities until they reach full legal adulthood (age 18).