Semih
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-08-01
That first flight with a baby can feel like a full-blown expedition before you leave. Afterwards, it is often half as dramatic. Babies, oddly enough, tend to be pretty decent travellers: they sleep a lot, the engine noise is almost soothing, and the people in the next seat are usually far kinder than your imagination suggested. What matters most? Preparation. This is the plan that keeps the stress in check.
The best age to fly
Between three and nine months is the sweet spot: your baby still sleeps a lot, cannot crawl off, and is perfectly content with nursing or a bottle. Newborns under six weeks should only fly after checking with your paediatrician. Timing matters too. Flights that line up with the usual nap time are worth their weight in gold, because a baby who drops off at take-off barely registers the journey.
Lap infant or own seat?
Children under 2 usually fly on your lap for almost nothing, often around 10 percent of the fare or a small fixed fee. For short-haul, that is usually the obvious choice. For long-haul, it is worth asking for a bassinet at the bulkhead; request it early, because spots are limited. Just enter your child's age in our search and we automatically include the infant advantage in the total price.
Ear pressure: the single most important trick
Babies cannot equalise ear pressure on their own. Sucking and swallowing take care of it for them. So give them the breast, the bottle or the pacifier at take-off and, even more importantly, during descent. Get the timing right and you will avoid most of the in-flight tears before they even begin.
The carry-on checklist
Pack nappies for double the flight time, wet wipes, two spare bodysuits (plus a spare top for you), formula or pumped milk (allowed over 100 ml!), a pacifier, the favourite cloth, a light blanket and a rubbish bag. One important point: baby food is exempt from the liquid rule, so simply show it separately at security.
On board: calm is contagious
Babies pick up on your mood. If you board calm, chances are good that your baby will be calm too. Board last as a family (fresh nappy first), let the crew help with stowing your things, and meet any critical looks with quiet confidence; most passengers either have children themselves or their own headphones on. And if tears happen? The plane is louder than you think. By row 30, nobody notices.
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