British Airways infant and child policy: lap infants, bassinets and kids flying alone

Your guide to British Airways family travel policies. Find rules for lap infants, checked strollers and car seats, bassinets, and kids flying alone.

Compiled by the My Tots Travel editors from official sources · Last checked Oct 21, 2026

British Airways has a generous checked gear policy, allowing two free items like a stroller and car seat for each child, even on basic fares. Another helpful rule is for infants who turn two during a trip; you must book them a seat for flights on and after their 2nd birthday, but you still pay the infant fare for the whole journey.

British Airways baby and child rules at a glance
Topic	What British Airways says
Lap infant, domestic flights	Infants traveling on an adult's lap are charged an infant fare.Source
Lap infant, international flights	Infants traveling on an adult's lap are charged an infant fare.Source
Baby in its own seat	If you want an infant to have their own seat, you must pay a child fare. It is recommended they travel in an approved car seat or AmSafe System.Source
Turning 2 during the trip	If an infant turns 2 during the journey, they must have their own seat for all flights on and after their 2nd birthday. There is no extra charge; the infant fare applies to the entire journey.Source
Youngest age to fly	A newborn baby must be at least 48 hours old to be accepted on a flight, provided there were no complications during birth.Source
Bassinet	On long-haul flights, British Airways provides complimentary carrycots and infant seats for babies up to 2 years old weighing under 12.5 kg (27.5 lbs), for use when the seatbelt sign is off.Source
Stroller	Each infant and child can check up to two essential extras, including a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller), for free. This allowance applies even on hand baggage only (Basic) fares.Source
Checking a car seat	Each infant and child can check up to two essential extras into the hold for free, even on hand baggage only fares. These items include a car or booster seat.Source
Family seating	If you do not select seats in advance, the airline will try to seat your family together. All children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult, though this may be in adjacent rows or across an aisle.Source
Youngest age to fly alone	Children aged 14 or older are permitted to travel alone on British Airways flights. Children under 14 years old cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over.Source

Lap infants and infant fares

On British Airways, an infant under two can travel on an adult’s lap. You will be charged an infant fare for this, which applies to both domestic and international routes. If you prefer your baby to have their own seat, you must purchase a child fare for them.

If your child turns two during your trip, they must have their own seat for all flights on and after their birthday. British Airways will not charge you extra for this; the infant fare applies to the entire journey.

“Infants travelling on an adult's lap pay infant fare.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

“If your customer like their infant to have his/her own seat (the age/weight range of the child should be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), they pay a child fare. We recommend they travel in an approved car seat or AmSafe System which fits into the aircraft seat securely.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

“If your infant turns 2 during their journey, you’ll have to book them a seat for any flights on and after their 2nd birthday. We won’t charge you extra for this, you’ll pay the infant fare for the entire journey.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

Newborns and proof of age

Your newborn must be at least 48 hours old to fly with British Airways. This is only permitted if the baby was born without any complications. The official information we reviewed does not specify what kind of documentation, like a doctor’s note, might be required.

To be prepared, we suggest you ask the airline about its proof of age and fitness to fly requirements when you make your reservation.

“We need a new born baby to be at least 48 hours old before we can accept him/her on to one of our flights, subject to having been born without any complications.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

Bassinets

On long-haul flights, you can request a complimentary carrycot for your baby. These are available for infants up to 2 years old who weigh under 12.5 kg (27.5 lbs). The carrycot can be used in flight when the seatbelt sign is off.

The information we checked does not detail how to reserve one. We recommend asking British Airways about the process when you book your flight, as availability is often limited.

Full details, with the airline’s own wording: British Airways bassinet: what the airline says.

“On our long-haul services, we provide carrycots and infant seats free of charge for babies up to 2 years old, weighing under 12.5 kg (27.5lbs) that can be used in flight when the seat belt signs are off.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

Strollers and car seats

British Airways allows each infant and child to check up to two essential items for free. This allowance includes a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and a car or booster seat. This benefit applies even if you have purchased a hand baggage only (Basic) fare.

If you book a separate seat for an infant under 24 months, you must bring an approved car seat or an AmSafe system for them to use on the plane.

Full details, with the airline’s own wording: British Airways car seat and stroller policy.

“In addition, each infant and child, can take up to two of the following essential extras checked into the hold, even on our hand baggage only (Basic) fare: Fully collapsible pushchair (stroller)”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

Sitting together

If you do not select your seats in advance, British Airways will try to seat your family together. The airline’s policy is that all children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult.

Keep in mind that this does not guarantee you will be in the same row. The airline notes that your family might be seated in adjacent rows or across an aisle from one another. To ensure you are all side by side, you may need to pay to select seats.

“If you don’t choose your seats in advance, we always do our best to seat your family together based on flight seat availability. This may mean that you’ll be seated in adjacent rows or across the aisle. All children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

Kids flying alone

British Airways does not permit children under 14 years old to travel alone. They must be accompanied by someone who is at least 16 years old and is on the same or a linked booking.

Young people who are 14 or older are permitted to travel by themselves. The airline’s policy page that we reviewed does not mention a dedicated unaccompanied minor service or associated fees, just the age rules for flying solo.

“We allow young persons aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on our flights. Children under 14 years old cannot travel alone with us. They must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking to travel with us.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

“We allow young persons aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on our flights.They are known as Young Persons Travelling Alone. Children under 14 years old cannot travel alone with us. They must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking to travel with us.”

Official wording, britishairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026

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