UK airline family baggage allowance rules add a layer of complexity that catches families out every summer. Do children get the same allowance as adults? Can you take a pushchair for free? What about the car seat? Here's a clear guide to family baggage on UK outbound flights in 2026.
Do children get the same baggage allowance as adults?
On most UK airlines, children (2 and over, travelling on their own seat) receive the same baggage allowance as adults. This is good news for families -- it means two adults and two children on a Jet2 flight each get a 10kg cabin bag and 22kg hold bag, which is a substantial combined allowance.
Infants (under 2, travelling on a lap without their own seat) typically get a smaller or no standard baggage allowance, but are usually permitted a small bag for nappies and essentials. Check your specific airline's policy for lap infant baggage.
Family baggage allowance by airline
| Airline | Child Baggage Allowance | Infant Baggage Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Same as adult (small free bag; Priority/Plus for overhead) | Small personal item; no standard hold bag |
| easyJet | Same as adult | Small bag; no hold bag included |
| British Airways | Same as adult | 1 piece, 23kg + collapsible pram free |
| Jet2 | Same as adult (10kg cabin + 22kg hold) | 10kg + collapsible pram free |
| TUI | Same as adult (packages) | Varies by package |
| Virgin Atlantic | Same as adult | 1 piece, 23kg + pram free |
Infant policies change and vary by booking class. Always verify at the time of booking.
Pushchairs: free on all major UK airlines
This is the most straightforward rule in family travel: pushchairs (buggies) are free to check on all major UK airlines, including budget carriers. This applies regardless of your fare type and is in addition to your standard baggage allowance.
The pushchair is checked in at the bag drop or -- on many airlines -- can be gate-checked, meaning you use it all the way to the aircraft door and it's returned to you there on arrival. Gate-checking is often more convenient with young children who need the buggy through the airport.
Specific rules vary:
- Ryanair: One pushchair per infant, free at the gate or bag drop
- easyJet: One pushchair per infant, free; can be taken to the aircraft door
- Jet2: Pushchair free, gate check available
- British Airways: Folding buggies accepted free at the gate on most routes
Pushchairs travel in the aircraft hold. Fold them down and remove any accessories (raincovers, cup holders) that could get damaged or lost in transit.
Car seats: also free on most airlines
Car seats for children are accepted free of charge on most UK airlines, in addition to your standard baggage allowance. They must be placed in the hold.
Some airlines limit the number of free car seats per booking (typically one per child). Some will accept car seats as cabin items if they meet certain safety certifications and if you've purchased a seat for the child -- worth checking for longer haul travel where you want the child properly secured.
Protect your car seat for the hold: use a padded car seat travel bag. Baggage handlers are not gentle, and a damaged car seat base can be expensive.
Using a child car seat in the cabin
On some routes and airlines, you can take an FAA/EASA-approved child restraint into the cabin and use it on the aircraft seat. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic allow this; budget carriers generally do not. The car seat must be forward-facing and fit within the aircraft seat. Check with the airline before booking.
Travel cots on UK flights
Baby travel cots are accepted at no extra charge on most UK airlines when travelling with an infant or young child. They count as an additional item, separate from standard baggage, similar to pushchairs. They must be checked into the hold.
Practical tips for family baggage
Use each child's allowance. If your children are 2 or over and have their own seats, use their full baggage allowance -- don't leave it empty. A child's 22kg Jet2 allowance is useful for beach toys, children's clothing, and nappies for the outward journey.
Pack nappies carefully. A week's supply of nappies for a toddler takes up significant space. Many families buy nappies at the destination, particularly in major European holiday destinations where branded nappies are readily available in supermarkets.
The pushchair is your friend at the airport. Gate-checking the buggy means your toddler can sleep in it through departures, security, and the gate. Only hand it over at the aircraft door.
Keep essentials in your cabin bag. Nappies, wipes, a change of clothes, snacks, and favourite comfort toys should all travel in the cabin with you. Hold luggage can be delayed or -- rarely -- lost.
Label everything. Children's buggies, car seats, and travel cots should be clearly labelled with your name and contact details. They're bulky items that can get misdirected.
A compact cabin bag like the Cabin Max Metz (B0C9QNYJD8) doubles up well as a toddler essentials bag that fits within Ryanair's free allowance. See our full best cabin baggage guide for more options.
Which airline is best for families?
Jet2 is the clear winner for UK family holidays. Their standard 22kg hold bag plus 10kg cabin bag allowance for every passenger (including children on their own seats) means a family of four has a combined 128kg of hold allowance and 40kg of cabin allowance. No other UK carrier comes close at the standard fare level.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are the best options for long-haul family travel, with generous infant policies and consistent hold allowances.
easyJet is more family-friendly than Ryanair among the budget carriers -- their slightly larger free cabin bag is useful, and their family seating policy is better.
Ryanair is the least family-friendly for baggage. Their cabin allowance for children is the same as adults (meaning: small), and the Priority requirement for overhead bags applies equally to children's tickets.
For a full comparison of all airlines including standard adult allowances, see our UK airline baggage allowance guide and comparison chart.
Avoiding excess fees when flying with children
The same rules apply to children's baggage as adults: pre-book hold luggage early, stay within weight limits, and never count on the gate for changes. The difference with families is that you likely have more bags -- which means more chances to incur fees if something's miscalculated.
See our guide to how to avoid excess baggage fees on UK flights for practical strategies that apply to the whole family.
FAQ
Do babies get a free baggage allowance on UK flights? Lap infants (under 2) typically receive a small cabin bag allowance and often no hold bag on budget carriers. Full-service carriers (BA, Virgin) typically include a hold bag for infants even on lap tickets. Pushchairs and car seats are free on top of this on all major UK airlines.
Can I take a pram in the cabin on a UK flight? Standard prams and pushchairs must go in the hold. Very small, compact strollers may fit in overhead lockers on some aircraft, but this is at crew discretion and not guaranteed. The standard practice is to check the pram at the gate.
Does my toddler get the same Ryanair baggage allowance as me? Yes -- if your toddler has their own seat, they receive the same cabin bag allowance as an adult. For a free Ryanair underseat bag, that's 40x30x20cm per child. To bring an overhead bag, you'd need to pay Priority for each ticket, including the child's.
Can I bring baby milk and baby food through UK airport security? Yes. Baby milk, baby food, and sterilised water for infant use are exempt from the 100ml liquid rule at UK airports. You may need to show that the liquid is for the infant. Formula powder is treated as a solid, not a liquid.
For everything else on UK airline baggage policies, see our complete UK airline baggage allowance guide.