Travelling as a family? Is your child flying alone? Formalities and advice, Paris Aéroport provides assistance to parents, children and accompanying persons, from their arrival at the airport to the boarding gate, for a hassle-free journey.
Travel formalities: essential documents for children
Just like adults, all children, regardless of their age and/or destination, must be in possession of a national identity card or passport to fly. Minors also need to have their family record book with them.
Identity card
for travel within France or the European Union
Passport
for international travel, with an appropriate visa as required depending on the destination
Travel formalities: specific requirements according to the age of your children
Under 2 years:
Babies can travel from 1 week old on short-haul flights and 3 weeks old on long-haul flights. No need to book a seat as your baby will be on your lap. For domestic flights, travel is often free. For flights abroad, the ticket price is usually 10% of the full fare, depending on the airline.
Under 12 years:
Your child must have a ticket in his/her name. However, air fares are usually reduced, both on domestic and international flights. Please check with your airline.
Over 12 years:
From the age of 12 onwards, your child is considered an adult. Their air fare will therefore be equivalent to that of an adult.
Practical guide for infants
At the security checkpoints, officers may ask you to taste your baby's food. Take resealable containers with you and avoid carrying small glass jars that may break.
On board the aircraft, the flight crew will provide you with water suitable for preparing a bottle.
Paris loves you as a family: a range of services offered by Paris Aéroport
Baby seats and pushchairs
If your child is under 2, some airlines allow you to take a baby seat or pushchair on board, in addition to your cabin baggage. Contact your airline for more information.
Priority queuing
Priority queues for people with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRM) and families are available at our airports, both at immigration controls and security checkpoints.
Family toilets
Family toilets are available in our terminals for your comfort and convenience. We offer small and large toilets and baby carriers for more freedom of movement.
Children’s seats are also available in the standard toilet blocks.
Located both before and after the security checkpoints, free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Baby changing areas (Nursery)
More than 100 baby changing areas are available in the toilet facilities at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly Airports. They are equipped with changing tables and children's toilets.
Located both before and after the security checkpoints, free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Baby rooms
At our Paris airports, you can relax with your family in Terminal 1 of Paris-CDG and in Paris-Orly 4. The Baby rooms offer individual alcoves equipped with cribs, seats, highchairs, bottle warmers and microwaves.
Located after the security checkpoints, free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Paris loves you and your family: have fun at the airport
Once you have passed through security, take the time to explore our exhibitions at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly.
See what exhibitions are on display in your departure terminal
Is your child travelling alone or with an accompanying person?
Travel formalities: essential documents for children
Just like adults, all children, regardless of their age and/or destination, must be in possession of a national identity card or passport to fly. Minors also need to have their family record book with them.
Identity card
for travel within France or the European Union
Passport
for international travel, with an appropriate visa as required depending on the destination
All minors travelling alone, also known as UM (Unaccompanied Minors), or with a companion other than their parent, must carry, in addition to their identity documents, an Authorisation to Leave the Country (AST) form, signed by someone with parental authority and proof of identity of the latter. For more information, please visit the Government website.
An AST form is also required if you are travelling with your child but do not share a surname. You can also present the family record book or birth certificate. These are not on the list of essential documents but are highly recommended by Paris Aéroport.
Important! If your child is travelling alone to an overseas department of France with a stopover in a foreign country, they must have a signed Authorisation to Leave the Country (AST) form.
Travel specific: accompanying your child during his/her flight
Many airlines offer an unaccompanied minor service for children travelling alone.
Although these services are generally offered for children aged between 4 and 12, they vary from one airline to another, and may be available for younger or older children (an additional charge may apply).
Most airlines require that you book the unaccompanied minor service at the same time as your ticket. You’ll need to fill out a form and follow a special process. Because only a limited number of unaccompanied minors are allowed on board each flight, we recommend that you book your tickets and the service as early as possible.
Fun at the airport: our play areas are just waiting for your children!
Paris Aéroport has set up children’s play areas in its terminals. You will find table football, PS5 gaming areas, arcade games, as well as play areas for the little ones.
Our PS5 gaming areas
Enjoy a PS5 experience in the boarding lounges, available 24/7.
Our arcade games
Arcade games are available free of charge, 24/7, for guaranteed instant fun.
Our table football
Play against each other while having fun on our table football, available 24/7.