Ruqayyah Snyder
In Australia, infants under two years old can generally fly for free if they sit on an adult's lap and don't occupy a separate seat. However, some airlines like Jetstar charge a fee for lap infants. For international flights, infants usually require a ticket, even if they don't occupy a separate seat. When it comes to baggage, most airlines allow parents to check in special infant items like strollers, cots, and car seats for free, in addition to a limited amount of baby food, milk, and other essential items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar |
| Infant seating | Infants can sit on the lap of an adult for free on domestic flights. A separate ticket is required for infants occupying a seat and for all international travel. |
| Infant meals | Can be requested on selected Qantas flights via 'Manage Booking' |
| Infant luggage allowance | Parents can bring an extra 7kg of hand-carry baggage for the baby's needs on Virgin Australia flights. Jetstar allows parents to bring a pram, stroller, portable cot, and/or high chair as checked baggage for free. Qantas allows a collapsible stroller, pushchair, collapsible cot, bassinet, car seat, or baby capsule as checked baggage. |
| Infant items | Virgin Australia allows parents to check in up to three 'special infant items' such as a collapsible stroller, cot, or car seat. |
| Documentation | No law requires carrying a birth certificate for domestic flights, but all airlines require proof of age and identification for the infant. International travel requires the same documentation as an adult, including passports and visas. |
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What You'll Learn
- Domestic flights: Qantas and Virgin Australia carry lap infants for free, while Jetstar charges a fee
- International flights: Infants require their own ticket
- Bassinets: Available on Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft, but not on Boeing 737 aircraft
- Luggage: Check-in limits vary by airline
- Meals: Baby meals can be requested on selected flights
Domestic flights: Qantas and Virgin Australia carry lap infants for free, while Jetstar charges a fee
When it comes to domestic flights in Australia, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer more accommodating policies for infants and children, particularly concerning check-in luggage limits. Notably, both airlines allow lap infants to travel for free. Qantas provides complimentary bassinets for infants on their Airbus A330 aircraft, primarily servicing flights to and from Perth. These bassinets are available in the Business and Economy cabins and can be requested at check-in, subject to availability. Additionally, Qantas allows parents to carry a reasonable quantity of liquid, aerosol, or gel products for their infants or toddlers, with the exact amount at the discretion of the security screening officer.
On the other hand, Jetstar, another popular airline in Australia, charges a fee for lap infants. As of the latest update, this fee stands at $35 per flight. It is important to note that infants who cannot sit up unaided in aircraft seats must bring an approved car seat, and Jetstar allows these to be brought on board for all their flights.
Virgin Australia, whose domestic fleet primarily consists of Boeing 737 aircraft without bassinets, offers a different set of perks for parents. They allow parents with infants to check in up to three 'special infant items' free of charge, such as a collapsible stroller, cot, or car seat. Additionally, parents can bring an extra 7kg of hand-carry baggage for the baby's needs, including items like baby milk, food, and disposable wipes.
It is worth noting that all airlines in Australia require proof of age and identification for infants, such as birth certificate extracts and immunisation records, even though there is no legal requirement to carry a birth certificate for domestic flights.
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International flights: Infants require their own ticket
When it comes to international flights, the policies regarding infants and children can vary between airlines. However, it is generally required that infants have their own ticket for international travel, even if they will be travelling on the lap of an adult. This ticket will usually be issued at a reduced fare compared to a regular adult ticket.
For example, Qantas states that infants must have their own ticket for international services, although they can be booked online without a seat and travel on the lap of an adult or in a bassinet if available. Similarly, American Airlines issues tickets for infants travelling internationally on an adult's lap, and these infants can check one bag at the same rate as the adult's first checked bag.
On the other hand, Delta Air Lines offers free travel for infants under 2 years of age travelling on the lap of an adult within the United States, with a reduced fare for international travel. Additionally, infants occupying a seat on Delta's domestic flights require a ticket and must pay the applicable fare.
It is important to note that each airline may have specific requirements and restrictions regarding infant and child travel, including the use of car seats, bassinets, and checked baggage allowances. Therefore, it is recommended to review the policies of the specific airline you plan to travel with and make any necessary arrangements in advance.
Furthermore, when travelling internationally with an infant, proper documentation is required, including passports and visas. If anyone under the age of 18 is travelling without both parents, a Letter of Consent may also be necessary. It is always best to check with the relevant authorities to ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip.
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Bassinets: Available on Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft, but not on Boeing 737 aircraft
If you are planning to fly with an infant, it is important to be aware of the various policies and provisions that different airlines have in place. Qantas, for example, offers bassinets on its Airbus A330 aircraft, which are primarily used for flights to and from Perth. These bassinets are available in both the Business cabin (2) and Economy (2), and can be requested at check-in, subject to availability. It is important to note that these bassinets cannot be booked in advance. Additionally, Qantas allows passengers travelling with infants to carry a reasonable quantity of liquid, aerosol, or gel products, including baby milk powder, onboard. They also permit the checking of certain infant items, such as a collapsible stroller, cot, or car seat, free of charge.
On the other hand, Qantas' Boeing 737 aircraft, which make up the majority of their domestic flights, do not offer bassinets. In these cases, infants can travel on the lap of an adult for free and do not require a separate ticket. However, if an infant requires their own seat, a ticket must be purchased, and the infant must be secured in an approved child safety seat. Qantas recommends contacting them at least 7 days prior to travel in such cases, as pre-approval for certain devices may be required.
It is worth noting that Qantas strives to seat families together whenever possible, and standard seat selection is free on domestic flights. Additionally, Qantas provides special seat belts for infants travelling on an adult's lap, ensuring a safe and secure journey.
When it comes to baggage allowances, infants on Qantas flights have the same allowances as adults. However, it is important to be aware that these allowances vary depending on the destination. For example, a collapsible stroller or pushchair may be included in the baggage allowance for one destination but not another. Therefore, it is recommended to check the specific allowances for your flight.
In summary, while Qantas' Airbus A330 aircraft offer bassinets, their Boeing 737 aircraft do not. Nevertheless, Qantas has a range of other provisions and policies in place to accommodate infants and families, ensuring a comfortable and safe travel experience.
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Luggage: Check-in limits vary by airline
When travelling with an infant, it is important to be aware of the various luggage allowances and restrictions of different airlines. Here is some information about check-in luggage limits for a few airlines:
Qantas
Qantas allows parents travelling with infants to check in a reasonable amount of liquid, aerosol, or gel products for their infant or toddler. This includes items such as baby milk powder, food, and other baby products. Qantas also allows passengers to check in a collapsible stroller, push-chair, collapsible cot, bassinet, car seat, or baby capsule. The airline recommends that passengers travelling with infants bring any items their child may need during the flight, as well as some extra supplies in case of delays or cancellations.
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia allows parents with infants to check in up to three "special infant items," such as a collapsible stroller, cot, or car seat. This applies to all fare types. In addition, parents can bring an extra 7kg of hand-carry baggage for the baby's needs, including items such as baby milk, food, and disposable wipes.
Jetstar
Jetstar allows parents travelling with infants to bring a pram, stroller, portable cot, and/or highchair as checked baggage for free. However, infants who do not occupy a seat are not entitled to a checked baggage allowance, and any baby items must be carried as part of the accompanying adult's carry-on baggage allowance.
It is important to note that these policies may change and it is recommended to check the latest information on the airline's website or contact them directly for specific queries or concerns.
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Meals: Baby meals can be requested on selected flights
When it comes to flying with a baby, it's important to be well-prepared. While some airlines offer baby meals, others don't, so it's crucial to plan ahead. Here's everything you need to know about requesting baby meals on selected flights:
Baby Meals on Qantas Flights
Qantas offers baby meals on selected flights. To request a baby meal, log into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account and access the "Manage Booking" section. However, it's important to note that Qantas' domestic fleet primarily consists of Boeing 737 aircraft, which do not offer bassinets.
Baby Meals on Singapore Airlines Flights
Singapore Airlines provides baby meals on all their flights. They also offer special meals for infants with dietary restrictions due to religious or medical reasons. To ensure your little one's dietary needs are met, be sure to request a special meal if needed. Requests for baby meals must be made at least 24 to 32 hours before your flight's departure.
Baby Meals on Other Airlines
Different airlines have varying policies and offerings for baby meals. For instance, Virgin Australia allows parents to bring baby food onboard, but they do not provide complimentary meals in Economy, so it's best to bring your own food. Emirates Airlines offers purees for toddlers under 2 years old, but they may not provide fridge space for your food and have restrictions on heating food.
General Tips for Flying with a Baby
It's recommended to reserve your seats in advance, either at the time of booking or during check-in, as the best seats tend to go quickly. Aisle seats or bulkhead seats (rows without seats in front) are often preferred by parents travelling with babies. Additionally, it's worth noting that some airlines may require you to contact them directly to book a separate seat for your baby, especially if they are over 6 months old.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, infants can travel free of charge on an adult's lap on Australian domestic flights. This applies to Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar flights. However, infants occupying a separate seat will need their own ticket.
Qantas allows passengers travelling with infants to carry a reasonable quantity of liquid, aerosol, or gel products onboard. This includes baby products such as baby milk powder. Additionally, the carry-on and checked baggage allowance for infants is the same as for adults and includes a collapsible stroller, cot, or car seat.
Virgin Australia allows parents with infants to check in up to three "special infant items," such as a collapsible stroller, cot, or car seat, regardless of fare type. Additionally, parents can bring an extra 7kg of hand-carry baggage for the baby's needs, including items such as baby milk, food, and disposable wipes.
Jetstar allows parents travelling with infants to bring a pram, stroller, portable cot, and/or highchair as checked baggage for free. However, infants not occupying a seat do not have a carry-on baggage allowance, so any baby items must be carried within the adult's carry-on allowance.
