What are the best family friendly airlines for kids? What makes a airline family friendly?

Introduction

Not all airlines are equal when it comes to being a family friendly airline. While one airline might offer child fares the other might charge you the adult price. Some airlines offer kids amenity kits to keep the kids busy and on others you’ll need to bring your own entertainment.  To help parents find some in-flight peace, here’s the inside scoop on airlines that go the extra mile to accommodate kids.

But first, what makes a great family friendly airline?

There are many things that make an airline good for families, youth, and toddlers. The weight of certain criteria may be different for you, but I think everyone can agree that we want the best possible experience for our kids (and us as parents!). Below is a list of criteria we used to score and create our top 10 family friendly airlines:

For our family, some of the most important features include; seats together, the ability to pack what’s needed without huge baggage charges, options for kid friendly inflight meals, and kid-friendly entertainment.  In addition to these amenities, an airlines customer / inflight service (and attitude) towards families and kids is crucial.

 

Our Top 10 Family Friendly Airlines

1. Qatar Airways

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Qatar Family Friendly Highlights: 

• Interactive play areas for youth and dedicated family-friendly facilities for parents.  DOH airport, features a series of eight bronze playground sculptures throughout the airport where kids can play before the flight.
• Oryx Kids Club where kids can see (and collect) five fun character plush toys, activity packs, and meal boxes.
• Dedicated kids loyalty program (Privilege Club), where kids can earn miles and points to exchange for unique tiers with exclusive benefits.
• Complementary interactive activity packs for kids.  Packs include crayons, stickers, and an activity book filled with puzzles, fun facts, and coloring pages.  If you are traveling with an infant, Qatar offers a “sleepy-time Ella”.  Which is a soft-plush toy with an eye mask and a soft-plush book.
• Dedicated kids meals, in their own take away meal box! These meal boxes are packed with fresh, nutritious meals, a fruit juice, and treats.  These meal boxes can be ordered when you book your ticket for your family.
• For those families connecting in Doha on Qatar, and have a few hours, the Oryx Airport hotel has a 25-metre indoor pool families can enjoy together.
• Qatar’s Oryx One inflight entertainment system provides thousands of options for young travels.  It is also the first system (on A350, A380, and B787) that allows kids to have a dual-screen.  Kids can play games and watch movies at the same time.
• In addition to priority boarding and the option to reserve a bassinet seat, parents traveling with infants will have access to a special infant kit, which includes diapers, baby food jars, a bottle and soft toys.
• Qatar Airways offers kids fly free promotions on a regular basis, waiving airfare for up to two children ages 0 to 11.

Qatar Airways Helpful Links:

DOH Airport Maps | DOH Airport App | Child Fares & Baggage Policy & Infant Baggage Allowance 

Al Maha Services Meet and Assist Family Package | Additional Questions & Answers about Traveling with Kids on Qatar Airways

 

2. Emirates 

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Emirates Family Friendly Highlights: 

• If you fly on Emirates, you will transit or end in Dubai.  Dubai International Airport has some incredible attractions (in addition to play grounds) for families and kids.  These include: BOUNCE trampoline park, FIFA 19 & Mario Kart, Vintage Photo booth,  Fairground Fun, and the Kids’ Zone.
• In Dubai, Emirates provides families dedicated check-in counters.  One thing that is great is you can check-in online and drop off your bags up to 24 hours before your flight in Dubai!
• Kids explorers packs for older kids.  Emirates has partnered with Lonely Planet Kids to create packs that inspire older children to explore more of the world.  Packs include; educational books, creative crafts, and more.   Kids also get a travel travel journal to record their thoughts and memories!
• Emirates provides kids and infants “Fly With Me Animals”, which kids get while on board.  There are four different animals that kids can collect.  Kids will also enjoy the  Fly With Me Animals magazine, which is full of puzzles, games, and comes with colored pencils.
• Flyers between two and 12 years old will love Emirates range of children’s food favorites onboard. Kids also get a snack box filled with treats to enjoy along the journey.  Be sure to book the meal up to 24 hrs before departure.
• Like Qatar Airways, Emirates offers a dedicated kids loyalty program called “Skywards Skysurfer”.  Kids can earn miles to spend on great rewards (i.e. ipods, trips, waterpark tickets)
• Emirates offers families with lounge access dedicated mother and baby rooms, and kids play rooms with video games.

Emirates Helpful Links:

DXB Airport Maps |  Child Fares & Baggage Policy | Traveling with Infants  | Child Meals | Car Seats and Bassinets

 

3. Turkish Airlines

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Turkish Family Friendly Highlights:

• In Istanbul, the Turkish Airline lounge provides kids another play area with a supervisor which allows parents to relax, get a bite to eat, or get some work done.   They also offer video games, a cinema, more!
• Turkish provides child and youth discounts from 2-12, which can be pretty large.  Even with a discount, kids get the same baggage allowance as a full paying passenger.
• At the time of booking, families can pre-book child and infant meals that will be delivered before the main meal service.  Which can be really helpful if you are a parent needing to help your kids before you eat.
• Kids will enjoy a cute selection of toys in a “Play Natural” bag.  Turkish decided to avoid plastic materials and opted for using all natural materials for their inflight toy

Turkish Helpful Links:

IST Airport Maps |  Infants and Child Fares & Rules | Child & Infant Meals | Infant & Child questions and answers

 

4. Qantas 

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Qantas Family Friendly Highlights:

• Qantas has named their kids program “Joey Club”, it’s is represented by an iconic group of Australian animals.  As part of this program, there are several benefits, amenities, and more that your kids get to experience.
• In select airports (link), Qantas has Club Joey Zones, which are equipped with dedicated iMac computers, Kids’ furniture, toys and books.  In some locations, there are dedicated snacks and meals.
• Qantas wants to fulfill those kids dreams that want to be a Qantas Crew Member.  They offer the ability to purchase dress up uniforms for kids, that they can wear on the flight and/or after their journey.  These are pretty cool dress ups take a look (Link).
• Kids traveling on Qantas will love the inflight Joey Club kits (designed for ages 3-6).  The kits include an aircraft window shaped etch-a-sketch and activity booklet in a zip-lock bag. On selected international flights,  kids will also be offered Qantas’ Joey Club socks featuring Matilda the kangaroo.
• Online, Qantas provides links online to coloring sheets that can be printed out at home or at the airport to bring onboard.  Here are the links to the sheets (Link 1) (Link 2) (Link 3) (Link 4).
• In addition to these amenities, Qantas also offers child fares that can be booked online.

Qantas Helpful Links:

Qantas Airport Guides |  Infants and Child Fares & Rules | Child & Infant Meals | Infant & Child questions and answers

 

5. Lufthansa 

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Lufthansa Family Friendly Highlights:

• In recent years, Lufthansa has stepped up their game when it comes to family travel, amenities, and services.  They recently rolled out a dedicated website called “The Family Portal” that provides everything from airport information to inflight kids menus.
• In Frankfurt and Munich there are check-in counters especially for families. Kids will even receive boarding passes for their cuddly toys and you can pick up the brochure “Der Familienlotse.” It contains valuable tips for your time at the airport, such as where to find the play areas, viewing terraces, or a free push chair rental service in Frankfurt or Munich.
• Lufthansa also offers dedicated kids areas in select lounges.  The Business Lounge at Frankfurt Airport has a children’s area with painting tables, games consoles, children’s cinema, and much more.
• For those families that may be concerned with connecting in a new airport, Lufthansa offers guide service. In Frankfurt and Munich, families can be accompanied by a Lufthansa guide who will help you find your way around.
• Lufthansa’s offers kids their ‘Pilot’s Bag’ kit, which has a soft toy and socks to a toothbrush set and chocolate, the kit contains everything to make your little one’s flight even more enjoyable.
• Another incredible thing Lufthansa offers older kids (7+) is a kids app called “Super JetFriends“.  Check out this video below of the app.

 

Lufthansa Helpful Links:

LH Travel Guides |  Infants and Child Fares & Rules | Child & Infant Meals | Infant & Child questions and answers | Traveling with Kids Checklist

 

6. Swiss International Air Lines 

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Swiss Family Friendly Highlights:

• The Zurich airport offers several family amenities to passengers visiting or connecting through.  These include bright play rooms stocked with toys for all ages, video games, and a craft workshop area.  Additionally kids will love the viewing platform to watch planes take off.
• In Zurich, Customers can enjoy Swiss’s specially designed family-friendly check-in areas.  You can find the family check-in area at Zurich Airport at Check-in 1 (counters 101–105)
• Swiss offers something called “Swiss Kids”.  Their site says the purpose of this program “is to make flying for families more pleasant and to support them beyond the journey alone”. Everything from their inflight meals to dedicated services follow this goal.
• When onboard, Swiss flight crews hand kids activities, snacks, and dedicated kids meals.  You can check out all the incredible options here.
• Swiss also provides families and kids a pretty robust family website. Parents and kids can find everything from services, printout, crafts, digital games, downloadable apps, and more! Here is a link to the site, it will make any kid want to fly on Swiss (or parent!).

 

Swiss Helpful Links:

ZRH Airport Guide |  Infants and Child Information | Infant & Child questions and answers

 

7. Etihad Airways 

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Etihad Airways Family Friendly Highlights:

• A first in the sky, Etihad has introduced the concept of a “Flying Nanny”. Their Flying Nanny provides fun activities for kids, and offer support to parents. Every Flying Nanny has a goody bag of games, arts and crafts to keep little hands busy. Note, the Flying Nanny is only on Long-Haul Etihad flights.
• While inflight, every child over 3 years old will receive their own children’s pack of games, activity books and stickers to help keep boredom at bay.
• Etihad allows parents to book kids and infant meals up until 24 hours prior to departure.  These meals are nutritious and fun, appealing even to the fussiest of eaters.
• In most major Etihad airport lounges, Etihad offers Family Rooms equipped with fun entertainment for Premium Class Guests (or lounge guests).  Qualified Etihad nannies can watch over your little ones, allowing parents time to relax and enjoy the lounge facilities.
• Etihad also offers child fares, which can be booked on Etihad.com

Etihad Helpful Links:

AUH Airport Guide |  Infants and Child Information | About the Flying Nanny (Video clip) 

 

8. KLM 

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KLM Family Friendly Highlights:

• If you are flying on KLM, you are more than likely going to end up in Amsterdam Airport (AMS).   The airport is loaded with different activities for kids, from an airport park to life size cuddle bears kids can play on! Check out this link to learn more about all the activities and where they are located.
• At KLM, kids up to and including 11 years of age travel at reduced fares. Indicate that you are flying with children or an infant during the booking process (online) and the reduction will automatically be included in the price.
• KLM has created a kids mascot named Bluey. The mascot can be seen by kids at the airport and while on board! All children over two years old get a nice surprise from Bluey. On intercontinental KLM flights, they get a complete Bluey play set. They will also get a Bluey eye mask so they can take a nap. On European fights, children receive a passport holder and a Bluey activity book.
• KLM offers Bluey kids meals that comes with a pilot game or flying license for kids. On intercontinental flights, KLM  offers a limited selection of special baby meals free of charge, together with a Bluey bib! Note, meals must be ordered online or with an agent at least 24 hr prior to departure. 

KLM Helpful Links:

AMS Airport Guide |  Infants and Child Information

 

9. Singapore Airlines 

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Singapore Airlines Family Friendly Highlights:

• The Singapore Changi International Airport (SIN), will not disappoint when it comes to family friendly activities and food options.   There are over 45 different features and dedicated spaces where kids can explore and play.  Check out this article for more information.
• Singapore has partnered with Disney to create their kids packs.  These Disney-branded children travel packs are given to children under 12 years, with items changed every four months!
• While they don’t have official “Nannies” The Singapore cabin crew are trained to assist parents. They help keep kids occupied and can help to carry an infant to give parents a needed break.
• Singapore does offer kids meals which can be pre-booked. Child meals are suitable for kids up to seven years, comprising fun and healthy choices. Babies up to two years old are offered age-appropriate meals, from jars of baby food to easy-to-chew finger foods. Kids are served first, and parents of babies are served at the same time.
• On Singapore, infants can check in 10kg of luggage, plus a fully collapsible stroller or carry cot. Children can check in 20kg of luggage, the same allowance as for adults for all flights except to/from USA and Canada where two pieces are allowed, each weighing up to 32kg.
• Singapore also offices child (75% of adult fare) and infant fares (10% of adult fare), which can be booked on their website.

Singapore Airlines Helpful Links:

SIN Airport Guide |  Infants and Child Information

 

10. Air New Zealand 

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Air New Zealand Family Friendly Highlights:

• Two words… “Sky Couch” Air New Zealand’s best family friendly in-flight innovation has to be the Economy Skycouch. The Skycouch is a row of three seats that can be converted into a large flat area. It’s like having your own couch and is especially useful when kids go to sleep, or want to stretch out and play.
• Air New Zealand created a kids program called “Jet Cadets”.   This cool fun pack is filled with activities to keep kids occupied while in the air.
• Parents have the option to book a child’s meal at the time of booking (or after) for kids two and older; they are typically served ahead of adults. Examples of meals include; pan-fried chicken thigh with mashed potato or spaghetti and meatballs. Snacks include chocolate brownies and fruit drinks.
• Parents can find discounted child fares on international routes, which are 75% of the adult fare.  These can be booked online or via a call center.

Air New Zealand Helpful Links:

AKL Airport Guide |  Infants and Child Information | Booking Child Fares

 

Last, here are a couple of tips to remember when booking your flight!

1. If you want to take advantage of kids meals (and packs sometimes), make sure you pre-book your kids meals online at the time of booking.  Or you call ahead (more than 24 hr prior to departure) to book it.  This will ensure you have a good experience onboard, and there are no surprises.
2. When searching for flights via google flights (or any other large site), be sure to include children and not just adults.  Not all carriers have child fares, and if you include a child you should see the discount come back.  This could easily save you hundreds on tickets at times.
3. This might seam obvious to some, but if the airline doesn’t offer seat selection at the time of booking don’t give up.  Try going into their “Manage My Booking” tool and see if you can assign seats together as a family.  If not, call an agent to have them do it.  There is nothing worse than getting to the airport and learning that you and your family are not sitting next to each other.