Flying With A Baby on Emirates
We’ve flown with Emirates several times throughout the baby and toddler stage and as it used to be one of the airlines I was a flight attendant for – I know their polices and what facilities they have for babies very well. I also helped hundreds of parents onboard. I hope this information helps you prepare for your flight with them.
If you are also flying with a baby on Emirates, then here is all the information you need to know about the airline – in one convenient place. Also ask me questions in the comments and I will try and help you too!
This FAQ guide covers what to expect on an Emirates flight with a baby, including; airplane bassinets, baggage allowances, stroller & car seat rules, baby food, car seats, child restraint devices, strollers, toys, entertainment and more.
(For non airline specific flying with a baby tips see here.)
Good to know information
Dubai Airport is the base for Emirates, so you will find additional amenities for families including separate check‑in desks for families and complimentary red strollers to use. It is a HUGE airport to navigate, so I’ve found taking your own cabin sized stroller is the best option, particularly for transit stops as you may still have to walk to find one of their complimentary red strollers.
Unlike Etihad, Emirates do not allow any sort of sleeping device onboard eg Planepal, Bedbox etc. (They do allow the Cozigo bassinet cover.) so your seating options are the bassinet for a baby or a car seat if aged between 6- 36 months only or normal seat if over 1 year old.
Onboard amenities for kids are very good, including baby meals, child meals, baby amenity kit but they do have several different policies to other airlines, which may make you consider booking Etihad or Singapore Airlines instead.
Emirates – TRAVELLING WITH BABY POLICIES
- Airline policies vary with the ages infants can fly. For Emirates your baby must be at least seven days old to fly on Emirates.
- Infants on an adults lap, will pay an ‘infant fare’ which is a percentage of the adult fare. But, if a separate seat is booked for an infant, you will be charged for a ‘Child fare’.
- Families with young children are allowed to board first, but unless it is feeding time or nap time, I prefer to have my husband board earlier with all the baby gear and then bring the kids on after so they are not all wriggly waiting for everyone else to board the plane.
Infant Baggage Rules on Emirates
The baggage rules are not as generous as other airlines and can be somewhat confusing as they have two rules depending on a weight or piece concept which varies on your location and destination. e.g many other airlines allow car seat AND a stroller as hold baggage, Emirates only allow ONE.
If an infant has their own seat, they are classed under a ‘Child fare’, and their allowance is the same as an adults.
What are the hand baggage allowances for infants on Emirates?
- One baby bag is allowed for diapers/nappies/baby food and milk etc and other baby essentials. The bag must not exceed 5 kg/11lb and dimensions permitted are 55 x 38 x 22cm (22 x 15 x 8 inches) no matter what route you are on.
We have sometimes got away with a little more, but Emirates normally do check and weigh baggage as you get to the boarding gate.
- One fully collapsible stroller OR carry‑cot is also allowed as a carry‑on item, as long as cabin space is available and you are not bringing a child car seat.
If no space is available in the cabin, the stroller/carry‑cot must be transported as checked baggage in the hold. It is not clear, if this happens whether you would be charged last minute if flying from Americas or Africa. From my experience as cabin crew, I would say highly unlikely.
Importantly, remember if your stroller is in the hold, on Emirates it is NOT brought back to the airplane door. My BEST advice is to bring a compact travel stroller that can fit in the cabin due to long walks to connections or baggage reclaim.
Emirates Bassinet Information
Does Emirates supply a bassinet/carrycot?
Yes, they do for free. The crew will ask your babies weight and age before use. You will also be asked to place your baby with feet facing toward the aisle.
How do I reserve a bassinet/carrycot on Emirates?
Request online in your booking or speak to Emirates customer service.
When can I choose my seat on Emirates?
Emirates automatically allocate you a seat free of charge if you have specific needs. For example if you’re travelling with an infant or if you have medical requirements.
Children (aged 2‑12 years) travelling with adults are entitled to a 50% discount on regular and preferred seats.
What happens if I don’t reserve a bassinet/carrycot seat?
If you don’t make a reservation, or there are no available bassinet seats, infants (under 2 years) can sit on an adults lap using an extension seat belt provided by Cabin Crew. For more information on the best seats see here.
What is the size/weight limit for Emirates bassinets/carrycots?
Babies can weight up to 11 kg (24.2 lb). They are 74.93 long x 33.03 cm wide x 16.51 cm deep (29.5 in x 13 in x 5 in) in Business Class and Economy Class.
Using a Car Seat on Emirates
Can I use a car seat on Emirates?
You can bring your own car seat for use by infants/children if they are in their own seats, providing it meets the following conditions and your child is aged between 6‑36 months only.
Another unique circumstance to be aware of on Emirates, is if you are using a rear facing car seat it is restricted for infants aged between 7 days and 6 months old AND it must be installed at a bulkhead position. If a bulk head seat is not available, then it must be installed in a forward facing direction.
- A forward facing car seat, must be installed in a forward‑facing direction.
- The airplane seat belt must still be easily accessible, though it must not be used to attach the infant into the car seat.
- The aircraft seat back must be left in an upright position, and if you have any attachments they cannot be used during take off and landing.
- Infants from 0 to 6 months and weighing under 10kg can travel in either a forward facing or rear facing car seat. However, if your infant weighs more than 10kg, their car seat must be forward facing.
Cabin crew can help you by raising the armrests but it should be you who secures the aircraft seat belt to the car seat. Crew will check that the car seat is permitted to use on an airplane.
Can I use AmSafe Child Restraint Device?
Yes, in all classes except First Class. Note: If your CARES is over the maximum weight and height recommended for FAA certification, or if you are using CARES to connect to another airline, codeshare partner or US airline at an Emirates US gateway airport (including Athens International Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport), you will need to request an exemption for onward travel to or from the US from the FAA prior to your flight.
Are there other options for infant seating on Emirates
No, all other seat devices are not permitted. This includes seat extenders, hammocks for lap held infants, inflatable footrests, such as Planepal, Bedbox etc and any device that attaches to the seat that restricts movement.
Baby and Child meals on Emirates
Do Emirates provide baby food?
They do carry some tinned baby food or Ella’s Kitchen baby food pouches on long haul flights, but recommend passengers bring their own unopened baby food, sterilised bottles, and any other equipment in their hand baggage. You can pre-request the Ella’s Kitchen pouches and toddler food for babies up to 2.
Cabin crew will help you with food and bottle warming. They also have milk formula and baby bottles on board if you need them. I always recommend you bring your own as the brand can vary from Cow & Gate, and the bottle teat might not be the right flow for your baby – plus only a limited amount are provided on board.
A baby amenity pack will also be given to you with wipes, a bib, spoon and a toy.
Can I sterilise my bottles on Emirates?
You can do this yourself if you bring the necessary equipment. Here is my post on sterilising when travelling.
Do Emirates provide child meals?
Emirates provides a range of children’s meals that are suitable for kids between 2-12 years.
Toys and Entertainment on Emirates
Emirates do provide toys which are pretty good compared to other airline offerings. For my baby we were given an age appropriate toy with a link ring (so it can attach to your stroller after the flight. Older kids are given bags and with activity packs and a pack of pencils.
The TV and Movie ICE selection have plenty of kids with stories, games, TV and movies. You can call and message seat to seat also!
Play Areas at Dubai Airport Terminal 3
By the B-Gates there is a family zone seating area with a small climbing area and slide for little ones.
Reviews of Emirates
Here you will find detailed reviews on flying with a baby on Emirates, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Emirates Review of economy
- Emirates Flying with Kids information (useful for all ages)
