5 Best Airlines for Travelling With Kids in 2026

Travelling with children is one of the most rewarding experiences a family can share, but choosing the right carrier can make all the difference. The best airlines for families go far beyond simply tolerating children on board, they actively design their products, policies, and crew training around making every family feel genuinely welcome. From dedicated kids’ menus and activity packs to bassinets for infants, priority boarding, and generous baggage allowances for buggies and car seats, these five airlines lead the way in family-friendly air travel.

At a Glance: Family-Friendly Features Compared

1. Lufthansa, Germany’s Family Travel Champion

Lufthansa is widely recognised as one of the best airlines for traveling with families in Europe, consistently praised for its thoughtful approach to travelling with children across all age groups.

For families, Lufthansa offers dedicated children’s menus on all long-haul flights, activity packs for younger travellers, and bassinets for infants on widebody aircraft (bookable in advance). Families travelling with children under two benefit from a 10% discount on the adult fare for infants travelling on a lap, while children aged two to eleven receive a 33% discount on most international fares.

Priority boarding is available for families with young children across Lufthansa’s network, and the airline’s FlyNet Wi-Fi keeps older children entertained on longer journeys. Its extensive hub at Frankfurt Airport makes it an excellent option for European families connecting onward to long-haul destinations.

2. British Airways, A Family Favourite from the UK

For UK families, British Airways is a natural first choice, offering one of the most comprehensive family travel programmes of any European carrier. With hubs at London Heathrow and Gatwick, BA connects British families with long-haul destinations across the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Children travelling with British Airways receive dedicated kids’ meals on request, a range of child-appropriate entertainment on the seatback screen, and priority boarding at most airports. Bassinets are available on long-haul flights for infants, and pushchairs can be checked in free of charge at the gate. The airline’s Executive Club Avios programme also allows families to pool points, making it easier to earn rewards together.

British Airways is particularly popular among families travelling with infants on long-haul routes, thanks to its well-trained crew and clearly documented family policies on its website.

3. Emirates, Long-Haul Family Luxury

Emirates is one of the world’s most family friendly airlines for long-haul travel, offering an exceptionally well-designed family experience on its wide-body fleet.

Emirates provides dedicated children’s meals and snack packs, a dedicated kids’ section on its award-winning ice entertainment system with hundreds of child-appropriate films, TV shows, and games, and a ‘Little Explorers’ programme that turns the journey itself into an adventure. Bassinet seats are available on all widebody aircraft and can be reserved at the time of booking.

For families travelling in business class, Emirates’ fully flat private suites mean parents can rest properly while children settle into their own seats. The airline also offers a generous buggy and car seat policy, allowing families to check these items in free of charge at the airport. Emirates flies to over 150 destinations, making it a natural choice for ambitious family adventures.

4. Singapore Airlines, Premium Family Travel

Singapore Airlines is consistently voted one of the best airlines to fly with kids in Asia, combining its legendary service culture with a genuinely well-thought-out family programme.

Singapore Airlines offers KrisFlyer family miles pooling, allowing family members to combine Frequent Flyer miles for faster reward redemption. Children’s meals, activity kits, and dedicated infant bassinets are all available on long-haul services. The airline’s cabin crew are extensively trained to assist families, and its spacious widebody aircraft provide some of the most comfortable economy seating in the sky.

Singapore Airlines is particularly excellent for families travelling from Europe to Australia, New Zealand, or South East Asia via Changi Airport, which itself has dedicated play areas, indoor gardens, and a world-class range of dining options for families in transit.

5. Air Canada, North America’s Top Family Carrier

Completing our list of the best airlines for families is Air Canada, the national carrier of Canada and one of North America’s most consistently family-friendly operators.

Air Canada’s Kids Onboard programme is one of the most comprehensive family travel policies in North American aviation. Families travelling with children under twelve can access the dedicated Kids Onboard booking flow, which keeps family groups seated together and streamlines the check-in experience.

Children’s meals, infant bassinets, and activity kits are available on long-haul routes, and Air Canada’s inflight entertainment system offers a substantial children’s library. The airline is particularly well suited to transatlantic families travelling between the UK and Canada, or families exploring North America more broadly.

Top Tips for Travelling With Kids on a Plane

Whichever of these best airlines for traveling with families you choose, a few practical steps will make your journey smoother for everyone on board.

• Book bassinet seats as early as possible, they are limited and go fast.
• Pre-order children’s meals at the time of booking, not at the airport.
• Pack a dedicated carry-on bag for children with snacks, headphones, and a few new small toys or activities.
• Request bulkhead or extra legroom seating for more space with young children.
• Allow extra time at the airport, security with a buggy and car seat takes longer than you expect.
• Download offline entertainment before boarding in case of Wi-Fi issues.

For more travel inspiration, read our guide: Best Things to Do in London 2026

Your Family Travel Questions Answered

1. Which airlines are the most family friendly?

The five most family-friendly carriers for 2026 are Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Air Canada. All five offer dedicated children’s meals, infant bassinets, priority boarding, and generous buggy allowances, along with well-trained crew experienced in supporting families throughout the journey.

2. Which is the best airline to fly with kids for long-haul travel?

For long-haul travel, Emirates and Singapore Airlines are consistently rated the best airlines to fly with kids over longer distances. Both offer wide-body aircraft with extra space, excellent children’s entertainment systems, infant bassinets, and well-trained crew who go out of their way to support families.

3. Do airlines charge extra for travelling with infants?

Policies vary by airline, but most carriers allow infants under two to travel on a parent’s lap at a significantly reduced fare, typically 10% of the adult fare on international routes. If you want your infant to have their own seat, you pay a child fare. The best airlines for traveling with infants, such as those on this list, also offer free bassinet seats and complimentary baby meals on long-haul services.

4. Can I bring a pushchair on a plane?

Yes. All five airlines on this list allow families to check in a pushchair or pram free of charge, either at the check-in desk or at the gate. Gate-checking a pushchair means you can use it all the way to the aircraft door, and it will be returned to you as you disembark, a significant convenience when travelling with young children.

5. How do I keep kids entertained on a long flight?

All five airlines featured here offer dedicated children’s entertainment libraries on their in-flight entertainment systems. Beyond the screen, packing a small activity bag with colouring books, sticker packs, and a couple of new small toys can make a big difference. Noise-cancelling headphones for older children and a fully charged tablet loaded with offline content are also highly recommended.

Final Thoughts: The Best Airlines for Your Family Adventure

Flying with children does not have to be stressful. Choose one of the five family friendly airlines in this guide and you will find a carrier that has genuinely thought about your family’s needs at every stage of the journey, from booking and check-in to the moment you land.

Explore family travel options with Lufthansa, British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, or Air Canada and start planning the family trip you have always dreamed of.