Flying with a baby or toddler: tickets, seats, baggage and ear pressure

When flying with a baby or young child, the difference starts the moment you book: seat layout, baggage allowance and flight time matter far more than for an adult travelling alone. This guide goes in order from booking to landing. For passports, visas and parental consent documents, see the guide to travel documents for children; for travel before the birth, see flying while pregnant.

Infant ticket: on your lap or in their own seat?

• Adding a baby to a booking later is not always possible; add them at the same time if you can.
• If the baby turns two before the return date, a seated ticket may be needed for the return.
• The number of lap infants per row is limited by the number of oxygen masks, so a family with two lap infants may not be able to sit in the same row.

Bassinet seats and choosing the right row

On long flights, a baby bassinet attached to the bulkhead in front of certain rows makes a big difference. They are limited in number and usually only for babies under the airline's weight and length limit. Request one right after booking by calling the airline or through the manage-booking page; a request doesn't guarantee a bassinet, so reconfirm before departure. If you don't get one, use the tips in the seat selection guide to sit together as a family.

Strollers, car seats and baggage

• Stroller: most airlines let you use it up to the gate and collect it at boarding, returning it at the aircraft door or on the baggage belt on arrival. A light folding model makes this easier.
• Car seat: if you bought a seat for the child, the car seat must be approved for use on aircraft. Check the approval label and the airline's rules in advance.
• Infant baggage allowance: lap infants don't get a separate checked bag on every fare; check your ticket conditions and the hidden flight costs guide.
• Baby bag: most airlines allow a small baby bag in addition to your cabin bag; check sizes in the cabin baggage rules guide.

Baby food, liquids and security

Baby food, breast milk and liquids needed for a baby are generally exempt from the 100 ml limit, but should be a reasonable amount for the length of the journey and shown separately at security. Officers may ask to test them. For the general liquid rules, see the guide to liquids on planes.

Ear pressure at take-off and landing

• Pressure changes are felt most during landing; the descent starts 20–30 minutes before touchdown.
• For babies, sucking relieves the ears: breastfeeding, a bottle or a dummy during take-off and descent helps.
• For older children, drinking water, chewing or yawning has the same effect.
• You don't have to wake a sleeping baby for landing; if they cry, soothe them with sucking.
• If the baby recently had an ear infection or a heavy cold, ask their doctor before flying. The causes are explained in the ear pressure and sinuses guide.

Flight time and the cabin bag

1. On short flights, choose departures that match the baby's nap time; on long flights, an overnight flight is easier for most families. For adjusting to time differences, see the long-haul flights and jet lag guide.
2. Allow plenty of connection time; changing gates, changing nappies and eating with a baby all take time. Read the connecting flights guide for a safe margin.
3. Pack nappies, wipes and food for twice the flight time in your cabin bag, allowing for delays.
4. Carry spare clothes for the baby and for yourself.
5. For young children, a few new but quiet toys handed out one at a time keep them occupied longer.
6. To plan an unhurried stay, pick places to visit and things to do in your destination before you go.