Qantas infant and child policy: lap infants, bassinets and kids flying alone
Your guide to Qantas' policies for flying with babies and children. Find rules for lap infants, bassinets, baggage, and car seats, including what gear is prohibited.
Qantas has specific rules for family travel, particularly regarding what you can bring on board. The airline prohibits booster seats and infant capsules entirely, but does approve the CARES harness for some children. For very young babies, Qantas requires a medical clearance form for infants between three and seven days old.
Airlines update their policies, so it is a good practice to confirm all rules and fees directly with Qantas when you book your tickets. This ensures you have the most current information for your travel dates.
| Topic | What Qantas says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | Infants under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of the accompanying adult and do not require their own seat.Source |
| Lap infant, domestic flights | On domestic flights, infants can travel on their parent or guardian's ticket when sitting on their lap.Source |
| Baby in its own seat | Infants occupying a seat pay a discounted fare and must be secured in an approved child car seat. These bookings cannot be made on Qantas.com.Source |
| Youngest age to fly | Infants up to 48 hours old are too young to travel. From three to seven days old, travel can be requested by completing a medical clearance form.Source |
| Bassinet | Bassinets are for infants under two years old, weighing less than 11kg, and able to lie flat. They are approximately 71cm long, 31cm wide, and 26cm deep.Source |
| Car seat on board | Booster seats and capsules are prohibited on aircraft. A booster is defined as a simple cushion or a shell base without a built-in harness.Source |
| Infant baggage | Infants do not have their own carry-on allowance, but the accompanying adult can bring a small bag with essentials like diapers in addition to their own allowance.Source |
| Service fee | A supervision fee applies for children traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor on certain Qantas-operated flights with a Qantas flight number, for tickets issued in Australia and New Zealand.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On Qantas flights, children under 2 years of age can travel as lap infants on an adult’s lap and do not need their own seat. For domestic flights, they travel on their parent or guardian’s ticket. If you prefer to have a separate seat for your infant, you will pay a discounted fare.
An infant in their own seat must be secured in an approved child car seat. Note that these bookings cannot be made on the Qantas website, so you will need to contact the airline directly.
“Infants under 2 years of age do not require a seat but will be seated on the lap of the adult travelling with them.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“On domestic flights, infants can travel on their parent or guardian’s tickets when seated on their lap.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Infants occupying a seat will pay a discounted fare. The booking can not be made via Qantas.com. Infants occupying a seat must be restrained in an approved child car seat or restraint.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Newborns and proof of age
Qantas has a minimum age for infants to fly. Babies up to 48 hours old are considered too young to travel. For newborns from three to seven days old, travel can be requested, but you must first complete a medical clearance form provided by the airline.
It is a good idea to handle this process well in advance of your flight to ensure all paperwork is approved in time for your trip.
“Up to 48 hours after birth, too young to travel. Three to seven days after birth, travel can be requested by completing our medical clearance form.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Bassinets
Bassinets are available for infants under two years old who weigh less than 11kg and can lie flat. The bassinet dimensions are approximately 71cm long, 31cm wide, and 26cm deep, so you can check if your baby will fit comfortably.
“Infants must: be less than two years old, weigh less than 11kg, and be able to lie flat in the bassinet at the time of travel. Bassinets on Qantas aircraft are approximately 71cm long, 31cm wide, and 26cm deep.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
Qantas prohibits bringing booster seats and capsules on its aircraft. The airline defines a booster seat as a simple cushion or a shell base that does not have a built-in harness. Infants occupying a seat must be secured in an approved child car seat or restraint.
The Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) harness is an approved alternative for children weighing 10-20kg (22-44lb), with a height of 100cm (40in) or less, and who can sit upright unassisted.
Full details, with the airline’s own wording: Qantas car seat and stroller policy.
“Booster seats and capsules are prohibited on our aircraft. A booster could be a simple cushion or a shell base, back with side wings, and doesn't contain a built in harness.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
Infants traveling on Qantas do not receive their own carry-on baggage allowance. However, the accompanying adult is allowed to bring a small bag with baby essentials, such as diapers, in addition to their own personal carry-on allowance.
The information we reviewed did not specify the checked baggage allowance for infants, so it is best to confirm this with the airline.
“Carry-on baggage: infants don’t have their own carry-on allowance, but the accompanying adult can bring a small bag with nappies or essentials in addition to their carry-on allowance.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
For children traveling alone, Qantas may charge a supervision fee for its Unaccompanied Minor service. This fee applies to certain Qantas-operated flights with a Qantas flight number for tickets issued in Australia and New Zealand.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are booked on an adult fare and are considered adults by the airline when they fly.
“A supervision fee will apply to bookings made for children travelling as an Unaccompanied Minor on certain Qantas operated flights only with a Qantas flight number, for tickets issued in Australia and New Zealand, for Domestic and International flights.”
Official wording, help.qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Young passengers 12 to 17 years inclusive Between these ages, children are booked on an adult fare, and are considered a adult.”
Official wording, qantas.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
More on Qantas:
Same topic, other airlines: