What air travel rights do parents and their children have in Spain?

Travelling in high season can be stressful, particularly when flying with young children. Delays, flight cancellations, problems with baggage and booking seats together can all be difficult to deal with.

Therefore it’s important to know your rights so that you can exercise them should you need to and make your life a little bit easier.

According to airline compensation company AirHelp these are some of the most important rights to know when travelling with kids from Spain.

Remember, if travelling with kids from Spain, each child should have their own passport or national identity card (if Spanish). If only one parent is accompanying them, it's also recommended to carry a signed letter of consent from the other parent (or legal guardian) authorising them to travel.

READ ALSO: Do I need extra documents to travel with my children to and from Spain?

No extra cost for baby necessities

If you’re travelling with a baby, then you have the right to be able to bring a pram or pushchair and a car seat at no extra cost. You are also allowed to bring milk or other baby foods in the cabin at quantities greater than 100ml.

Many airlines may also offer priority boarding to families with young kids, even if you haven’t paid extra for it.

Seats together

It’s common these days for certain airlines to make you pay extra to book your seats together, otherwise you could end up seated alone, without your travel companion. European regulations, however, state that children under 12 must be able to be seated next to their parent or another adult who is accompanying them, without any extra charge “wherever possible”.

While this isn’t completely guaranteed, airlines must try and do what they can to accommodate you and your family in appropriate seats and you have the right to complain if they don’t.

READ ALSO: Can I take my child out of school in Spain to go on holiday?

Infants aged up to 24 months can travel on an adult’s lap using an “infant seat belt” or in a child seat, which is secured on an aircraft seat.

Children from two to 12 years old can seat on the regular aircraft seat or be secured in a child seat placed on top.

They cannot be installed in any seat or row leading to an emergency exit or in the rows directly in front of or directly behind an exit.

Compensation for cancellations and delays

Flight cancellations and delays are some of the most stressful experiences when travelling and can be even more so when you have little ones in tow. Waiting around for hours when kids are bored, hungry and tired can be very hard, so it’s good to know what rights you have.

When a flight is delayed for more than two hours (for flights up to 1,500km) airlines must provide meal coupons. For intra-EU flights over 1,500km and other flights between 1,500km and 3,500km that have been delayed for more than three hours, you should also receive the same.

If the delay is more than three hours or the flight is cancelled, you may also be able to claim up to €600. Keep in mind, this only if the delay or cancellation is not due to extraordinary circumstances such as extreme weather. In this case, unfortunately you are not automatically entitled to any compensation, even if you have a rebook another flight.

If your flight is delayed cancelled overnight, then the airline must cover accommodation for that night and transport to there from the airport, particularly if you’re travelling with children.

Luggage

Another extremely stressful situation is when airlines lose or damage your luggage. Babies and small children often need way more changes of clothes than adults, so it’s essential that you have these available, especially when travelling.

According to AirHelp, in the event of lost or delayed luggage which includes essential items like baby formula, nappies and clothes, you may be able to claim up to €1,300 as per the Montreal Convention.

It’s important though that you claim within the right time frame. It must be with seven days for damaged luggage and within 21 days for delayed baggage.