HOLIDAY INN PUERTO VALLARTA
BEACH RESORT

MELIA PUERTO VALLARTA
BEACH RESORT

Can you bring your own car seat on the plane? Will the gate agent announce preboarding for families with young children? Can you gate-check a stroller? Airline policies change frequently, so it's a good idea to call ahead or check with our office every time you fly to make sure you know what to expect.  Remember if you are one parent travelling with your children and the other parent is not, you must have permission, that is notorized from the parent not travelling.  This is especially important if you are leaving the country.  You may be prevented from travelling if you don't.

• Babies must be at least 7 days old to fly. (Some airlines allow younger infants with a doctor's written permission; others extend the minimum age up to 14 days or have additional restrictions.)
• Lap babies (under age 2) fly free on domestic flights, usually one per paying adult; you may need to present proof of age. This does save you money, but it's important to note that babies riding airplanes are safest in government-approved car seats (the label should read "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft"). Your airline might allow you to bring your car seat on board if the flight isn't full, but there's no guarantee if you haven't bought a ticket for your child.
• The use  of supplemental lap restraints, or "belly belts," in airplanes has been banned. Booster seats and harness vests may be used during flight, but not during taxi, takeoff, or landing. Your airline may or may not choose to enforce these rules.
•  When you buy a seat for your child, you'll need to bring a government-approved car seat for him to sit in on the plane. Airlines typically require that car seats be placed in window and middle seats away from exit rows; some airlines impose additional restrictions.
• Children ages 2 and up must have a ticket for their own seat.
• Airlines require children/infants to have a paper ticket, not an electronic ticket like yours!
• You can check your stroller when you board and pick it up as you exit the plane.

Ask these questions before you book your family! 

Airline policies for families vary widely. Many rules, including whether to allow preboarding, are at the discretion of the gate agent. The best advice is to call ahead and ask the following questions, but be prepared for possible changes at the gate.

• What's the seat discount for a child under age 2? (This question applies if you'd like to pay for a seat for your child rather than holding him in your lap during the flight.)
• Do you offer seat discounts for children 2 and older? If so, for what ages?
• Will you require proof of my child's age and identity? If so, what proof is required, and when do I present it? (As crazy as it sounds, some babies have been denied boarding because their names are similar to suspected terrorists on "no-fly" lists. Carrying a government-issued birth certificate or passport may help avoid such snarls.)
• Can we get seats in a bulkhead row? (Bulkhead seats have more room to stand and maneuver, but less room for stowing carry-ons.)
• Remember you won't be permitted to sit in the exit row with a child or infant.
• Are bassinets available on the flight? When should I reserve one? (Bassinets are only available for lap babies, and can only be used in bulkhead rows.) Ask what the limit is for the baby to weigh, this will make a difference.
• Do all of your rows have extra oxygen masks? If not, can you seat us in a row that does? (This is important to ask if you're traveling with a child who doesn't have his own seat.) Always put the mask on yourself first, then the child.
• Do you allow preboarding for families with small children? If so, will there be a preboarding announcement or do we have to ask at the gate?
• Do lap babies get a baggage allowance?
• Does a car seat count as a carry-on? If I have to check it at the gate, does it count against my baggage allowance?
• Can we bring our stroller on board? Will it count as a carry-on? (This question applies if you want to wheel your child down the cabin aisle rather than checking your stroller when you board.)
• Do you have diaper-changing facilities on the aircraft? (Most large airplanes have one restroom with a changing table.)
• Do you offer children's meals? What's included? How far in advance should I order one?
• Can you warm my baby's bottle during the flight?
• With the new security, can I bring formula and baby food on board?
• Is in-flight audio or video entertainment for children available?
• Can my spouse or loved one get security clearance to accompany me to the departure gate if I need assistance?

• Do you offer assistance with maneuvering through the terminal when making connecting flights? How can I arrange for that?

• What do you charge for lap babies (under age 2)? (For international flights, all children need a ticket, even those who sit on your lap and don't have their own seat. A lap baby's ticket often costs at least 10 percent of the price of a regular ticket.)
• Do you offer seat discounts for children age 2 and up?

• Can my child sit in his own car seat? If not, can the airline provide a car seat that's safe and appropriate for my child?

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