Thai Airways infant and child policy: lap infants, strollers and kids flying alone
A guide to Thai Airways policies for flying with babies and children. Covers lap infant rules, baggage for strollers and car seats, and kids flying alone.
Thai Airways offers several family-friendly policies, including a free checked foldable stroller, and a free checked car seat for each passenger who needs one. The most important detail to be aware of is a specific restriction on lap infants in business class on Boeing 787-9 aircraft due to the seatbelt system.
Airlines update their rules, so it is always a good idea to confirm the details that matter to your family directly with Thai Airways when you book your flight. The information on this page is based on our check of the airline’s official site in October 2026.
| Topic | What Thai Airways says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | Babies under 2 years old can travel as lap infants but must be held in an adult's arms during takeoff and landing.Source |
| Baby in its own seat | For infants under 2 years old, a separate seat can be purchased at a child's fare, and an FAA-approved car seat can be used in it.Source |
| Lap infant limits | On Boeing 787-9 aircraft, lap-held infants and infants in non-approved car seats are not permitted in business class due to the airbag seat belt system.Source |
| Youngest age to fly | Infants younger than 14 days old are not permitted to travel by air.Source |
| Stroller | A foldable stroller can be checked into the aircraft compartment at no additional charge.Source |
| Checking a car seat | One car seat per passenger may be transported free of charge, provided the item is necessary for the passenger's use.Source |
| Car seat on board | For babies under 2 years old, an FAA-approved car seat may be used in a normal paid seat purchased at a child's fare.Source |
| Service required for | The unaccompanied minor service is required for children aged 5-11 traveling in economy class. Parents must contact THAI to arrange this service.Source |
| Service optional for | The unaccompanied minor service is optional for children aged 12-17.Source |
| Flights allowed | Thai Airways will not accept children traveling alone on itineraries that include an overnight stop, or a transfer or stopover longer than 6 hours, unless special arrangements are made for assistance at the transfer point.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On Thai Airways, children under 2 years old can travel as lap infants. They must be held in an adult’s arms during takeoff and landing. Alternatively, you can purchase a separate seat for an infant at a child’s fare and use an FAA-approved car seat on board.
Important: On Boeing 787-9 aircraft, lap infants are not permitted in business class because of the airbag seat belts. Infants in non-approved car seats are also not allowed in this cabin.
“For babies less than 2 years old… Must be held in the arms during taking off and landing”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“For babies less than 2 years old, an FAA car seat can be used on the normal paid seat for a child’s fare”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Due to the business class air bag seat belt system on Boeing 787-9 aircraft, lap held infants and infants without approved car seats are not allowed in business class on the aircraft.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Newborns and proof of age
Thai Airways has a minimum age for infants to fly. Babies are not permitted to travel by air until they are at least 14 days old. The airline’s policy page that we checked does not specify what proof of age may be required, so it is a good idea to carry a copy of your baby’s birth certificate or other official identification when you travel.
“Infants under 14 days of age are not permitted for air travel.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
You can check one foldable stroller into the aircraft compartment at no additional charge. Thai Airways also allows one car seat to be transported free of charge for each passenger who needs it. For travel in the cabin, you may use an FAA-approved car seat on board for an infant under 2, but only if you have purchased a separate seat for them at a child’s fare.
Full details, with the airline’s own wording: Thai Airways car seat and stroller policy.
“Foldable stroller can be loaded in compartment without additional charge.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
Thai Airways offers an unaccompanied minor service for children flying alone. The service is required for children aged 5 to 11 traveling in economy class, and parents must contact the airline to arrange it. For children aged 12 to 17, the service is optional.
The airline will not accept children traveling alone on itineraries that include an overnight stop, or a transfer or stopover exceeding 6 hours, unless special arrangements are made for assistance at the transfer point. At the destination, the appointed parent or guardian must identify themselves to staff in order to collect the child.
“Parents of unaccompanied children aged 5-11 traveling on economy class is required to contact THAI (THAI reservation & ticketing office) to receive the unaccompanied minor service.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Please note that this service is optional for children aged 12-17.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“THAI will not accept children traveling alone that involve an overnight stop, transfer or stopover exceeding 6 hours unless an arrangement is provided for a child’s assistance at the transfer point.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Upon arrival at the destination, THAI’s ground staff will accompany children from the aircraft through all the arrival procedures until they meet the appointed parent or guardian, who must identify themselves in order to collect children.”
Official wording, thaiairways.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
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