First Flight

Nope nothing required. My son fly's with us all the time and he's 3, we never bring any type of ID and have never been asked.

I would call the airports that you will be going to. If you are unable to reach someone or do not have the time, I would bring a birth certificate, including the immunization card just in case. The way airlines are now, I would not take the chance of not bringing personal information along on trips.

M. *~

I recommend bringing something with you just in case. I also recommend going to Office Depot to buy a pack of “Wrist Reminders” for your child to wear during the trip. They’re only $1.99 for a 30 pack. When I went on vacation last summer with my then 18m old, I put one on him every day when I was dressing him. I used a Sharpie to write his name, mine and my hubby’s name, 1 of our CELL numbers (usually hubby’s, because of stringer antenna), and on the underside we wrote our camp/ hotel information.) We did this as a safety measure incase he some became separated from us.

Also, print out his and your ICE (In Case of Emergency) information and tape it to the back of his car seat. Include his name, your name, home address and phone number, any MAJOR medical issues, his P.C.G. and phone #, and any additional contacts you’d want called to make decisions that you can’t. It will also help you identify your seat if you have to check it with the luggage. This is not only great for the trip; it’s great to have at all times. If there is an emergency, EMT will remove the child while still sitting in their seat. They often check the back of the seat for any emergency info. If you can’t answer questions for your child, like their name, they can get the info immediately off the seat. (If you can’t answer, your baby may be in too much shock/ fear, to answer questions they know.)

You may be able to tell, one of my biggest fears is something going wrong where no one knows who I am or how to get a hold of the ones we love. I am a BIG fan of the ICE program. I hope at least part of it is helpful~ J.

I worked at the airport here in Las Vegas and my hubby works there currently. You should always carry some type of identification that you are the parent of the child. Birth Certificate would be ideal and I agree with one of the comments...take your own blanket or pillow...airlines rarely clean them! Other suggestion...as you are taking off give the child a sippy cup full of something to drink or a lollipop to suck on...this will help with the altitude changing and their ears popping because this can be very painful for little ones. It will help their ears equalize...also do this as they start heading in for the landing too. You should be able to preboard with the airline having a young child with you...all you have to do is request it and they will direct you where to go. Security lines are different at every airport. Most if child is under 18 they will not need ID but if there are any ?s it is best to have birth certificate that you can prove it is your child and you are the guardian.
Here are some things off the TSA website...this will help

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitt...

If you are traveling with a baby or toddler baby formula and breast milk are allowed in your carry-on baggage or personal items. You can take these through the security checkpoints and aboard your plane. If you're not traveling with a baby or toddler, any formula or breast milk you're carrying must meet the requirements for carrying liquids, gels and aerosols (3-1-1). Click here to learn more about 3-1-1.

When carrying formula or breast milk through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your baby or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk or formula. Our Security Officers will not test or taste formula or breast milk.

When traveling with a child, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of baby formula or breast milk are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary, if you perform the following:

Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.
You are encouraged to travel with only as much formula or breast milk in your carry-on needed to reach your destination.

You are allowed to bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, or processed baby food in your carry-on baggage and aboard your plane.

For information on creams, medicines, or other essential items for your child, please read our guidance on these items. Click here for the list of permitted and prohibited items.

Liquids and gels, including baby formula or breast milk, may be packed in your luggage and checked with your airline.

After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.

Hope this helps...have a blast of a time!

You need to call the airlines and ask their policy. I've flown with my kids multiple times and some say I do and some don't care. If you want to be on the safe side, take the birth certificate, That is all that was ever asked for wth my kids. It's about all the ID they have. Good luck and have fun!

Dear A.,

I don't know, but it couldn't hurt, also be sure to take her own bottles of water. Do not put any ice cubes into her drinks - . Brush her teeth with bottled water for a while. A change in water is upsetting for children once in a while.

Take your own pillow or pillow case and blanket too. You don't know how the airlines clean pillows and blankets. C. N.

Hi A.:

I have flown with my children several times over the years. I always bring their birth certificates just in case. I think it just depends on the airline you're flying with. In all the times we've flown, I've only ever needed it once. Good luck.

I have flown with my 3 year old 8 times now, and they never ask for any form of identification for him. I would suggest that you bring along a copy of his birth certificate so you have it, just in case, but you really don't need anything, except for your id.

I was told that when I flew with my son I needed his birth certificate to prove that I was indeed his mother. But this made no sense to me seeing as how they have no idea he is in fact the child on the birth certificate. But I would definetly take it just in case. :)

I have never been asked for ID for my kids, but I would bring a copy of the birth certificate, just in case. Sometimes they check if your child is a passenger on someone's lap.

We just flew to Washington State from San Francisco and no ID was required. If you feel you want to have some for other reasons though, my cousin had a California ID, (just like ours), for her son when he was about 4 months old. Picture ID. I thought it was cute but pointless, however, in case of some crazy emergency, (knock on wood), or whatever, that would be pretty efficient. Have a great trip. Also, I see you work with special needs children. I want to go to school and do the same in classrooms, any advice?

When I flew with my son over the holidays the airline said I had to have a certified copy of my son's birth cert with me. Funny that they never checked for it though. Better safe than sorry though.

I believe all you need is a copy of the birth certificate. Half the time they don't ask to see it. Children under 17 don't need ID to go through security check points.

I flew with my kids a year ago. I did not need any identification, but I did go down to the police station and get picture ID's for my children as a precautionary measure, and it was free. You never know if someone is going to try and take your child, or if someone is going to try and claim your child as theirs. I made sure that I had photo ID to prove them my children.

With all the new changing laws out there. I would simply call the airline and ask if they require anything. When i travel, i usually carry my children's birth certificate and notarized letter from their father's saying i have permission to travel abroad. I've never been asked for it, but it's better to be safe then sorry.

you should not need anything like that. but it is best to give the airlines a quick call to ask them, just in case.

Probably not, but call the airline to get the most up to date information.

We fly Southwest Airlines twice a year with our 10 and 3 yr old girls. Because of all the air travel regulations, the airlines require either child birth certificates or their immunization cards as identification.

You won't NEED to have ID however ... once when travelling with our infant daughter, there was an Amber Alert and I was asked for "proof" of my relationship. I sort of panicked and immediately showed my C-section scar. LOL The security laughed and laughed. After birth ... I was obviously not shy about showing my body. My daughter was not the right age for the missing child. But ... I usually travel with a birth certificate since that time just out of paranoia not necessity.

Hi A.,
I was told that children over 2 yrs. old need to have their own seat (so you have to buy him a ticket of his own). and I'm pretty sure you do need his birth certificate or a copy of it. Have a fun trip!

We fly 2 to 3 times a year (I have a 10 and 6 year old) and we have never had to show I.D. for our children. However, it really depends on which airline you are taking, just call to double check with them. I know that some airlines ask for I.D. for children under the age of two. My friend flew Southwest airlines a couple of months ago and she has a 1 1/2 year old and they had to show his birth certificate, they wanted to verify that he was really under the age of two, but your child is 3 so that really doesn't pertain to you. Like I mentioned as well as others that have responded, I would just call the airlines and double check with them.

Have a safe flight!