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

By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated April 2026

Infant lap seat policy and fees

Lufthansa charges 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. This is standard for a full-service European carrier and consistent with British Airways, KLM, and TAP Air Portugal. The absolute cost varies considerably by route and fare class — on a short hop to Frankfurt the infant fee is modest, while on a long-haul fare to Bangkok or Cape Town at a higher fare class, 10% can be a meaningful additional sum. Always calculate the actual figure based on the adult fare you're booking.

The minimum age to fly on Lufthansa is 7 days. Bring your baby's passport and birth certificate. If flying close to the 7-day minimum, a letter from your GP or midwife confirming fitness to fly is strongly advisable — Lufthansa staff may request it, and having it avoids any delays at check-in.

Lufthansa operates a one infant per adult rule. Infants cannot be seated in exit rows or rows where the seat does not recline independently (some bulkhead configurations). The infant and accompanying adult must travel on the same booking.

Bassinet / skycot availability

Lufthansa provides free bassinets on long-haul wide-body routes — flights operated by aircraft including the Airbus A380, A350, A330, and Boeing 747 to destinations across Asia, North America, Africa, and South America. Bassinets are not available on short-haul A320 family aircraft or regional Lufthansa CityLine services.

Key things to know about Lufthansa's bassinets:

• Free of charge — no additional fee on top of the infant ticket
• Must be pre-booked — request the bassinet seat when booking or as soon as possible after. Bulkhead seats with bassinet fittings are limited and go quickly on popular long-haul routes
• Weight limit: approximately 11–12 kg — verify the specific limit for your aircraft type when booking, as it can vary slightly across Lufthansa's long-haul fleet
• Age limit: under 2 years — consistent with the lap infant age limit

On very long routes — Frankfurt to Tokyo is 12+ hours, Frankfurt to Los Angeles is 11+ hours — having a bassinet makes the difference between a manageable overnight flight and an exhausting one. Pre-booking the bassinet seat promptly after booking your tickets is one of the most important steps when flying Lufthansa long-haul with a baby. Compare Lufthansa against British Airways and KLM on our airline comparison page for your specific route.

Pushchair and stroller rules

Lufthansa's pushchair policy follows the same pattern as most full-service European carriers: pushchairs must be gate-checked at the boarding gate, free of charge. No pushchairs are permitted in the cabin, including compact models like the Babyzen YOYO² and Bugaboo Butterfly.

Your pushchair is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival — confirm the process with gate staff when you hand it over. At Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Lufthansa's primary hub, the airport is large and well-organised; if you're connecting, allow sufficient time to collect and re-gate-check your pushchair. Munich Airport (MUC) is generally easier to navigate for connections. For more on gate-checking and protecting your pushchair during long-haul hold travel, see our complete flying with a baby guide.

Car seat policy

Lufthansa permits both forward and rear-facing car seats in the cabin when a separate seat is booked and paid for the child. This is consistent with British Airways and KLM — more permissive than Wizz Air (rear-facing only) or Aer Lingus (no car seats in cabin at all). The car seat must comply with Lufthansa's approved requirements and carry either the ECE R44 or UN R129 i-Size certification mark.

For families flying to North America, Asia, or other long-haul destinations where a car seat will be needed on arrival, travelling with your own car seat in the hold is the practical choice — Lufthansa allows car seats in the hold free of charge. Our guide to car seats on planes covers approved certifications and how to protect a car seat for hold travel.

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 from Frankfurt, Munich, or other German airports, the equivalent EU exemption applies — bring what you need for the full journey and any connection time at the hub.

Lufthansa cabin crew can warm formula and baby food using hot water on request. On long-haul routes, Lufthansa typically offers baby meal options — confirm when booking whether a dedicated baby meal is available on your specific flight. On shorter European routes, bring your own supplies regardless. See our breast milk and formula at UK airport security guide for UK departure rules.

Nappy bag and extra hand luggage allowance

Lufthansa provides a separate baby bag allowance for passengers travelling with a lap infant, on top of the adult's standard carry-on entitlement. The exact dimensions and weight are governed by the fare class and route — check Lufthansa's current family travel guidance for the specific allowance on your booking. This is a more generous approach than airlines where the nappy bag must fit within the adult's carry-on (TUI, Aer Lingus), though not as generous as KLM's 12 kg extra baby bag.

The separate baby bag allowance means you don't need to compromise between your own carry-on needs and nappy supplies. Pack nappies, wipes, formula for the full journey (plus connection time), changes of clothes, and a comfort toy or two. Our baby hand luggage checklist is a useful starting point for planning what to include.

Booking tips: how to add an infant to a Lufthansa booking

• Book direct on lufthansa.com: Add the infant passenger type during the booking process. You'll provide the baby's name, date of birth, and gender. The 10% infant fare is calculated from the adult fare automatically at checkout.
• Request the bassinet seat immediately: On long-haul bookings where your baby is under 11–12 kg, request the bassinet bulkhead seat at booking. Lufthansa allocates these when you call or contact them after booking — on the website, look for the special service requests section. The earlier you request it, the better your chances, especially on peak-season routes.
• Frankfurt or Munich hub: If connecting via a Lufthansa hub from a UK airport, plan for enough connection time to manage the pushchair re-gate-check and any feeding or nappy changes your baby needs. Frankfurt is a large airport — connections under 90 minutes are tight with an infant.
• Miles and More status: Lufthansa's frequent flyer programme (Miles and More) confers priority boarding benefits at higher tiers. If you have status, this typically includes families with young children. If not, Lufthansa also sells priority boarding separately — worth considering on long-haul departures.
• Seat selection: Always book seats together for you and any travelling companions — don't leave adjacent seating to chance on a long-haul flight, particularly if you want bulkhead row proximity for the bassinet.

Our take on Lufthansa with a baby

Lufthansa is a strong choice for long-haul travel with a baby, particularly on routes where bassinet availability on wide-body aircraft matters. The combination of free bassinets, a separate baby bag allowance, and flexible car seat policy puts it in the same tier as British Airways and KLM. Frankfurt and Munich are well-connected from UK regional airports, making Lufthansa genuinely accessible for families outside London. The 10% infant fee is standard for the category. The main thing to stay on top of is pre-booking the bassinet promptly — Lufthansa's long-haul network is busy, and popular routes to Japan, South Africa, and the US fill fast. For a direct comparison with BA and KLM on the same routes, see our airline comparison page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lufthansa have bassinets?

Yes — Lufthansa provides free bassinets on long-haul wide-body routes (A380, A350, A330, Boeing 747). They must be pre-booked and are attached to bulkhead seats. They are not available on short-haul A320 family routes or regional Lufthansa CityLine services. Weight limit is approximately 11–12 kg — verify for your specific aircraft when booking.

How much is the infant fare on Lufthansa?

10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. The absolute cost varies by route and fare class — modest on short European routes, more significant on long-haul premium fares. Calculate it based on the specific adult fare when booking.

Can I take a pushchair on Lufthansa?

Your pushchair travels free but must be gate-checked — it cannot go in the cabin on any Lufthansa service. 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 Lufthansa 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. The car seat must carry ECE R44 or UN R129 i-Size certification. Car seats also travel free in the hold. See our car seat on a plane guide for approved certification details.

What is the minimum age to fly on Lufthansa?

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

Is Lufthansa good for long-haul travel with a baby?

Yes — Lufthansa is consistently rated well for long-haul family travel. Free bassinets on wide-body aircraft, a separate baby bag allowance, and good onboard service make it a strong option. The key is booking the bassinet seat promptly. Compare it directly against British Airways and KLM on our airline comparison page.

How do I connect through Frankfurt with a baby?

Frankfurt is Lufthansa's main hub and one of Europe's largest airports. Allow at least 90 minutes for connections — more if you need to collect and re-gate-check a pushchair. The airport has family facilities and a family check-in lane. Terminal 1 is Lufthansa's home terminal; Star Alliance partners connect from Terminal 2. If in doubt, build in more time than you think you'll need.

Last updated: April 2026. Lufthansa policies are subject to change — always verify on Lufthansa'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
• Aer Lingus — Transatlantic bassinet, no cabin car seats
• 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.