Preparation for a USA flight with a child
To prepare yourself and your child well for your first flight to the USA, you should do some good research. What rules does your airline have for traveling with children? What are the age limits and fares? What is the safest way for children to fly?
Especially when flying with babies, unanswered questions can throw off the entire schedule at the drop of a hat. Therefore, inform yourself thoroughly on your airline's website and read the entry regulations for the USA.
Documents for flying to the USA with children
Not only do adults need a complete set of travel documents when traveling to the USA, but so does any child traveling with them. Take care of the following documents and authorizations for your USA flight early:
- A biometric passport
- The ESTA authorization
- Certified copies of birth certificates, custody orders, and similar documents that can prove the legitimacy of your trip with the child
- Airline tickets or booking numbers
If you are a parent traveling alone with a child, you should also bring a certified power of attorney from all other legal guardians, including copies of their identification.
This is because of the controls by the international authorities for the protection of minors to prevent child abduction and human trafficking. Power of attorney, copies of identification, and, at best, even the child's declaration of consent for the trip ensure that you do not get into trouble when entering the USA.
