Airline baby-gear rules
What can you take for free, can a car seat go on board, and are there bassinets? Here are 15 airlines in one table, each linked to its official page. Rules change, so always confirm with your airline before you fly.
| Airline | Pushchair | Car seat | Cot / bassinet | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Up to two essential items free per infant (e.g. a fully collapsible pushchair and a car seat), including Basic fares. | Counts towards the two free items above. | Long-haul: free carrycots for babies under 6 months and under 8 kg; infant seats for babies under 12.5 kg. | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| easyJet | Up to two child items free in the hold (e.g. pushchair, car seat, travel cot). Pushchairs can be gate-checked. | If the infant has their own seat, a suitable forward-facing car seat is needed for take-off and landing. | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Ryanair | Two baby-equipment items free per child (a pushchair plus a car seat, booster seat or travel cot). The pushchair can be used up to the aircraft steps. | Onboard use requires a booked seat. Seats must be forward-facing, aircraft-approved, max 43 cm wide, with a 5-point harness. | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Jet2 | Up to two child/infant equipment items checked free (e.g. collapsible pushchair, car seat, travel cot), each under 32 kg. Pushchair can be kept until boarding. | Included in the two free items. | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| TUI Airways | Pushchairs and car seats checked free, on top of the normal allowance. A collapsible pushchair can go onboard only if it's under 10 kg and 55 × 40 × 20 cm (it uses an adult's hand-luggage allowance). | Checked free, as above. | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Virgin Atlantic | One fully collapsible pushchair free, on top of the checked allowance. Usually usable to the gate. | One car seat or booster seat free, on top of the allowance. | Bassinets can be requested in advance, subject to availability (not guaranteed). | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Aer Lingus | One fully collapsible buggy free per infant or child. | One car seat, booster seat or travel cot free. | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| KLM | One stroller/pram or baby carrier free per child. Collapsible strollers up to 15 × 30 × 100 cm may go in the cabin; otherwise they're gate-checked. | One car seat or CARES free. Onboard use requires a booked seat, air certification, max 42 cm wide, and a reservation at least 48 hours ahead. | Intercontinental: request via Customer Contact, for babies under 1 year, 10 kg and 65 cm. Not guaranteed. | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Air France | One stroller checked free, even on fares without checked bags. Folded strollers within 55 × 35 × 25 cm may go in the cabin (instead of the child's hand baggage). | One car seat checked free. Onboard: an approved seat or CARES, max 44 cm wide. | Long-haul: bassinets for babies under 10 kg and 70 cm. Only a paid Seat Option guarantees one. | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Lufthansa | One foldable pushchair free per child. Pocket buggies up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm may go in the cabin. | Car seat or baby basket free. Onboard use requires a child ticket and a certified seat secured with the lap belt. | Long-haul: free bassinets for babies up to 8 months, 11 kg and 67 cm. Reserve early. | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Emirates | One fully collapsible stroller or carrycot in the cabin if there's space, otherwise checked. | Onboard in a separate seat: aircraft-approved and forward-facing, secured with the lap belt. Emirates doesn't provide child restraints. | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Qatar Airways | One stroller or collapsible carrycot free, on top of the infant's allowance. | One car seat free only if the infant has their own seat. | Bassinets on request, for infants under 24 months and 11 kg, depending on aircraft. | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| American Airlines | One stroller checked free per ticketed customer travelling with a child. | One car seat checked free. | Free, first come first served at the gate, on 777-200, 777-300 and 787 only (not First/Business). Infants up to 20 lb (9 kg). | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| Delta | Not verified yet: check source | Onboard needs a purchased seat and an FAA-approved or foreign-government/UN-approved restraint, or CARES. Boosters not allowed. Window seat preferred. | SkyCots: free on qualifying widebody flights for under 25 lb (11.3 kg) and 26 in (66 cm), max two per aircraft. Request via Reservations. | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
| United | Not verified yet: check source | Not verified yet: check source | Not verified yet: check source | Official page Checked 2026-10-14 |
Related guides
Blank cells mean we couldn't verify that detail from the airline's own page yet. Last checked 2026-10-14.
The Kiddieko letter
Gear picks and travel tips for parents, about twice a month. No spam.