Flying Private with Children: Family Travel Guide

Why does flying private change everything with children?

Check-in, security queues, boarding, layovers, passport control: the steps that tire adults literally exhaust children, and turn the start of a holiday into an ordeal. In business aviation, these steps shrink to a few minutes in a private terminal: you arrive about twenty minutes before takeoff, formalities are completed while your luggage is loaded, and a private lounge welcomes you in case of waiting. Above all, the departure time is chosen, and can be moved: a nap that runs late, a difficult morning, a last-minute hiccup? The aircraft waits for you, not the other way round. That is the fundamental difference for a family.

Before the flight: preparing everything with our teams

A family flight is prepared in advance, and this is where a broker proves invaluable. Tell us the exact age of each child: for a baby under two travelling on a parent's lap, the aircraft must be fitted with a specific additional belt, which we systematically check. As for catering, it is composed to order: allergies, special diets, children's meals, bottles to warm up on board, treats; simply share everyone's habits and constraints. Our teams also arrange car seats on the ground if needed, pushchairs in the hold and oversized luggage, from beach gear to ski equipment.

During the flight: a cabin all to yourselves

In a private cabin, children disturb no one: they play, sleep and move around freely. On aircraft that allow it, our flight attendants prepare games, books and colouring for the youngest, and tablets with a film library for the whole family. Wi-Fi is available on many aircraft, usually charged according to usage: ask for it when booking if the teenagers insist. For night flights, choose a cabin whose seats convert into berths: the children sleep, and you arrive rested.

Children travelling alone: the rules to know

Rules vary between operators, but market practice is generally as follows: a baby under two travels with an adult; a child under four must be accompanied by a person aged fifteen or over; an older child may travel alone, carrying an authorisation letter signed by their parents. Whenever parents are not on board, this written authorisation is essential. Our teams confirm the exact rule of the selected operator and can arrange, on request, for the child to be escorted to their family on arrival. Also note that air travel is discouraged from the eighth month of pregnancy, and it is advisable to wait about seven days after a birth before taking a newborn on board: always seek your doctor's advice.

And what about pets?

Dogs and cats are welcome on board a private jet, in the cabin with you, rather than in the hold as on a scheduled airline. You simply need to prepare the paperwork: health records, up-to-date vaccinations, microchip identification, and the destination country's own formalities, some destinations being stricter than others. We cover the subject in detail on our travelling with pets page.

Which aircraft for your family?

The right aircraft depends on the size of your tribe, the luggage and the flight time. Here are our usual recommendations:

With several children and eight to ten pieces of luggage, a midsize offers the space and hold you need without breaking the budget: our review of the Citation Latitude, one of the most family-appreciated midsize jets, details this configuration. For a night flight to the Indian Ocean or the Caribbean, a heavy jet with berths becomes true comfort. Our available fleet covers every category, and our teams will frankly guide you to the most rational aircraft, not the most expensive.

How much does a family flight by private jet cost?

The price depends on the aircraft, distance and dates, with peak demand during school holidays: booking early secures both availability and rate. As an indication, expect from about 4,000 euros per flight hour for a light jet, and around 5,000 to 6,500 euros per hour for a midsize or heavy jet, before taxes and options. For a family of six, the per-person cost often comes close to a business-class fare on a scheduled airline, with incomparable flexibility. Our private jet rental cost page details the factors behind a quote.

IBC Aviation: the families' partner for over thirty years

A business aviation broker for over thirty years, IBC Aviation has organised flights for several generations of families: aircraft selection, tailor-made schedules, children's catering, and every detail on the ground through our concierge services, from transfers in cars with child seats to hotel and activity bookings. For large family reunions, our group travel service coordinates everyone's arrivals. Discover also the added value of a charter broker and all our private jet destinations.

Private jet charter with IBC Aviation:

Our teams advise you on the private jet best suited to your itinerary and requirements, and organise your trip to or from your destination. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

From what age can a baby fly on a private jet?

It is recommended to wait about seven days after birth before a first flight. Up to two years old, the baby usually travels on a parent's lap, with a specific additional belt the aircraft must be fitted with: tell us each child's age when booking so we can check the equipment.

How early should we arrive at the terminal before departure?

About twenty minutes is enough in most cases. Security and immigration formalities take a few minutes in a business aviation terminal while your luggage is loaded. A private lounge welcomes you if you arrive early.

Can a child travel alone on a private jet?

Yes, according to each operator's rules. In general practice, a child under four must be accompanied by a person aged fifteen or over, and an older child may travel alone with an authorisation letter signed by their parents. We confirm the exact rule when booking and can arrange an escort.

Can we bring our dog or cat on a private jet?

Yes, pets travel in the cabin with you, which is impossible on most scheduled airlines. Prepare health records, up-to-date vaccinations and identification, plus the destination country's formalities. Our teams check all of this with you before the flight.

What happens if a child is ill on departure day?

This is one of the great advantages of flying private: the schedule moves. Let us know and we postpone departure by a few hours, or even to the next day depending on aircraft and crew availability. No ticket is lost and no change fee applies as on a scheduled airline, although aircraft idle fees may apply in some cases.