Lufthansa infant and child policy: lap infants, car seats and kids flying alone
Lufthansa's policies for flying with infants and children. Guide to lap infant rules, booking a seat for a baby, car seat use, and kids flying alone.
Lufthansa’s policies for family travel have a few key details to know before you book. If you want a separate seat for a baby under two, you must buy a child ticket and bring your own child restraint system. Without a car seat, the baby must fly on your lap, even if you paid for the seat. For kids flying alone, the care service fee is charged for each child and each flight segment, with no discount for siblings.
Airline policies can be updated, so it is always a good idea to confirm the specifics for your flight directly with Lufthansa when you make your reservation.
| Topic | What Lufthansa says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | Infants under two years of age are permitted to travel on the lap of an accompanying adult.Source |
| Baby in its own seat | To have a separate seat for a baby under 2 years old, you must buy a CHILD ticket and bring your own child restraint system. Otherwise, the baby must sit on an adult's lap, even if a seat was purchased.Source |
| Lap infant limits | For safety reasons, only one baby is allowed to travel on the lap of each adult passenger.Source |
| Turning 2 during the trip | Children who are aged two or will turn two during the trip must have their own seat. The child fare is applicable for the entire journey in this case.Source |
| Car seat on board | Child restraint systems that are only belts attached over or around the seat's backrest cannot be used. The system must be attached using the lap belt only, as there is no ISOFIX equipment available.Source |
| Youngest age to fly alone | Children must be at least 5 years old to fly unaccompanied using the airline's care service.Source |
| Service required for | Children aged 5 to 11 can only fly alone if they use the airline's care service or travel with a companion who is at least 12 years old.Source |
| Service optional for | Parents can book the care service for unaccompanied children from the age of 12 up to 17.Source |
| Service fee | A care service charge applies for unaccompanied children in addition to the flight price. The fee is charged per child and per flight segment, even for siblings traveling together.Source |
| Flights allowed | The care service for unaccompanied children is offered on all direct flights and on connecting flights in Zurich, Geneva, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, and Vienna.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On Lufthansa, children under two years old can travel on an adult’s lap. For safety, each adult can only have one lap infant. If your child will turn two during your trip, you must book them their own seat at the child fare for the entire journey.
To get a separate seat for a baby under two, you must purchase a child ticket and bring a child restraint system. Without one, the baby must remain on your lap for the flight, even if a seat was purchased for them.
“Infants under two years of age can travel on the lap of an accompanying adult.”
Official wording, lufthansa.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“For children/babies (under 2 years), therefore, you must purchase a CHILD ticket. In this case, you must bring a child restraint system for your child/baby (under 24 months) with you. Otherwise, the child/baby must sit on an adult’s lap throughout the flight despite the purchased seat.”
Official wording, lufthansa.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Please note that for safety reasons only one baby per adult is allowed on board.”
Official wording, lufthansa.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Children aged two or over, or who will turn two during the trip, require their own seat. In the latter case, the child fare applies to the entire trip.”
Official wording, lufthansa.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
If you bring a car seat on board for a child with a purchased seat, Lufthansa has specific rules for securing it. You must attach the car seat using only the aircraft’s lap belt. The airline states that ISOFIX equipment is not available on its planes.
Additionally, child restraint systems that are only belts attached over or around the seat’s backrest are not permitted for use during the flight.
“Child restraint systems that consist only of belts attached over and/or around the backrest of the seat cannot be used on board. The child restraint system must only be attached using the seat’s lap belt.There is no possibility of attaching ISOFIX equipment.”
Official wording, lufthansa.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
Children aged 5 to 11 may fly alone only if they use Lufthansa’s care service or travel with someone who is at least 12 years old. The service is optional for travelers aged 12 to 17. A fee is charged per child and per flight segment, even for siblings traveling together. The care service is offered on all direct flights and on connecting flights in Zurich, Geneva, Brussels, Munich, Frankfurt, and Vienna.
The person picking up the child must show a valid ID or passport to be checked against the care service form.
Full details, with the airline’s own wording: Lufthansa unaccompanied minor policy: ages, fee and rules.
“Children aged between 5 and 11 may only fly unaccompanied if they are using our care service or if they are travelling with someone who is at least 12 years old.”
Official wording, lufthansa.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
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