British Airways Pregnancy, Infant, and Children Travel Policy

British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom and is is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations. Here’s a recap of British Airways’ pregnancy, infant and children travel policies.

*This is for informational purposes only. For specific questions on traveling with children on British Airways, please click here or contact the airline directly.

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Expectant Mothers Flying with British Airways

For uncomplicated single pregnancies, we restrict travel beyond the end of the 36th week, and for twins, triplets etc., beyond the end of the 32nd week. After your pregnancy has entered its 28th week, we ask that you carry with you a letter from your doctor or midwife, stating the pregnancy is uncomplicated and confirming the expected date of delivery. In this letter, your doctor should state that you are in good health, that they are happy for you to fly, and that (in their opinion) there is no reason why you cannot fly.

Infants (under 2 years old) Flying with British Airways

Newborn infants must be at least 48 hours old before they can travel on British Airways.

You must always have a ticket for your infant’s journey.

Infants are not required to have their own seat however, you must inform British Airways that you will be traveling with an infant on your lap.

Only one lap child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under 2 years of age, a seat will have to be purchased for each additional infant.

Lap children can only be held by passengers who are at least 15 years of age.

If you’re travelling with an infant who reaches the age of two during their journey, your child will need their own seat for any flights on and after their 2nd birthday. However, there is no charge for this; you will still only pay the infant fare for the entire journey. You can make the initial booking for your infant on ba.com. Then just contact British Airways and we’ll do the rest to ensure that your child has a seat after their 2nd birthday.

You can also choose to purchase a seat for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device. The fare you pay for your infant will differ, depending on where your infant sits:

Sitting on an adult’s lap – Infant fare

An infant fare is charged at 10% of the adult fare when the infant does not have his/her own seat, but sits on an adult’s lap.

A separate seat for your infant – Child fare

If you would like your infant to sit in his/her own seat (as long as they are between 6 and 23 months), you’ll pay a child fare. This can’t be booked online, so contact us and we’ll be pleased to help you.

Baggage Allowance for Infants and Children

Children and infants’ hand baggage allowances

When you travel on British Airways, your child has the same hand baggage allowance as you.

If you are travelling with an infant, you’ll be able to bring one bag for the items that your infant may require during the flight. Airport security will vary around the world, so please check what restrictions your airport has in place for carrying baby milk in your hand baggage.

Children and infants’ checked baggage allowances
Your child will have the same free checked baggage allowance as you, which will vary depending on which cabin you are travelling in.

If you are travelling with an infant, in addition to your own free checked baggage allowance, you can also bring:

one bag to check in for the infant
one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller)
one car seat

At most airports you’ll be able to take your pushchair right up to the aircraft door, and the airport staff will then put it in the aircraft hold.

Children (2 to 12 years old) Flying with British Airways

Child fares cover those aged from two to 12 years and are 75 per cent of an adult fare.

Strollers, Carrycots, Child Seats and Child Restraint Devices

Strollers

Baby strollers are available at the airport. For details, ask at the departure counter at the airport. You will be able to use it from the check-in counter to the boarding gate. Strollers are not available at arrival airport.

One fully collapsible stroller or infant carrying basket/car seat is allowed in addition baggage allowance for infants.

Carrycots and Child Seats

For your baby’s comfort, we have specially designed carrycots on board, so that your baby can sleep during the flight.

To reserve a carrycot you just need to book a seat in advance at a carrycot position on the aircraft, and that is free of charge. You’ll see the carrycot positions on the seat map in Manage My Booking. If you don’t choose a seat in advance, we’ll allocate a suitable seat for you three days before departure, but this might not be at a carrycot position.

Please note: Due to operational reasons, sometimes we will not be able to guarantee the carrycot that you reserved.

We can also supply a child seat that attaches to the carrycot position. If you have reserved your seat at a carrycot position, you can ask the cabin crew for a child seat.

The child seats supplied by British Airways are:

available on all longhaul flights, except in First Class on Boeing 777 aircraft, where only carrycots are supplied
suitable to be used from birth to two years, for infants who weigh no more than 13kgs (29lbs)
adjustable to a variety of positions from horizontal to vertical

Child Restraint Devices

If you decide to purchase a separate seat for your infant for a child fare, or you’re travelling with a child who is less than three years old, you may prefer to use your own forward facing car seat or Amsafe Child Restraint System. They must meet the following conditions:

The car seat*:

can only be used for infants over six months old and children up to three years old
must be designed to be secured by means of a normal aircraft single lap strap and face the same direction as the passenger seat on which it is positioned
must have a 5-point restraining harness
must not exceed the dimensions of the aircraft seat, and should fit into an area of 45cm x 45cm (17.5ins x 17.5ins)

*Two part car seats, (a seat and separate base) are not suitable for use on aircraft seats.

If you have your own AmSafe System:

It can be used for infants from 12 months to children of 4 years of age.
It isn’t suitable for use on First Class, Club World or World Traveller Plus seats.
It can’t be used in the same row as the emergency exit or the row in front or behind the emergency exit.

Special Services for Families Flying with British Airways

British Airways carry some tinned baby food on our longhaul flights, but we recommend that you carry your own baby food and equipment, including liquids and sterilised bottles, in your hand baggage. If you’d like to bring your own baby’s food with you, make sure you bring un-opened food in a sealed jar.

Airport security will vary around the world, so please check what restrictions the airport has in place for carrying baby milk in your hand baggage.

Unfortunately, they not able to sterilise bottles or provide sterilised water on board.

Children’s meals are available for ages two to 11 years and need to be booked in advance. The airline guarantees at least five portions of fruit or vegetables in every meal. The meals are fun, with menu options such as vegetable sticks with dips, and chocolate-coated fruit.

Children aged 3 – 5 years old receive a backpack, while 6 to 12 year olds get a shoulder pack for flights over 2 hours. The packs contain age-appropriate games and activities such as a cuddly Skyflyer toy, sticker books, reading books, electronic games, top trumps playing cards, notebook and pen, magazine with activities and write and wipe magnetic board.

British Airways Pregnancy, Infant and Children Travel Policy