Information for parents

We define an infant as any child under two years old at the time of travel. Healthy newborn babies may travel after seven days of delivery without medical clearance. We don't recommend you travel within this time. If you need to travel within seven days of delivery, you'll need to get Qantas medical clearance by completing our medical travel clearance form (PDF)Opens in a new tab or window and emailing it to Qantas special handling.

Please read our information on seating and child car seats and restraints to learn about how infants are seated and limits to booking online. Children and infant ages must be added at time of booking.

In general, the carry-on and checked baggage allowance for children is the same as adults. The amount of baggage you can check in is printed on your ticket. You can also view it online at Manage booking. Baggage allowances for infants vary according to your destination - but they include a collapsible stroller or push-chair, collapsible cot or bassinet; or car seat or baby capsule. Read more about checked baggage allowances and carry-on baggage allowances for infants and children.

To make your time on the ground easier, most mainline Australian airports have strollers available for you to use once you have checked in your own personal stroller. Staff will be on hand at the boarding gate ready to collect the stroller and to further assist you with pre-boarding the aircraft. If you want to bring the stroller as carry-on baggage, it must be collapsed prior to boarding and on embarkation of the aircraft and must meet the allowance requirements for taking it onboard. 

Ensure all members of your family have a valid passport and any visas required for the countries you’re travelling to and transiting in well in advance. Some countries allow children up to 18 years of age to be included in a parent's passport provided they are accompanied by that parent. To avoid any issues check with the consulates of the countries you’ll be visiting to verify their entry requirements.

Important changes have been made to the documentation requirements when travelling with children and infants to/from South Africa.

Try to find out about departure tax requirements for the country you're visiting before you travel as it can vary. Some countries may request that this is paid in cash at the airport in the country's own currency.

Put your health and wellbeing first and ensure that you and your child receive all the necessary immunisations well in advance of your departure date. If you or your child require prescription medication, try to bring enough for the duration of your trip as it may be hard to find when you're away. It’s a good idea to carry all your medication onboard so it’s on hand if you need it. We also suggest bringing a certificate from your doctor so you can declare it if needed in some countries. It’s advisable to check with the relevant consulate before travelling as to their regulations.

Travelling with your family is a great experience and we strive to seat families together whenever possible. To select your seats after you've booked, visit Manage booking. Standard seat selection is free on domestic flights and for selected travellers on international flights. Visit seat selection for more information on seating and charges.

International travel

For international services, infants must have their own ticket. 

All infants booked online are booked without a seat and must travel either in the lap of the adult travelling with them or be placed in the bassinet if available when permitted during flight.  

If preferred, you can choose a Seat with Bassinet in advance online, so you and your family can travel together in more comfort.

Seat with Bassinet is available for a charge, subject to availability, for customers travelling in international Economy and is complimentary for customers travelling internationally in First, Business or Premium Economy cabins, on flights operated by B787, A380 and A330 aircraft. This charge includes the seat with bassinet only. A cost may apply for any adjacent seats booked. To select your seats, visit Manage booking.

In order to select a Seat with Bassinet, the infant: 

• Must be booked and travelling with an adult (parent or guardian)
• Must be less than 2 years of age, weigh less than 11kg and be able to lie flat in the bassinet at the time of travel. (Bassinets on Qantas flights are approximately 71cm long, 31cm wide, 26cm deep.) 

If the infant doesn’t comfortably fit within the specifications of a bassinet, they must travel in the lap of the adult travelling with them. In this situation, you may be moved from your Seat with Bassinet to accommodate other customers travelling with infants.

When booking online, there is a limit of one infant per adult booked. If you need to book an infant with a seat or book travel that involves more infants than adults, please contact us to make your booking. When more than one infant travels with one adult, each additional infant must occupy a seat and be able to sit upright without assistance or travel in an approved child car seat or restraint.

Please be aware that you’ll also need to confirm directly with any other airlines operating flights on your booking their policies in relation to infants occupying a seat and ensure you comply with them.

Domestic travel

On domestic services, infants can travel on their parent or guardian’s tickets when sitting on their lap.  Infants must be booked on their own ticket if they require their own seat.

Bassinets are only available on domestic flights operated by A330 aircraft and cannot be booked in advance, but can be requested at the time of check-in, subject to availability.

If you’re making a booking and your infant has not been born yet, make the booking for your own travel. Once your infant has been born,  contact your local Qantas office to have  their name added to your booking.

Safety is our number one priority for you and your family. Research shows the safety of your child will be increased during flight with the use of a child car seat. If you do plan to use a car seat, we recommend you contact us to make your booking at least 7 days prior to travel, as you'll need to book and purchase a separate seat and receive pre-approval for your device at least 24 hours before departure. You'll also need to show your device to our airport staff on the day of travel, including at check-in.

Read more about using child car seat and restraints inflight on Qantas flights, including how to obtain pre-approval.

If your travel includes airlines other than Qantas, you’ll need to contact those airlines directly to gain approval to use your device. Other airlines may have different rules and requirements.

You may be able to request a child, or baby meal after making your booking via Manage Booking on selected flights. Information about meal requests is available on our Dietary Required Meals. 

If your infant is less than 2 years of age and has any special requirements, we ask that you provide their meal for the flight.

Make sure your child rehydrates regularly on the flight, particularly on longer flights to counteract the dry air onboard.         

Passengers travelling with an infant or toddler are permitted to carry a reasonable quantity of liquid, aerosol or gel products for the infant or toddler onboard for the duration of the flight and any delays that might occur. A 'reasonable quantity' will be at the discretion of the security screening officer at customs.

Baby products may include, but are not limited to: 

• baby milk, including breast milk
• sterilised water
• juice
• baby food in liquid, gel or paste form, and
• disposable wipes.

Products such as baby milk powder that are not liquids, aerosols or gels can be taken onboard.

To make it a smooth journey for you and your child, we’ve put together some handy tips based on feedback from the many parents who've travelled with (and work for) us:

• Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothes. Layers will allow you to adjust easily according to the cabin temperature.
• Be aware of the checked and carry-on baggage allowances as well as any prohibited inflight devices.
  
• Earaches are common during take-off; take something for your child to chew or suck on.
• We’ve got a limited supply of nappies and baby wipes onboard, so please ensure you bring enough for your child. Change tables are available onboard in selected washrooms.