Elani Piper
Travelling with an infant can be a challenging task, but almost every airline in the world offers services and support to make it easier. Many airlines provide free luggage allowance, bassinets, kids TV channels, and kids' activity packs. Some even offer complimentary strollers, special toddler meals, and sleep devices like PlanePal. When it comes to the best airline to travel with an infant, there are several contenders. JetBlue, for example, offers complimentary Wi-Fi, personal TVs, and ample legroom. Southwest Airlines offers free checked baggage and flexible change policies. Virgin Atlantic provides bottle warming, free in-flight cots, and baby meals. Gulf Air offers free Sky Nannies, diapers, and bassinet booking. Air France allows gate-checking strollers and offers special meals, baggage allotment, and pre-bookable bassinets. British Airways offers family pre-boarding, Skyflyer activity packs, and dedicated children's in-flight entertainment. Air Canada has a generous lap infant policy and allows gate-checking strollers. Delta provides free bassinets, special children's meals, and entertainment. Each airline has unique features that cater to the needs of families travelling with infants, so it's important to consider your specific requirements when making a decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family seating policy | Some airlines guarantee family seating, while others will seat children under a certain age with at least one adult. |
| Kid-friendly meals | Many airlines offer kid-friendly meals, including special menus taste-tested by children, baby food, and children's snacks. |
| Free stroller check-in | Most airlines offer free stroller check-in, and some also offer free car seat check-in. |
| Entertainment systems | Many airlines have in-flight entertainment systems with options that will appeal to children, such as Disney movies, games, and TV shows. |
| Pre-boarding | Most airlines offer pre-boarding for families, especially those with young children. |
| Use of car seats | Some airlines allow the use of car seats or other child safety restraints, but this may be subject to restrictions based on seat location. |
| Lap seat policies | Most airlines allow children under 2 to sit on a parent's lap at no additional cost, with some offering this option for children up to 6 years old. |
What You'll Learn
Free seating assignments
When travelling with an infant, it's important to consider the different policies airlines have regarding seating arrangements and infant charges. Most airlines allow infants to fly for free on an adult's lap, but there are also options to purchase a seat with a special seat restraint.
Booking in Advance
It is recommended to book your flight well in advance when travelling with an infant. Seats tend to become limited closer to the departure date, making it more challenging to secure adjacent seating for your family. When booking, be sure to include the infant in your reservation.
Adjacent Seating
Airlines typically offer free seating assignments to ensure that children are seated next to their accompanying adult. However, this may be subject to certain conditions, such as the availability of adjacent seats at the time of booking and the physical possibility of accommodating young children based on the aircraft's seat layout.
Same Reservation
To guarantee adjacent seating, it is essential that the child and the accompanying adult are booked on the same reservation. This helps the airline identify your group and make the necessary seating arrangements.
Skip Seat Selection
When booking, it is generally better to skip seats for the entire reservation rather than choosing just a few seats or selecting seats scattered throughout the cabin. This provides more flexibility for the airline to find adjacent seats for your family.
Notify Gate Agents
If you are travelling on an airline with an open seating policy, be sure to notify the gate agents before boarding if you require adjacent seating. They can assist you in finding a suitable seat assignment with an empty seat next to you.
Empty Seat Assignments
If there is an empty seat next to you, your lap infant can occupy it without any additional cost. It is beneficial to speak to the gate agents before boarding to inquire about the possibility of an empty seat assignment.
Bassinets and Infant Seats
If your infant will be using a bassinet or a child restraint system, be sure to inform the airline in advance. Some airlines offer bassinets on a first-come, first-served basis, while others may have specific restrictions on the use of child restraint systems in certain rows or seat classes.
Documentation
When travelling with an infant, it is important to carry the necessary documentation, such as a birth certificate or passport. This may be required by the airline to verify the infant's age and ensure they meet the requirements for free seating assignments.
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Pre-boarding for families
Air Canada
Air Canada is considered one of the most family-friendly carriers. It offers early boarding for families with children under 6 and assigns seats to families with children under 12 together for no extra charge. They also offer a carry-on bag specifically for babies and have generous dimensions for gate-checked strollers.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers pre-boarding for families with children under 2. However, this requires a special request with the gate agent. They also offer an array of free on-board entertainment options, with a special kids' section full of movies and TV shows.
Delta
Delta allows families with car seats or strollers to board early and offers free on-board video streaming with a wide selection of entertainment options. They also provide a range of kid-friendly snack boxes.
Emirates
Emirates offers priority boarding and a complimentary stroller service at Dubai International Airport.
JetBlue
JetBlue offers pre-boarding for families and free unlimited brand-name snacks, which can keep youngsters occupied without having to purchase a bigger snack box. They also have in-flight entertainment with plenty of cartoons and live TV on all flights.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers special check-in areas in Frankfurt and Munich for families.
Southwest
Southwest is considered one of the most family-friendly airlines due to its open seating options and free baggage policy. Families with children ages 6 and under can board early and choose their preferred seats before most passengers board. They also offer a multitude of free entertainment options, including live TV.
United
United recently reintroduced pre-boarding for families with children ages 2 and under. They provide free entertainment with a wide selection of movies and TV shows. They also offer a kid-specific food option with a toy included.
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In-flight entertainment for kids
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers extensive in-flight entertainment for kids, including a special children's menu taste-tested by junior chefs. Dishes include "pretzel face", "tortoise muffins", and "sausage mummies". There are also dedicated family check-in areas in Frankfurt and Munich, and the Kinderland play area in Munich.
Emirates
Emirates offers goodie bags, stuffed toys, and special snacks for kids. There are also Disney movies and other in-flight entertainment options, with special kid-sized headphones. Families always board first, and there's a special family check-in desk and complimentary strollers at the Dubai hub.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand provides an "Air New Zealand Jet Cadets" amenity pack, which includes a kid-size headset and a lunchbox. There are also kid-friendly snacks and meals, and a kids' channel on the in-flight entertainment system. Additionally, parents can pay an unaccompanied minor fee to have their child sit in a different class of service.
Aeroflot
Aeroflot, a Russian carrier, offers special toys and games, as well as a children's channel on its in-flight entertainment system, featuring cartoons, movies, audiobooks, music, and games. There are also activity packs and special meals for infants and children.
Etihad
Etihad offers a Flying Nanny service, bassinet service, family pre-boarding, and dedicated family rooms for business and first-class passengers at Abu Dhabi and other select cities. There are also child and infant meals, amenity packs, and age-appropriate television shows, movies, music, and video games.
Other Options
Many other airlines provide in-flight entertainment for kids, such as Qatar Airways, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, and Singapore Airlines. These airlines offer a range of children's amenities, from special meals and bassinets to dedicated kids' channels and activity packs. Some airlines, like British Airways, also offer guaranteed family seating and allow families to pre-board.
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Kid-friendly food options
When travelling with an infant, it's important to consider the food options available for your child. While it's always a good idea to bring your own snacks and meals, some airlines offer kid-friendly options that can make your travel experience a little easier. Here are some airlines with notable kid-friendly food options:
Emirates
Emirates offers special meals for infants and children. They have a range of options, including pureed baby food, baby milk formula, and child meals such as pasta or chicken nuggets. They also provide a limited supply of baby bottles and baby food puree jars. Emirates' Young Flyers program offers priority boarding and complimentary stroller services at Dubai International Airport.
Air France
Air France provides special meals for children and infants on most intercontinental, long-haul flights. Children between 2 and 8 years old automatically receive a child's meal, which includes a salad, main course, pastry, apple juice, cheese and crackers, fruit compote, and dessert. For breakfast, they offer two mini pastries, a yogurt drink or fruit juice, a compote, milk, and cereal. Parents of infants under 23 months can request baby cookies or jarred baby food up to 48 hours before departure, but it's recommended to bring your own supplies as well.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers special children's menus developed in collaboration with top chef Alexander Herrmann. The meals are aesthetically pleasing and provide kids with balanced nutrition. They also offer baby-appropriate foods like jarred food, mini sausages, and soups without the need for advance reservation. Lufthansa has special family check-in areas at Frankfurt and Munich airports, making them a family-friendly choice.
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand provides an "Air New Zealand Jet Cadets" amenity pack, which includes a kid-size headset and a lunchbox. They offer kid-friendly snacks and meals, as well as a dedicated kids' channel on their in-flight entertainment system. Additionally, they provide bassinets on long-haul aircraft, making them a good option for families with infants.
British Airways
British Airways offers meals for children and babies on long-haul flights. They follow a Feed Kids First policy, ensuring that your child's meal is served promptly. Their child meals include dishes such as pasta, chicken, sandwiches, veggie sticks, fruit, and snacks. While they also provide jarred baby food, it is recommended to bring your own as well.
Other Airlines
Other airlines that provide kid-friendly food options include American Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qantas, and more. Many of these airlines offer special meals for children and infants, but it's always a good idea to check their websites and request these meals in advance to ensure availability.
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Free checked baggage
When travelling with an infant, it's important to be aware of the different policies and allowances that airlines offer. While most airlines will allow infants to fly for free on an adult's lap, there are often charges for additional seats, and baggage allowances can vary.
Air Canada
Air Canada offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 fully collapsible stroller/pushchair or car seat, and 1 piece of baggage up to 23 kg.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 piece of cabin baggage up to 6 kg, an infant car seat/collapsible stroller if their own seat is booked, and a free hold allowance that depends on the adult's fare.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 stroller or pushchair + 1 car seat, booster seat, or travel cot.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge.
Qantas
Qantas offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge.
British Airways
British Airways offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 5 kg of hold luggage.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 pushchair + 1 car seat, combined weight 10 kg.
Emirates
Emirates offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 pushchair or car seat.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways offers a free checked baggage allowance for babies, including 1 pushchair + 10 kg of hold luggage.
Additional information
It's worth noting that some airlines, such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Emirates, offer complimentary strollers for use at the airport. Additionally, many airlines provide bassinets or SkyCots for infants, either free of charge or for a small fee. It is recommended to reserve these in advance, as they are often available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the best airlines for travelling with infants in the US include JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. JetBlue offers complimentary Wi-Fi, spacious seating, and kid-friendly programming. Southwest Airlines allows families with children under six to board together and includes two free checked bags. Alaska Airlines guarantees family seating and offers a preparation app for families.
Some of the best international airlines for travelling with infants include Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airlines, Gulf Air, and Air Canada. Virgin Atlantic offers bottle warming, free in-flight cots, and baby meals. Emirates Airlines provides priority boarding, complimentary stroller service, and on-board bassinets. Gulf Air offers free Sky Nannies, diapers, and bassinet booking. Air Canada has a generous lap infant policy, allowing a carry-on bag specifically for babies and a free checked bag on international flights.
It is important to research different airline policies, as these can vary. Most airlines allow passengers to bring their own cot, pushchair, or buggy, and also supply cots designed to fit within the seating area. Many airlines offer free seat selection for families and advanced seat assignments. Some airlines provide family-friendly amenities such as kids' TV channels, activity packs, and kid-friendly meals. It is also recommended to bring your own entertainment, such as tablets, and toys.
The age that your baby can fly from will depend on the airline. Some airlines only allow babies to fly if they are two weeks or older, while others permit babies as young as two days old. If your baby is under two weeks old, you may need a letter from your doctor stating that they are safe to fly.
Many airlines offer priority or pre-boarding for families with infants, making it more convenient for parents. Some airlines provide bassinets or cots, special children's meals, and entertainment such as kids' TV channels, activity packs, and toys. Other features may include complimentary strollers, diaper bags, and extra baggage allowance for infants.
