9 Tips for Flying Long-Haul With Kids on British Airways

Flying long-haul with kids on British Airways becomes manageable when you book seats early to keep families together, take advantage of free infant baggage allowances, and pre-order children’s meals 24 hours before departure. Pack strategic carry-on items including approved diaper bags, utilize early boarding for families, and leverage the Skyflyers Kids’ Zone entertainment system. Request baby care assistance from crew, understand stroller check-in options, and plan visits to family-friendly airport lounges. These proven strategies will transform your journey into a smoother experience.

Book Seats in Advance to Keep Your Family Together

When you’re planning a long-haul flight with kids, booking seats in advance isn’t just recommended—it’s vital for keeping your sanity intact.

While British Airways guarantees children under 12 will sit with an adult, that doesn’t mean your entire family will be together. Without pre-booking, you might find yourselves scattered across rows or even eight rows apart.

The earlier you book during your reservation, the better your seat selection. BA’s system automatically assigns seats just days before departure if you haven’t chosen them, and by then, your options are severely limited.

On busier flights, the likelihood of separation increases dramatically. Passengers with specific disabilities are entitled to free seat reservations, which helps prevent last-minute complications at check-in.

Don’t leave it to chance—secure your seats early and ensure your family stays together for the journey.

Take Advantage of Free Infant Travel and Baggage Allowances

Beyond securing the right seats, traveling with infants under two opens up significant cost savings that many parents don’t fully realize. Your lap infant flies for just a percentage of the adult fare, and you’ll receive complimentary seat selection for your entire party of up to nine people.

Each infant gets their own 23kg checked baggage allowance plus two free additional items like strollers or car seats. You’ll also receive an extra carry-on bag for diapers, formula, and essentials.

On long-haul flights, carrycots are provided free for babies under six months weighing less than 8kg. British Airways also offers priority boarding at Heathrow Terminal 5 along with designated family check-in areas to streamline your airport experience.

Remember to add your infant fare during booking or contact customer service beforehand. These benefits disappear once your child turns two, so maximize them while you can.

Pre-Order Children’s Meals 24 Hours Before Departure

Since hungry children can quickly turn a peaceful long-haul flight into a stressful ordeal, you’ll want to pre-order children’s meals at least 24 hours before departure.

British Airways offers free nutritionally balanced meals for ages 2-12, featuring kid-friendly options like pasta, chicken, and fruit with snacks.

Use “Manage My Booking” on the British Airways website, navigate to Special Requests, then Special Meals, and select the child meal option.

You can order from 30 days up to 24 hours before departure—but no later.

Here’s the best part: pre-ordered children’s meals get served first, meaning your little ones eat before you do.

This lets them settle down while you enjoy your own meal peacefully. The airline focuses on balanced nutrition when preparing these special meals to ensure children receive proper nourishment during the flight.

Always bring backup snacks just in case.

Pack Strategic Carry-On Items Including Diaper Bags

Strategic packing transforms your carry-on from a burden into your survival toolkit for long-haul flights with children. You’ll want essentials like medicines, electronics, and batteries in your hand baggage where you can access them easily.

If you’re traveling with babies under two, you’re allowed an extra diaper bag up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm containing nappies, changing mats, and baby food.

Pack your most critical items in your smaller personal bag since gate agents might require you to check your main carry-on if overhead bins fill up. Remember to use a tape measure to accurately check your bag dimensions including handles and wheels before heading to the airport.

Keep your combined cabin luggage under 23kg, and remember that children aged 2-11 receive full adult carry-on allowances for their own belongings.

Utilize Early Boarding for Families With Young Children

When you’re juggling diaper bags, restless toddlers, and the stress of steering a crowded aircraft, early boarding becomes your secret weapon for a smoother journey. British Airways offers pre-boarding for families with infants under two and children traveling with strollers, giving you precious extra time to settle in.

Arrive at the gate 50 minutes before departure to maximize these benefits. You’ll secure overhead bin space directly above your seats for essential items like bottles and medicines, while gate agents handle stroller storage without the usual boarding chaos.

Even if your children are older than the official age limits, agents often extend early boarding invitations based on flight circumstances. If your family receives different group numbers, don’t worry—you can still board together as one unit.

Book your entire family on one reservation and select seats together during booking to ensure you’re seated as a group.

Make the Most of In-Flight Entertainment Options

While your little ones might start the flight excited about their upcoming adventure, maintaining their engagement during those long hours in the sky requires a strategic approach to entertainment. British Airways’ Skyflyers Kids’ Zone is your go-to solution, offering hundreds of child-friendly shows, movies, games, and songs with easy navigation and parental controls.

You’ll find beloved characters like SpongeBob and DORA through Paramount+ Kids, plus dedicated channels including CBeebies, Cartoon Network, and Disney.

For quieter moments, explore iMinds Jr educational series, bedtime stories, and sleep music. Don’t forget to grab free Skyflyers activity packs featuring Peggy the Pegasus at departure gates.

On select aircraft, you can even stream additional content to personal devices through High Life Stream Service.

Bring or Request Baby Care Essentials During Flight

Beyond keeping your children entertained, you’ll need to prepare for their basic care needs throughout the journey. Pack an extra carry-on bag with infant essentials—you’re allowed one diaper bag per child without penalty. Bring your own baby food and formula since onboard supplies are limited.

The crew will warm milk and baby food using hot water upon request, but they can’t provide sterilized water or bottles. Consider bringing a thermos cooler bag with ice to maintain proper temperature for milk and perishable items throughout your flight.

Store your milk in the rear galley ice box after boarding to keep it fresh. Baby meals can be eaten cold if warming isn’t possible.

All wide-body aircraft have changing tables in lavatories, making diaper changes manageable. Remember, infant liquids like milk and formula aren’t subject to the 100ml restriction when stored in baby bottles.

Know Your Stroller and Car Seat Check-In Options

Since maneuvering stroller and car seat policies can feel overwhelming, understanding your check-in options beforehand will save you stress at the airport.

You can check one stroller and one car seat free of charge for each child up to 11 years old, regardless of your fare type.

For gate check-in, your stroller must weigh under 20 pounds. Heavier strollers need ticket counter check-in.

If you’re bringing both items, only one can be gate-checked while the other goes to the ticket counter.

Your compact stroller might qualify for return-to-aircraft service if it’s fully collapsible and measures 117cm x 38cm x 38cm or smaller.

You’ll receive it at the plane door rather than baggage claim, making your connection smoother. In some cases, lightweight pushchairs like the Yoyo may be accommodated in the cabin if they fold compactly and crew permits storage in overhead lockers.

Plan Airport Lounge Time at Family-Friendly Locations

Airport lounges transform exhausting layovers into manageable breaks when you’re traveling with children. British Airways offers several family-friendly options across Heathrow terminals that’ll make your wait more comfortable.

In Terminal 5, you’ll find dedicated children’s zones in Club South, Club North, and T5B lounges featuring My 1st Years toys and mini ride-on aeroplanes. The Galleries Club lounges provide banquette seating and semi-private window pods perfect for strollers, while staff offer crayons and help rearrange chairs for naps.

If you don’t have BA status, consider pay-to-enter lounges like Club Aspire or Plaza Premium. They welcome families with calm spaces and complimentary dining—much quieter than crowded departure gates.

Terminal 3’s Family Lounge specifically caters to parents with designated play zones and reset areas before flights. These lounges also feature nursing spaces and quiet areas designed to help families recharge between connections.

The Sum Up

You’ve got this! Long-haul flights with kids don’t have to be overwhelming when you’re prepared. By booking seats early, packing smart, and using British Airways’ family-friendly services, you’ll turn what could be a stressful journey into a manageable adventure. Remember, flight attendants are there to help, so don’t hesitate to ask. Your little ones might even surprise you by how well they handle the journey. Safe travels!