Ticketing for Infants, Children & Disabled Passengers — Fares, Restrictions, Bassinets & Schedule Changes
Aviation · Part 3 · Module 27
Ticketing for Infants, Children & Disabled Passengers — Fares, Restrictions, Bassinets & Schedule Changes
Booking a ticket for an infant is very different from booking for an adult. Ticketing for unaccompanied minors, disabled passengers, and expectant mothers follows specialised procedures that every travel professional must master.
🎫 Booking vs Ticket — Key Distinction
Booking = intention to travel. Time-bound — if not ticketed within the deadline, booking auto-cancels. Provides no legal right to the passenger. Ticket = official legal document issued by airline or travel agent confirming seat on specific flight. Required to obtain boarding pass at airport counter.
📋 What an Airline Ticket Contains
Passenger Ticket Information
Passenger Name
As per ID proof
All Sectors (max 4-5)
In sequence
Date of Travel per Sector
Each segment
Flight Number & Departure Time
Per sector
Baggage Allowance
Per class
Total Fare Paid
All taxes included
PNR Number
Reservation reference
Ticket Number
Unique ticket identifier
🃏 What a Boarding Card Contains
Boarding Card Information
Airline name · Passenger name · Flight number · Flight date · Seat number · Seat location (Aisle/Window, Smoking/Non-smoking) · Boarding number · Boarding gate number · Boarding time · Class of travel (First/Executive/Economy/Tourist) · Boarding city · Destination city · Passenger type (Domestic/International)
Boarding card format: Two attached pieces — one part taken by ground staff at boarding, passenger retains the other part.
Boarding card format: Two attached pieces — one part taken by ground staff at boarding, passenger retains the other part.
👶 Fare Structure — Infants & Children
10%
Infant (under 2 yrs) Domestic + full taxes
25-35%
Child discount — domestic carriers (65-75% of adult fare)
50-75%
International child fare (of adult fare)
Fare Basis Codes for Children & Infants
Adult class codes: F = First Class · J = Business Class · Y = Economy Class · W = Premium Class
Special passenger codes:
CH = Child fare basis
IN = Infant fare basis
A fare basis code is a 3-7 character alpha or alphanumeric code used by airlines to identify a fare type and the rules applicable to it. Used on multi-sector itineraries for correct pricing.
Special passenger codes:
CH = Child fare basis
IN = Infant fare basis
A fare basis code is a 3-7 character alpha or alphanumeric code used by airlines to identify a fare type and the rules applicable to it. Used on multi-sector itineraries for correct pricing.
📜 Restrictions & Rules — Infants & Children (IATA/ICAO)
Infant = child under 2 years of age. Above 2 years = child category. Both require Child Restraint System (CRS) on board.
During take-off and landing: infant must be held by parent/caretaker with seat belt fastened around the adult while seat belt sign is illuminated.
Cabin crew must demonstrate emergency procedures to mother carrying infant before take-off.
Airlines must have harnesses and baby bassinets available on board.
Bassinet placed after take-off, removed before descent.
Infant on mother’s lap during take-off and landing. Cotton advised in infant’s ears to prevent pressure distress.
Additional infant seat belt and life vest must be present on board.
Special meals for children and infants available on request — must be requested at time of booking or minimum 12 hours before journey.
Expectant mothers beyond 38th week of pregnancy — NOT allowed to fly without doctor’s certificate.
Diaper changing table fitted in lavatories of most aircraft (may not be available on ATR/smaller aircraft due to space).
✈️ Unaccompanied Minor (UM)
Complete UM Handling Procedure
UM = child travelling without accompanying adult.
At booking: As soon as ticket booked, SSR (Special Service Request) message forwarded to airline. Multi-carrier itinerary: each carrier receives message. Full information of sender AND receiver shared with all carriers.
At airport: UM boarded first and deplaned last. Ground staff hands minor to assigned cabin crew ONLY. All documentation checked and given to cabin crew.
On board: All safety procedures demonstrated to UM. Cabin crew seat, toilet, and galley location shown. One-to-one attention from airport entry to final destination.
At booking: As soon as ticket booked, SSR (Special Service Request) message forwarded to airline. Multi-carrier itinerary: each carrier receives message. Full information of sender AND receiver shared with all carriers.
At airport: UM boarded first and deplaned last. Ground staff hands minor to assigned cabin crew ONLY. All documentation checked and given to cabin crew.
On board: All safety procedures demonstrated to UM. Cabin crew seat, toilet, and galley location shown. One-to-one attention from airport entry to final destination.
🛋️ Bassinets
Bassinets available for infants weighing 24.25 pounds (11 kg) or less on aircraft like Airbus A330, Boeing B777-300, and B737 series. Placed behind galleys, lavatories, closets, and partitions. Limited availability — must request in advance. May be unavailable on certain routes.
If bassinet unavailable: guest may pay for extra seat + Child Restraint System (CRS). CRS cannot be placed in exit row or immediately adjacent rows. Prohibited onboard: belly loops, booster seats, little cargo seats, and harnesses/vests (not CRS). If one adult accompanies two infants: additional seat required.
♿ Disabled / Invalid Passengers
Procedures for Disabled Passengers
Disable passenger must be declared at time of booking with nature of disability. Airlines must arrange: wheelchair assistance, special seating (aisle seats for easier access), early boarding, on-board wheelchair (available on wide-body aircraft), accessible lavatories.
WCHR = Wheelchair at ramp level (can walk stairs but needs wheelchair for long distances)
WCHS = Wheelchair at stairs (cannot climb stairs — needs lift)
WCHC = Completely immobile (requires onboard wheelchair throughout)
Guide dogs for visually impaired: must be declared in advance. Dog must be muzzled, restrained, and have moisture-absorbent mat. Allowed in cabin at passenger’s feet — not on seat.
WCHR = Wheelchair at ramp level (can walk stairs but needs wheelchair for long distances)
WCHS = Wheelchair at stairs (cannot climb stairs — needs lift)
WCHC = Completely immobile (requires onboard wheelchair throughout)
Guide dogs for visually impaired: must be declared in advance. Dog must be muzzled, restrained, and have moisture-absorbent mat. Allowed in cabin at passenger’s feet — not on seat.
🔄 Alterations in Flight Schedules
Types of Schedule Changes
Voluntary Changes (Passenger-initiated): Date change, time change, route change, class upgrade/downgrade. Change fees apply — vary by fare type (Lite = highest fee, Flexi = free).
Involuntary Changes (Airline-initiated): Flight cancellation, schedule change, equipment change. Passenger entitled to: refund, rebooking on next available flight (same airline or other carriers), or compensation as per DGCA regulations.
India DGCA Rule: Airlines must notify schedule changes at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellation within 24 hours entitles passenger to compensation under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
Involuntary Changes (Airline-initiated): Flight cancellation, schedule change, equipment change. Passenger entitled to: refund, rebooking on next available flight (same airline or other carriers), or compensation as per DGCA regulations.
India DGCA Rule: Airlines must notify schedule changes at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellation within 24 hours entitles passenger to compensation under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
🎯 UGC NET Key Points — Module 27
◆ Booking = intention to travel (no legal right) · Ticket = legal document confirming seat
◆ Infant fare (domestic): 10% of adult fare + full taxes
◆ Child fare (domestic): 25-35% discount (65-75% of adult fare)
◆ International child fare: 50-75% of adult fare
◆ Fare basis codes: F (First), J (Business), Y (Economy) · CH (Child), IN (Infant)
◆ Infant = under 2 years · Child = 2-12 years
◆ CRS = Child Restraint System — required for both infants and children
◆ Bassinet: for infants 24.25 lbs (11 kg) or less · request in advance · placed after take-off removed before descent
◆ UM = Unaccompanied Minor · SSR message sent to all carriers · boarded first, deplaned last
◆ Expectant mothers: beyond 38th week NOT allowed to fly without doctor’s certificate
◆ WCHR/WCHS/WCHC: three categories of wheelchair assistance at airports
◆ Infant fare (domestic): 10% of adult fare + full taxes
◆ Child fare (domestic): 25-35% discount (65-75% of adult fare)
◆ International child fare: 50-75% of adult fare
◆ Fare basis codes: F (First), J (Business), Y (Economy) · CH (Child), IN (Infant)
◆ Infant = under 2 years · Child = 2-12 years
◆ CRS = Child Restraint System — required for both infants and children
◆ Bassinet: for infants 24.25 lbs (11 kg) or less · request in advance · placed after take-off removed before descent
◆ UM = Unaccompanied Minor · SSR message sent to all carriers · boarded first, deplaned last
◆ Expectant mothers: beyond 38th week NOT allowed to fly without doctor’s certificate
◆ WCHR/WCHS/WCHC: three categories of wheelchair assistance at airports