Children's baggage allowance by airline: what's included
Infant and child baggage rules vary widely between airlines. Lap infants (under 2) typically get a small cabin bag for essentials and free stroller or car seat transport, but no standard checked allowance on budget carriers. Children aged 2 and over with their own seat receive the same baggage allowance as adults on most airlines.
Travelling with little ones usually means packing double, and every airline handles pushchairs, changing bags and car seats a little differently. Some carriers include a free checked bag for infants; others give you nothing beyond a small nappy bag. Stroller policies, car seat allowances and bassinet availability all vary too.
This page compares children's baggage policies across six airlines popular with European travellers: Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, Lufthansa, Wizz Air and Vueling. You will find the specific weights, dimensions and fees for each carrier, plus practical details on strollers, car seats and family perks.
Children's baggage allowance by airline
Select an airline to see its infant and child baggage policy, stroller rules and family perks.
Ryanair
Ryanair’s infant policy covers babies aged 8 days to 23 months.
- Lap infants pay a flat fee of €25 / £25 per one-way flight.
- One infant per adult aged 18 or over.
- If a child turns 2 before the return flight, a full-fare seat is required for that leg.
- Children aged 2 to 11 must sit next to an accompanying adult.
- Minimum age to fly is 8 days.
Lap infants receive limited baggage, while children with seats get the same allowance as adults.
- Lap infant: no independent cabin bag, but the accompanying adult may bring one 5 kg baby bag (45 x 35 x 20 cm) free of charge.
- Infant with booked seat: receives the cabin bag allowance of the purchased fare (small bag 40 x 20 x 25 cm included; 10 kg overhead bag with Priority).
- Children aged 2 and over: same cabin and checked baggage allowance as adult passengers on their selected fare type.
Ryanair allows two items of baby equipment free of charge per child.
- One pushchair plus one of the following: car seat, booster seat or travel cot.
- Pushchair can be used to the aircraft steps, then loaded into the hold.
- No bassinets available on any Ryanair route.
Ryanair has limited family-specific benefits.
- Children under 12 must be seated with an adult at booking.
- No priority boarding specifically for families.
- No in-flight entertainment or children’s meals included.
easyJet
easyJet’s infant policy covers babies from 14 days to under 2 years old.
- Lap infants pay £25 per infant, per flight.
- Minimum age to fly is 14 days.
- Each adult may travel with up to two infants, but at least one must have their own purchased seat with a suitable child-restraint device.
- Children aged 2 and over require their own seat.
easyJet provides a changing bag allowance for lap infants.
- Lap infant: one additional baby changing bag up to 45 x 36 x 20 cm (must fit under the seat).
- Infant with own seat: standard cabin bag allowance plus a changing bag.
- Children aged 2 and over: same hand luggage allowance as adult passengers on their fare type.
- Each passenger (including children and infants) can buy up to three hold bags (15 kg, 23 kg or 32 kg options).
easyJet allows two free items of baby equipment per infant or child.
- Two of the following checked free: travel cot, pushchair, buggy, car seat, booster seat or baby back carrier.
- Pushchairs can be gate-checked free of charge.
- Car seats permitted in cabin when child has their own booked seat (must be a certified model).
- No bassinets available on easyJet flights.
easyJet provides some family-friendly benefits.
- Early boarding for passengers travelling with children under 5.
- Speedy Boarding available for purchase.
- No dedicated children’s meals included.
British Airways
British Airways accepts infants from 48 hours old after an uncomplicated birth; medical clearance is required for premature births or caesarean deliveries.
- Infants under 2 can travel on an adult’s lap or in their own purchased seat.
- Infant fare is a percentage of the accompanying adult’s fare (shown during booking).
- One infant per adult.
- Maximum of two infants per row; infants cannot sit in exit rows.
- Children aged 2 to 11 require their own seat.
British Airways has one of the more generous infant baggage policies.
- Lap infant: one extra cabin bag for in-flight essentials (up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm, max 23 kg).
- Lap infant: one free checked bag of 23 kg (except on Basic hand-baggage-only fares).
- Children aged 2 to 11 with a seat: same checked and cabin allowance as adults in their cabin class.
- Infant with own purchased seat: treated as a child with full adult allowance.
British Airways includes two free essential equipment items per infant or child.
- Two of the following checked free: fully collapsible pushchair, car or booster seat, travel cot, baby back carrier.
- Pushchairs within 117 x 38 x 38 cm when collapsed can be returned at the aircraft door at participating airports.
- Bassinets available on long-haul flights (carrycot for babies up to 6 months and 8 kg; infant seat up to 24 months and 12.5 kg).
British Airways provides several family benefits.
- Bassinets and child seats free of charge on eligible long-haul flights (subject to availability).
- Children’s meals available on long-haul flights.
- In-flight entertainment with children’s programming.
- Family check-in desks at some airports.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa’s infant policy covers babies under 2 years old.
- Lap infants travel free on domestic German routes.
- On international routes, lap infants pay approximately 10% of the adult fare.
- Minimum age to fly is 7 days (younger infants require medical clearance).
- One lap infant per adult.
- If a child turns 2 during the journey, a child fare is required for remaining segments.
Lufthansa provides checked baggage for infants on most fare types.
- Lap infant on international routes: one free checked bag of 23 kg (not available on Economy Light fares).
- No infant checked baggage on Economy Light fares.
- Children aged 2 and over with a seat: same checked and cabin allowance as adults in their fare class.
- Infant with own purchased seat: treated as a child with full allowance.
Lufthansa allows free transport of baby equipment.
- One collapsible stroller and one car seat checked free per infant.
- Approved child seats and booster seats can be brought onboard as carry-on.
- Bassinets available on long-haul flights (up to 11 kg, 67 cm length, under 8 months old).
- Bassinet reservations must be made at least 52 hours before departure.
Lufthansa has several family-oriented services.
- Jetfriends programme for young travellers.
- Family boarding at some airports.
- Children’s meals available on long-haul flights.
- In-flight entertainment with children’s content.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air’s infant policy covers babies from 14 days to under 2 years old.
- Lap infant fee varies by route (approximately £27 to £32 per one-way flight).
- Minimum age to fly is 14 days.
- One lap infant per adult.
- Children aged 2 to 14 are classified as children; over 14 as adults.
Wizz Air provides a personal item for infants but no checked baggage.
- Lap infant: one additional personal item up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm and 10 kg.
- No trolley bag or checked baggage can be purchased under an infant’s name.
- Children aged 2 and over with a seat: one free carry-on bag (40 x 30 x 20 cm); trolley bag available with WIZZ Priority.
- Food sufficient for the flight duration is permitted for infants.
Wizz Air allows one item of baby equipment free.
- One foldable pushchair, pram, travel cot or car seat checked free per infant.
- Equipment can be taken to the aircraft door, then stowed in the hold.
- Only rear-facing car seats permitted in cabin (requires purchased seat).
- Electric and motorised strollers are not permitted.
No bassinets available on Wizz Air flights.
Wizz Air has limited family-specific benefits.
- Priority boarding included for passengers travelling with an infant under 2 (up to two adults per baby).
- No in-flight entertainment.
- No children’s meals included.
Vueling
Vueling’s infant policy covers babies from 7 days old.
*Lap infants pay a flat fee of €25 per flight (plus applicable taxes).
- Minimum age to fly is 7 days (one of the youngest minimums among European carriers).
- One lap infant per adult.
- Children aged 2 and over require their own seat.
Vueling provides an extra baby bag for lap infants.
- Lap infant: one extra baby bag up to 5 kg in addition to the adult’s standard cabin allowance.
- Children aged 2 and over: same cabin allowance as adults on their fare type.
- Hold bags can be purchased for children at standard rates.
Vueling allows free transport of baby equipment.
- Up to two items of baby equipment checked free per infant: pushchair/buggy, plus a cradle, travel cot, or Group 0+ car seat.
- Pushchairs can be used up to the aircraft door, then placed in the hold free of charge.
- Certified car seats are permitted in the cabin if a separate seat is booked (max width 44 cm); other car seats must travel in the hold.
- No bassinets available on any Vueling route.
Vueling provides some family benefits.
- Priority boarding for families with young children.
- Children’s meals available for purchase on some routes.
- Flexible infant policy with one of the lowest minimum ages (7 days).
Age determines everything
The child's age on the date of each flight segment matters, not their age when you book. If your child turns 2 before the return flight, you will need to purchase a full seat for that leg. Budget airlines enforce this strictly at check-in.
Gate-check your stroller
Most airlines let you use your pushchair through the airport and hand it over at the aircraft door. It travels in the hold and is usually returned at the aircraft door on arrival, though some airports deliver it to baggage reclaim instead. Check your specific airport's policy before relying on door-side return.
Bassinets are long-haul only
Budget carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling) do not provide bassinets on any route. Full-service airlines like British Airways and Lufthansa provide them on long-haul flights, but you must reserve in advance and meet weight and age limits. Availability is limited, so book early.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Most airlines allow children under 2 to travel as lap infants at a reduced fare (typically 10% of the adult fare on full-service carriers, or a flat fee of €25-35 on budget airlines). Children aged 2 and over require their own seat but often receive the same baggage allowance as adults.
Yes. All six airlines covered here allow you to use your pushchair through the airport and hand it over at the aircraft door or steps. The stroller travels in the hold free of charge. On arrival, it is typically returned at the aircraft door, though some airports deliver it to baggage reclaim.
Yes. Ryanair allows one baby bag up to 5 kg (dimensions 45 x 35 x 20 cm) for lap infants. This is in addition to the adult's cabin bag allowance. The bag should contain essentials like nappies, wipes, formula and a change of clothes.
It depends on the airline. British Airways includes one free 23 kg checked bag for lap infants (except on Basic fares). Lufthansa provides one 23 kg checked bag on standard fares, but no checked baggage on Economy Light fares. Budget carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Vueling do not include checked baggage for lap infants.
Most airlines allow at least one item of baby equipment free. British Airways, easyJet, and Vueling allow two items (such as a pushchair plus a travel cot or car seat). Ryanair allows two items (a pushchair plus one car seat, booster seat, or travel cot). Wizz Air allows one item only.
Yes, if you purchase a separate seat for your child. Most airlines require the car seat to be an approved model. Wizz Air only permits rear-facing car seats. Vueling allows both forward and rear-facing models. Check your airline's specific requirements before travelling.
No. Bassinets are only available on long-haul flights with full-service carriers like British Airways and Lufthansa. Budget airlines operating short and medium-haul routes do not provide bassinets.
On most airlines, if your child turns 2 before the return flight, you must purchase a separate seat at the child fare for the remaining flight segments. British Airways is an exception: you must book an allocated seat for the return flight, but you only pay the infant fare for the entire trip.
easyJet provides early boarding for passengers travelling with children under 5. Wizz Air provides priority boarding for passengers travelling with an infant under 2. British Airways and Lufthansa provide family boarding at some airports. Ryanair does not have dedicated family boarding.
Information in this article was last verified on 22/10/2026. Details such as prices, measures, and dates are subject to change. Always confirm directly with the relevant airline before travel.
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