As a new parent, flying with your baby may feel daunting. I remember the butterflies as we boarded our first flight to Majorca with our eight-week-old. Fast-forward, he’s now two, with stamps from seven countries across three continents. In this guide I’ll share my top tips for flying with a baby, so yours is a trip remember.
Top tips for flying with a baby
We’ve got lots to cover, from pre-trip planning, to finally boarding that flight. Ready to dive in?
Planning your first trip abroad
When can you fly with a baby? Most UK airlines allow babies to fly from 14 days old, though this varies. Ryanair allows infants from eight days old, EasyJet from 14, and British Airways from just 48 hours. However, as your little one will need a passport in order to travel, it’s unlikely you’d be jetting off that quickly. Plus, as a new mum, I wouldn’t have wanted to get on a plane shortly after being in labour!
They might only be tiny, but your bubba will already require a UK passport. You can apply by post or the Government website. I found the application process straightforward, and our son’s passport arrived within 10 days. I wondered how on earth I’d take a clear photo of him at such a young age, but it was surprisingly easy. I lay him on a white sheet and took several photos on my phone. In the UK, passports for under 16s are valid for five years. It’s funny looking at his passport photo now, as he’s changed so much.
Personally, I didn’t want to fly with our son until he’d had his first vaccines, which are at eight weeks in the UK. I’d also suggest you check if your destination recommends any other vaccinations prior to travel.
Booking flights for a baby
If you’re flying solo with multiple little ones, check your airline’s policy. Most allow you to travel with two infants (under twos) – one on your lap and one in a seat with a suitable restraint. In all honesty, if this is your first flight, you’ll probably want some extra help, so drag a friend or family member along.
Handy booking tips:
- Stick to routine-friendly flight times. Avoid super early or late flights that might disrupt sleep schedules.
- Go direct. Stopovers add time and stress, especially when juggling nappies, naps, and luggage.
- Think beyond departure time. A 9 a.m. flight means leaving home much earlier when you account for travel, parking, security, and baby wrangling.
- Request a bassinet. Long haul flights should offer these, and while not all babies like sleeping in them (ours didn’t) you’ll automatically be seated on a spacious bulkhead row.
For bigger babies or toddlers, consider booking a separate seat. It’s pricey but could be you’ll all be much comfier. After nine hours of my son crawling all over me on a flight to Florida, I wish I’d done this.
Chloe Gunning, Travel Expert
- Remember, once your child is over two, you’ll pay for a seat. If you have them on your lap, you’ll usually pay a small fee to cover taxes.
- While most airlines will aim to seat children under 12 with an adult, it doesn’t mean your whole family will be seated together. Be prepared to pay to pre-book seats to guarantee you’ll all be together.
- Bring a car seat. It’s a bulky item, so not something I’ve considered, but some are permitted on flights if your child has a separate seat. You’ll be able to strap your baby in safely and they’re more likely to sleep soundly. It’s important to check which car seats are permitted with your airline before you travel.
Luggage when flying with a baby
Before becoming a mum, I assumed you’d pay to check in baby equipment. Most airlines are generous with allowances. Some airlines allow you to check two baby holiday essentials, such as a stroller, car seat or travel cot. You can also take one item of hand luggage, which for us has always been our son’s bursting-at-the-seams changing bag.
Babies under two without their own seat don’t get a checked bag. Be prepared to share your suitcase, no doubt packing it so full of nappies, wipes and bottles, that you’ll barely have space for clothes.
Beyond age two, you should still be able to check in strollers and booster seats, plus your kid will have the same luggage allowance as you.
Baby travel essentials:
- Cabin-approved stroller – I love the lightweight Stokke YOYO3. It folds into the overhead locker, so you’ll have it up to boarding and immediately on landing. If you check your stroller, you might not see it until the baggage belt, which can be a long way from the plane doors.
- Baby carrier – Perfect for airports and onboard naps. Our son loved sleeping in his.
- Packing cubes – Great for organising nappies, snacks, clothes, and toys.
At the airport
Flying with kids is slow. What used to be a speedy bag drop now involves oversized luggage queues, extra checks, and family gates.
I love seeing family queues at airport security. It’s reassuring knowing everyone is in the same boat, and no one will judge you. Where I once breezed through the e-gates at the airport, I now spend time queuing at the family gate. Plus, the time before a flight seems to disappear. It’s filled with last minute nappy changes, feeds or trips to play areas.
Most airlines will try to board families first, but I’d suggest waiting. If you’re in a couple, one of you could go on with the bags, while the other boards at the last minute with the baby. That way they’re not getting restless or disrupting other passengers.
Your baby’s first flight
- Are you breastfeeding or does your baby drink formula milk? I breastfed until my son turned one, and it made the first year of flying so easy. Breastfeeding = portable, clean and no bottles. All airlines permit breastfeeding, as they should.
- If you’re travelling with formula, you can buy pots that portion it up. Airline staff will be happy to provide boiling water, or you could pack a thermos full. Alternatively, buy ready-made formula. The good news is that you have an unlimited milk allowance when you’re travelling with a baby. This is the same once your child is drinking cow’s milk. For one of my trips, I packed enough baby bottles of milk, to get us from London to Florida.
- If your baby is weaning, I’d recommend pouches. They’re easy to transport and relatively mess free. Just be aware, although there aren’t limits, security may inspect any liquids for babies.
- Some babies experience acute ear pain during take-off and landing, due to the pressure. I’ve always tried to feed my son at these points, or give him a snack as a distraction.
- Have you spotted the baby change tables in plane toilets? I hadn’t until we had our son. They’re not in every bathroom, so ask a flight attendant to show you where to go. They’re extremely cramped inside too, so just take in the essentials.
- In terms of sleep, I always recommend replicating a baby’s sleep environment as best you can. Bring their pyjamas, sleeping bag and comforter from home. Our son was a big fan of naps in our baby carrier too.
In-flight entertainment for your baby
You’ll want to pack a selection of compact, engaging toys for your flight. Here are a few I’d recommend:
- Lamaze sensory toys
- Spinners with suction pads for plane windows
- Busy boards
- Sticker books
- Toys that light up
On one flight, I spotted a mum who had brought a huge playmat for her child with a lot of different toys. I don’t think you need to bring much, but it’s smart to rotate items as the flight goes on.
And relax…
One of my biggest tips for flying with a baby, is not to worry too much about what other people think. On my first flight as a mum, I was hyper aware of how we must be disrupting the experience for the kid-free around us. But, I soon sparked up conversations with them and they were very non-judgmental. Many commented on how cute our son was, how lovely it was to see a new baby, or told tales of their kids or grandkids! After all, so many of them will have been in the same position before.
Airline staff have always been so welcoming. One brought us free ice creams from business class, another offered us a glass of champagne. I felt like they respected how hard it is being a new parent, and went out of their way to make us feel welcome.
Chloe Gunning, Travel Expert
On our flight from Vietnam to London, the staff doted on our son. At one point they scooped him up and took him to the galley to play with him. After holding him for hours, I was more than happy to hand him over. I’ve also heard that Emirates staff take Polaroids of families with babies as a cute keepsake.
Flying with a baby isn’t always easy, but once you reach your destination, it’ll all feel worth it. Hopefully my tips will help you travel with confidence.
