Etihad Airways flying with babies

How long after delivery can a new mother travel with her baby on Etihad Airways flights?

A mother traveling with her baby will be accepted on Etihad Airways flights only if the newborn is at least 7 days old on the date of travel. In the case of any birth complications or premature birth, Etihad requires the submission of a MEDIF form and medical report.

Does Etihad offer discounted fares for children?

Children under 2 years old on the date that travel commences are considered infants and will be charged 10% of the adult fare, provided they sit on an adult’s lap during the flight. Each adult can only be responsible for one infant.

Children aged between 2-11 years on the date that travel commences will be charged either 2/3 or 3/4 of the adult fare, depending on the point of departure. A child traveling on his or her 12th birthday is considered an adult and would need to have been ticketed as such.

When are children required to have their own seat on board the plane?

Children above the age of 2 years on the date of travel will require their own seat. A child traveling on his/her second birthday is considered a child and would need to have been ticketed as such.

If you want to use a car seat on board the aircraft, your baby requires a separate seat on board the plane. Infants are not provided with their own seat unless the child’s fare is purchased for them. You can bring your child’s own car seat provided it meets certain strict criteria and is approved for use on board an aircraft.

Infant Baggage Allowance

When traveling with an infant, the following additional allowance applies in any class of travel:

  • Flights to/from the US and Canada (Piece Concept) – one piece of checked baggage, with a maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lbs) and maximum total dimensions of 158 cm.
  • All other Etihad flights (Weight Concept) – 10 kg of checked baggage.
  • All Etihad flights:
    • Cabin baggage: one extra handbag that must weigh no more than 5 kg.
    • One fully collapsible stroller, carry-cot or approved car seat, as a carry-on item if cabin space is available or else as checked baggage.

When the child fare is purchased for an infant, the same baggage allowance as for adult passengers will apply for the infant, too.

At the check-in desk, luggage tags will be placed on any pushchair or stroller. You will still be able to use these within the airport up to the departure gate. On arrival at your destination, the pushchair or stroller will either be returned at the aircraft door or should be collected at the baggage carousel (this is determined by local regulations in each country).

Bassinets and Car Seats

All Etihad aircraft are fitted with baby bassinet positions. Baby bassinet positions are available on a first come, first served basis. The baby bassinets are designed to accommodate infants under 11 kg and 75 cm.

For safety reasons, bassinets can only be used once the aircraft is airborne, and the seat belt signs have been switched off. If the aircraft experiences turbulence and the seat belt sign is switched on, the infant must be removed from the bassinet and secured on your lap using the infant seat belt.

Children up to 36 months may travel in an approved car seat in conjunction with an aircraft seat provided that the appropriate child fare has been purchased. The child must be accompanied by an adult in an adjacent seat for take-off and landing.

Rearward facing seats are allowed in First or Business Class only (not allowed in Economy class due to seat pitch limitation) and can be used only for infants from 0 to 6 months weighing less than 10 kg.

As per the UAE – General Civil Aviation Authority, only car seats and child restraint devices that comply with one of the following standards/regulations are acceptable on board:

  • Australian Car Seat regulations.
  • The US Standards FMVSS 213.
  • Canadian Standard CMVSS 213.
  • European Standards ECE-44.
  • German Standards (TÜV Doc.TÜV/958-01/2001).

To help children sit or sleep comfortably, most travel accessories, such as BedBox, JetKids, Fly Tot, and Plane Pal, are permitted on board subject to certain conditions. The accessory must be securely stowed during take-off and landing, and accessories that attach to any part of the seat are not permitted.

Etihad Services for Family Travel

Baby food in a range of delicious flavors is available on Etihad flights. Baby meals and children meals are available on all Etihad flights only if they have been pre-ordered at the time of booking the flight, or at least 24 hours before departure.

In Abu Dhabi and other major airports, complimentary strollers are available in the terminal, close to the gate. If you’re traveling in First or Business Class, Family Rooms at certain airport lounges offer fun ways to keep your children entertained, including books, toys, and TV, as well as a great children’s menu and qualified nannies.

When boarding begins, families with young children will be called first for pre-boarding, thus giving you some extra time to get settled on board.

In order to keep your children entertained on board, Etihad’s in-flight entertainment system includes a wide choice of television shows, movies, music, and video games.

More information here >>