Travelling with infants and children
We want to make travelling with children as stress-free as possible. Here’s where you can find out what to expect at the airport, on the plane, and while you’re on holiday.
Before you go
Does my baby change bag count towards my hand baggage allowance?
Yes, on all TUI flights you'll have a 10kg hand luggage allowance with maximum dimensions of 55cmx40cmx20cm and a personal item that can go under the seat. Your baby change bag will be counted as part of that. Please note, infants under 2 years don't get a hand baggage allowance.
Will my pushchair count towards my baggage allowance?
Pushchairs and car seats can be checked into the hold free of charge on TUI Airways flights. If you would like to use your pushchair at the airport you are welcome to do so and can hand it to ground crew at the gate so it can be checked into the hold. You are also welcome to bring your pushchair onboard, so long as it is no bigger than 55x40x20cm and weighs no more than 10kg but this will count as your large piece of hand luggage. Please ensure you speak to staff at check in if you have a pushchair so they can ensure it has the correct label for the flight.
Can I pack baby milk in my suitcase?
Yes - this is preferred where possible. This will count towards your luggage allowance, however, your infant will also get a 10kg of hold luggage allowance.
Does the 10kg infant luggage allowance need to be taken as a separate suitcase or can it be combined with the party luggage allowance?
If you're travelling on a package holiday you can pool your luggage allowance together as long as each piece of luggage remains within the size and weight restrictions and no bag weighs more than 25kg.
Can I carry baby milk or baby food in my hand luggage?
Yes, you can carry liquid baby food or baby milk that's either pre-packaged or made up at home. You can also carry foods for special dietary requirements, as long as it's essential for the flight or holiday. Solid baby food can also be carried in either your hand or hold luggage. Please give any food or baby milk to staff when you go through airport security, as it'll need to be screened separately. There are no restrictions on taking powder formula – you can carry your baby milk powder to be mixed up during your holiday as part of your luggage allowance. This may also be tested at airport security.
Can I take baby toys in my hand luggage?
Yes – this is encouraged, as long as they don’t take your luggage over the maximum size and weight and adhere to all other luggage guidelines.
Will I need to take a car seat if I’ve booked a private taxi transfer?
Yes. This can be checked in with your hold luggage at the airport and is carried in addition to your standard luggage allowance.
At the airport
Can I use my pushchair in the airport?
You can use your pushchair at the airport, just ensure you get a label for it when you check in. You can either hand it to ground staff at the gate and they will put it in the hold fo you, or you can take it onboard as your large hand luggage item if it weighs less than 10kg and is smaller than 55cmx40cmx20cm. Just so you know, pushchairs and car seats will be returned on the luggage belt when you arrive, and there’s occasionally a long walk between the aircraft and the luggage reclaim area.
On the plane
Is there a minimum age limit to fly on a plane?
An infant must be more than 14 days old to travel on an aircraft, for health and safety reasons.
Are there baby changing facilities on the plane?
All our planes have baby changing facilities – they’re located in the toilets. Which toilets have changing facilities will depend on the type of plane you're flying on, so please speak to one of our cabin crew who will be able to point you in the right direction.
Can I take a two-part pram on the plane, or are only pushchairs accepted?
Any pram or pushchair needs to be completely collapsable. There are no restrictions on size or weight if this is going in the hold, but if you wish to bring your pushchair on board, it will count as your larger piece of hand luggage and cannot be bigger than 55cmx40cmx20cm and 10kg. All pushchairs and prams must have the correct labelling wether you're taking it on board or if it is going in the hold so please confirm this with staff at check in.
Can I take my pushchair or a car seat on the plane?
You're able to check pushchairs and car seats into the hold free of charge when flying with TUI Airways. You can use your pushchair up to the gate if you wish before hanging it to ground staff to put in the hold before you depart. If your pushchair or car seat is no more than 55cmx40cmx20cm and weighs no more than 10kg, you can bring this into the cabin as your large piece of hand luggage. If you wish to use your car seat on the plane for an infant you are travelling with, this needs to be a TUI approved size - less than 40cm wide to fit in the plane seat and have a label stating they are suitable for use on aeroplanes. The reference ECE R44-03 is commonly used in Europe. If it's a special seat for a child with disabilities, the following can be accepted: CARES harness MERU travel chair (ages 3-11)
Will there be a seat on the plane for my baby?
According to policy for all UK-registered aircraft, infants aged under 6 months must sit on an adult’s lap and be secured with an infant lap-strap for the duration of the flight – this will be provided on the plane. Children aged between 6 months and 2 years must sit on an adult’s lap, unless a seat is purchased. In this case, a car seat may be used if necessary. Just so you know, we have a one-infant-per-lap policy.
Flights with other airlines
Can I bring a pushchair onboard?
Most other airlines will also carry pushchairs free of charge, and you can usually take them to the boarding gate. It's worth checking with the airline before you travel, though. Some airlines also offer extra hold luggage for under 2s – you'll find details on your e-ticket or your confirmation email.
Will my infant get a meal on the flight?
Under-2s aren't provided with meals, so you'll need to bring something for them. We can heat up your baby's bottles on the plane.
Will my infant get a seat on the flight? Can I book a separate seat for my baby?
Infants under 2 won't have a seat and will need to sit on an adult’s lap, however, you can pay extra to book a seat for your infant if you wish. Their seat will come with a full luggage allowance.
On holiday
Can I hire a pushchair on holiday?
Lots of TUI-owned hotels – including some TUI BLUE hotels and Holiday Villages – have pushchairs available for hire. Please call us on 0203 451 2681 to check availability and arrange this.
Will there be a seat on the transfer for my baby?
Infants under 2 won’t have their own seat on the resort transfer. Instead, they need to sit on an adult's lap.
Will my hotel automatically provide a cot if there is an infant on my booking? I need a cot for my baby, how do I request this?
If you'll need a cot in your hotel room, please call us on 0203 451 2688 before you travel to request one. Just so you know, we'll add this request to your booking, but unfortunately we can't guarantee that the cot will be available when you arrive. At some hotels, you'll need to pay a charge to use a cot during your holiday. For some of our family hotels, you'll also see an option to pre-book a cot as you book your holiday online with us.
I need a kettle to make up my baby’s milk, how do I request this?
Kettles are provided in many rooms – these will be listed on the room descriptions on the hotel details page. You can request a kettle by contacting us on 0203 451 2688, or, you can request this at the hotel reception or through a TUI rep in resort.
What facilities will be available for my baby on holiday?
If you're travelling with kids, we've got a great selection of pre-bookable extras for you to choose from. In terms of what's available, it depends which hotel you're staying at. However, as a general guide, some of our hotels offer things like creches, swimming lessons, cots and high chairs. Take a look at the hotel details when you're booking for more information, or call us on 0203 451 2681.
Will there be a microwave at my hotel?
We’ll need to contact your hotel to check whether there’s a microwave that can be used. Please call us on 0203 451 2681 before you travel so that we can find out for you.
Will the hotel provide soya milk or another milk alternative?
We’ll need to contact your hotel to check that this is something they offer as standard. If not, we can request that it’s made available for you. Please call us on 0203 451 2681 before you travel so that we can arrange this for you.
Child passports and age ranges
Does my child need their own passport?
All children, including newborn babies, must now have their own individual passport. The child's passport will initially be valid for five years, but can be renewed for a further five years at the end of this period. Once they reach their 16th birthday, they’ll become eligible for a standard 10-year passport. You can visit the government website for more information.
What are the age ranges that TUI class as 'infant' and 'child'?
When booking a TUI package holiday, young passengers are classed as follows:
(*) Infants: Under 2 years old on the return date of travel. If your child celebrates his or her 2nd birthday while on holiday, you must book and pay the appropriate child fare. (*) Children: 2 to 16 years old on return date of travel.
When booking a flight only with TUI Airways, young passengers are classed as follows: (*) Infants: Under 2 years old on the day of travel, and older than 14 days for health and safety reasons. Charges for infants vary depending on the route and length of the flight, and will be detailed in the booking process. (*) Children: 2 years and older. Children will need to pay a full fare – they have their own seat and also have a full baggage allowance. Each infant must be accompanied by at least one adult. Please note there is a restriction on how many infants can travel on each flight. Infants are not entitled to their own seat or to a personal baggage allowance.