Flying with Babies and Young Children: Rules, Costs and Survival
Children aged two and over pay for their own seat at child fares (usually full price minus a small discount). Infants under two fly either on your lap for ~10% of the adult fare or in a car seat in their own seat. Pushchairs and car seats generally travel free, and boarding families go first — but bassinets, kids' meals and family seating are things you arrange, not things that happen.
Flying with Babies and Young Children: Rules, Costs and Survival: questions people actually ask
Do babies fly free?
Under two, on the lap, usually for ~10% of the adult fare plus taxes — not free on most airlines, and never free on some low-cost carriers.
Does a 2-year-old need their own seat?
Yes — from their second birthday a child must occupy their own seat at the child fare.
Is a pushchair free to take on a plane?
On nearly all airlines yes — checked free, and typically usable to the gate and returned at the aircraft door.
Can I take baby milk and food through security?
Yes — baby milk, formula and food are exempt from the 100ml liquid rule in quantities needed for the journey; expect extra screening.
Will the airline seat us together with our kids?
Most major airlines commit to seating children next to an adult at no extra cost — but you must ask, and asking early beats asking at the gate.
Infant and child fares
Lap infants (under 2) typically cost about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes — on low-cost carriers the discount is thinner and some charge a flat infant fee. From age two, a child needs their own seat at the child fare; some airlines discount it 10–25%, others barely at all. Lap-infant international tickets must be added to the booking — arrive without it and the airport charges walk-up infant fees.
What travels free
Pushchairs/buggies are checked free at the gate on virtually every airline, and many allow gate-checking so you keep it until boarding. Car seats count as free items on full-service carriers when a child holds a seat; on low-cost carriers rules vary. Standard baggage allowances for children mirror adults; infants usually get a small checked allowance plus the pushchair.
Seating, bassinets and meals
Bassinet bulkhead rows are limited and assigned on request — reserve at booking, not at check-in. Many airlines guarantee children seated next to a paying adult at no charge (EU carriers under EU rules; US majors by policy); request it as soon as you book. Kids' meals exist on some long-haul carriers and must be pre-ordered, usually 24–48 hours ahead.
The survival playbook
Fly at nap or night times where possible; book aisle and window rather than two aisles so one adult is always reachable; carry snacks through security (baby food is exempt from liquid limits in reasonable quantities); and pack the changing kit where you can reach it without opening the overhead bin. For long-haul, a night flight plus a pre-booked bassinet is the difference between a journey and an ordeal.