Traveling with a baby can be rewarding. Yet, it can also be stressful without proper planning. Choosing the right airline makes a difference. This guide breaks down airlines to travel with baby based on real policies and amenities. It helps you make informed choices.
How We Think About Airlines to Travel with Baby
When parents search for airlines to travel with baby, they want comfort, support, and fewer hassles. The best airlines make essential services available. These services include:
- Priority or family boarding
- Bassinet seats for infants
- Infant baggage allowance
- Special amenities like food and entertainment
- Seat assignment policies that help families sit together
Below, we explain key options that make flying with infants easier. All information below comes from actual airline guides, reviews, and travel sources.
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Full List of the Best Airlines to Travel with Baby
Below is a list of all the best airlines to travel with baby. These airlines were mentioned based on documented baby-friendly policies and services that can support parents when flying with infants, making them relevant when considering airlines to travel with baby.
- British Airways
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Etihad Airways
- Air Canada
- Air France
- KLM
- Jet2
1. British Airways
British Airways is widely recognised as one of the best airlines to travel with baby. They offer a range of services to help families travel more comfortably with infants. While policies can vary by route and fare type, the airline provides several features designed to support parents with young children.
Parents travelling with infants (under 2 years old) can select seats together without additional charge when booking, and BA will do its best to seat family members together if seats are not chosen in advance. On long-haul flights, the airline supplies free bassinets or infant seats for use during the flight (these are provided subject to aircraft type, weight/age limits and availability).
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Families flying from London Heathrow and other major hubs benefit from dedicated family check-in zones, helping speed up the airport process, and are invited to board early at the gate so they can settle in before general boarding begins.
In terms of luggage, infants travelling on a parent’s lap receive a free checked baggage entitlement that includes one standard bag (up to 23 kg) for essential items when not on a hand-baggage-only fare; plus, up to two pieces of essential baby equipment (such as a fully collapsible pushchair, car seat, or travel cot) can be checked free of charge even on the most basic fares.
In the cabin, parents are also permitted an extra small bag for in-flight baby necessities in addition to their own hand luggage allowance.
Onboard, British Airways facilitates family needs by offering children’s meal options that can be pre-ordered and warming baby milk or bottles upon request. British Airways These combined services contribute to British Airways’ reputation as one of the best airlines to travel with baby.
2. Emirates
Emirates is another airline often recommended when searching for airlines to travel with baby. Its family services focus on comfort from the ground up.
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At Dubai Airport, Emirates offers family check-in desks and complimentary prams after security. Onboard, it provides priority boarding for families. For babies under 2 years, complimentary bassinets are available, though you must request them early as they are limited.
Emirates gives baby kits that include essentials like nappies and wipes. On long flights, organic baby meals and formula options are available.
Families can also enjoy one of the most extensive in-flight entertainment systems, with dozens of children’s channels. These keep older kids occupied so parents can manage infant care more easily.
3. Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is globally recognised for comfort overall, and it also scores well for families. Although most family coverage focuses on children, it includes services that benefit infants too.
Parents flying with babies can access priority boarding and complimentary bassinet seats on long-haul routes. Special baby kits with nappies and baby food are available if requested. At its hub, Hamad International Airport, several family activity centres help burn off pre-flight energy.
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While bassinet weight limits and availability are determined by aircraft type and infant size, parents should request them early. Availability is limited on every airline, and Qatar Airways follows the same practise.
4. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines is often included among the best airlines to travel with baby. The carrier allows free advanced seat reservations for families so everyone sits together. This is vital when travelling with infants and toddlers.
Onboard, pre-boarding for passengers flying with infants and toddlers lets families settle in before other passengers board. The airline also offers baby and infant meals, soft toys, or activity packs depending on age.
In some cases, Singapore Airlines provides dedicated baggage allowances for child essentials and allows collapsible strollers on board, subject to space. Still, families should check specific baggage allowances for infants before flying.
5. Lufthansa
Lufthansa scores well as one of the airlines to travel with baby, especially for long-haul family trips. It offers free bassinets for infants and a generous additional checked baggage allowance (23 kg) for baby gear.
Families with children under age five can pre-board flights. Onboard, special children’s meals are available. While baby-specific amenities like activity kits are more limited compared with some Middle Eastern or Asian carriers, Lufthansa’s strong baggage policy and pre-boarding make it a solid choice.
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6. Etihad Airways
Etihad offers dedicated family services on many of its flights, making it a good candidate among airlines to travel with baby. It provides priority boarding and dedicated check-in desks. Bassinet seats may be available on request, although you must request these early because space is limited.
Etihad also offers additional baggage allowance for infants and children, and themed kids’ activity kits. For parents, this combination of services can make long journeys somewhat smoother.
7. Air Canada
Air Canada offers several services designed to help families with infants, which is why it appears on many discussions about airlines to travel with baby. It provides priority boarding and will assign seats close together for families during booking.
Infant bassinets may be available on select aircraft on long-haul flights, though you must request them in advance and availability is limited. Babies can bring a cabin baggage item for essentials, and strollers can be gate-checked and returned at the aircraft door on many flights.
Air Canada also has changing tables on many aircraft and offers special meal options for infants and children. These services make it among the practical airlines to travel with baby.
8. Air France
Air France offers a range of services for families travelling with infants. Infants under 2 years old can travel on a parent’s lap at a discounted fare (often around 10 % of an adult fare on international flights), or parents can purchase a separate seat for their baby and use an approved child restraint device.
For long-haul flights, Air France can provide bassinets on request, subject to availability and aircraft configuration. These are best requested as early as possible after booking.
Additionally, parents can check one stroller and one car seat free of charge. A foldable stroller may even be accepted in the cabin, depending on available space.
Air France also offers a special baggage allowance for infants travelling on a lap, including a hand baggage item and one checked bag for baby items. Changing tables and baby comfort items are available on many long-haul flights.
These services support parents and help make Air France one of the airlines to travel with baby that provides practical infant-friendly policies.
9. KLM
KLM also offers clear support for families with infants, placing it among recommended airlines to travel with baby. Babies up to 23 months can travel on a parent’s lap, and parents may book a separate seat for their infant if desired.
KLM allows one buggy or stroller per child to be checked free of charge. This makes carrying larger baby gear easier when flying.
On intercontinental flights, bassinets may be available by request for infants who meet age and size criteria, typically under about 1 year and below set weight and height limits, though seats with bassinets must be requested in advance and are not guaranteed.
KLM also aims to seat families close together, assigning seats during check-in if they are not selected earlier. It’s important to make bassinet or car seat arrangements with KLM customer support well before departure to improve chances of availability.
These policies make KLM a practical choice among airlines to travel with baby, especially for long-haul flights where bassinets and family seating support a smoother travel experience.
10. Jet2
Jet2 has become more family-friendly in recent years. From August 2025, Jet2 allows children under two to travel free on both package and seat-only bookings.
It also lets parents check up to two baby equipment items free of charge and increases checked baggage allowance for baby essentials by 10 kg.
These changes make Jet2 worth considering among airlines to travel with baby, especially for families looking for low-cost options.
Things to Consider When Choosing Airlines to Travel with Baby
Bassinet Availability Is Limited
Most airlines offer bassinets only on long-haul flights and only at bulkhead seats. Always request them early. Availability is first-come-first-served, even if requested at booking.
Infant Ages and Seat Policies
Airlines define infants as under two years. Infants without their own seat typically travel on a parent’s lap for a reduced fare. Some budget carriers also allow very low or free fares for lap infants.
Baggage and Equipment
Infant baggage allowances vary. Some airlines allow strollers and car seats to be gate-checked without charge. Always confirm policies before flying, as rules differ between carriers and regions.
Pre-Boarding and Family Seating
Priority boarding and family seating help you settle in before the cabin fills. They are not offered by every carrier but help reduce stress.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Airlines to Travel with Baby
When searching airlines to travel with baby, focus on carriers that offer clear baby support services. Each airline listed above provides combinations of:
- priority boarding,
- bassinets,
- baby baggage allowances,
- seat arrangements,
- infant meals,
- or family-focused support.
British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Etihad Airways, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, and Jet2 each have strengths for families flying with infants. The right choice depends on your route, budget, and infant needs.
Always contact the airline before booking to confirm services like bassinets and baggage policies. This ensures you plan with accurate details for your trip.
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