My sister wants to bring his 2 1/2 yr old son over to Europe and Asia. Anyone knows if she needs a ticket for the kid? I was hoping some airline are more genorous than the other. I understand most airline set the age limit at 2.

thanks

2 is the magic number. The question is do they enforce it as no id is necessary.

I believe this post belongs in general travel talk.

All passengers need tickets for international travel. If passenger is under two years of age, 10% of the adult fare is charged if they are going to sit on your lap. If the child wants a seat or is between 2 and 12, discounts range from 25% to 50% off depending upon the routing and airline.

Since all passengers need a physical ticket, there is no way you will be able to bluff your way through check in w/o having to pay.

I was hoping different airline have different age requirement. I think 25-50% is off a regular fare, which probably cost more than discount fare.

may be different airline would offer 10% of ticket for kids up to 3 or 4.

thanks

They will usually discount an already discounted fair further for kids, even discounted FC & BC fares - at least they used to.

BTW, Ansett had permitted kids to go with the "el cheapos" up to either 4 or 5 yrs of age before necessitating a ticket as of 4-5 yrs ago - at least on AUS domestic routes.

The 10% off the adult fare for children under two is taken off the fare that the adult passenger who is flying with the child is paying. The only problem you might encounter is if the adults are flying on award or non-revenue tickets. The child will have to pay 10% of the cheapest adult fare availalbe.

The question is do they enforce it as no id is necessary.

An ID (for the kid) is necessary for all international travels. If one parent is travelling alone with the kid, it is very advisable, that you even carry an official certified letter of the 'not accompanying' parent with you allowing this trip.

how about my sister's kid at 2 1/2. is it a fixed percentage of what my sister pays?

Why do airlines charge for a kid to sit in their parent's seat? Junior is not eating airline food, or requiring special attention at check-in

Airlines invest money for special care for kids -- special instructions, trainings, O2 masks for kids etc. Those who benefit from the investiment (or the guardians of those) pay for it is natural.

Airlines do not price to cost.

From personal experience:
Took my year old son to Sweeden on AA. Wife flew on a business award ticket, I flew on a coach purchased ticket. Options for my boy:
Purchase a coach seat for him (50% of my coach fare)
Allow him to travel as a lap child in coach (10% of my coach fare)
Allow him to travel as a lap child in business and hope for an open seat (10% of the current business fare, even though my wife was on an award ticket).

I ended up purchasing him a coach ticket, but since there were only 5 in business, he sat with my wife on the way over.

Don't want to start a flame war over children (babies) in premium cabins. My son sleeps from 10 minutes after take off until landing, doesn't need attention from the FA (better service for other pax) doesn't get drunk, and leaves an extra meal selection for everyone else. He has is own gold AA card and is entitiled to upgrades just like everyone else.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR CHILDREN HAVE THEIR OWN SEAT. They are more comfortable in familiar surroundings, and much safer.

Just my $0.02.

Why parents allow kids to sit in their laps vs. in a seat belt is beyond me. It is very dangerous. From bumps in flight to emergency landings or crashes.

And by the way, quite often these kids on the laps do require extra attention. From taking care of the poor person sitting next to them to helping when Mom needs to eat or go to the bathroom, etc. etc.

NoStressHere, everything in life has a risk. Very few people can afford to mitigate all of them.

I agree. Yet we are willing to spend BILLIONS on extra security, higher paid security, etc. etc. Yet, none of this is really needed, mainly because it does not make a difference.