Smartavia Answer Center
We will answer your most important questions ❤️
How to check in with a child at the airport out of turn?
Passengers travelling with children are entitled to priority check‑in. You can complete the procedure without a long wait in the general queue.
👶 Up to what age does priority apply?
Priority is usually granted to passengers with children under 12 years of age.
📍 How to get priority check‑in
There are two ways:
- Approach the check‑in desk for your flight and inform the staff member that you are travelling with a child (or children). They will finish serving the current passengers and then check you in without queuing.
- Look for a priority check‑in desk (these are not available at all airports). Such desks are usually marked with a special sign or differ in appearance from the others.
To save time at the airport:
- Check in online in advance (available 24 hours before departure) if you are travelling only with hand luggage. By the way, for children under 12, the hand luggage allowance is increased — up to 115 cm in total dimensions (weight up to 10 kg).
- Remember to have your child's documents ready in advance.
- Be polite and inform the staff at the check‑in desk about your children in advance — this will speed up the process.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
— If I have two or three children, does priority still apply?
Yes, priority is granted regardless of the number of children.
— Can an accompanying adult skip the queue without the child?
No, priority is only given to passengers who are checking in together with their children. An adult without a child must check in through the general queue.
— What if the airport does not have a special desk and the queue is long?
Approach the check‑in desk for your flight and politely explain the situation. Airline staff are always happy to help passengers travelling with children.
Section questions
- How to issue a ticket for a child separately from an adult passenger?
- Can I send an unaccompanied child alone?
- Does the baby have luggage?
- I am flying with a minor brother / sister / grandson / granddaughter / nephew / niece in Russia, do I need to have a power of attorney with me?
- I'm flying with a child under 2. Do I need to buy a separate ticket?
- Are there discounts on tickets for children?
- Are there separate seat belts on board for children under 2 years old?
- If my child needs to change a diaper, how can it be done on board an aircraft?
- Why am I forced to lower the armrest when the child is sleeping?
- Is it possible to breed baby food on board?
- What seat will my child be assigned when the "Unaccompanied Minors" service is booked?
- How do I attach a child to a specific adult passenger?