Flying With An Infant? What To Expect On Board Your Flight
Flying with an infant soon? We know that feeling well with our eldest flying at 11 weeks old and both now have 80 flights. Here is some of my first-hand experience information to give you a realistic idea of what lies before you, with some useful and practical tips for traveling with an infant by plane from my flight attendant days.
What To Expect On Board When Flying With An Infant
My tips for flying with an infant, are especially useful if you:
- Haven’t flown with your baby before.
- Are unsure of any airline boarding procedures.
- Are unsure of regulations relating to strollers
- Rules on board.
My Insider Tips For Flying With A Baby For The First Time.
In my experience, Families with young children generally get to board first.
You will normally hear an announcement at the boarding gate. This really helps take the pressure off finding space for your luggage etc.
If the airline/airport doesn’t have that policy or you are unsure, ask for the extra time to board at the boarding gate. (American Airlines will allow you to board early if you make this request and SouthWest boarding policy is here) But don’t always take them up on it!
Airplane travel with infants can mean long days and nights in one confined space. So to minimise the time on board, why not board later which is what we do unless it’s a night flight?
One of my favourite tips is if your baby is a wriggler or an older toddler, is one parent boards first and finds space for the bags, whilst the other parent waits with the baby at the gate lounge.
This means little one can crawl or toddle and work off some energy, rather than sit in their seat waiting for everyone else to board. We have done this so many times unless she is super tired.
Most airlines will allow you to bring your stroller/pushchair/pram to the gate or the doors of the plane.
I always appreciated this especially if we have a bit to carry. When you check-in or are at bag drop, mention to the ground staff that you would like take your stroller to the boarding gate.
They will give you a luggage tag fo fit on and then you can proceed to security and passport control. At the gate or by the aircraft doors, ground staff will take your pram and take it to the aircraft hold.
As a general rule, don’t expect your buggy to be stored inside the cabin but instead in the hold with the rest of the luggage. An exception is unless it’s cabin sized stroller, which can be stowed with you if there is space or as a replacement item to one of your cabin bags.
Is a travel system considered one piece of luggage?
A travel system e.g a Bugaboo is considered one piece of luggage in airline terms, even though it dismantles into two – the frame and the bassinet/seat. A double stroller is also considered one piece.
Is a pushchair considered luggage?
A pushchair/stroller is an additional free allowance on top of your normal baggage allowance. Usually a car seat can also be carried for free and is not part of your checked baggage allowance. However, sometimes (rarely) an airline will only allow one or the other. In both instances the child or infant must be traveling on the same flight.
Do airlines charge for strollers?
No, they can be carried for free as an extra to your normal luggage. In our experience you have two options- either pop them in the hold for free OR if your stroller is small and a travel size aka same size as carry-on, then you can bring it onboard as your piece of carry on . ( instead of a normal carry on bag)
Babies can cry during take-off and landing because of the change of pressure which hurts their ears.
Crying does actually help relieve this, ask me how I know! but it’s not exactly soothing for you and your fellow passengers. Feeding your baby can help relieve this pressure or sucking on a dummy or pacifier. Not every baby will cry, most will be fine and not cry. Those that do, may as they are just not used to the change of pressure or they have a cold and the pressure hurts.
If you are thinking of weaning them off of a dummy/pacifier around the time of your flight, I would recommend waiting until you have returned.
Flight Attendants will not allow your infant or child to sleep on the floor.
We were never allowed to give permission for this and I don’t know one airline that does allow it. Even if you have the bulkhead seat where the skycot or bassinet is, and the bassinet is too small, the crew will not allow you to use the floor as extra space or as infant seating due to safety reasons. (Those reasons being the overhead oxygen mask will not stretch that far, and in the unlikely event of a rapid decompression, the time of useful consciousness is minimal.
If your baby was sleeping on the floor, combined with the other effects, it would be difficult to get your baby close to the oxygen supply.)
Your baby will either need to sit on you lap, as a lap infant, or you can purchase an extra seat and use your airline approved car seat. If you are flying with an infant on lap, some airlines (Non USA/Canadian based ones) provide a lap belt or extension seat belt.
Photo courtesy of Tim Kelley AmSafe CARES
If your baby is over 1 year old, you can also use a CARES harness if you purchase a seat. I have found there are many fakes on Amazon. Look out for the AMSafe one by AMSAFE as it is the ONLY one approved by airlines.
If you need milk warmed up, ask before you need it.
Air travel with an infant, will make them thirstier than normal. I’ve gone through a couple of extra bottles when I was bottle feeding and nursed a lot more when I was breastfeeding and flying.
If you are bottle feeding, most airlines will happily warm the baby milk for you. But allow extra time and try not to leave it to the last minute as otherwise you are likely to have a crying baby. Flight attendants are usually very happy to help you, (I know this because I am an ex flight attendant) but unfortunately they could be super busy with the main meal service. You may also need to leave time for it cool.
If you are breast-feeding, there is no private area on board the plane to feed.
Yes, I was asked this too when crew! Unless you really want to use the loo? With air travel with an infant, privacy is pretty much out due to the restricted space. If you are particularly concerned about privacy, then the window seat is your best bet. It’s unlikely that you would be able to use the galley, as the crew will need regular access to and from that, but do ask as some crew will be happy to oblige.
For more information breastfeeding tips when flying or on airline breastfeeding policies, see this useful airline and airport guide
If you need to pump and use a plug, or need to charge a phone, many of the larger international airlines do have in-seat sockets in economy class too.
When you are traveling with an infant on a plane, you may need to express or pump milk. Some larger and newer aircraft do have a socket at each seat. They do vary from airline and from aircraft type to aircraft type, so check on your airlines website before you go. Most have USB and not the USB-C sockets yet, and some have the standard international plug socket as well.
Airport Services
If you are planning international travel with infants, then many airports also offer welcome services (for a fee) to help you navigate terminals, show you where the airport strollers are (see highlighted link to see where available) and more. Most airports also have family restrooms incase you want to change a nappy before you board your flight.
After this post, I recommend reading the following posts which go into much more detail about each stage and are full of useful information and insider tips you may not have thought of. Definitely worth a read
For more detailed flying with a baby tips, my expert BUMPER GUIDE of super useful tips covers absolutely everything from booking to arrival right here.
- For flying with toddler tips see here.
- For specific airline rules when flying with a baby – you may find this post useful.
Don’t forget:
- Read the detailed flying with a baby tips from booking to arrival here
- Have you remembered any items you need to help your baby or toddler sleep on the plane?
- Would you like my free printable (no sign up) packing checklist? If so see here.
- Discover some of my quiet travel toys for babies here.
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Thanks for that advice! I have a red-eye flight and was already thinking about waking baby to feed or suck on pacifier. This is helpful to know :)
Hi there… I m planning to travel with my 5 months old baby from India to London. Unfortunately i m travelling alone as my husband is in uk and he cant come due to some health issues. Can you plz suggest the best flight to travel with a baby… and do i have to buy my own bassinet or they provide it. And what about the airport?? How am I going to carry my baby.. ( specially when going to loo ) i m really nervous.
Hi Nahid, a lot depends on your personal preferences. If you read my post on Top Family Friendly Airlines you will gauge an idea of what some airlines provide.
The airline will provide a bassinet- but you will need to request it when you book your flight. Some airlines allow you to do this immediately ( BA) on their website but obviously it will not be available if someone has booked the same flight with a baby. Emirates are very good with babies as are Qatar and Etihad. I would highly advise using a Baby carrier at the airport and then keep in your hand luggage for when you disembark in London and walk to baggage reclaim. It means you have your hands free for luggage, and for going to the loo.
Hi Carrie.. hope u r doing well.., I just received the visa of my baby… now she is 8 months old… and i m traveling alone with her… i just want to know if i can take stroller on board???
What a great blog. So happy I came across it! I will traveling with my 8 month old from America to South Africa soon. Due to a family member being on their death bed, we’re leaving as soon as we get her passport. Any tips for a last minute (literally) flight?
I looked at the bassinets that are available but my daughter is well over 20lbs. So that may not be an option.
Hi Faye, hope I'm not to late! Yes the liners are a great idea as it is tricky to clean bottles properly on board. I've also used Milton tablets and used the sink in the loo to help clean too!
Hi yes they should have enough especially if you are transiting through Dubai and are on 2 different planes.
I also usually make sure I have enough for 1 or 2 feeds and put in a baby bottle, keep cool by placing in a ziplock filled with ice- which is easy to replenish at an airport or on the plane. That way you have some with you just in case of any unplanned delays etc.
Have a lovely time. Mauritius is beautiful!
hi i have a very long flight and i am flying by Emirates to mauritius. my baby is 15 months old and is on blue top cow milks. does emirates provide cow milk about 4 feeds of 8 onces of milk?
Hi Carrie
What's the best way to clean baby bottles on board? I am flying to UK and fully formula feed. Are disposable liners/bottles any good?
Thanks!
Faye
A lot depends on how old baby is and destinations, as some destinations have transit strollers to use, and a baby carrier is very handy for smaller ones for transit stops too.
It also depends if you have long transit times…as you could request to have it made available of this is the case
Hi Carrie- what would you recommend regarding taking a stroller if the trip involves several connections? Is it best forgetting trying to take it to the gate and instead checking it in and picking it up at the final destination? Thanks
Thanks for this. I think you had an over zealous crew as far as I'm aware, nothing is in their handbook re this.. If in doubt, please ask them to check and show you as they can check the manuals on their hand held tablets.
Hi there – I flew British Airways from London to New York with a 6 month old with a bassinet and tried to use a muslin to cover the bassinett so baby wouldn't be distracted but was told by staff that i wasn't allowed t cover the bassinet for safety reasons. So just be aware you might not be allowed to do that.
Hi,
There is a product out called FlyBabee which is made to go over the bassinet and stops cabin lights from distracting little ones. Alternatively, I know several Mums who use a thin blanket and tape to make a shield.
Some airlines allow flasks others do not as it depends on the countries airport security, so it is tricky to make this decision. You have several options. Either put sterilised hot water in baby bottles and use a insulated bottle warmer cover, like timee tipee do, to keep it warmer for longer.
Or ask for hot water at the airport and fill up baby bottles and use bottle cover.
Ask for hot water on board the flight.
Or use cooled, sterilised water from home and then just warm the bottle up from hot water from plane, and then pour into cereal etc.
Homemade food can be carried in any plastic box, container etc.
Hi Carrie,very useful tips!! I am flying with my ten month old baby in oct in Cathay Pacific Airlines.I booked a bassinet as my baby is very tiny so thought she would fit into it..jst worried about the tv screen and light over d bassinet.Can I control it?? My baby is breast fed and eats solid…how can I carry hot water to prepare her cereal on board and how much??Also how can I carry homemade food for her ??
Thank u…waiting for your reply..
Hi Ciara, Dublin airport advise putting food in non thermos bottle or container.
Hi ciara. I've been trying to get a definitive answer for you as some countries airports allow a thermos and others don't. Abu Dhabi DOES allow but still clarifying if Dublin do.
Hi Carrie, do you know about Heathrow/ BA and a thermos?
Hi, Yes, ie taken a tommee tippee thermos through LHR
Hi Ciara! When are you flying? I'm doing the Syd to Dublin with Etihad at Xmas and my bub will be just shy of 7 months �� very nervous!
Hi Carrie,what a great blog, so helpful for new mums! Im flying with my 6.5 month old from Sydney to Dublin via Etihad. I am hoping the nanny will be a helpful service. I am not expecting her to mind my baby but it would be great to have a central contact for getting boiled water, heating up food etc.
Do you know if they will let me bring on homemade baby food in a thermos jar?
Hi Debi,
BA do provide infant meals but they are of the puréed food type which a 22m old may not be too interested in. They also provide food and bottle warming facilities.
Food wise, cooked pasta twirls, mini sausages etc, some fruit like a banana etc could always prove handy. Alternatively, the pouches such as Ella's Kitchen or the Woolies equivalent can be brought on board too.
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/food-and-drink/special-meals
Hello,
My Hubster and I are flying with our 22 month old from South Africa to UK. We are flying British Airways. I have noticed that no meals are provided for an infant, which is fine, but what meals would be the easiest for me to bring on board?. Can I bring a meal that would require heating in a microwave? Any suggestions?
Thanks
Debi
Hi Verena,
Thanks! Hi, great idea doing a stopover in Singapore. I've flown both day and night flights and find them fairly similar. However, you may prefer a day flight as then you know most people will also be awake, especially as they are a little more active at that age. Plus it could mean that you are not as exhausted trying to get them to sleep if a night flight.
Hi, thanks for posting all these great handy tips! I'm only halfway your website and found already lots of useful information.
We are planning to travel from Germany to Australia with a 10 month old (on outbound flight, and 12 months old on return leg). To break up the flights we'll do a one night stopover in Singapore. We are unsure what is the best time to fly with a toddler, overnight or during day time? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Cheers
your blog is a life-safer and you are an angel!
I actually wrote a very long comment but pressed a wrong button :-( didn't have the effort to re-write it. *sulk*
I had horrible experience with Etihad.
Hi Lydia, it may mean a bit of leaning over and readjusting baby to a comfortable latch position,, but it is possible. The lap belt loops over your seat belt so there is room to manoeuvre . have a fab time.
How would one breastfeed an 8 month old baby during take-off/landing if the airline requires them to be strapped to you? Or does that rule not apply to 8 month olds?
Lydia
Oh what a shame. I'm guessing full flights because of summer holidays etc? But still the airlines should expect these flights to be busy and full of children. I'm curious, did you ask the Nanny to at least give you 15 mins to eat your meal in peace and did she refuse? Maybe worth informing Etihad so they can review this service? Hope you had a lovely holiday though. :-)
Sorry to be a bit late commenting, I used to be a flying nanny and we were also part of the min crew meaning that we had the other duties to attend to during the flight. As you can imagine, we can’t take each child and look after them personally, especially if the flight is full, we were just there to distribute the packs, heat milk etc. On the website it does say assist families. This also applies to gulfair.
The Nanny on Etihad was actually too busy to help us at all, she couldn't take my baby so I could eat, sleep etc, she just oohed and aahed a bit and then was off. Great idea, doesn't work in reality.
I agree, babies certainly don't have to be woken up if there is no need, but just like adults can sometimes be uncomfortable with air pressure change ( we understand and simply pop our ears, yawn, swallow, chew gum etc) babies wouldn't understand the unfamiliar feeling. Hence, if they are uncomfortable, or have a slight ear infection, feeding etc can help.
It's actually a myth that babies have to suck on something for take-off and landing. As a Flight Attendant, I hated seeing babies woken and forced to drink. Please let your child sleep in peace! As a mom, flying with three kids on transatlantic flights, I never did this. They stayed, often asleep, in their car seats for take-off and landing. We never EVER had ear problems. I did make sure their ears were healthy by visiting the ped a few days prior to flying (once we did "catch" and ear infection and he was on the mend the day we flew).
I think this was true in the days of the unpressurized cabin but it's not true today. Babies often cry when the air conditioning is turned on after take-off but ear problems are rare. It's only when the person (of any age) has had an ear infection, head cold, etc. recently. Then, that really hurts but healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.
If you're flying with exclusively breast fed babies who don't take pacifiers (like I did) no worries! Be sure they're in their car seats for take-off and landing as this is the most dangerous portion of the flight.
Let's "kill" that unhelpful "tip" for good!
Wow.. this was really helpful and positive advise ..?.. I am gonna travel with my 8 months in November.. thanks