You’ll find the best family-friendly airlines prioritize your needs with dedicated services like free family seating, priority boarding, and engaging entertainment systems. British Airways earned 2024’s World’s Best Family Friendly Airline award, while American, United, and Delta guarantee adjacent seating for kids without extra fees. Emirates offers 250+ children’s movies, and Virgin Atlantic provides reusable activity packs. Alaska Airlines includes complimentary Wi-Fi, and ANA features nursery rooms at major hubs. Each airline’s unique amenities can transform your family’s travel experience.
American Airlines
American Airlines has earned its reputation as the top choice for family travel through concrete policies that address parents’ biggest concerns. You’ll appreciate their fee-free family seating guarantee, ensuring your family sits together without extra charges. The pre-boarding option gives you time to settle in before the rush begins.
Their redesigned mobile app streamlines everything from booking to real-time flight updates, while the chat feature connects you instantly with travel professionals when issues arise. Your kids will enjoy free in-flight entertainment and kid-centric meals for ages two and older.
Safety-conscious parents love the free stroller check-in and car seat accommodation options. During peak travel periods, their connection-saving technology at all hubs helps families navigate tight connections without stress. The airline’s revamped boarding process provides more time and updated groups, making the experience smoother for families managing children and luggage.
United Airlines
United Airlines stands out for families who need flexibility with infant travel and extensive support systems. Your lap infant flies free domestically, though you’ll need their full details for booking.
What’s particularly helpful is United’s commitment to seating families with children under 12 together at no extra cost—even in basic economy.
You’ll appreciate the priority boarding with toddlers, giving you time to settle in before the rush.
On longer flights, your kids get Sesame Street activity kits and dedicated children’s meals. United operates from major hubs including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., making connections convenient for family travel.
If you’re breastfeeding, flight attendants provide ice for milk storage, and many airports offer nursing pods.
For solo travelers aged 5-14, United’s unaccompanied minor service costs $150 one-way but includes comprehensive supervision throughout the journey.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines earns recognition as one of the top U.S. carriers for family travel through its extensive support system and genuine commitment to keeping families together.
You’ll appreciate Delta’s family seating guarantee, which ensures children 13 and under sit adjacent to adults when booked on the same reservation. If seats aren’t available online, contact reservations—Delta provides adjacent seating no later than the day before departure.
Infants under two fly free on domestic flights when sitting on your lap. Add them through My Trips’ Special Service Requests section.
Delta’s Unaccompanied Minor Program costs $150 each way for ages 5-14, featuring employee escorts, barcoded tracking wristbands, and access to Delta Sky Zone lounges at select airports with games and snacks. For older children, minors 15-17 may also use the unaccompanied minor program upon parent or guardian request.
British Airways
British Airways consistently proves why it’s earned the title of World’s Best Family Friendly Airline at the 2024 Skytrax World Airline Awards, delivering thoughtful touches that make traveling with children genuinely easier.
You’ll appreciate dedicated family check-in zones and priority boarding that eliminate stressful queues with cranky toddlers. Their door-to-door pushchair service means you won’t struggle carrying sleeping children through terminals.
The airline matches adult baggage allowances for kids over two, while infants get free pushchair and car seat allowances. Order children’s meals ahead—they’re served first, preventing hangry meltdowns mid-flight. These specially curated options cater specifically to young travelers’ tastes and dietary needs.
Your little ones will love Skyflyer activity packs featuring Leon the Lion toys, plus access to over 100 children’s entertainment channels including Disney and Cartoon Network during flight.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic earned its reputation as the UK’s most child-friendly airline through thoughtful touches that transform stressful family journeys into smoother adventures. You’ll receive red branded onboard packs at UK gates containing UV400 sunglasses, sensory poppit toys, holiday journals, and activity books—essentials that kept my toddler occupied during turbulence. These reusable bags serve as convenient storage for future family trips beyond your initial flight.
Their infant seats accommodate babies up to 24 months with secure five-point harnesses, while lie-flat bassinets come standard on long-haul flights. You’ll board early with small children, giving you time to settle in safely.
The children’s meals impressed me—organic smoothies, chicken goujons, and creamy mac and cheese in Upper Class beat typical airline fare. Virgin Atlantic’s 36% vote share in Rough Guides’ poll proves they understand family travel challenges.
Emirates
Emirates transforms family travel through its all-encompassing Ice entertainment system, which delivers 6,500 channels of content including over 250 dedicated kids’ movies and shows. You’ll appreciate the specially designed purple headphones that fit children’s smaller heads comfortably during long flights.
Your kids can access 100+ video games with multiplayer options, letting them connect with other young passengers onboard. The entertainment system features over 150 channels of dedicated children’s programming from popular networks like CBeebies, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon.
The airline serves child-friendly meals like chicken nuggets and mac and cheese on branded trays, though you should request special dietary requirements in advance.
Emirates provides practical comfort items including complimentary blankets, pillows, and activity packs filled with puzzles and coloring pages.
For traveling parents, priority boarding and family check-in areas reduce airport stress markedly.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways consistently ranks among the world’s most family-friendly airlines, climbing from sixth to second place in Play Like Mum’s latest rankings and earning recognition in SKYTRAX’s 2025 family airline awards.
You’ll appreciate their dedicated family check-in facilities and priority boarding—these services eliminate stressful airport rushes with little ones. Request bassinets for infants up to 11kg through their office, though they’re unavailable in A380 First Class.
Your children will receive age-appropriate activity packs featuring Lonely Planet materials, plus complimentary infant kits containing diapers, wipes, and bibs. The airline also focuses on comfort and entertainment for kids to enhance the overall family travel experience.
Don’t forget to book special services 48 hours ahead via Manage Booking. Qatar Airways allows free checked luggage for strollers and carrycots, making family travel more affordable and convenient.
Southwest Airlines
When you’re traveling with kids on a budget, Southwest Airlines delivers exceptional value through their family-friendly policies that eliminate many common travel stresses.
You’ll board early with children under six, securing seats together when about one-third of the plane remains available. Two adults can accompany eligible children during family boarding.
Pack everything you need without worry—two free checked bags per passenger, plus car seats, strollers, and cribs fly free.
Their credit cardholders get additional free bags, often making Southwest cheaper than competitors despite higher base fares.
You’ll appreciate no change fees when kids get sick or plans shift unexpectedly.
The Companion Pass lets designated travelers fly free, and complimentary snacks plus entertainment through their app keep children occupied during flights. Understanding Southwest’s unique policies helps families avoid common pitfalls that inexperienced flyers often encounter with this airline.
Hawaiian Airlines
Although Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t offer the flashiest kid-specific amenities, their practical approach to family travel shines through policies that actually matter when you’re managing children on long flights to paradise.
You’ll get free adjacent seating requests for kids under 14—a lifesaver when you’re dealing with potential meltdowns at 30,000 feet. Their priority boarding puts families with toddlers right after premium passengers, giving you precious time to settle in without blocking the aisle.
The lap infant policy is straightforward: babies over seven days old fly free on your lap. Car seats can be checked for free without any additional baggage fees.
For international routes, you can request kids’ meals 48 hours ahead.
While they don’t provide dedicated children’s entertainment, their Hawaiian-themed atmosphere creates a vacation vibe that keeps little ones engaged during those lengthy Pacific crossings.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines takes family travel seriously with policies that address parents’ biggest air travel headaches. You’ll never pay extra fees to seat your child next to you—their family seating policy guarantees kids 13 and under sit with an accompanying adult at no additional cost, even on budget Saver fares.
The airline streamlines your boarding experience with preboarding for families with children two and under, plus your family boards together using the highest priority group member’s status.
You can pre-order Kid’s Choice Picnic Packs for flights over 775 miles, featuring kid-approved snacks like Pirate’s Booty and gummi bears.
Your children will stay entertained with over 110 family titles in their dedicated Kids Zone, plus complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi on most flights. The airline’s Junior Jetsetters program also allows children aged 5-17 to travel unaccompanied when needed.
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
All Nippon Airways earned its seventh-place ranking in Skytrax’s 2025 family-friendly airlines list by addressing the specific challenges you’ll face when traveling internationally with children. You’ll appreciate their extensive meal options, including organic baby food and allergen-free variants that require advance reservations. The cabin crew will prepare formula on request and assist with diaper changes using onboard supplies.
ANA’s airport services shine with pre-boarding for families, rental strollers from check-in to gate, and nursery rooms at major hubs. You can reserve bassinets through their LINE app for long-haul flights. The airline also maintains its 5-Star rating from Skytrax consistently since 2013, reflecting their commitment to quality service.
Their child policies are straightforward: infants under two fly for lap-seat fares, while children 2-11 pay 75% of adult fare. The unaccompanied minor service covers ages 5-11 internationally.
Air Canada
Air Canada stands out as the only North American carrier to claim Skytrax’s top family-friendly airline title, earning the prestigious World’s Most Family Friendly Airline award in 2024 and maintaining its 5th place global ranking in 2025.
You’ll appreciate their dedicated family check-in counters at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver airports, which eliminate long waits with cranky children. Priority boarding lets you settle in before the rush begins – a game-changer when traveling with toddlers.
Their family seating policies ensure you won’t be separated from your kids on long-haul flights. Children receive engaging activity kits and healthy meal options, while you’ll benefit from free baggage allowances for strollers and car seats.
Air Canada’s thoughtful ground staff assistance makes maneuvering airports considerably easier for families. The airline operates across six continents, providing extensive global connectivity for family travelers through their network of over 180 airports.
The Sum Up
You’ve got solid options when flying with kids, but don’t assume every flight will go smoothly. I’ve learned the hard way that even family-friendly airlines can’t control crying babies or turbulence that scares little ones. Always pack extra snacks, download offline entertainment, and bring comfort items. Check each airline’s specific policies before booking—baggage fees for car seats vary wildly. Most importantly, you’ll want to arrive early and stay flexible with your expectations.
