How old are you too old to fly? Full analysis of airline age restrictions
In recent years, with the popularity of air travel, the issue of age limits for boarding has attracted much attention. Especially the travel regulations for the elderly and infants have become concerns for many families before traveling. This article will combine the hot discussions on the Internet in the past 10 days to sort out the age restriction policies of various airlines on passengers, and provide structured data for reference.
1. Age limit for infants and young children
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the minimum age requirements for infants and young children to fly on most airlines are as follows:
| airline | Minimum age requirement | special regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Air China | 14 days old or older | Health certificate required |
| China Southern Airlines | 14 days old or older | Premature babies need to be over 90 days old |
| China Eastern Airlines | 14 days old or older | Requires guardian accompaniment |
| American Airlines | 2 days old | Doctor's written permission required |
2. Age limit for elderly people to fly
Airlines usually do not have a clear upper age limit for elderly passengers, but some companies have additional requirements for elderly passengers (such as those over 80 years old):
| airline | Requirements for senior passengers | Is a health certificate required? |
|---|---|---|
| Air China | No enforced restrictions | It is recommended to bring a physical examination report |
| Hainan Airlines | People over 80 years old need to be accompanied | Need to fill in the "Special Passenger Application Form" |
| singapore airlines | Unlimited | It is recommended to consult a doctor on long-haul flights |
3. Recent popular controversies: Elderly passengers being refused boarding
In the past 10 days, a social platform has been hotly discussing the incident of "a 90-year-old man was refused permission to fly alone." After verification, the passenger was refused boarding by the airline because he did not provide a health certificate and was not accompanied by his family members. In fact, airlines have the right to require elderly passengers to provide health certificates or accompanying persons for safety reasons.
4. Common misunderstandings about boarding age
1.Myth 1: All infants must purchase a ticket.In fact, infants under 2 years old can purchase an "infant ticket" (usually 10% of the adult fare) but do not occupy a seat.
2.Myth 2: Elderly people must have a physical examination before flying.Most airlines only recommend it, not mandate it, unless the passenger has an obvious health problem.
3.Misunderstanding 3: The age limit for children’s tickets is unified globally.Different airlines have different age definitions for "child tickets" (usually 2-12 years old).
5. Expert advice
1. Infants and young children should consult a pediatrician before flying to avoid ear pressure discomfort; 2. When elderly passengers fly long distances, it is recommended to choose direct flights and prepare common medications; 3. Contact the airline in advance to learn about special services (such as wheelchairs, priority boarding, etc.).
Airlines’ age restriction policies are essentially designed to keep passengers safe. Whether it is the "minimum age" or the "advanced age recommendation", it must be comprehensively judged based on personal health conditions and airline regulations. Only by being fully prepared before traveling can you fly more safely.
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