A handy travel guide to what’s on offer
Travelling with your tots in tow needn’t be a nightmare. Airlines regularly come up with new ways to entertain and accommodate young travellers, helping to make your journey as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. We’ve compiled this table of the family-friendly facilities, services and entertainment offered by each of the major airlines.
For more tips on how to keep your kids entertained in the air see our guide to Travelling with children.
| Pushchair Policy | Onboard facilities | The menu |
|---|---|---|
| AER LINGUS | ||
| Pushchairs must be checked-in with the baggage but can be handed down at the gate. | Cabin crew will heat baby food and bottles.The use of travel cots for long-haul flights is subject to availability. | Children’s meals can be preordered by contacting the Reservations Office 24 hours before departure. |
| AIR FRANCE | ||
| A collapsible pushchair can be checked-in and even brought into the cabin depending on space. Not permitted on Caribbean, Indian Ocean flights. Max size 15cm x 30cm x 100cm. | Bassinets can be provided for infants. Free gifts and toys are available for children and cartoons and family films are screened during long-haul flights. | A special meal, incl. cookies and jars of baby food, is available. |
| AMERICAN AIRLINES | ||
| Small collapsible pushchairs can be checked-in. | Changing tables are available on all transatlantic flights from Europe and India. | Bottle and baby food warming facilities are available. American Airlines does not offer baby meals. |
| BRITISH AIRWAYS | ||
| Small collapsible pushchairs can be taken to the aircraft door. | Carrycots and infant seats are provided subject to availability. Bottle and baby-food warming facilities. Activity packs and dedicated kids channels on long-haul flights | Children’s meals can be pre-ordered online. BA has a “Feed kids first” policy. |
| EASYJET | ||
| Pushchairs, buggies and travel cots can be taken to the aircraft. Pick up after flight on baggage carousel. Pushchairs, buggies can be checked-in too. | easyJet will supply hot water to heat food and milk. | A selection of snacks and drinks is available for purchase. |
| EMIRATES | ||
| Pushchairs and carrycots can be checked-in or brought in the cabin if space allows. Priority boarding for families. Extra piece of checked-in luggage for travellers with an infant. | All aircraft are equipped with changing tables and bassinets. Seatback TVs screen cartoons and family films and interactive games. Special treats for children travelling on their birthday or other special occasions are available if prearranged with a Reservations Agent. | Children’s meals and baby food are available with 24 hours’ notice. Bottle and baby-food warming facilities are available. |
| KLM | ||
| Collapsible pushchair can be checked-in or carried onboard, space permitting. | Cradles suitable for babies weighing 10kg or less can be reserved in advance on intercontinental flights. Activity packs and a range of baby items are available on intercontinental flights. | Baby food is available and children’s meals can be pre-ordered free of charge. |
| LUFTHANSA | ||
| Pushchairs can be taken to the aircraft door and returned when you disembark. | Cartoons and animated films are screened on long-haul flights. A limited number of baby beds are available on long-haul flights. Changing tables are available in onboard washrooms. | Pre-order children’s meals when you book your flight or by calling the Lufthansa Call Centre at least 24 hours before departure. Baby food and bottle-warming facilities are available on all flights. |
| OLYMPIC AIR | ||
| Pushchairs, car seats and other items can be checked-in free of charge. | Advised to bring own baby food. | |
| MONARCH | ||
| Pushchairs, prams and car seats accepted free of charge. | Baby-changing facilities on board. | There are no special child meals and no heating facilities on aircraft, however, bottles and baby food can be heated in hot water by the crew. |
| QANTAS | ||
| One collapsible pushchair, carry basket or bassinet can be checked-in (to be stowed in the aircraft hold) free of charge. | Bassinets must be reserved when booking flights. All aircraft have baby changing facilities and limited supplies of nappies and baby wipes. Activity packs are available. | Special child, toddler and baby meals are available if requested when booking your flight. Cabin crew can heat bottles on request. |
| RYANAIR | ||
| Pushchairs (carried free) can be taken to the aircraft door (provided that local conditions permit this). After landing your pushchair will be available at the aircraft steps. | Baby changing facilities are available on board. | A selection of snacks are available for purchase. |
| SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES | ||
| Pushchairs must be checked-in. Stroller for children over 2 count as a piece of luggage. | Bassinets can be reserved in advance for babies up to 9 months old on selected flights. All aircraft have baby-changing facilities and hot water is available on board to heat bottles/jars with baby food. Toys and games are available. | Meals for children and infants are available with at least 24 hours’ notice. |
| SINGAPORE AIRLINES | ||
| One collapsible pushchair can be checked-in (to be stowed in the aircraft hold) free of charge. | Bassinets are available on request at the time of booking. | Child meals are available on all flights (not Singapore-Kuala Lumpur); request during booking. |
| SWISS AIR | ||
| One collapsible pushchair may be carried onboard most aircraft (space permitting). | Baby baskets for infants up to 8 months old can be reserved on long-haul flights. Seatback TVs screen films, music and games. | Meals for babies and children are available. Order during booking process or with 24 hours’ notice. |
| THOMAS COOK AIRLINES | ||
| Pushchairs (free) must be tagged at check-in and taken to the boarding gate/aircraft. | Baby-changing facilities are available on most aircraft. | Children meals start from £5 each way and can be preordered online. No baby food available. |
| THOMSON | ||
| Pushchairs can be used until boarding and then stowed in the hold. | Baby changing facilities are available. | In-flight meals can be purchased in advance on some routes. Children’s meals start from £5 each way. At cabin-crew discretion, they may heat milk free of charge. |
| UNITED AIRLINES | ||
| Pushchairs need to be checked-in at the boarding gate; returned at the aircraft door when you land. | Bassinets are provided on international flights; book in advance by calling Reservations. Changing tables are available on certain types of aircraft | Meals for children are available but must be requested 24 hours in advance. No baby food available, no heating facilities but baby food can be heated in hot water by the crew. |
| VIRGIN ATLANTIC | ||
| A pushchair or car seat can be carried free of charge. | Bassinets available. Seatback TVs have dedicated kids’ channels and Nintendo games. Children receive complimentary activity backpacks. | Children’s meals must be requested 72 hours in advance. Bottles and baby food can be heated in hot water by the crew. |
