Flying With a Baby on Aer Lingus: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated April 2026
Quick answer
Aer Lingus charges €25/£25 per flight for EU and UK routes, and 10% of the adult fare for transatlantic flights. No hard minimum age (2 weeks recommended). Bassinets available on transatlantic A330 routes only — max 11 kg, must pre-book. Your nappy bag must fit within your adult 10 kg carry-on. The standout restriction: car seats are not permitted in the Aer Lingus cabin at all — unique among the airlines reviewed here.
Infant lap seat policy and fees
Aer Lingus uses a two-tier infant fee structure. On EU and UK routes (Dublin to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other European destinations), the fee is a flat €25/£25 per flight — straightforward and predictable. On transatlantic routes (Dublin or Shannon to New York, Boston, Chicago, and other US/Canadian cities), the fee is 10% of the adult fare plus taxes, which can be more significant on premium fares.
Aer Lingus has no hard stated minimum age, though the airline recommends waiting until your baby is at least 2 weeks old before flying. If you do need to fly with a very young baby, bring the birth certificate and a letter from your GP or midwife confirming fitness to fly — check-in staff may ask for it. Bring your baby's passport regardless of age.
Aer Lingus operates a one infant per adult rule. Infants cannot be seated in exit rows. Both the adult and infant must be on the same booking.
Pushchair and stroller rules
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Pushchairs on Aer Lingus must be gate-checked at the boarding gate, free of charge. They are not permitted in the cabin on any Aer Lingus route — this includes compact models like the Babyzen YOYO² and Bugaboo Butterfly. Your pushchair is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival — confirm which with the gate staff when you hand it over.
On transatlantic routes via Dublin, you may be connecting from a UK departure — factor in the pushchair re-gate-check at Dublin if you have a connection. Dublin Airport has reasonable family facilities and a dedicated family security lane at Terminal 2, which helps. For more on gate-checking and protecting your pushchair, see our complete flying with a baby guide.
Bassinet / skycot availability
Aer Lingus provides free bassinets on transatlantic A330 routes only. These are the long-haul flights to North America — Dublin and Shannon to New York JFK, Boston Logan, Chicago O'Hare, and other US and Canadian cities. The limits are:
- Maximum weight: 11 kg
- Free of charge
- Must be pre-booked — bassinets are attached to bulkhead seats and are allocated in advance. Request one at the time of booking or as soon as possible after. They go quickly on popular North Atlantic routes.
- A330 aircraft only — not available on A320 family aircraft used on shorter European routes
On all Aer Lingus European and UK routes, there are no bassinets — your baby will be on your lap for the full flight. For long-haul transatlantic trips with a baby under 11 kg, the bassinet is a meaningful perk that makes Aer Lingus worth considering seriously for North America routes, particularly overnight flights. Compare Aer Lingus against British Airways and KLM on our airline comparison page for the same routes.
Car seat policy — not permitted in the cabin
Aer Lingus does not permit car seats in the cabin under any circumstances. This is the most restrictive car seat policy of any airline reviewed here — even when you purchase a separate seat for your child, a car seat cannot be used in flight. Forward-facing, rear-facing, and all other approved infant restraint systems are not permitted in the Aer Lingus cabin.
If you're travelling with a car seat to your destination, it will need to travel in the hold — Aer Lingus allows car seats as hold luggage free of charge alongside a gate-checked pushchair. This policy is worth knowing before you book, particularly if your usual approach is to use an approved car seat in the aircraft cabin for younger children. See our guide to car seats on planes for how other airlines handle this differently.
Formula, breast milk, and baby food
On flights departing UK airports, the standard exemption applies: breast milk, formula, and expressed milk are exempt from the 100 ml liquid restriction. On flights departing Dublin or Shannon (Irish airports), the same EU exemption applies — bring what you need for the full journey. Security staff may ask to inspect containers at both ends, which is routine.
Aer Lingus cabin crew can warm formula or baby food using hot water on request. Baby meal options are available on transatlantic routes — check when booking whether a specific baby meal is offered on your flight. Bring backup supplies regardless. See our breast milk and formula at UK airport security guide for the full UK-side rules.
Nappy bag and extra hand luggage allowance
Aer Lingus's nappy bag allowance falls into the more restrictive category: the nappy bag must fit within your adult's 10 kg carry-on allowance. There is no separate extra infant bag on top of your personal allowance. This is the same approach as TUI and means you need to pack carefully — your belongings and baby supplies share the same weight limit.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Adult carry-on bag | Max 10 kg (varies by fare class — check your ticket) |
| Nappy bag | Must fit within the adult 10 kg carry-on (no separate infant bag) |
| Pushchair | Free gate-check (not permitted in cabin) |
| Car seat | Free in hold only — not permitted in the cabin under any circumstances |
On a transatlantic flight of 7–9 hours, you'll need to pack comprehensively within that allowance — nappies, wipes, formula for the full journey, changes of clothes, and entertainment. Prioritise ruthlessly and put non-essentials in your checked luggage. Our baby hand luggage checklist helps you plan what's genuinely essential versus what can wait.
Booking tips: how to add an infant to an Aer Lingus booking
- Book direct on aerlingus.com: Add the infant passenger type during booking. The flat fee (EU/UK) or percentage fee (transatlantic) is applied at checkout. Booking direct is the most reliable way to ensure the infant is correctly added.
- Request the bassinet immediately: On transatlantic routes, request the bassinet as soon as you've booked if your baby is under 11 kg. Bulkhead seats with bassinet fittings are limited on the A330 configuration, and North Atlantic flights fill quickly. Don't leave this until closer to travel.
- Transatlantic connections via Dublin: Many UK families use Aer Lingus for flights to North America, connecting from a UK airport via Dublin. US preclearance at Dublin means you clear US customs before boarding — the process is smooth but adds time. Build in adequate connection time, particularly with a young baby.
- Priority boarding: Aer Lingus offers priority boarding for families with young children. Check the current options when booking — on transatlantic routes it's well worth having.
- Seat selection: Aer Lingus doesn't guarantee adjacent seating without paid selection. Book seats together at the time of booking, especially if you're on a transatlantic flight where seat comfort matters more over a longer journey.
Our take on Aer Lingus with a baby
Aer Lingus is a genuinely useful option for two specific use cases: short hops between the UK, Ireland, and Europe (where the flat €25/£25 infant fee is transparent and low); and transatlantic flights to North America via Dublin, where the free bassinet on A330 routes is a real advantage for young babies. The no-cabin-car-seat policy is the airline's sharpest restriction — it's the only airline in this review that prohibits car seats in the cabin entirely, and it's worth knowing before you book. The nappy bag sitting within the adult allowance is also a limiting factor compared to airlines with a separate infant bag. Overall, Aer Lingus works best when the route suits it — don't book it as a workaround from a UK airport unless you genuinely want the Dublin routing. For the full side-by-side comparison, see our airline comparison page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Aer Lingus allow car seats in the cabin?
No — Aer Lingus does not permit car seats in the cabin under any circumstances, even when a separate seat is purchased for the child. This applies to all car seat types including infant carriers, rear-facing seats, and forward-facing seats. Car seats can travel free in the hold.
Does Aer Lingus have bassinets?
Yes, but only on transatlantic A330 routes (Dublin/Shannon to North America). The maximum weight is 11 kg and bassinets must be pre-booked in advance. They are not available on European or UK short-haul routes, where your baby will be on your lap for the full flight.
How much is the infant fare on Aer Lingus?
€25/£25 per flight on EU and UK routes. On transatlantic flights (Dublin to North America), the infant fee is 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. The fee applies per flight sector, so a return journey incurs the fee twice.
Can I take a pushchair on Aer Lingus?
Your pushchair travels free but must be gate-checked — it cannot go in the cabin. This applies to all pushchair types including compact models like the Babyzen YOYO². It is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival.
What is the minimum age to fly on Aer Lingus?
There is no hard minimum age stated, but Aer Lingus recommends waiting until your baby is at least 2 weeks old. Bring your baby's birth certificate and passport regardless of age, and carry a GP or midwife letter if flying close to the recommended minimum.
Is Aer Lingus good for flying to the USA with a baby?
It's a solid option if your baby is under 11 kg and qualifies for the free bassinet on transatlantic A330 routes. The US preclearance at Dublin is a bonus — you clear immigration before departure, which streamlines arrival in the US. The no-car-seat rule in the cabin is worth factoring into your decision. Compare it against British Airways and KLM for the same routes on our airline comparison page.
What hand luggage can I bring for my baby on Aer Lingus?
There is no separate infant bag allowance — the nappy bag must fit within your adult 10 kg carry-on. Pack carefully and focus on essentials. Your pushchair and car seat both travel free in the hold alongside your checked luggage. Our baby hand luggage checklist helps you plan what to include.
Last updated: April 2026. Aer Lingus policies are subject to change — always verify on Aer Lingus's website before travel. Compare all airline baby policies on our airline comparison page.
Compare other airlines
Every airline has a different baby policy. Compare your options before you book:
- Ryanair — £25 fee, 5 kg nappy bag, gate-check only
- easyJet — ~£27/flight, cabin stroller, infant bag allowance
- British Airways — 10% fare, free bassinet long-haul
- Jet2 — Free infant travel, cabin stroller
- TUI — Variable fee, gate-check only, no bassinet
- Wizz Air — £27–32, rear-facing car seats only
- Vueling — Flat fee by route, extra 5 kg baby bag
- TAP Air Portugal — 10% fare, bassinet on A330/A321LR
- KLM — No minimum age, bassinet, 12 kg baby bag
- Lufthansa — Long-haul bassinets, Frankfurt/Munich hub
- Emirates — All-fleet bassinets, baby meals on request
- Turkish Airlines — Bassinets, wide global route network
For a full side-by-side table covering all airlines, see our airline baby policies compared page.