Flying With a Baby on Emirates: Everything You Need to Know (2026)

By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated April 2026

Infant lap seat policy and fees

Emirates charges 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. Given that Emirates fares — particularly in Business and First Class — can be substantially higher than European carriers, 10% can amount to more in absolute terms on a premium booking. In Economy on a UK to Dubai fare, the infant fee is typically modest. Always calculate the actual figure from the adult fare you're booking rather than estimating.

The minimum age to fly on Emirates is 7 days. Bring your baby's passport and birth certificate. For babies flying close to the 7-day minimum, a letter from your GP or midwife confirming fitness to fly is strongly advisable. Emirates staff are thorough at check-in on this point.

Emirates operates a one infant per adult rule, with a maximum number of infants per flight varying by aircraft type. Infants cannot be seated in exit rows. The adult and infant must travel on the same booking itinerary.

Bassinet / skycot availability

Emirates provides free bassinets on all its long-haul routes — all operated by wide-body aircraft (Boeing 777 and Airbus A380). Emirates flies exclusively wide-body jets, so bassinets are theoretically available on every Emirates route. The practicalities:

• Free of charge — no additional fee beyond the infant ticket
• Must be pre-booked — bassinets are attached to bulkhead rows and are in high demand on popular routes. Request one at the time of booking, not at check-in. On high-demand routes such as London to Dubai, Dubai to Sydney, or London to Bangkok via Dubai, bassinets can be allocated weeks in advance
• Weight limit: approximately 11 kg on the Boeing 777; verify for specific aircraft and routes when booking
• Age: under 2 years (lap infant age limit)

Emirates' fleet is exclusively wide-body, which means bassinet-configured bulkhead rows are standard. This gives Emirates an advantage over airlines whose bassinet availability depends on which aircraft type is assigned to a route. For families flying to Dubai, Australia, East Africa, or South and Southeast Asia — all significant destinations for UK families — the bassinet on overnight legs is a genuine quality-of-life difference. Compare Emirates with British Airways and Lufthansa on our airline comparison page for your specific long-haul route.

Onboard baby service

Emirates is one of the more generous airlines when it comes to onboard baby provisions — it's worth knowing what's available so you can take full advantage.

• Baby meals: Emirates offers dedicated baby meals for infants on long-haul routes. These can be pre-ordered when booking or via Manage Booking before the flight. Options typically include pureed or soft foods suitable for different stages. Confirm availability on your specific route when booking
• Baby kit on request: Emirates cabin crew can provide a baby kit including nappies, wipes, baby lotion, and a bib on request on long-haul flights. This can be a useful backup, though don't rely on it exclusively — bring your own supplies for the full journey
• Warming formula and baby food: Cabin crew will warm formula or baby food using hot water on request. On long-haul flights where you may need multiple feeds, this is useful throughout the journey
• ICE entertainment: Emirates' ICE system includes a dedicated children's section with age-appropriate content, though this is more relevant for toddlers than babies

Pushchair and stroller rules

Emirates' pushchair policy follows the same pattern as most full-service carriers: pushchairs must be gate-checked at the boarding gate, free of charge. They are not permitted in the cabin on any Emirates flight. This applies to all pushchair types including compact models like the Babyzen YOYO² and Bugaboo Butterfly.

Your pushchair is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival. When connecting via Dubai International Airport (DXB), the airport is large and terminal connections can involve significant walking distances. Emirates' Terminal 3 is well-equipped with family facilities, but allow adequate connection time — Dubai connections of under 2 hours are tight with a baby and pushchair logistics. For more on gate-checking on long-haul flights, see our complete flying with a baby guide.

Car seat policy

Emirates permits approved car seats in the cabin when a separate seat is booked and paid for the child. Both forward and rear-facing car seats are allowed, provided the model meets Emirates' approved list requirements. On a long-haul flight of 7–14 hours, having a familiar car seat can make a genuine difference to how well a young baby sleeps and how settled they are — particularly on overnight legs.

Car seats for use in the Emirates cabin must carry an approved aviation certification mark. Check Emirates' current approved car seat list before travelling, as the list is updated periodically. Car seats also travel free in the hold. Our guide to car seats on planes explains what certifications to look for and how to prepare a car seat for hold travel on long-haul flights.

Formula, breast milk, and baby food

On flights departing UK airports, the standard UK exemption applies: breast milk, formula, and expressed milk are exempt from the 100 ml liquid restriction. On flights from Dubai, similar rules apply for baby milk and food. When transiting through Dubai, the airport's security procedures are generally smooth for families with baby milk — carry what you need for the full journey including transit time.

Emirates cabin crew can warm formula and baby food on long-haul flights. Given Emirates' baby meal pre-order service, it's worth placing a baby meal request if your baby is on solids — this reduces the amount of food you need to carry in your hand luggage on a very long flight. See our breast milk and formula at UK airport security guide for the UK departure rules.

Nappy bag and extra hand luggage allowance

Emirates provides a separate baby bag allowance for passengers travelling with a lap infant, in addition to the adult's standard carry-on entitlement. The allowance is generous enough to pack what you need for a long-haul journey. Verify the current weight and dimension limits on Emirates' website when booking, as these are subject to update.

On a long-haul Emirates flight, you'll want to pack comprehensively for the full journey including connection time in Dubai: nappies, wipes, formula or expressed milk, multiple changes of clothes (for both of you), a comfort toy, and any medicines. Our baby hand luggage checklist covers what's genuinely worth packing versus what can travel in the hold.

Booking tips: how to add an infant to an Emirates booking

• Book direct on emirates.com: Add the infant passenger during booking. You'll provide the baby's name, date of birth, and passport details. The 10% infant fare is calculated at checkout from the adult fare.
• Request the bassinet immediately: After booking (or at the time of booking via the special services section), request a bulkhead bassinet seat for your baby. Emirates flights are often heavily booked and bassinet seats go fast. Don't wait until closer to departure — on popular routes like London Heathrow to Dubai, they may be gone weeks in advance.
• Order baby meals: If your baby is on solids, pre-order a baby meal via Manage Booking. This typically needs to be done at least 24 hours before departure. Baby meals reduce the amount of food you need to carry in the cabin.
• Dubai connections: Dubai International is one of the world's busiest airports. Terminal 3 is Emirates' exclusive terminal and is generally well-managed, but it's large. If connecting, allow at least 2 hours — more if you have a long layover and want to use the family facilities. The airport has a dedicated children's play area in Terminal 3.
• Skywards membership: Emirates' frequent flyer programme (Skywards) confers priority boarding benefits at higher tiers. If you're booking for a significant long-haul trip, signing up and accruing miles on this flight may be worthwhile.

Our take on Emirates with a baby

Emirates is one of the best-regarded airlines for families on long-haul travel, and the onboard experience backs this up: free bassinets on all routes (it's an all-wide-body fleet), baby meals on request, a baby kit from cabin crew, and a generous separate baby bag allowance. For families flying to Dubai itself, or connecting onwards to Australia, East Africa, South Asia, or Southeast Asia, Emirates is a top-tier option. The fares reflect its premium positioning — 10% of an Emirates fare can be higher in absolute terms than on a budget alternative. But for an overnight long-haul trip with a young baby, the bassinet availability and onboard service quality make a real difference. Pre-book the bassinet the moment you confirm your ticket. For the full comparison across all airlines reviewed, see our airline comparison page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Emirates have bassinets?

Yes — Emirates provides free bassinets on all its routes (the airline operates exclusively wide-body aircraft on all flights). The weight limit is approximately 11 kg. Bassinets must be pre-booked in advance — they are attached to bulkhead rows and in high demand on popular routes. Don't leave the request until check-in.

How much is the infant fare on Emirates?

10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. Given Emirates' fare levels, the absolute cost can be higher than on European carriers for the same percentage — calculate from the specific adult fare when booking.

Does Emirates have baby meals?

Yes — Emirates offers baby meals for infants on long-haul routes. Pre-order via Manage Booking before travel (at least 24 hours before departure). This reduces what you need to pack and is worth using if your baby is on solids.

Can I take a pushchair on Emirates?

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.

Does Emirates allow car seats in the cabin?

Yes — both forward and rear-facing car seats are permitted when a separate seat is booked for the child, provided the model meets Emirates' approved requirements. Car seats also travel free in the hold. See our car seat on a plane guide for approved certification guidance.

Is Emirates good for flying with a baby to Australia?

Emirates is a strong option for UK to Australia, routing via Dubai. The ultra-long-haul leg (Dubai to Sydney or Melbourne is 13–14 hours) on a Boeing 777 or A380 means bassinets are available, baby meals can be pre-ordered, and the onboard service is well-set-up for families. The Dubai connection adds time compared to a direct routing, but terminal facilities at DXB are good. Compare it against Singapore Airlines and Qantas for the same route if you have alternatives.

What is the minimum age to fly on Emirates?

7 days. Bring your baby's passport and birth certificate. A GP or midwife letter confirming fitness to fly is strongly advisable if flying close to the 7-day minimum.

Last updated: April 2026. Emirates policies are subject to change — always verify on Emirates' 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
• Aer Lingus — Transatlantic bassinet, no cabin car seats
• Lufthansa — Long-haul bassinets, Frankfurt/Munich hub
• Turkish Airlines — Bassinets, wide global route network

For a full side-by-side table covering all airlines, see our airline baby policies compared page.