The following list details the services offered by a range of family oriented airlines.  While the services offered vary by class this summary details the services economy class passengers receive.  These details were true at the time of writing things may change.  Always confirm your specific luggage allowances directly with the airline once you have purchased your ticket.

Air Tahiti Nui

• Children’s fares – Lap children pay 10% of the adult fare.  Children 2-11 (and those younger who are allocated their own seat) pay 75% of the adult fare plus taxes and surcharges.
• Children’s luggage allowance – Lap children may check in 10kgs of luggage and a folding stroller. Children aged two years and over (and those younger than 2 who are allocated their own seat) have the same allowance as adults which is one piece weighing up to 23kg.  Parents travelling with an infant are allowed an additional item of carry on luggage to accommodate an infant/nappy bag.
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating – Request this when you make your booking.  Although the airline does not guarantee families will be seated together their needs will be prioritized.
• Bassinets – Yes.  Request these when you make your booking.
• Children’s inflight entertainment – The entire-Airbus A340 fleet has personal entertainment screens in every seat.  A range of children’s programs and games are available.
• Children’s meals –  Yes but book these 72 hours prior to departure.  Milk and juice are available on board.
• Children’s entertainment packs – Yes
• Baby supplies – Nappies, wipes and moisturizer are supplied on board.

Air New Zealand

• Children’s fares – Lap children pay 10% of the adult fare.  Children 2-11 (and those younger who are allocated their own seat) pay 75% of the adult fare plus taxes and surcharges.
• Children’s luggage allowance – Infants and children are each allowed either one or two pieces of luggage weighing 23kg per piece depending on the type of ticket purchased.  This is the same as for adults. Infants are not allowed additional items.  Strollers and car seats are permitted free of charge.  Collapsible umbrella strollers may be taken onto the aircraft and stored in overhead lockers.  Larger strollers must be checked in.
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating – Although seat requests are taken at the time of booking and special attention is paid to families travelling with children, there are no guarantees that families will be seated together.
• Bassinets – These are carried on international 747,777, 767 and A320 services.  You may reserve a bassinet if travelling with an infant under eight months.  If your infant is between 8-15 months they may be allocated at the airport if not pre-reserved for younger babies.
• Children’s inflight entertainment – Yes
• Children’s meals – Yes.  Book these when you make your reservation.
• Children’s entertainment packs – Yes
• Baby supplies – On long haul flights parents of babies are supplied with a baby care kit which contains wipes, baby lotion, a bib and teddy bear.  Cabin crew also have access to a limited supply of sippy cups and formula for emergency use.
• Special services – All children under the age of five must be escorted by an adult 15 years or older.  The airline can provide a company escort for your child. Contact your travel agent or Air New Zealand for details on the cost for this service.

British Airways

• Children’s fares – Lap children fly for free if travelling domestically.  If flying internationally lap children pay 10% of the adult fare.  Children 2-11 (and those younger who are allocated their own seat) pay 75% of the adult fare plus taxes and surcharges.
• Children’s luggage allowance – Lap children are allowed one piece of luggage up to 23kg as well as a collapsible pram or stroller.  If travelling with a lap child parents are allowed an additional piece of carry on luggage.  Children over 2 are entitled to the same luggage allowance as an adult – 23kg per bag and one bag per person.
• Priority boarding – Yes.  Parents and children also have priority disembarkation rights.
• Pre-seating –  You may choose your seats online 24 hours ahead of the flight.  Although there are no guarantees if you do not do this, alert the airline that you are travelling as a family to improve your chances of being seated together.
• Bassinets – Yes.  For children under two.  Request these in advance.  British Airways also offers an infant car seat at no extra cost.  Once again, book these in advance
• Children’s inflight entertainment – Yes.  There is also the advantage of a parental lock on the in-seat entertainment units which enables parents to block inappropriate programs.  Many routes also have inflight games for children available in the units.
• Children’s meals – Yes.  Book these in advance. Children’s meals are well stocked with fruit and veggies. Children receive their meals ahead of adult passengers.
• Children’s entertainment packs – Yes.
• Baby supplies – Bring your own baby formula and food.  Flight staff will assist you to heat these.
• Special advice:

1. Newborn infants must be at least 48hrs old before flying with this airline.
2. There are occasions when an adult may want to travel with more than one infant.  British Airways will only allow one adult to travel with a second infant if the second infant is aged between 6 and 23 months.  In this instance the second infant will be charged a child’s fare and seated in an approved car seat.  If the second infant is under 6 months you must travel with a second accompanying adult or a British Airways escort, for which there is a charge.

Cathay Pacific

• Children’s fares – Lap children pay 10% of the adult fare.  Children 2-11 (and those younger who are allocated their own seat) pay 75% of the adult fare plus taxes and surcharges.
• Children’s luggage allowance – Lap children have a 10kg allowance across two bags.   Children who have their own seat have a 20 kg allowance.  Parents can also carry on board a forward facing infant car safety seat for a child (aged between six months and three years) or infant bassinet or cot (that can fit on fold down shelves and can be properly secured), infant food and nappies (for use during the flight) and a collapsible pram (if cabin stowage is available).
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating –  Yes.  Access the airline website to choose your family’s seats 24 hours before flying.
• Bassinets – Yes.  These may be used to accommodate infants up to 12kg.  Request one when you make your booking.
• Children’s inflight entertainment – Yes.  This includes televisions shows, movies and games.
• Children’s meals – Yes for babies up.  These need to be pre-booked.
• Children’s entertainment packs – These are offered to children aged 3-6 years.
• Baby supplies – Baby food is available on board if it is pre-booked.
• Special advice:

1. Healthy newborns are welcomed onto flights after they reach one week of age.
2. Due to safety requirements, infant /child car safety seats may not be used on Business Class seats or Economy Class on Airbus and B777-300ER aircraft.

Emirates

• Children’s fares – Lap children pay 10% of the adult fare.  Children 2-11 (and those younger who are allocated their own seat) pay 50% of the adult fare plus taxes and surcharges.

• Children’s luggage allowance – Lap children are permitted 10kg of luggage.  Children with their own seat are allowed 20kgs per bag and up to two bags.  This is the same allowance as adults.  Passengers travelling with an infant are also allowed one additional item of carry on luggage, either a carry-cot with baby supplies or a collapsible stroller.
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating – Yes if you request it at the time of booking.
• Bassinets – Yes. These have an 11kg weight limit.   Please request these when you make your booking.
• Children’s inflight entertainment – Yes.  This includes televisions shows, movies and games.
• Children’s meals – These are available for children over 2.  Please request these when you make your booking.  There is a stock of baby food on board for emergencies however the airline recommends that you bring your own.
• Children’s entertainment packs – Yes
• Baby supplies – A baby and toddler kit is provided that includes wet wipes, nappy cream, a bib, teething ring and tissue pack. Baby food, formula, feeding bottles and nappies are available in case of emergencies however parents are advised they should also bring their own supplies.  The airline also provides a soft toy for babies to keep them amused.
• Added extra:  A birthday cake is available for children if they are celebrating their birthday on board.  Ensure you request this at the time of booking as well as notify the flight crew on board.  Strollers are also provided for use in Dubai airport.
• Special information:  You may use your car seat on board however it must comply with strict guidelines.  View the airline’s website for these.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Children’s fares – On international flights Lap children pay 10% of the adult fare.  Children 2-11 (and those younger who are allocated their own seat) pay 75% of the adult fare plus taxes and surcharges.  On flights within the United States children pay the full adult fare.
• Children’s luggage allowance – Lap children do not have a luggage allowance although strollers may be checked.  An extra carry-on bag may be taken on the aircraft containing nappies and formula.  Children who have purchased seats are allowed the same luggage as adults.  This is 32kg when travelling internationally and 23kg spread over two bags if travelling within the United States.
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating –  The airline prioritizes the seating of passengers travelling with infants together.
• Bassinets – Yes.  Request these when you make your booking.
• Children’s inflight entertainment –  Hawaiian Airlines does not offer in-seat entertainment.  There are main screens that may show family entertainment.  You have the option of hiring a portable device with headsets, which does offer an extensive array of children’s movies and television shows.
• Children’s meals – No.  You can however request milk and juice on board.
• Children’s entertainment packs – No
• Baby supplies –  Parents should provide their own baby food, formula and nappies onboard.
• Special information
• Infants less than 7 days old will require a doctor’s certificate before being allowed to board.
• You may use a car seat on-board only if it carries the following label:

-“This restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety conditions.”

-“This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” (in red lettering) (NOTE: Labels that indicate U.S. or Foreign Government approval or show the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations are also valid.)

Japan Airlines

• Children’s fares – Child fares may be available for children aged 2-11 and are variable.
• Children’s luggage allowance – Lap children are allocated 10kgs as well as either one collapsible stroller/ pram or car seat. Children with a purchased seat are entitled to the same allowance as adults, which is 20 kgs.
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating – The airline does not guarantee that families will be seated together
• Bassinets –  These are available for babies up to a maximum weight of 10kg or 2 years of age.  Please request these when you make your booking.
• Children’s inflight entertainment – Yes.  This includes televisions shows, movies and games.
• Children’s meals – Babies receive their own “JAL Baby Cruise” kits.  These are available for different ages and include two types of strained baby food in small jars, a JAL baby spoon in the shape of a little airplane, a bib decorated with a JAL Baby Cruise logo and a straw.  The nine-months-and-older kit varies depending on the route flown.    Please request these when you make your booking.
• Meals for children over 2 are available and require 24 hours advance notice.
• Baby supplies – Baby kits containing nappies, wipes, bottled baby food, baby snacks, powdered milk, a baby bottle, spoon, cotton bib, pouch, straw, and tray mat, are available if requested.
• Special extras – JAL operates the JAL family service, which is designed for families travelling with young children.  This includes a meet and greet service, and at Narita and Kansai airports families have use of the exclusive JAL family service lounge with toys, games and movies.  This service is only available to certain passengers travelling with children.  These include unaccompanied parents travelling with a child under 16or a family where the number of children under 16 exceeds the number of adults.  Please book this service at least 48 hours prior to departure.
• You may request an infant seat for children up to 3 years of age.  These must be requested at least 96 hours prior to the flight.  Alternatively you may supply your own car seat for use on board.  Check to website to ensure your car seat complies with airline requirements.  http://www.jal.co.jp/en/baby/

Jetstar

• Children’s fares – Lap children travel for free.  No children’s fares are available for children with their own seat.
• Children’s luggage allowance –Jetstar allows you to select the amount of luggage you wish to check, with the amount you are charged rising incrementally.  This system of payment is the same for children or adults purchasing a ticket.  A pram or a portable cot may be checked at no extra cost.
• Priority boarding – Yes
• Pre-seating – Yes.  You may request your seats 24 hours before boarding on the internet.
• Bassinets – Yes – on some international flights.  Request these when you make your booking.
• Children’s inflight entertainment – You may hire portable entertainment units on some flights.  These units have some child friendly viewing options.
• Children’s meals – You may purchase meals either when you make your booking or in flight, however there are no specific children’s meals available.
• Children’s entertainment packs – You may purchase these on some flights for $7.
• Baby supplies – These are not available in flight.  You must bring your own.

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You may also be interested in reading this advice for breastfeeding while you travel and handling jet lag with small children.

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