Virgin Atlantic Airways operates between the United Kingdom and North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia from its bases at London Gatwick Airport and London Heathrow Airport. Here’s a summary of Virgin Atlantic’s pregnancy, infant and children travel policies.
*This is for informational purposes only. For more information on flying with children on Virgin Atlantic Airways, click here.
Expectant Mothers
As long as you haven’t experienced any complications during your pregnancy, you can fly until your 28th week without needing to tell the airline. Beyond the 28th week, you’ll need to take note of some guidelines.
Read more about Virgin Atlantic’s pregnancy policy here.
Infants (under 2 years old)
Infants are not required to have their own seat however you must inform Virgin Atlantic 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.
A seat may be purchased for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device. Virgin Atlantic offers these seats at discounted rates.
For international flights, infants are charged 10% of an adult fare plus taxes, even if the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.
A ticket must be purchased for any flight on which the infant will be over 2 years old.
Baggage Allowance for Infants
Passengers travelling with infants or children can bring a fully collapsible pushchair or car seat, in addition to their free check in luggage allowance.
Infants too young for their own seat on the aircraft (travelling on the lap of a parent or carer) can have one piece of hold baggage weighing up to 23kg, and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 6kg. We’re afraid we can’t allow extra baggage allowance to be purchased for infants.
Strollers, Bassinets / Baby Cots and Child Restraint Devices
Strollers:
When travelling with children or infants, you’re welcome to bring one fully collapsible pushchair or car seat, in addition to your free checked baggage allowance. Note that these will fly in the aircraft’s hold, rather than the cabin.
Bassinets / Baby Cots:
To make our flights comfortable for your baby (and peaceful for you), we offer in-flight cots free of charge. For your baby’s safety, we don’t allow them to be placed on the cabin floor. The cabin crew will install the cot for you after take-off and advise you if your baby will need to be removed from the cot and secured on your lap should there be any turbulence.
The cots have very slightly different dimensions depending on your aircraft. To check your baby will fit comfortably in the cot that’s on your flight, see the dimensions below.
Please note there are no in-flight cots in the Upper Class cabin on B747-400 aircraft operating to or from Gatwick or Manchester
Premium Economy and Economy classes on the A340-300 and B747-400 aircraft:
Maximum weight of baby: 9kg (19.8lb)
Maximum height of baby: 740mm (29”)
Dimensions: 35cm wide x 21cm deep x 74cm long (13.8” wide x 8.3” deep x 29” long)
Premium Economy and Economy classes on the A340-600 and A330 aircraft:
Maximum weight of baby: 11kg (24.25lb)
Maximum height of baby: 760mm (30”)
Dimensions 28.6cm wide x 72.7cm long (11.25” wide x 28.6” long)
Upper Class on the A340-300, A340-600, A330 and B747-400 aircraft:
Maximum weight of baby: 11kg (24.25lb)
Maximum height of baby: 750mm (29.5”)
Bassinet Dimensions: 35cm wide x 24cm deep x 76cm long (13.8” wide x 9.4” deep x 29.9” long)
Child Restraint Devices:
Child restraint devices must have the labels noted below, or you will not be allowed to use it during take-off, landing, and surface movements. This includes booster seats and other types of harnesses.
| Country: | Certification: | Details: |
|---|---|---|
| United States |
US FMVSS #213 or Federal Aviation Authorities (FAA) |
Manufactured after 26 February 1985; red sticker bearing text “This restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft” and “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”Manufactured before 1985; it must state “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.” |
| Canada |
Transport Canada
|
|
| European Union |
Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA)
|
|
| Germany |
TÜV: TÜV/958-01/2001
|
|
| U.N. |
United Nations ECE R 44-03 (or later versions)
|
Special Services
We offer specially designed in-flight cots, we’ll warm milk for you, some of our toilets include changing facilities and we even carry spare baby items such as bottles (although it’s always best to bring your own).
Cow’s milk, formula and water (to make formula up) are all allowed on the aircraft. They must be in baby bottles or cartons, not bottles from the supermarket or flasks etc. They can be over 100ml, but only up to a reasonable amount that’s necessary for the flight. You will be asked to taste 50% of what’s taken through
Whenever you need milk warming up, just let the cabin crew know and they’ll be happy to do it. They’ll always do it properly too – by warming it in hot water then leaving it to cool.
All children on flights leaving the UK get a free backpack crammed with exciting things to keep them occupied. Inside they’ll find:
- A book
- A Virgin Atlantic baseball cap
- A magazine
- An uber-cool digital watch
- A packet of sweets
- A colouring pen
Related Reading
- Bottle Feeding and Formula Feeding Travel Tips
- Best Travel Beds for Babies, Toddlers and Young Children
- How to Travel While Potty Training + Potty Training Essentials Packing List
*This is for informational purposes only. For more information on flying with children on Virgin Atlantic Airways, click here.