Flying with Kids
Find out about family-friendly flying with TUI.
Before you travel
Hassle free check-in
At most airports, we only require one person from each party to check in and drop off bags. So, as long as you’re all under the same booking reference, there’s no need for your whole group to queue. The person checking everyone in will need to be over 16 and have everyone’s passports. To find out if this option’s suitable for you, just ask one of our friendly TUI staff at the airport.
Pushchairs and car seats transported for free
If you're flying on a TUI flight (package or flight only), you can check in pushchairs and/or car seats into the hold for free. You can also bring your pushchair with you onboard, as long as it weighs less than 10kg, is no bigger than 55x40x20cm and has a hand luggage label provided during check-in. This'll count as your larger piece of hand luggage for an adult on the booking, meaning you can have this and one smaller piece of hand luggage that fits under the seat in front of you. There is the option to use your pushchair at the airport and hand it to a member of staff at the gate before you board, but please make our ground staff when you check in as you will need a label for this too. 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. Any pushchairs need to be completely collapsible. Please note, if you're travelling with an infant under 2, they don't have a hand luggage allowance.
Priority boarding
If you’re travelling with young children, we’ll invite you to board the aircraft first, so your little ones have time to settle before everyone else comes onboard.
Travelling with children who don't share your surname
If you’re travelling with children that don’t share your surname, please bring some form of proof to the airport – like a signed letter or a birth certificate – that shows you have permission to journey with them, or clearly confirms your biological relationship. This gives our team peace of mind that a child’s not going on holiday without consent from their parent or guardian, which in turn makes your journey through the airport as smooth as possible.
Family-friendly luggage allowance
When you fly with TUI Airways as part of a package holiday, it will include at least 20kg of checked-in luggage per adult or child and 10kg for Under 2s. If you’ve booked any of the following packages with TUI Airways flights, you'll get 25kg of luggage allowance per person: TUI River Cruise, TUI BLUE, Sensatori by TUI BLUE, Holiday Village, A La Carte. If you've upgraded to Premium on long-haul flights with TUI Airways, you'll also get 25kg of luggage, regardless of your holiday type. Couples who’ve booked one of our Wedding packages will receive 25kg hold luggage each when flying with TUI Airways, too. Just so you know, all Marella Cruises and all Marella Cruise & Stay holidays have a 20kg luggage allowance per person. All adults and children over 2 also get 10kg of hand luggage for the cabin and a personal item that can go under the seat. For the full terms and conditions, see our luggage allowance page. Under 2s on a package holiday get a 10kg checked-in luggage allowance. You'll also be able to take a pushchair and/or car seat with you on both flight only and package holiday bookings free of charge. Buggies are able to be taken onboard as long as it weighs less than 10kg, is no bigger than 55x40x20cm and has a hand luggage label provided at check in. This'll count as your larger piece of hand luggage, meaning you can then only take a smaller personal item that will fit under the seat in front of you. Find out more about our luggage allowances including for Flight Only and pushchairs at the airport and on board here.
On the flight
Family-friendly flying
Our team of over 2,500 cabin crew are experts at looking after little ones in the sky, and are always on hand to help during your flight. All our planes also have baby changing facilities, and we can heat up baby’s bottles for you.
Children's meals
Complimentary meals and drinks are served on all our long-haul flights. The menu varies depending on where you’re flying to and the time of day. Children’s meals will be provided for anyone aged 2 to 12. Just so you know, we don’t provide meals for under 2s, so you’ll need to bring something with you. Remember to let us know if you’ve got any dietary requirements, too.
Children's entertainment
We provide kids with their own headsets for use with our seatback entertainment system. It’s packed with lots of child-friendly games, films and TV shows, so they’re sure to find something they like. Take a look at our in-flight entertainment page for a sneak peek.
Children's activities
On our long-haul flights, we’ll welcome your little ones onboard with an age-appropriate kid’s pack to keep them entertained while you get your holiday started. It’s stuffed full of holiday and aeroplane-themed activities!
Why choose TUI flights
-
Fly local
Start your holiday sooner, with local flights from over 20 UK airports.
-
100+ destinations
-
Flexible flight times
More flight times and holiday durations, so you can tailor-make your trip.
-
Premium upgrades
Priority boarding and a bigger seat pitch are just some of the perks.
-
10kg hand luggage
...included as standard when you fly with TUI Airways.
Flying with children FAQs
Can I bring milk and baby food onboard?
Milk and baby food are allowed onboard. Just so you know, these items may need to be screened separately when you pass through security.
What’s the minimum age for my child to have their own seat?
To comply with UK legislation, children under 6 months old must sit on an adult’s lap and be secured with the strap provided. Children aged between 6 months and 2 years may also sit on an adult’s lap, unless you wish to purchase a seat for them.
Can I take my pushchair on the plane?
Pushchairs can be transported in the hold free of charge. You can usually keep them with you until you reach the gate – please check with the member of staff at check-in. Due to the limited space onboard, pushchairs aren’t allowed into the cabin.
Will my baby change bag count towards hand luggage allowance?
Yes. Our hand baggage allowance is 10kg and the maximum dimensions are 55 x 40 x 20cm.