**TUI, Ryanair and easyJet: Essential Rules Parents Must Know Before Flying with Children**
Booking a family holiday can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when children are involved. Navigating airports, organising travel documents, and meeting every airline’s specific requirements often adds to the stress. To ensure travel plans go as smoothly as possible, it’s crucial for parents to familiarise themselves with the varying guidelines set by different airlines. Here we take a detailed look at what TUI, Ryanair, and easyJet require from families travelling with babies and youngsters.
**TUI’s Family Travel Guidelines**
For parents choosing TUI, it’s important to note that infants must be at least 15 days old before they are permitted onboard, a measure implemented to safeguard the health and wellbeing of newborn passengers. All TUI aircraft have baby changing amenities, making it easier for parents to care for little ones mid-flight.
Should parents need to bring a pushchair or pram, TUI allows any size or weight in the plane’s hold, provided the equipment can be folded. For those hoping to carry a pushchair onto the aircraft, it must comply with hand luggage restrictions—not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and weighing less than 10kg. Additionally, families may check in pushchairs and car seats for free, offering extra convenience.
Infants under six months are expected to remain on an adult’s lap and be fastened with a special infant lap-strap for the duration of the journey, per UK aviation regulations. From six months to two years, children can still sit on an adult’s lap or occupy a purchased seat with an approved car seat. TUI permits liquid baby food, formula, or milk, including pre-made or homemade meals, to be brought on board, and parents are free to pack powder formula in their hold or hand luggage. Notably, all children, regardless of their age, must possess their own passport.
**easyJet’s Child and Infant Travel Rules**
For families booking with easyJet, the minimum age for infants remains 14 days. Children over two years old must have a separate seat, and travellers turning two while away must also be booked their own seat for the return journey.
easyJet mandates that anyone under 16 must fly with an adult aged 16 or above. Unaccompanied minors (unaccompanied children under 16) are not allowed to travel, and those 16 or older are considered adults for ticketing purposes. One positive note is that infants and children with reserved seats enjoy the same luggage allowances as adult passengers, a policy that can be helpful for parents managing numerous bags and child essentials.
An extra baby changing bag is permitted for infants sitting on an adult’s lap. Families can check in up to two baby items per child—such as a car seat, travel cot, or pushchair—free of charge. For onboard feeding, the 100ml liquid rule does not apply to baby milk or food, provided no single container exceeds two litres. easyJet jets feature baby changing facilities, though parents must remember to carry their own nappies and wipes.
**Ryanair’s Approach for Young Flyers**
Ryanair enforces a slightly stricter age policy, declining travel for infants under eight days old. All children under 24 months must travel seated on an adult’s lap, with a one-to-one adult to infant ratio required. Ryanair passengers can check in two essentials per child—such as a pram and a car seat or booster—without incurring extra charges.
Parents are invited to bring as much baby milk, sterilised water, and baby food as needed for the trip, although it’s recommended to double-check with the departure airport for any specific stipulations. Breast milk is permitted in hand luggage up to a maximum of two litres per container, but frozen breast milk is not allowed in the cabin. Security checks may involve airport staff opening and screening these bottles.
**Unique Considerations Across the Airlines**
Airlines differ not only in the specifics of their requirements but also in how they handle transitions as children get older. For instance, should a child turn two (the cut-off for lap seats) or 16 (for specific age-related fares) while travelling with Ryanair, experts advise booking two single tickets rather than a return, ensuring compliance with ticketing rules for age categories.
Beyond policies unique to each airline, parents are encouraged to keep an eye on passport regulations. In most cases, even newborns need their own identification, and parents should check expiration dates and international requirements well in advance.
**Preparation Remains Key**
While these travel guidelines can at first seem daunting, advanced planning and awareness of airline rules will ease the journey. Arriving at the airport with the correct documentation and understanding what can and cannot be brought on board will save valuable time and reduce anxiety.
**Support and Facilities**
It’s reassuring to note that all three airlines provide baby changing facilities on board and that cabin crew are typically available to help, whether with warming bottles or answering queries.
**Final Thoughts**
Preparation truly is the cornerstone of a successful family trip. Ensuring compliance with each airline’s requirements will not only make your journey easier but will also allow all members of the family to arrive at their destination rested and ready to enjoy their holiday.
**Travel Tips Reminder**
As airline rules can update from season to season, parents are urged to consult their chosen airline’s website for the latest information before every journey. Taking these steps can help prevent last-minute surprises and make flying with children much smoother.