The rules for the flight of children are determined by the law and regulations of each airline. And since these acts are different in airlines, the rules will also differ somewhat.
In Russia, the procedure for the carriage of passengers by plane is determined by the Federal Air Transport Rules of the Russian Federation No. 82 of 2007. It says that children from 2 years old can fly by plane without parents. However, the rules of airlines overestimate this age to 5 years, and a child from 12 years old can fly completely unaccompanied.
According to the rules of airlines, a child can fly all alone if he has reached the required age, or with an escort. Escort is a separate service for which the airline appoints a person in charge to look after the child. You need to pay for the service separately.
For children aged 5-12, parents usually hire an escort, 12-year-olds fly on their own. But in some airlines the age for independent flight is from 15 years. This means that escort will be needed.
Restrictions are as follows:
- not all airlines have an escort service, and some even refuse to let children on the plane without parents or guardians;
- children 5-8 can fly without parents only on a direct flight without transfers;
- children 8-11 years old can fly with a transfer, but escort is required;
- not every airline takes children on a long connecting flight.
Rules for the carriage of unaccompanied children in Russia
These rules are determined by the Order of the Ministry of Transport No. 82 of 2007, and look like this:
- An unaccompanied child can fly alone or under the supervision of a company employee, if this is allowed by the airline's internal rules.
- Ticket prices for children are the same as for adults. There are no discounts for children.
- Baggage allowances for children are the same as for adults.
- Parents need permission, usually a written statement.
- The escort service can be issued for a child up to 17 years old.
- There must be no more than 4 unaccompanied children on one flight.
- Group transportation of children is dealt with with the airline.
- To transport an incapacitated child, parents need to write a petition to the air carrier and obtain a permit.
And if there are still disabled or disabled people on the flight, the number of seats for unaccompanied children may be reduced.
Rules for the carriage of unaccompanied children abroad
The rules for Russia are valid for international flights, but besides them there are nuances:
- A child of any age will need a passport.
- You will need a notarized consent and permission from both parents to fly the child abroad.
- On international flights with connections, you can only carry children from the age of 12.
And it would be nice to issue a power of attorney from an adult, you can even an airline representative so that he is responsible for the child. And without such a power of attorney, no one bears legal responsibility for the child.
