Birth Certificate to Fly for 14 month old?

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

We are flying Air Tran for the first time (first time ever on a plane actually) in just a few months and I'm wondering, do I need to bring a birth certificate for my then 16 month old? She is riding on my lap...will I need to prove she's under 2 at the airport? My travel agent says no, but I don't want to take a chance of being turned away the day we're supposed to leave for our trip!

Thanks so much!

 

[taitai]

Bring it. Sometimes you are asked, sometimes you are not. Better to be safe and just have it with you.

 

[ktpc2005]

Your travel agent is wrong and I feel bad when someone from my industry gives bad information because it makes us all look bad.

If you are flying with a lap child, the airlines require a birth certificate for two reasons. They have to verify that child is under 2 and also they input their information into their system for the passenger manifest so they can create a lap child ticket.

We have flown with my now 2 year old almost monthly and everytime they have asked for the birth certificate.


This is from the AirTran website:
Children and Infants
AirTran Airways will not provide transportation services to any infant 14 days of age or younger, unless a written statement is provided by an attending physician approving such infant for air travel. Infants under the age of two years must be accompanied by a passenger 12 years old or older and have a birth certificate for age verification purposes.
http://www.airtran.com/policies/checkin_information.aspx#children_infants

 

[Hannathy]

Yes! Especially if on Southwest! They REALLY want it. I had to fly on an emergency (Mom was in ICU on a vent) when my DS was 5 weeks old, yes 5 weeks, so no question he was under 2 and they almost didn't let me on. We had left the house in a matter of a few hours after the call and I didn't think about it.

Bring it, I have been asked for it all the time on many different airlines.

 

[NotUrsula]

As AirTran is now part of SWA they have the same policy on eligibility to fly as a lap-child: bring the BC, and tell your TA that she needs to pay attention to the fine print rather than her memory.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You might want to consider a new travel agent. Her bad advice could have caused you to have to buy a ticket for your child or miss your flight. She should have known about such a simple rule.

 

[LilyWDW]

As everyone says, you are required to show a birth certificate for lap children to show that they are of the correct age. If you do not have it, they may not allow you to board your flight.

I would be getting a new TA as well because this is a BASIC rule for the airline. I don't know how a TA could have not known this. I know this and I don't fly very often, I don't have kids, and I am not a TA.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Wow, this really bothers me! I have had nothing but headaches from this TA. She has no children either. She is local too - ugh! I will not be recommending her or using her again. Thank you all for your input! I misplaced her birth cert so am sending out for a re-issue this week. Boy I hope it comes in time!!!

 

[Hannathy]

Wow, this really bothers me! I have had nothing but headaches from this TA. She has no children either. She is local too - ugh! I will not be recommending her or using her again. Thank you all for your input! I misplaced her birth cert so am sending out for a re-issue this week. Boy I hope it comes in time!!!

Do you have a copy? it doesn't have to be an official copy with the seal.

A xeroxed one will do.

 

[ses1230]

Yes, Southwest absolutely wanted it. Once I had it on the way down, then accidentally put it in my checked bag for the way hme. They almost didn't let us on! Sorry you got incorrect info from your TA, that's why the DIS is so great!

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Do you have a copy? it doesn't have to be an official copy with the seal.

A xeroxed one will do.

No I do not, and this must sound horrible but I don't even think we ever got one! I have three children and I know I have the other two...I don't even remember if we had to send away for the first two or what...geeze!!! This is my life!! I am on the website though for a re-issue...they can print it up same day if you go to the office so I will have to try and go Monday when my Husband is off. Sheesh!

I tell you what, I am so grateful for all of you on this board, thank you! This is our very first BIG trip anywhere, and I have learned so much here. I'm so glad I didn't just go blindly on my TA's advice...I didn't think that sounded right when she said it. Even if they don't ask, I won't be able to sleep thinking that we might be turned away or have to take a HUGE chunk from our spending money to pay for another ticket.

 

[AshleyD1983]

Yes you will need it... Just bring a copy though, not the original.

 

[LilyWDW]

Wow, this really bothers me! I have had nothing but headaches from this TA. She has no children either. She is local too - ugh! I will not be recommending her or using her again. Thank you all for your input! I misplaced her birth cert so am sending out for a re-issue this week. Boy I hope it comes in time!!!

Does this TA work for a company or is she independent? If she works for a company, I would be calling them up to speak with the owner/manager. That way they can make sure the TA gets spoken to about this and educated on the facts so she doesn't mess up someone's vacation.

 

[Meals1007]

They will also accept the child's vaccination records from their doctor.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

They will also accept the child's vaccination records from their doctor.

Is this true??? If so it would be great to know just IN THE CASE that we didn't get the birth cert. in time. I don't see why we wouldn't, but you know how sometimes things don't go as planned.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

Does this TA work for a company or is she independent? If she works for a company, I would be calling them up to speak with the owner/manager. That way they can make sure the TA gets spoken to about this and educated on the facts so she doesn't mess up someone's vacation.

NO - she is independent. She is known pretty well around here for her guided tours and cruises. But I live in a small town and word of mouth is everything...needless to say, I like her as a person, she's super sweet, but not so much as a Disney Travel Agent!

 

[lgruender]

I flew with my 14 month son last year on SW as a lap baby and needed a birth cert. SW issued him something like a boarding pass at the ticket counter. I also handed it to TSA but I don't think they looked at it too closely though. But I did need it for the airline since he didn't have a ticket.

 

[Meals1007]

Yes, when I flew (Southwest) with my 14 month old in October to Florida I couldn't find his birth certificate. They let me on the plane but informed me on the way back I had to have either a copy of his birth certificate or his vaccination records from the doctor. When I arrived I called the pediatrician and they faxed the records to the hotel. On our flight back I handed them the records, they looked at them and issued the baby boarding pass without a problem.

 

[gmeh1]

They will also accept the child's vaccination records from their doctor.

Air Tran is pretty explicit about what info they want:

Can I purchase one ticket for my child and me?
AirTran Airways will not provide transportation services to any infant 14 days of age or younger, unless a written statement is provided by an attending physician approving such infant for air travel. Infants under the age of two years must be accompanied by a passenger 12 years old or older and have a birth certificate for age verification purposes.


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[Meals1007]

Southwest's website says something similar about needing a birth certificate or valid government id so I was surprised when the ticketing agent said the vaccination record would be enough. I would just call air tran directly and see what (if anything) would be an appropriate substitute. The first time I traveled with my children I was on the phone with southwest for a long time just so I had all my info straight (that time I remembered the birth certificate!). The person was very nice, answered all of my questions and gave me information I didn't think to ask about, like gate checking the stroller (a lifesaver for me!). There's a "contact us" spot on their website with a phone number to call.