Rules & Regulations for carrying an infant in flights.

Parenthood- the most beautiful stage in any couple’s life.

Carrying a child for the first time is always an experience to share. Excitement is without boundaries if Indian parents are travelling from USA to India for the first time with their newborn.

Parents travelling with babies should be aware of the rules and regulations for a hassle free and memorable journey.

Many couples are excited to travel with their newborn baby to India. It is a time to rejoice and a time to share your happiness with friends and family. The excitement is doubled if the baby is born in the U.S. However, many couples are inexperienced to travel with an infant.

Infant travel:

An infant is one who has not yet reached his/her second birthday. Infant tickets for normal fares will be charged at 10% of the basic normal adult fare however, the same may vary for special fares. For Domestic travel currently the infant base fare is INR 1000 (subject to change without notice). Applicable taxes, Airline Fuel Charges, and fees will be charged in addition to this fare. Infant discounts are sometimes not applicable for special discounted fares. If the infant has crossed his second birthday when the journey commences, then the ticket would have to be issued with a part infant and part child fare. No seat will be allotted for an infant traveling on an infant ticket. If a seat is required the infant should pay the child fare.

Please note: Infants below 7 days old are not permitted travel (both domestic and international). However, in an exigency, wherein life saving treatment is mandatory for the infant, the mother may be permitted to fly with the new born, provided the newborn is certified fit to fly, by the concerned pediatrician and is accompanied by at least a MBBS doctor.

Child travel:

A child is one who has reached his/her second birthday but not yet reached his/her twelfth birthday on the date of commencement of journey. Child tickets for domestic travel for normal fares are 50% of the basic normal adult fare and for international travel it is 75% of the basic normal adult fare. Child discounts are sometimes not applicable for special discounted fares.

 Young guests between 2 and 12 years of age (at the time of travel) will be considered as children. Guests up to 2 years will be considered as infants and need to be accompanied with an adult at all times throughout their journey. You may request a special meal for children at the time of booking or at least 12 hours prior to departure.

 A diaper-changing table in lavatories on all flights except those operated by ATR aircraft.

Bassinets:

Bassinet seats are available for infants weighing 11 Kgs (24.25 pounds) or less on our international flights operated by Airbus 330, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 737 aircraft. For more details, please refer to our seat maps. The bassinets are usually located behind galleys, lavatories, closets and partitions in Economy. There are 2 bassinets available on B-737 in front of seats 10BE. Requests for Bassinets can now be made at the time of booking.

Bassinets are available on select routes and are subject to availability. In case of non-availability of bassinets due to aircraft change, refund / reissue penalties will be waived for the guest holding confirmed bassinets prior to aircraft change.

Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

You are permitted to use a Child Restraint System (CRS) for infants inside the aircraft, provided an additional seat has been booked for the infant. If a seat has not been purchased, the infant will be secured to the adult's lap using an infant seat belt.

A Child Restraint System (Seat) is

Mandatory for an infant (under the age of two years) occupying a seat.

Optional for a child between 2 and 4 years of age, depending on the manufacturer's guidelines for the device's maximum weight capacity.

Jet Airways does not provide for child restraint system(s) and the same must be carried by the adult guest accompanying the infant.

Due to safety reasons, child restraint systems cannot be used for travel

On ATR aircraft

In Première, on aircraft with herringbone seat configuration

Child Restraint System (CRS) for use in the aircraft must have specifications or labels indicating that the device is approved by FAA and suitable for aircraft use.

Note: If an approved CRS with a worn out or illegible label is presented for use on an aircraft, then the accompanying adult must produce a letter from the manufacturer specifying that the presented CRS (indicated through model number, specific make or detailed description) is approved for use on an aircraft. The Owner's Manual which contains information that the CRS meets safety standards is also acceptable proof.

It is mandatory to purchase an additional seat for the infant or child using a Child Restraint System.

An adult must accompany the infant or child occupying the CRS.

The CRS cannot be placed on an exit row seat or on seats ahead of and behind the exit row.

The CRS should be secured to a regular passenger seat at all times or, if not in use, stowed as carry-on baggage.

When travelling with two children, both using CRS, the CRS will require to be installed on the window and middle seats and the accompanying adult will occupy the aisle seat.

The child or infant must be properly secured in the CRS with the harness fastened during taxi, take off, landing and whenever the 'Fasten Seatbelt' sign is switched on.

The CRS must be properly installed in the forward-facing aircraft seats according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Note:

•             Bassinet seats are available in Economy only.

•             Bassinet seats are limited and subject to availability.

•             In case of a change in aircraft, where the new aircraft has fewer bassinets, the seat previously blocked may not be available.

•             In case of a change in aircraft, where the new aircraft has more bassinets, guests will be appropriately re-accommodated.

•             Every infant must be accompanied by an adult.

Homemade baby food is best for travelling:

It is always advisable to carry homemade baby food for your baby. Make sure that you keep the food in an airtight container and is handy so that you will not have any problem feeding your baby.

Avoid carrying anything in a plastic bag, rather use zip lock bags to avoid spilling.

Make sure that you carry your child’s Birth Certificate along while travelling.

Inform the travel agent or the Airline personnel that you are carry a baby with you. If your child completes 24 months during travelling where you may have booked the tickets earlier, you are subject to pay the amount for your child’s travel (which again differs from domestic to international airlines).

Moreover there are rules and regulations laid down by respective airlines on their website, make sure you read them thoroughly while booking tickets for a hassle free flight.

Avoid taking the emergency seat while travelling with your child, though it will be taken care of by the flight attendants on board.

Make sure that your child is comfortable on board or else managing the child may not be an easy task.

International flights are always time consuming, so try to keep your baby engage in some activities so that they do not bother other passengers.

Carrying winters clothes (as flights temperatures may vary for your kid) is advisable.

Finally as parents it's your call to keep yourself well informed regarding the do's and don'ts while travelling to make it hassle free.

Samhita