Plenty of planning needs to go into flying with a baby, but don't stress, we've got you covered. Here's your guide to airlines’ luggage allowances and fees.
Let us be your guide to organising your family trip and finding answers to vital questions including: How old should your baby be before taking to the skies? What are the charges for infant fares? Can you check-in baby equipment?
Flying with a baby: airline fees and regulations
In general, lap infants (children under 2 years of age who sit on an adult’s lap on board) can typically travel for free on domestic flights or at a discounted fare on international routes. This does depend on the airline, however, and there are exceptions.
Read on for a breakdown of each airline's ticket and baggage policy for infants.
Airline | Infant fare* | Free hold luggage allowance for baby equipment** | Cost of additional seat for infant*** |
|---|---|---|---|
£25/€25 one-way | 1 collapsible buggy/stroller + 1 car seat, booster seat or travel cot. | Full adult fare | |
Free on domestic flights | 2 of the following 3 items: 1 stroller, 1 car seat or booster seat or 1 playpen | Full adult fare for flights within Canada + USA | |
10% of adult fare on all flights | 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge | Child fare ticket | |
Free on domestic flights | 2 of these 3 items: Bassinet or portable cot, car seat, stroller, pram or pushchair | Full adult fare on domestic flights | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge | Full adult fare | |
Infant fare (even if travelling in lap) | 2 of the following: collapsible pushchair, car or booster seat, travel cot and baby back carrier | Child fare | |
Infant ticket (% of adult fare on international flights) | 1 collapsible stroller + car seat + 23kg of hold luggage | Child ticket (% of adult fare on international flights) | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 stroller + 1 car seat free of charge | Ticket required. Country-specific discounts apply | |
£25 one-way | 2 of the following items: travel cot, pushchair, buggy, car seat, pram, booster seat, baby back carrier | Children over 2 years of age must occupy their own seat | |
% of adult fare | 1 stroller + 1 carry cot | % of adult fare | |
Infant fare | 1 pushchair, carrycot or car seat | Child's fare | |
Reduced fare up to 90% on Economy and 75% on Saga fares internationally | 1 stroller + 1 car seat or carrying basket 1 checked bag (except on the cheapest economy far) | Reduced fare up to 20% on Economy fares internationally | |
Between 30% and 10% of the adult fare | 1 pushchair or car seat | Various discounts depending on flight route | |
£20 (or local currency equivalent) one-way | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat, combined weight 10kg 1 x 10kg hold bag | Full adult fare | |
Reduced fares | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat or carrier + 10kg of hold luggage | Reduced fares on most routes | |
10% of adult fare | 1 collapsible buggy free of charge | 10% of adult fare | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 pushchair or car seat or carrier + 23kg of hold luggage (excluding Economy Class Light) | 75% of adult fare (some route and fare exceptions) | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 10kg of hold luggage | Child fare from 2-11 years of age | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 5kg of hold luggage | 75% of adult fare (fare and route exemptions apply) | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 pushchair + 1 travel cot + 1 car seat +10kg of hold luggage on international routes | Full adult fare on domestic flights | |
15% of adult fare | 1 pushchair, car seat or travel cot + 10-23kg of hold luggage depending on route | 75% of an adult fare | |
£25/€25 one-way | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat or booster seat or travel cot | Full adult fare | |
Free or 10% of adult fare | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 23kg piece of hold luggage | At least 75% of adult fare | |
10% of an adult fare | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 23kg of hold luggage within US and 10kg outside of US | 75% depending on route and fare class | |
Infant fare | 1 pushchair and car seat + 23kg of hold luggage | Child fare | |
'About' 10% of adult fare | 1 pushchair + 23kg of hold luggage | Child fare (unspecified) | |
Check with airline | Stroller, car seat or basket + 10kg hold bag | Child ticket (contact the airline) | |
10% of adult fare | 10-23kg depending on route | 75% of adult fare | |
Infant fees vary depending on route and length of flight | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 10kg of hold luggage | Full adult fare | |
Up to 15% of adult fare depending on route | 1 pushchair + 10-23kg of hold luggage depending on route | Infant fees for additional seats vary depending on route and length of flight | |
Free on domestic flights | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat | Full adult fare | |
10% of adult fare | 1 pushchair + 1 car seat + 23kg of hold luggage (except with Economy Light) | Child's fare | |
€32 one-way | 1 pushchair, pram, cot or car seat | Full adult fare |
How old does a baby need to be before they can fly?
This depends on the airline. Many stipulate that your baby must be at least 14 days old before they board their first flight, though some will accept 7-day-old babies. If you have a newborn, you'll usually need a medical certificate from your doctor confirming your baby is approved to fly. However, we recommend you contact the airline you’re travelling with to find out what their specific policy is.
What’s the difference between a child and an infant?
Annoyingly, there's no concrete answer for this, as different airlines have different regulations. Generally, a child under 2 years of age is classified as an infant. Between 2 and 16-years-old, they're viewed as a child (though some airlines also have a 'teen' ticket category).
It's worth noting that if your child crosses the airline's age threshold between an infant and a child while you're travelling (i.e. celebrates their second birthday), it may affect the kind of tickets you book and how you need to book them. Check with the airline for more details before booking tickets to fly with your baby.
FAQs
Want more advice for travelling with the family? Try these:
*Charges may be applied for infants sitting on adult’s lap
**Item terminology is as per the airline’s websites (eg. stroller, pushchair, travel cot). Please check with your airline for any restrictions on these items
***Figures depend on route and fare type. Charges may vary if you book through an online travel agent rather than the airline direct. Always check the terms and conditions applicable to get up to date information.
