The good news is that several airlines provide additional allowances for infants and children. The less helpful news is that every carrier applies different rules, and the cheapest headline fare may not deliver the best overall value for a family.

We have compared the family baggage policies of the principal airlines flying from the UK to find out which are the most generous.

Allowances checked on the 10th September 2026. Policies can change and may vary according to fare, cabin and operating airline.

The table is a simplified comparison. Families should check the precise allowance shown during booking, particularly when a journey involves more than one airline.

British Airways provides one of the strongest family baggage policies, particularly for parents travelling with an infant on a fare that includes checked luggage.

Children aged between two and 11 receive the same cabin and checked baggage allowance as an adult travelling in the same cabin.

An infant under two who travels on an adult’s lap receives:

The 23kg infant hold bag is included across all cabins, but not when the adult and infant are travelling on a hand-baggage-only Basic fare.

The two free equipment items can include a fully collapsible pushchair, car or booster seat, travel cot or baby back carrier. Crucially, these items remain free even when the family has booked a Basic fare.

If an infant has their own purchased seat and is booked as a child, they receive the same baggage allowance as an adult.

British Airways therefore offers the strongest combination of checked luggage, cabin baggage and baby equipment—provided that the family avoids a Basic fare if it needs a checked suitcase. Full details are available through the airline’s family baggage policy.

Virgin Atlantic also provides a comparatively generous allowance for infants, although the amount depends on the fare and cabin booked.

On most fares that include checked luggage, an infant travelling without their own seat can receive a checked bag weighing up to 23kg. An Economy Light booking does not normally include free checked baggage.

Virgin Atlantic also permits infant hand baggage for essentials, subject to its published size and weight restrictions. A fully collapsible pushchair and car seat can normally be carried in addition to the standard allowance.

Children occupying their own seats receive the baggage allowance attached to their fare and cabin.

This makes Virgin Atlantic competitive with British Airways for long-haul family travel, particularly when the booking includes a checked bag. However, families choosing Economy Light should compare the cost of adding luggage against purchasing a higher fare from the outset.

Jet2 has developed one of the more family-friendly policies among the UK’s short-haul and leisure airlines.

An infant travelling on an adult’s lap receives an additional 10kg baggage allowance for essential items. Families can also check in up to two pieces of baby equipment without an additional charge, subject to the airline’s conditions.

Eligible equipment can include items such as:

Jet2 also includes a standard 10kg cabin bag for passengers, subject to space being available in the overhead lockers, alongside a smaller personal item.

Although its infant hold allowance is smaller than the 23kg offered by British Airways on eligible fares, Jet2 compares very favourably with low-cost carriers that provide no free checked luggage for a lap infant.

TUI provides infants with a 10kg hold-luggage allowance, making it another strong option for families.

On a TUI package holiday, baggage allowances can normally be pooled across the travelling party, provided that no individual suitcase exceeds the applicable limit. This can be particularly convenient because parents do not necessarily need to pack the infant’s belongings in a separate 10kg case.

Pushchairs and car seats can be checked into the hold free of charge on TUI Airways flights. Families can usually keep a pushchair until reaching the boarding gate, although it may be returned at the baggage carousel rather than the aircraft door after landing.

Infants under two do not receive their own cabin-baggage allowance. A baby changing bag must therefore fit within the accompanying adult’s allowance.

TUI’s policy requires some care because the benefits can differ between a package holiday and a flight-only booking. Journeys sold by TUI but operated by another airline may also follow the operating carrier’s rules.

The airline explains the differences in its guidance for travelling with infants and children.

easyJet does not provide a free checked suitcase for an infant travelling on an adult’s lap. However, it offers useful allowances for the items families are most likely to find difficult to transport.

A lap infant receives an additional changing bag measuring up to 45 × 36 × 20cm. This must be placed beneath the seat in front.

Every infant or child can also take two pieces of baby equipment free of charge. The extensive list includes:

Children aged over two and infants with a purchased seat receive the same standard cabin and hold allowance as an adult, although checked baggage may still need to be purchased.

The two-equipment allowance is valuable, but a family requiring conventional checked luggage must consider that additional cost when comparing fares. The complete rules appear in easyJet’s flying with children guidance.

Ryanair provides no standard checked-luggage allowance for an infant travelling on an adult’s lap.

The accompanying adult can bring a baby bag weighing up to 5kg, with maximum dimensions of 45 × 35 × 20cm, in addition to their own cabin-baggage allowance.

Two pieces of baby equipment can also be carried free of charge. One pushchair is normally accepted, while another item could include a car seat, booster seat or travel cot.

The free equipment allowance is helpful, but families requiring clothes, nappies and supplies for a longer holiday will probably need to purchase checked baggage. Those charges should be included when comparing Ryanair with Jet2, TUI or a British Airways fare that already includes luggage.

Loganair’s baggage allowance depends on the fare purchased, with some tickets including checked luggage.

Children occupying their own seats receive the allowance associated with their fare. Pushchairs are generally accepted for travelling children, but families should check the rules applying to their particular route.

This is especially important on Loganair because the airline operates several smaller aircraft types. Space and baggage restrictions can be more stringent on services within the Highlands and Islands than on conventional jet or ATR flights.

A bag accepted on one Loganair route may therefore be restricted on another.

A lap infant does not receive a conventional free checked bag with Wizz Air. The accompanying adult can generally take an additional small bag containing essentials for the infant, while a pushchair or small travel cot can be checked free of charge.

As with other ultra-low-cost airlines, larger cabin bags and checked luggage may require additional payment.

A low Wizz Air fare can still represent good value, but parents should complete the booking process with all required bags included before comparing the final price with another airline.

British Airways offers the most generous all-round family baggage allowance.

On eligible fares, its combination of a 23kg checked bag for a lap infant, an additional cabin bag and two free pieces of baby equipment is difficult to beat.

Virgin Atlantic is similarly attractive for long-haul families, while Jet2 is arguably the strongest short-haul option. Its additional 10kg infant allowance and carriage of baby equipment can make it better value than an initially cheaper low-cost fare.

TUI also performs well, especially for package-holiday customers who can pool the family’s luggage allowance.

easyJet and Ryanair both provide useful allowances for baby equipment, but neither includes a conventional checked suitcase for a lap infant. Once a family adds hold luggage, the cheapest initial fare may no longer be the cheapest final booking.

Families should compare the total cost of travelling, not simply the airfare shown in the search results.

A £30 flight can quickly become more expensive after adding a suitcase, cabin bag and other essentials. Conversely, a higher fare that includes 10kg or 23kg for an infant may provide better value and a much less restrictive journey.

Before booking, check:

For families travelling with a baby, British Airways wins on total generosity, while Jet2 stands out as the most compelling short-haul alternative.