TRAVELING WITH A BABY
Is it possible to fly with an infant?
Yes, for babies over 7 days old. Infants under one week old are accepted only in the event of a medical emergency or for urgent family reasons. For children under two, a reduced rate of 10% of the full fare applies when they are seated on a parent’s lap. Baby seats are available on reservation for added comfort and safety, and for reserved seats, a child restraint system such as a Maxi-Cosi can be used.
Can I take my stroller or baby carriage to the gate?
Whether a stroller or baby carriage can be transported to the boarding gate depends on the airline. Folding strollers can generally be taken to the gate, where they will be tagged before being placed in the hold. You can then pick them up either as you leave the aircraft, or on the baggage carousel, depending on airport practices. Some airports have a dedicated conveyor belt for bulky items such as strollers. Non-folding strollers must generally be checked in as baggage. For specific details, please contact your airline. Last but not least, using a baby carrier can be a practical way of getting around the airport freely. When it comes to travel strollers, it’s important to check hand luggage size restrictions with your airline to avoid any inconvenience.
Free strollers at Dubai International Airport
At Dubai International Airport, if you are traveling with Emirates, strollers are available free of charge. You can obtain one on arrival at the check-in desk in terminal 3 or directly at the boarding gate. These strollers can be particularly handy if you need to check yours in, or if you don’t want to carry your child through the airport. Before boarding the plane, you can simply leave the Emirates stroller in a designated area. For the safety of the little ones, these strollers are regularly disinfected.
Are baby food and breast milk allowed on board?
Although general rules restrict liquids in hand luggage, baby bottles and infant milk are allowed during your trip. We recommend carrying liquid or ready-to-eat baby food. The usual rules for liquids apply to boiled water intended for mixing baby food. For more details on these regulations, visit the Schiphol website. Useful things to take with you when flying with a baby:
- Sufficient baby food
- Snacks and fruit snacks
- Baby food jars
- Enough layers for the flight
- Changing mat
- Baby wipes/nose wipes
- Hydrophilic cloths
- Three sets of clean clothes (include a change of clothes in your hand luggage if necessary)
- Blanket for cooler moments
- Flight pacifier (useful during take-off and descent to reduce ear pressure)
- Toys, books and/or other distractions for your baby
- Sleeping bag
Travelling with a minor
When traveling with a minor, it’s important to have specific documents to ensure smooth border crossings. Here is a summary of the documents and procedures required:
- Identity documents: Children under 12 must have a Kids-ID, which is valid for three years and can be obtained from the local authorities within three weeks. For travel outside the EU, a passport valid for five years is required, with a recent photo.
- Specific authorizations: Some countries require additional documents such as ESTA for the USA or ETA for Canada. Always consult the official websites for these procedures.
- Additional documents: Depending on the destination country, additional documents may be required, such as a birth certificate for South Africa. For stopovers, also check the requirements of the countries concerned.
- Parental consent: For children traveling alone or with other adults, written parental consent is strongly recommended. This can be written in the language of the destination country or in English, with a legalized signature.
- Accompaniment: Accompaniment services for unaccompanied minors are offered by carriers, but check the minimum age required, as some companies do not accept children under 16 alone.
- Health: Prepare international vaccination certificates if necessary, and for the EU, obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for health coverage.
