Travelling With Kids

Travelling as a family is often an unforgettable experience, whether it is your first holiday abroad or something you do regularly! However, travelling itself can often become pretty stressful. Not only do you have the usual things to remember such as passports, boarding passes, etc, but you also have a variety of extras to think about from buggies and pushchairs to plenty of toys to keep the little ones occupied!

Airlines have a separate set of rules and guidelines for those travelling with children, which most often include an allowance of some sort of extra baggage for example so that you can travel with more ease and not have to pay extra just to enjoy the family holiday.

In this post, I wanted to cover some of these baggage and travel policies for some of the most popular airlines. This may be helpful to read before booking with a particular airline or you may have already booked your travel and be looking to see what exactly you can and cannot take.

Airlines may also define babies, toddlers, and children by different ages which may impact what category they fall into in terms of what they can take.

You can jump to specific airlines by clicking their names below:

EasyJet | Ryanair | British Airways | Vueling | WizzAir | TUI | Jet2

EasyJet:

EasyJet state the following guidelines and promises on their website when travelling with kids:

• If you’re travelling with children under 5, they'll board you early

• They can also carry two additional items for your child in the hold for free, if you require them

• These include a travel cot, pushchair, car seat, collapsible or non-collapsible pram, booster seat and/or baby back carrier

• You can choose your seats in advance (for a fee) to ensure you sit together

• They support breastfeeding mothers and you can feed your baby on board at any time

Babies under 14 days old are unable to travel with EasyJet.

EasyJet defines infants as those from 14 days – 2 years old*. Infants can only fly with an adult.

*If your child is older than two years or turns two while you are travelling, you will have to book a separate seat for them.

EasyJet defines a child as those between 2 - 15 years old. Children between these ages cannot travel unless they are accompanied by an adult who is 16 years or older. Unaccompanied children aged 15 and under are not permitted to travel alone and will not be permitted to board the plane as easyJet does not provide an escort service or special requirements for unaccompanied children. 

Ryanair:

Ryanair have a lot of different guidelines and rules for travelling with babies and children:

Seating:

For family bookings, children (aged 2 to 11 years) receive free reserved seating so they can sit beside a parent. When an adult purchases a reserved seat they can select up to 4 children’s seats beside them free of charge.

If an adult selects a reserved seat outside of specific rows (depending on aircraft) they must pay the price difference. Similarly, if a seat is selected for a child outside of these rows, they will be charged the full reserved seat price of these seats. If there are no available seats together on your flight, then Ryanair state that they regret to advise that you must select a different flight.

Infants aged up to 7 days cannot be accepted for travel on any Ryanair flights.

Infants (aged 8 days to 23 months inclusive) travelling with Ryanair must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over (one infant per adult). All infants must sit on an adult’s lap and do not qualify for a separate bag allowance. However, they allow a baby bag up to 5kg (dimensions: 45x35x20cms) for babies travelling on an adult's lap.

Adults travelling with infants must sit at a window seat as there are 2 oxygen masks provided above these selected seats. There are baby changing facilities on board located at the rear of the aircraft. Cabin crew can also help to warm baby bottles if required.

If an infant reaches the age of 2 years before their return flight, they must pay the full fare for that return flight only.

Baggage:

Ryanair recommend arriving at the airport check-in or bag drop desk 2 hours before your scheduled departure time. At the airport, you can check in 2 items of baby equipment per child (1 pushchair + car seat, booster seat or travel cot) free of charge. Other items of baby equipment can be checked-in upon payment of an Infant/Child Equipment fee (maximum weight 20kgs).

You can bring 2 items of carry-on baby equipment for free with Ryanair. This can include a pushchair/buggy, car seat, booster seat or travel cot. These will need to be tagged at the check-in desk or at the boarding gate. You will be able to use your pushchair/buggy until you get to the steps of the aircraft. Depending on your arrival airport you may find it at the steps of the aircraft or in the arrival's baggage hall. Check with the ground staff as you disembark the aircraft.

If you bring a car seat for an infant under 2 years of age and wish them to sit in this car seat for the duration of the flight, you will need to book an extra seat for them. You may bring a car seat on board for an infant or child if it is approved for flying. Ryanair only permit forward facing car seats.

The seat width does not exceed 17 inches (43 cm), in order to ensure it will fit into the aircraft seat and must be a purpose-designed children's car seat with a 5-point harness and must be of a type approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft and bearing labels to this effect:

• US – “Certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”.

• Europe –   European Standard Mark.

In order to ensure the car seat will fit into the aircraft seat please ensure the seat width does not exceed 17 inches (43 cm). Other items of baby equipment (max weight 20kg), in addition to the 2 free items, can be checked in for a fee.

Children (2-11 years) are permitted to carry one Trunki case, which may exceed the dimension limits of the small bag (40 x 20 x 25cm). As well as Trunki cases, other brands with similar dimensions are also accepted on board.  Lithium battery restrictions remain fully applicable.

British Airways:

British Airways have a variety and support available when travelling with little ones:

Boarding & Airport:

To make things easier for you, BA always invite families with infants under 2 and young children in pushchairs to board first, so that you can all get settled on board. They ask you to please get to the gate at least 45 minutes before departure so that you are ready to board and they have enough time to load your pushchair in the hold.

If you're an Executive Club Gold or Silver Member, you can take your child into the lounge to relax with you as a guest, however you'll be unable to bring both your partner and your child if you’re travelling as a family.

You can keep your little ones entertained with My 1st Years toys and mini ride-on aeroplanes while they wait to board, in our exclusive Skyflyer Kids Zones in our London Heathrow Terminal 5 Club South, Club North and Terminal 5B Club Lounges, London Heathrow Terminal 3 First and Club Lounges and London Gatwick.

Hand Luggage:

In terms of hand baggage allowance, when you travel with BA, children (aged 2-11) get the same hand baggage allowance as an adult. If you're travelling with an infant (under 2), you'll be able to bring an extra bag for them for in-flight essentials, which is included in your allowance. However, if you pay for a plane seat for your infant, they're booked as a ‘child’ and are given the same baggage allowance as an adult. You can't combine your baggage allowances, so please make sure you double check allowances for each member of your family, plus size and weight limits for hand baggage.

Checked Baggage:

For checked baggage, your child (between 2 and 11 years) will have the same free checked baggage allowance as you, which will vary depending on the cabin that you're travelling in.

If you're travelling with an infant (under 2), their free checked baggage allowance includes one standard 23kg bag in the hold, for all cabins. This does not apply when you and your infant are on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare, where there is no free checked bag allowance. You can't combine your baggage allowances, so please make sure you double check allowances for each member of your family, plus the size and weight limits for hand baggage.

In addition, each infant and child, can take up to two of the following essential extras checked into the hold, even on their hand baggage only (Basic) fare:

• Fully collapsible pushchair (stroller)

• Car or booster seat

• Travel cot

• Baby back carrier

Pushchairs:

Walking distances from arrival terminals to baggage collection vary across airports and some may be longer than others. To help you with the journey, BA offer a service that returns your pushchair back to the aircraft door in certain destinations. There are strict parameters on the size of pushchairs, so please check below if your pushchair qualifies for this service

• It must be a single piece, slimline, fully collapsible pushchair.

• Maximum dimension size including wheels:

  - Height 38cm

  - Length 117cm

  - Depth 38cm

• If your pushchair is within the dimensions it will be tagged with an orange Return To Aircraft Door label, with your customer information included, before being placed in the hold. You can then collect it on arrival at your destination. Please contact the cabin crew for assistance.

• If your pushchair is bigger than the dimensions it will not be delivered to the aircraft door on arrival. Instead, you can collect your pushchair on the baggage carousel in the baggage hall at your destination, along with your checked baggage.

The above service is not offered at all destinations, so please ask at check-in whether aircraft pick-up is possible.

Car Seats:

You can take the car seat on board the plane if you've booked a seat for your infant or child and intend to secure the car seat on board. Alternatively, your car seat must be checked into the hold as one of the two free essential extras allowed for children, even on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare.

Please check car seat dimensions and safety requirements so that you know your car seat will fit safely into the aircraft seat.

If travelling with a child over 2 years, you can bring your own single-piece car seat to attach to the aircraft seat (it must comply with the requirements listed below). Two part car seats are not appropriate to bring along with you.

Children under 24 months who have their own seat booked must have a child car seat that complies with the below regulations (or AmSafe system that attaches to the aircraft seat for your baby to sit in during the flight). If the car seat does not meet the safety requirements, it can be used, but your infant must sit on your lap using an extension seat belt during taxi, take off, landing and turbulence. The cabin crew will provide the seat belt and show you how to use it.

Car Seat Requirements:

• The age/weight of the child is in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

• The width of the car seat should be no more than 43cm (17 inches) to ensure it fits in the aircraft seat.

• The child in the car seat must face the same direction as the aircraft seat to which it is secured.

• The aircraft seat belt buckle must not lie over any part of the frame or under the structure of the car seat after tightening.

• The frame of the car seat must be metal or plastic/polycarbonate material.

• The car seat harness must secure the lap, torso and lower body, but does not need to have five individual straps.

Only compliant car seats or approved seat comfort devices are permitted for use onboard. Any device that obstructs the floor or attaches to the seat to restrict its movement are not allowed.

When using your child’s car seat on board the aircraft in economy and premium economy, you should choose the following seat positions for you and your child for safety reasons, if they are available:

• All aircraft - In a window seat, with you next to them.

• Larger aircraft - In a centre seat (not on the aisle), with you next to them.

If these seat positions are not available when you check in, please be aware that we may need to move you and your child once on board. 

When travelling in Club Suite or on rear-facing Club World seats, your child can only sit in their own child car seat during cruise. For take-off, landing and at times of turbulence, your child must be strapped into the aircraft seat, with the child car seat put away in the overhead locker.

Vueling:

Children aged 2-15 years:

Children aged 2-15 years old always sit in their own seat. They can travel with the same luggage allowance as adults.

Pushchairs can be bought with you free of charge. However, car seats need to be checked in separately as special luggage at an additional cost. It is not possible to travel with a booster seat.

Vueling's Family Fare includes exclusive check-in desks available at Vueling's main airports.

Please note, if a child is considered an infant (up to 23 months) on the outbound flight, and then considered a child (2-15 years old) on the inbound flight, outbound and return tickets must be sold separately.

Vueling aircraft are equipped with special baby changing areas during the flight. Vueling also have specialised children's menus for food and snacks on board.

Infants aged 7 days to 2 years:

Babies travelling on an adult's lap still require their own boarding pass and need to be included on the booking. You can book a separate seat for your baby but you will need to bring an approved car seat with the max width being 44cm. This booking must be made via Customer Services.

If one adult is travelling with 2 infants, it is compulsory for an additional seat to be purchased.

Regardless of the fare you have booked, when travelling with an infant under 2 years, you can take a 10kg cabin bag (55x40x20cm) and a 5kg bag for baby items. Make sure any food you bring for your infant does not need to be heated on the plane as it may not be possible for it to reach the desired temperature. This can be prepared at home and brought in a thermos.

You can also check in up to 2 items of infant luggage free of charge such as a pushchair, cradle, cot, or Group 0+ car seat. However, all other car seats must be checked in as special baggage at an additional cost.

Families travelling with infants have priority boarding on Vueling flights. As you board the plane our on-board staff will give you some recommendations and a special seatbelt for the baby that must be attached to your own. They will also give you a special lifejacket for infants.

Baby Stroller / Pushchair:

Strollers and pushchairs can be taken on the plane. You can check it in for free at the front desk if you will not need it at the airport or you can take the stroller to the door of the plane and it will be placed in the hold for free.

If you're travelling with an ultra lightweight folding pushchair, that meets the hand luggage size requirements (max.55x40x20 cm and 10 kg), you'll be able to bring it with you on the plane. If you decide to do this, you'll have to check in your hand luggage free of charge.

If you check in your child car seat, you may have to pick it up at the special luggage belt at the airport, depending on where you are flying to.

WizzAir:

Age definitions:

• Infant (14 days to under 2 years) - infant fare, must sit on adult's lap, one infant per adult.

• Child (2 years to under 14 years) - adult fare

• Adult (14 years to under 16 years) - adult fare, can travel alone but cannot be responsible for another child

• Adult (16+ years) - adult fare, can take full responsibility for a child (can escort a maximum of 10 children)

Luggage for 2-14 year olds:

Children's baggage aligns with the general luggage policy, which means children of this age can bring one free carry own bag, measuring up to a maximum of 40x30x20cm. If your child has a WIZZ Priority ticket, they can bring an additional trolley bag measuring up to 55x40x23cm.

A foldable baby pushchair, pram, foldable travel cot, or car seat for a child over 2 years old can be checked in free of charge. They can only be taken until the aircraft door or steps, where they will then be stowed in the aircraft hold. These items will be tagged either at the check-in desk, baggage drop-off desk, or at the boarding gate.

A booster seat is not permitted to be taken on board and will be treated as additional luggage, subject to applicable charges.

Finally, electric and motorised strollers are not allowed for transportation, either onboard or in the aircraft hold.

Luggage for under 2 year olds:

If you travel with a baby, you can take the following items onboard free of charge:

• One additional personal item (40 x 30 x 20 cm, maximum weight of 10 kg), it will be considered infant’s luggage.

• Food sufficient for the duration of the flight

• A foldable baby pushchair, pram, foldable travel cot, or a car seat. These items can be taken until the aircraft door or steps, where they will then be stowed in the aircraft hold. They will be tagged either at the check-in desk, baggage drop-off desk, or at the boarding gate.

For a more comfortable travel experience for your baby, WIZZ recommend bringing a car seat on board. This can be arranged by purchasing an additional seat at the normal fare. If an extra seat is booked, there is no need to pay an infant fee. Additional infant baggage allowance is not applicable.

TUI:

Baggage allowance:

On all TUI flights, you'll have a 10kg hand luggage allowance that cannot exceed 55x40x20cm, as well as a personal item that can go under the seat. Any baby changing bags will count towards this allowance.

Children under 2 years of age do not have their own hand luggage allowance.

Pushchairs and car seats can be checked into the hold free of charge. If you would like to use your pushchair at the airport you are welcome to do so and can hand it to ground crew at the gate so it can be checked into the hold.

You can also bring your pushchair onboard, so long as it is no bigger than 55x40x20cm and weighs no more than 10kg. However, this will count as your large piece of hand luggage. TUI asks that you speak to staff at check in if you have a pushchair so they can ensure it has the correct label for the flight.

On the plane:

Any pram or pushchair needs to be completely collapsable. There are no restrictions on size or weight if this is going in the hold.

As mentioned above, if you wish to bring your pushchair on board, it will count as your larger piece of hand luggage and cannot be bigger than 55cmx40cmx20cm and 10kg.

If you wish to use your car seat on the plane for an infant you are travelling with, this needs to be a TUI approved size - less than 40cm wide to fit in the plane seat and have a label stating they are suitable for use on aeroplanes. The reference ECE R44-03 is commonly used in Europe.

If it's a special seat for a child with disabilities, the following can be accepted: CARES harness MERU travel chair (ages 3-11).

Infants aged under 6 months must sit on an adult’s lap and be secured with an infant lap-strap for the duration of the flight – this will be provided on the plane.

Children aged between 6 months and 2 years must sit on an adult’s lap, unless a seat is purchased. In this case, a car seat may be used if necessary. TUI have a one-infant-per-lap policy.

Jet2:

Age definitions:

Jet2 allows children aged 14 years and over to travel alone. Any child under 14 will need to be accompanied by an adult (16 years+). However, the rules may be different depending on where you fly, including Portugal.

Infants from 7 days to 2 years on the date of travel can fly for a charge of £20 per flight. Jet2 even allows you to book for babies which haven't been born. If the name is uncomfirmed, enter on the booking as first name 'Unborn' last name 'baby' and then call Jet2 and they will be happy to change the name free of charge!

Seating:

Infants will be seated on the lap of their accompanying adult and secured using an extension seatbelt, which will be provided by the Cabin Crew. You are not permitted to use your own infant or extension seatbelt. Alternatively, you can book a seat for them where they’ll have to sit in a car seat, as long as it meets the required criteria.

Child & Infant Equipment:

If you’re travelling with an infant or child, a collapsible pushchair and/or a car seat and/or a travel cot can be carried in the hold free of charge, as long as the total weight of these items doesn’t exceed 10kg.

This allowance is per infant or child, and anything exceeding this will be charged for in line with Jet2's excess baggage policy, subject to space and availability.

Travel cots need to be checked in at Jet2's check-in desk.

Lightweight, collapsible pushchairs/buggies up to a maximum weight of 10kg can be carried free of charge, on a limited release basis. Additional weight will be subject to standard excess baggage charges. No single item can weigh more than 32kg.

For your convenience, and subject to local conditions, collapsible pushchairs/buggies can be used until you reach the plane steps/airbridge. They can be reclaimed immediately when you’re off the plane, subject to local conditions, or at baggage reclaim.

Depending on onboard overhead storage space, collapsible pushchairs that comply with Jet2's maximum hand baggage dimensions may be stowed on the plane as part of your hand luggage allowance. While these may be placed in the overhead lockers, they cannot be used during the flight.

You can check in car seats up to 10kg into the hold for free. If you check in a car seat over 10kg, you’ll be charged the standard excess baggage rate of £12. Alternatively, if your car seat is for a travelling infant aged between 0 and 2 years old and is suitable for use onboard our planes, it can be taken onboard. If you’d like to use your own infant car seat, you must pay for a separate seat onboard the plane, which will be charged at the appropriate fare.

Before paying for a seat onboard, please see the checklist below to make sure your infant car seat meets all the required criteria. For safety reasons, it must:

• Be for an infant aged between 0 and 2 years old.

• Be European standard. This is normally marked with the reference ECE R 44-03 (the numbers 03 can be replaced with a later version 04/05 etc).

• Be able to be secured using only a lap strap. The lap strap must only be used to secure the car seat to the plane seat and mustn’t be installed over the infant.

• Have its manufacturer’s instructions available, that state the car seat is suitable for air travel and can be secured using only a lap strap. Please check these before travelling and have them on hand so cabin crew can check them if necessary.

• Be no wider than 42cm. Jet2 plane seats are 43cm deep, 44cm wide and 70.5cm high.

• Be fitted with a single release-type harness that can’t be easily released by the infant. The harness should at least secure the infant’s lap, chest and shoulders.

• Be placed in a window seat wherever possible.

• Be the only car seat on the row segment onboard.

• Be forward or rear facing.

If you want to use your own infant car seat, you must buy a seat on the plane, which will be charged at the appropriate fare. Due to the variety of infant car seats available, Jet2 can’t guarantee in advance that any particular seat is suitable for use onboard.

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And that's the main information for travelling with infants and children for all major airlines! Hopefully this article is useful for compiling together all the information you need in one place and helps clear up any confusion for what you can and cannot take with you.

For help and support booking flights, holidays, sports breaks, attraction parks and a variety of more travel, you can learn more on my website by navigating some of the tabs at the top of this page. You can also contact me at ellie.burnett@outlook.com or via WhatsApp messages at +44 (0) 7584485293 (travel enquiries only please!).