British Airways offers a range of options for mums and dads travelling with a family. Our step-by-step guide will give you a head start on what to expect.

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Check-in baggage

For flights on British Airways you get a free baggage allowance, which will vary depending on the class of travel and ticket type you book. You can take extra bags with you for a charge and save money when you pay online before you fly. The maximum dimensions of the bag are: 90cm x 75cm x 43cm, including the handle, pockets and wheels.

Note: Any bag that is heavier than the free weight allowance may incur an overweight baggage charge, payable at check-in.

Free allowances for all flights EXCEPT to/from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada:

  • Adults (12 years +): three x 32kg (First Club World Business), two x 32kg (Club Europe Business), two x 23kg (World Traveller Plus Premium Economy and World Traveller Y Class full-fare Economy) and one x 23kg (World Traveller Euro Traveller Domestic Economy)
  • Children (2 years to 11 years): same as above, plus one fully collapsible pushchair and one car seat
  • Infants (under 2 years): one bag plus one fully collapsible pushchair. Note: You can't pay extra to take any extra bags on for your baby


Free allowances for travel to/from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada:

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  • Adults (12 years +): three x 32kg (First Club World Business) and two x 23kg (World Traveller Plus Premium Economy and World Traveller Economy)
  • Children (2 years to 11 years): same as above, plus one fully collapsible pushchair and one car seat
  • Infants (under 2 years): one bag plus one fully collapsible pushchair. Note: You can't pay extra to take any extra bags on for your baby


Carry-on luggage

  • Adults and children (2 years +): one bag (22" x 18" x 10") plus one laptop or handbag/briefcase (18" x 14" x 8"). Max 23kg weight. You must be able to lift it unaided
  • Infants (under 2 years): one bag of items needed for your baby during the flight. No max weight, but you must be able to lift the bag
  • The crew will do all they can to accommodate buggies onboard. If the flight is extremely busy and there are lots of buggies to store then it can be taken to the aircraft door and will then be stored in the hold by BA ground staff

Seating

  • Travelling with an infant (under 2 years): free to choose where you want to sit from time of booking. If you do not choose by three days before travel an appropriate seat with your family will be chosen for you
  • Travelling with a child (2 years to 11 years): Pay between £10-£60 depending on which class you are travelling in (free if First Class) to choose a seat up until 25 hours before departure. If you haven't chosen a seat three days before departure one will be allocated for you. If not possible to sit all of the family together, your child will be with at least one adult
  • Adults (12 years +): Free to choose seat at check-in (from 24 hours before) or pay between £10-£60 depending on which class you are travelling in to pick between booking and 25 hours before departure
  • A baby under 2 years may sit on your lap using an extension seat belt
  • If an extra seat is purchased, an acceptable forward facing car seat may be used (if it adheres to safety standards) for a baby aged 6 months to less than 3 years. The infant/child restraint device AmSafe System can be used for a child aged 12 months to 4 years
  • For children over 2 years, an individual seat is required
  • BA has a limited number of carrycots and infant seats (suitable from 6 months to 2 years with max weight of 13kg), which are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please request them from the cabin crew onboard the aircraft. Note: The carrycots and infant seats can't be used when the seat belt signs are on

Feeding

  • Baby food/milk can be warmed through. The restriction would be that liquids have to be 100ml or less in a transparent bag as governed by British Airports Authority
  • You may only bring un-opened food in a sealed jar with you
  • BA carries a limited number of tinned baby food products on long-haul services, however it's recommend that you carry your own baby food and equipment (liquids and sufficient supplies of sterilised bottles) in your hand baggage
  • BA isn't able to sterilise bottles or provide sterilised water
  • There is no objection to breastfeeding on flights

Note: toilets are fitted with baby changing facilities

Meals

  • BA has a "feed kids first" policy, which does what it says on the tin
  • Children's meals are nutritionally balanced and kids have helped tell BA what they like to eat
  • Use the "Manage My Booking" function online to book kids' meals in advance

Entertainment

  • ‘Skyflyers’ activity packs are available on flights over three hours. There are two types of packs - a Junior bag for children aged 3 to 5 years (featuring Paddington Bear), and a Senior pack, specially designed for children aged 6 to 12 years. Each pack contains a variety of goodies to help keep young travellers entertained during the flight
  • On European flights over two hours an activity book with either crayons or a pen, depending on the age group, is offered
  • The children’s log book is available to all children, allowing them to record their travels and collect a signature from the Captain certifying their flight
  • On long-haul flights, there’s the cartoon network channel and at least two dedicated kids' movies each way. Note: a parental lock setting can be applied to block programmes that you don’t want your children to watch
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Pregnant travel

  • You can travel up to end of 36 weeks for single pregnancies and end of 32 weeks for multiples
  • After 28 weeks, you need to carry a certificate from your doctor or midwife confirming the estimated date of delivery and that there are no complications with your pregnancy
  • If you become pregnant after purchasing your ticket BA advises you to contact them to discuss your individual case

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