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The Best Airlines for Flying with Babies

Flying with Babies

This article includes the best airlines to choose when flying with babies, top tips when flying with a baby, and an airline comparison guide and FAQs. Get clued up on all things baby travel and have peace of mind for a stress-free journey.

family on a beach

Air Travel with a Baby

Different airlines have different policies when it comes to flying with babies, and infant charges and baggage allowance can vary depending on your route. Our guide will help you determine the best airline for you, no matter where you are flying to!


Flying with a child?

Are you flying with a baby or an infant (above 2 years old)? On their second birthday, a baby is classed as an infant, and for most airlines different fares and policies will apply. For more information on flying with an infant or child, including top tips and FAQs, check out our guide to flying with children.

baby on woman's lap on aeroplane

Ticket Information when Flying with a Baby

Some people avoid flying with a baby because of the preconceptions that it's a challenging task, however, that doesn't always have to be the case. With almost every airline in the world offering services and support for those taking their baby away with them, it's much easier than you might think.


Baby Infant Ticket Age

The age that your baby can fly from will depend on the airline that you're flying on. Some airlines will only let babies fly if they're two weeks or older, whereas others will allow babies to fly from as young as two days old. If your baby is under two weeks old, you might be required to provide a letter from your GP stating that they're safe to fly.


Baby Ticket Price

Babies or infants fly free with almost every airline. Airlines allow passengers who are flying with a baby to sit on their lap during the flight, with some also giving the option to purchase a seat with a special seat restraint. Most airlines allow passengers to bring their own cot, pushchair or buggy onto the plane and also supply cots that are specifically designed to fit within the seating area within the aircraft.

hands holding the baby bump

Tips for Flying with a Baby

Breastfeeding on a Plane

If you need reassurance and guidance about how to breastfeed on a plane, have a look at our top tips for breastfeeding whilst travelling. It also includes information about various airline policies.


What happens if I'm expecting a baby before I fly?

If you've booked a flight and are expecting to have a baby before you fly, please contact us and we can let the airline know. It is important that the airline is notified as they can provide you with the correct assistance and support if needed.

Need Assistance?

Do you require any assistance with your booking, or perhaps have unanswered questions? Please don't hesitate to get in touch with our expert customer service team who are there to help with any queries you may have.

The Best Airlines for Flying With Babies

 

Airline Comparison

We’ve put together a list to help you understand whether your chosen airline charges an infant fee, allowing you to compare with other airlines. Along with understanding whether you will be allowed free hold luggage allowance, you can decide which airline will be best for you.

Be aware that the infant fee may be applied for babies sitting on an adult’s lap. Terminology and currency as per the airline’s website - exact figures can vary depending on route and fare type. This table is a guide and airline policies are subject to change at any time.


The Best Baby-Friendly Airlines in Europe


Adria Airways

  • Infant Fee: 10-33% of the adult ticket price, route depending
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 fully collapsible stroller/pushchair or car seat and 1 piece of baggage up to 23 kg
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Adult fare

Aegean Airlines

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 piece of cabin baggage up to 6 kg, infant car seat/collapsible stroller if own seat is booked, free hold allowance depends on adult's fare
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Child Fare

Aer Lingus

  • Infant Fee: £19 each way or 10% of accompanying adult fare on flights to/from the US
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 stroller or pushchair + 1 car seat, booster seat, or travel cot
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Air France

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or 15% of adult fare on short-haul flights and 33% on long-haul flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 15-33% of the adult fare, depending on the route

Air Malta

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 stroller free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Alitalia

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 10 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Children under 2 years are not allowed their own seat, and must be on an adult's lap

Austrian

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 baby basket or one child car seat or 1 fully collapsible stroller + baggage allowance up to 23 kg
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Varies

Avianca

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 2 pieces up to 23 kg on flights to/from Europe and 1 piece up to 10 kg on all other flights
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Child Fare

British Airways

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 10 kg of hold luggage (included in adult allowance)
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

easyJet

  • Infant Fee: £22 one-way
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 2 of the following items - pushchair, baby buggy, travel cot, carrier, car seat, booster seat
  • Children over 2 years of age must occupy their own seat
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Flybe

  • Infant Fee: 12% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Icelandair

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Iberia

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair or car seat
  • Infant fees for additional seats vary, depending on route and flight duration.

Jet2

  • Infant Fee: £20 one-way
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat, combined weight 10 kg
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Lufthansa

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or 10% of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair or car seat or carrier + 23 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Norwegian

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or 10% of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 5 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Ryanair

  • Infant Fee: £25 one-way
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat or booster seat or travel cot
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Scandinavian Airlines

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 23 kg piece of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Swiss

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 23 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 65% of adult fare

TAP Portugal

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 10 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 70-96% of adult fare depending on the route

TUI

  • Infant fees vary depending on route and length of flight
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 10 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

Turkish Airlines

  • Infant Fee: Up to 15% of adult fare depending on route
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 10-23 kg of hold luggage depending on route
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Infant fees for additional seats vary depending on route and length of flight


Best Baby-Friendly Airlines in Asia

Air Asia

  • Infant Fee: Route depending
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: No baggage allowance, 1 x baby buggies, manual wheelchair, mobility device, or walking frame (route depending)
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Route depending

ANA

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 piece + one fully collapsible stroller or infant carrying basket/car seat
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Up to 25% adult fare

Cathay Pacific

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare depending on the route
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + car seat + 10 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

China Eastern

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare depending on the route
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 piece of luggage + 1 totally folded or portable infant trolley
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Adult or Child ticket (route depending)

China Southern

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare depending on the route
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 piece of 22 lbs + 1 folded baby carriage, bassinet, or a child safety seat
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Adult or Child ticket (route depending)

Emirates

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 carrier + 10 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Etihad

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 10-23 kg of hold luggage depending on the route
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Gulf Air

  • Infant Fee: 10% of an adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 piece of 15 kgs for checked baggage + 1 collapsible stroller/pushchair + 1 infant car seat
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Child Fare

Jet Airways

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 carrier + 10 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare

KLM

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat, combined weight 10 kg
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

Malaysia Airlines

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + hold luggage, combined weight 10 kg
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 85% of adult fare

Oman Air

  • Infant Fee: 10% of an adult's fare on domestic flights or 20% of an adult's fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 piece of checked baggage up to 10 kg + 1 infant carrying basket, carry cot, or baby stroller
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Varies

Qatar Airways

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair or travel cot + 10-23 kg of hold luggage depending on the route
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare depending on the route

Singapore Airlines

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 travel cot or carrier + 23 kg of hold luggage within the US and 10 kg outside of the US
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare depending on route

Thai Airways

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair or car seat
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare


Baby-Friendly Airlines in The United States & Canada

Air Canada

  • Infant Fee: No charge on domestic flights or 10% of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 stroller + 1 car seat or booster seat free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare for flights within Canada and the USA, Child's fare on international flights

American Airlines

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or 10% of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Adult's fare

Delta

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or % of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare on domestic flights, 10% of adult fare on international flights

United Airlines

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights, Infant costs vary on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 23 kg of hold luggage


Baby-Friendly Airlines in Australia and New Zealand

Air New Zealand

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or 10% of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 car seat free of charge
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare on domestic flights, 75% of adult fare on international flights

Qantas

  • Infant Fee: Free on domestic flights or 10% of adult fare on international flights
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair + 1 travel cot + 1 car seat + 10 kg of hold luggage on international routes
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: Full adult fare on domestic flights, 75% of adult fare on international flights


Baby-Friendly Airlines in Africa

South African Airways

  • Infant Fee: 10% of adult fare
  • Free hold luggage allowance for babies: 1 pushchair or car seat + 23 kg of hold luggage
  • The cost of an additional seat for an infant: 75% of adult fare

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FAQs

How old does a baby have to be to fly?

The age that a baby is able to fly is dependent on the airline, however, the majority allow babies who are 2 weeks or older to fly onboard their planes. It's always worth checking the airline-specific rules prior to booking your flights.

Do you need a birth certificate to fly with a child?

Some airlines do require proof of age for a child, in this case, it will be useful to travel with the child's birth certificate. Secondly, if you are not registered on the child's birth certificate as their legal parent, or it is not obvious you are the child's parent, the certificate may be useful in helpful to identify your relationship with the child.