Flying British Airways With a Baby: Best 2022 Guide

This post will present all the crucial factors when flying British Airways with a baby.

We will show you:

So if you want to know more, let's dive right in.

What You Must Know When Flying British Airways With a Baby?

If you're not prepared for a British Airways flight, now is time to do so. Please refer to the guidelines below for your convenience.

British Airways pregnancy policy

British Airways strongly recommends you carry a Medical Clearance or a Doctor's Letter confirming:

Medical clearance confirms that you're fit to fly for various reasons (disease, allergies, vaccination, injury, surgery, traveling with a medical escort, etc.) Your doctor should complete the second page. The Clearance team will assess your fitness and advise if you should travel or not.

British Airways will not permit you to travel after the end of the 36th week if you are pregnant with one child or after the 32nd week if you're expecting more babies. You can find more information here.

Other rules include the following:

- Mothers cannot travel within seven days of giving birth.

- Premature or unhealthy babies will be accepted only with Medical Clearance or a qualified escort such as a doctor or a state registered nurse.

British Airways newborn policy

Your newborn must be at least 48 hours old and born without complications before traveling with British Airways. You must check with your doctor if you and your baby are fit to travel soon after giving birth.

Generally, British Airways only accepts newborns born after 40 weeks, with no health complications after at least seven days. They don't need medical clearance. And, you must buy a ticket for the infant's journey.

However, if you had a Cesarean section or other surgery required for giving birth, you can travel only ten days after giving birth. Of course, you must complete the Medical Clearance from British Airways Health Services. And the airline advises that your treating doctor approves your journey first.

British Airways also accepts premature infants, with no medical complications, born at 37 weeks gestation once they reach the expected delivery date - 40 weeks, plus one week. The kids don't need medical clearance.

Flying with infants (under two years of age)

The airline divides children under two years of age into two categories: Lap children & Infants with their own seat.

1. Lap children

Infants and children under two (0-23 months) are not required to have their own seat. Instead, they pay an infant fare when traveling on an adult's lap as a lap child. Only one lap child is allowed per adult. Flight attendants will provide a safety seat belt to secure you and your lap infant. However, you must inform British Airways that the infant sits on your lap.

2. Infants with their own seat

You can reserve a separate seat for your child and pay a child fare. Suppose you would like your infants to have a separate seat. In that case, you need:

However, you cannot bring the devices into the First Class, Business Class, premium economy, and Club Suite. You cannot book the service online.

Flying with children (two years old and older)

Once your infant turns two, they will be considered a child and need their own seat. You need to pay a child fare for kids with their own seats. A child fare is applicable for all children aged two to eleven years of age.

Infants becoming children during the journey

When your infant turns two during the trip, they need their child seats on all flights during and after their second birthday. British Airways will not charge you extra for a suitable child restraint device. However, you will still pay an infant fare for the entire journey.

This cannot be booked online, so you must contact British Airways directly. And you can check the requested travel documents here.

Flying with older children

All children aged 12 to 15 are considered young adults and pay an adult fare. Kids aged 16 and over also pay an adult fare.

British Airlines no longer has an Unaccompanied Minor policy for young children to travel without a parent or legal guardian. All children under 14 must travel with an accompanying adult aged 16 and older.

British Airways infant baggage allowance

When flying with an infant (under two), the free checked baggage allowance is one standard bag up to 23kg (51 pounds) in the hold for all cabins. However, this does not apply if you're flying with your infant on hand baggage only - Basic fare.

You cannot combine your baggage allowances, so it would be best to double-check allocations for each family member and weight and size limits for hand baggage.

In addition, you can bring up to two of the following baby items free of charge (as your checked baggage):

Hand baggage

When traveling with an infant (under two), you can bring an extra bag included in your allowance with items needed for the flight. The liquid regulations (100ml/3.4 ounces) won't apply to baby food and drink. You can bring as much as necessary for the journey.

British airways children baggage allowance

Your child (over two) will have the same baggage allowance as you, which can vary depending on which cabin you're traveling in. Please refer to the airline's baggage page for more information.

You can bring two of the following items, free of charge, as your checked baggage:

- Car seat or booster seat

- Fully-collapsible pushchair/stroller

- Baby back carrier

- Travel cot

Children aged 2 to 11 have the same hand baggage allowance as adults. Please refer to the table below for a better understanding. It includes allowances for Economy class:

British Airways pushchair/stroller policy

You can bring a small, fully collapsible, lightweight stroller/pushchair with dimensions not exceeding 117 x 38 x 38 cm/ 46 x 15 x 15 inches when the stroller is collapsed. You will take the stroller to the aircraft door and collect it at the same place in most airports.

Cabin-size strollers folding down into a carry bag can & within the maximum hand baggage dimensions, can be taken onboard in the place of, but not in addition to, your larger cabin bag. The cabin crew members cannot guarantee the strollers will travel in the cabin, but they will try to place them onboard if there's enough space available.

All other larger strollers - double, multi-piece strollers can be taken to the departure gate, but you must collect them at the baggage carousel in the baggage hall after landing.

British Airways car seat policy

You can take one car seat onboard if you have booked a seat for your infant or older child and want to secure the airline-approved car seat into it. Please, examine the proportions and safety requirements of the car seats to ensure the child seat fits securely into the aircraft seat.

Car seat size & safety requirements

Please follow the rules below to fit your child correctly:

Two-part car seats (child seats and separate bases) are unsuitable for British Airways aircraft seats. For the Club Suite (Business Class), you can only use the child seats supplied by the airline.

Other child restraint device policies

British Airways accepts the AmSafe child restraint system for infants and children between 10 and 20kg. You can use the device onboard in economy seats. However, you cannot seat your infant in this device before, after, or in an emergency exit row. In addition, the child restraint isn't suitable for use in first, business, premium economy, or Club Suite.

You must place the child in your lap if you have paid for a separate aircraft seat for your infant but didn't bring a child restraint. You can use an extension seat belt during take-off, landing, and turbulence (when the seat belt sign is on.) The cabin crew provides the extension seat belt and shows you how to use it properly.

British Airways bassinet policy

British airways provide both bassinets/carrycots and proper child restraint devices - infant seats free of charge for babies up to two years old. However, you must reserve them in advance (on the website, find the seat map and the baby icon.)

You can use these child restraint devices when the seat belt signs are off. If you've chosen a carrycot/bassinet seating position, British Airways staff offers you a carrycot/infant seat, if available on a specific aircraft type. They are available for long-haul flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick.

Carrycots/bassinets

The baby items are designed for infants up to six months, weighing less than 8kg/17.5 pounds, and sleeping comfortably during British Airways flights.

Infant seats

Seats are suitable for infants 0-24 months, weighing less than 12.5kg/27.5 pounds. The crew places them in the carrycot position, and you can use the seats in two positions: upright and reclined. The seats should be reclined for kids under six months; for older children, they can be in either place.

Please note that the flight attendant might move you to other seats if a passenger needs that place more, such as a wheelchair user.

Baby and child meals

British Airways provides tinned baby food on long-haul flights, but the staff advises you to bring your food onboard. However, the airline also has child meals for kids 2-12 years of age. You need to pre-order it 24 hours in advance.

Children entertainment onboard

British Airways offers various activity packs with books, pencils, crayons, and similar items for endless fun throughout the journey. And, your kids can enjoy limitless Disney movies, various playlists, music, cartoons, and TV shows while onboard.

However, onboard comfort devices, such as inflatable footrests or seat extenders attaching to the aircraft seats, are not permitted.

Other family services

British Airways assists families, offering:

FAQs

How old does a baby have to be to fly British Airways?

The baby must be at least 48 hours old and without any health complications to fly British Airways.

Do babies fly for free with BA?

No, they don't fly for free. Babies flying on the adult's lap have an infant fare and pay 10% of the adult fare.

Are strollers allowed on British Airways?

Yes, strollers are allowed on British Airways. They should not exceed 117 x 38 x 38 cm/ 46 x 15 x 15 inches when collapsed.

Do BA families sit together?

Yes, BA families may sit together if you contact British Airways and request specific seating. However, the agents will attempt to seat you together if you don't require it.

The Bottom Line

We hope this guide about flying British Airways with a baby cleared all dilemmas, and now you can book your flight. Always book one car seat for your infant if you don't bring your own, and follow the guidelines for convenient travel.

Also, please get in touch with the airline representatives if you cannot book services online for more information.