Flying With a Baby on TAP Air Portugal: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated July 2026
Quick answer
TAP charges 10% of the adult fare for a lap infant. Minimum age is 8 days. Bassinets are available free of charge on A330 and A321LR routes — up to 11 kg and 12 months, pre-booking essential. Your nappy bag must fit within your adult carry-on allowance. Car seats are permitted in the cabin with a booked seat, but must come from TAP's approved list. TAP is a solid option for long-haul trips via Lisbon where bassinet availability matters.
Infant lap seat policy and fees
TAP Air Portugal charges 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. This is the same structure used by British Airways and KLM. On short routes to Portugal from the UK, the absolute cost is usually modest — on long-haul routes to Brazil, Cape Verde, or the USA via Lisbon, 10% of the adult fare can amount to a more meaningful sum. Always calculate the infant fee based on the actual adult fare before booking.
The minimum age to fly on TAP is 8 days. Bring your baby's passport and birth certificate. If flying in those first two weeks, a letter from your GP or midwife confirming fitness to fly is a sensible precaution — some check-in staff may ask for it even when not strictly required.
TAP operates a one infant per adult rule. There is a maximum number of infants per flight, which varies by aircraft. Infants cannot be seated in exit rows. Both the infant and adult must travel on the same booking.
Bassinet / skycot availability
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TAP is one of a small number of airlines offering free bassinets, and it's worth knowing the specifics before you book. Bassinets are available on A330 and A321LR routes only — these are TAP's long-haul and medium-haul wide-body aircraft. On A320 family short-haul flights (London to Lisbon, for example), bassinets are not available.
The bassinet limits are:
- Maximum weight: 11 kg
- Maximum age: 12 months
- Free of charge — no additional cost beyond the infant ticket
- Must be pre-booked — bassinets are attached to bulkhead rows and are allocated in advance. Don't leave this until check-in; they go quickly on popular routes.
Bassinets are fitted to bulkhead seats — typically the first row of the economy cabin. TAP allocates the bassinet seat when you pre-book. Once your baby exceeds 11 kg or 12 months, they no longer qualify for bassinet use. For long-haul overnight flights to destinations like Brazil or the east coast of the USA via Lisbon, the availability of a bassinet can make a significant difference to how bearable the journey is. Compare TAP directly against British Airways and KLM — both also offer bassinets — on our airline comparison page.
Airline bassinet mattresses can feel unfamiliar, which can unsettle a baby who's used to their own cot at home. Pack your own travel cot fitted sheet so the surface smells like home — a small thing that can make a real difference to how easily your baby settles in the bassinet on a long overnight flight.
Pushchair and stroller rules
TAP's pushchair policy follows the same pattern as most European carriers: pushchairs are gate-checked at the boarding gate, free of charge. They cannot be brought into the cabin, regardless of their folded size. This means compact models like the Babyzen YOYO² and Bugaboo Butterfly must also be gate-checked on TAP flights.
Your pushchair is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival — confirm which with staff at the gate. If you're connecting via Lisbon, your pushchair will need to be collected and re-gate-checked for the onward flight. Build in sufficient connection time to handle this, particularly on a first trip with a baby. A padded gate-check bag like the Huckaboo Stroller Travel Bag or the Bugaboo compact transport bag protects your pushchair from scuffs and damage during hold handling. For guidance on gate-checking and protecting your pushchair during travel, see our complete flying with a baby guide.
Three flight-friendly pushchairs worth packing
TAP gate-checks every pushchair, so you want a model that's light to carry through the terminal and quick to fold at the aircraft door. These three are the compact, easy-fold favourites for flying — and they slip into the overhead locker on airlines that do allow cabin pushchairs.
Bugaboo Butterfly
One-second one-hand fold, self-standing, and a comfy seat for longer days — the most refined of the cabin-sized trio.
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Babyzen YOYO²
The original cabin stroller — folds tiny with a shoulder strap for carrying hands-free, and a huge accessory range that grows with your baby.
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Joolz Aer+
At around 6kg it's the lightest here, with a high handlebar that suits taller parents and a one-hand fold that drops into its own bag.
Check price on AmazonSee how they compare in our cabin-friendly stroller guide.
Car seat policy
TAP 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 permitted, subject to the seat meeting TAP's specific approved model requirements. This is an important point: TAP maintains an approved car seat list, and not all models are accepted. Check the list on TAP's website before packing your car seat — arriving at the airport with an unapproved model is an avoidable headache.
If you're travelling to Brazil, Cape Verde, or another destination where you'll need a car seat on arrival, TAP allows car seats in the hold at no extra charge alongside your pushchair. Our guide to car seats on planes covers how to prepare your car seat for hold travel and what to look for in an approved model.
Aircraft-approved travel car seats
Flying TAP Air Portugal with a car seat? A compact, aircraft-approved seat is easiest to carry, gate-check and use at your destination — and, on airlines that allow car seats in the cabin, on board too (any seat used on board must carry aircraft-approval certification). These three are among the most widely available in the UK; see our full guide to using a car seat on a plane for how they compare.
Maxi-Cosi CabinoFix
The most accessible aircraft-approved infant seat — light, straightforward to fit and widely stocked in the UK.
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BeSafe iZi Go Modular i-Size
The strongest safety pedigree here — a Scandinavian i-Size infant seat with an excellent crash-test reputation.
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Doona Car Seat & Stroller
A full infant car seat with fold-out stroller wheels — aircraft-approved and brilliant for travel.
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Toddler on a longer flight? Consider a Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness
An FAA-approved aviation harness for children 10–20 kg (roughly 1–4 years) — just ~500 g, folds into a pouch, and far lighter than carrying a full car seat. Accepted by most long-haul carriers, but check it's accepted on your route before you buy.
Formula, breast milk, and baby food
On flights departing UK airports, the standard rules apply: breast milk, formula, and expressed milk are exempt from the 100 ml liquid restriction. On flights departing from Lisbon or other Portuguese airports, the same EU exemption applies for baby milk and food. Carry what you need for the journey — security staff on both ends may ask to inspect containers, which is routine.
TAP cabin crew can warm formula or baby food using hot water on request. TAP does not operate a dedicated baby meal service on all routes — check when booking if baby meals are available on your specific flight, particularly on longer routes. Bring backup supplies regardless. For sterilising bottles on the go without any electricity, a Milton Mini travel steriliser or a pack of Milton sterilising tablets is the easiest option once you're away from home. See our breast milk and formula at UK airport security guide for the full rules.
Feeding kit for the flight and beyond
A few things make bottle feeds far easier once you're away from your own kitchen — somewhere to sterilise, somewhere to wash up, and a familiar bottle that won't leak in the changing bag.
Milton Mini Travel Steriliser
Cold-water sterilising for one bottle at a time — no electricity or microwave needed, ideal for airports and hotel rooms.
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Collapsible Bowl & Bottle Brush Set
A packable bowl and brush so you can wash and rinse bottles between feeds when there's no clean sink to hand.
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Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle
A widely used anti-colic bottle with a slow-flow teat — keep your baby on the same familiar bottle when you travel.
Check price on AmazonNappy bag and extra hand luggage allowance
TAP's nappy bag allowance is on the more restrictive side: the nappy bag must fit within your adult carry-on allowance, not as a separate extra item. There is no separate infant bag on top of your personal allowance. The practical implication is that you need to pack carefully — the nappy bag competes for space with your own carry-on items.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Adult carry-on bag | Varies by fare class — check your specific ticket |
| Nappy bag | Must fit within the adult carry-on allowance (no separate infant bag) |
| Pushchair | Free gate-check (not permitted in cabin) |
| Car seat | Free in hold; cabin if own seat purchased and model is on approved list |
Given the nappy bag sits within your carry-on allowance, a thoughtful packing approach matters. Prioritise the essentials: nappies, wipes, formula or breast milk for the full journey, a change of clothes for your baby and one for you, and a comfort toy. Non-essentials go in the hold. Our baby hand luggage checklist helps you work out what's genuinely essential versus what can wait until landing.
Organise your nappy bag for the flight
A well-organised bag makes onboard changes and feeds far less stressful in a cramped seat. A backpack-style changing bag keeps your hands free through the airport, and a couple of grab-and-go pouches save you digging around at 30,000 feet.
Joolz Changing Backpack
A backpack-style changing bag keeps both hands free for the pushchair and boarding pass, with insulated bottle pockets and an included changing mat.
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OXO Tot On-the-Go Wipes & Nappy Pouch
A slim pouch that keeps wipes moist and a couple of nappies to hand — grab it and go straight to the aircraft changing table without unpacking the whole bag.
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Skip Hop Grab & Go Double Bottle Bag
Insulated to keep two bottles or cartons at temperature through security queues and delays — handy when you can't count on getting hot water quickly.
Check price on AmazonBooking tips: how to add an infant to a TAP booking
- Add the infant during booking: Select the infant passenger type when booking on flytap.com. You'll need the baby's full name and date of birth. The 10% infant fare is calculated automatically based on the adult fare selected.
- Pre-book the bassinet immediately: If you're on an A330 or A321LR route and your baby is under 12 months and under 11 kg, request the bassinet at the time of booking or as soon as possible after. Bassinet-equipped bulkhead seats are limited and popular. Booking the seat early significantly increases the chance of getting one.
- Check the aircraft type: Not all TAP routes use A330 or A321LR aircraft. Shorter routes may use A320 or A321 variants without bassinet fittings. Check the aircraft scheduled for your specific flight — TAP's website shows this at the time of booking.
- Priority boarding: TAP offers priority boarding for passengers with infants. This is typically available through TAP Miles&Go status or as part of certain fare tiers — check the current options when booking.
- Lisbon connections: If using Lisbon as a connection point for long-haul travel, factor in the pushchair re-gate-check process. TAP's Lisbon hub is reasonably family-friendly, but connections of under 90 minutes are tight when travelling with a baby.
Our take on TAP with a baby
TAP Air Portugal is a genuinely good option for families heading to Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde, or the USA via Lisbon — particularly for trips where bassinet availability on the long-haul leg matters. The free bassinet on A330 and A321LR routes is a meaningful advantage that TUI, Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air cannot match on comparable routes. The 10% infant fee is standard for a full-service carrier, and on short routes to Portugal it adds little to the overall cost. The main limitations are the nappy bag not being a separate allowance (pack carefully), and the approved car seat list to check if bringing one. If you're planning a long-haul trip and bassinet access is high on the list, TAP deserves serious consideration alongside British Airways and KLM — see the airline comparison for the direct comparison.
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Compare Travel InsuranceEssential Gear for Your TAP Flight
Now you know the policy, here's the kit that makes the flight itself — and settling your baby at the other end — genuinely easier. These are the things parents most often wish they'd packed.
Baby ear protection — Banz Earmuffs
Noise-reducing earmuffs help a sensitive baby settle and sleep through engine drone (feeding, not muffs, is what eases ear pressure).
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Travel steriliser — Milton Mini
Cold-water sterilising for one bottle at a time — no electricity or microwave needed, ideal for hotel rooms and airports.
Check price on Amazon
Stroller gate-check bag — Huckaboo
TAP gate-checks every pushchair, so a padded bag shields yours from scuffs and grime in the hold.
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Portable changing mat — Skip Hop Pronto
A padded, wipe-clean mat with built-in wipe and nappy pockets — a lifesaver in cramped aircraft toilets and unfamiliar bathrooms.
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Portable blackout blind — Tommee Tippee Sleeptight
Hotel and apartment curtains are rarely truly dark. This suction-fit blind gives your baby a familiar, dark room for naps and early mornings.
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White noise machine — Yogasleep Hushh
Rechargeable and pocket-sized, it masks unfamiliar hotel noise and recreates the sleep cues your baby knows from home.
Check price on AmazonTravelling light? Check whether your pushchair fits the cabin with our free Stroller Airline Size Checker. TAP gate-checks all pushchairs whatever their size, so a compact, easy-fold model like the Bugaboo Butterfly, Joolz Aer+ or Cybex Coya makes gate-checking quick — and all three fit the overhead lockers on airlines that do allow cabin pushchairs. See our cabin stroller guide for the full picture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does TAP Air Portugal have bassinets?
Yes — TAP offers free bassinets on A330 and A321LR routes (long-haul and certain medium-haul flights). The maximum weight is 11 kg and the maximum age is 12 months. Bassinets must be pre-booked in advance as they are allocated to specific bulkhead seats — don't leave this until check-in.
How much is the infant fare on TAP?
TAP charges 10% of the adult fare plus taxes for a lap infant under 2. The absolute cost depends on the adult fare — on short routes to Lisbon this is modest; on long-haul routes to Brazil or the USA it can be a more meaningful amount. Calculate it based on the specific fare when booking.
Can I take a pushchair on TAP Air Portugal?
Your pushchair travels free but must be gate-checked — it cannot go in the cabin on TAP flights. This applies to all pushchair types including compact models like the Babyzen YOYO². Your pushchair is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival.
Does TAP 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 be on TAP's approved list — check this before travel, as not all models are accepted. Car seats travel free in the hold if you prefer not to bring one into the cabin.
What is the minimum age to fly on TAP?
8 days. Bring your baby's passport and birth certificate. A GP or midwife letter confirming fitness to fly is a sensible precaution for babies in the first two weeks of life.
What is the nappy bag allowance on TAP?
There is no separate infant bag allowance on TAP — the nappy bag must fit within your adult carry-on allowance. Pack carefully and prioritise the essentials. Our baby hand luggage checklist helps you plan exactly what to include.
Is TAP good for flying to Brazil or Cape Verde with a baby?
TAP is a strong option for these routes, particularly for babies under 11 kg and 12 months who can use the bassinet on long-haul flights. Routing via Lisbon from UK airports is generally straightforward, though build in adequate connection time if you're travelling with a baby. The 10% infant fare is standard for long-haul, and bassinet availability gives TAP a real advantage over budget or no-frills carriers on these routes.
TAP Air Portugal policies are subject to change — always verify on TAP's website before travel. Compare all airline baby policies on our airline comparison page.
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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
- KLM — No minimum age, bassinet, 12 kg baby bag
- Aer Lingus — Transatlantic bassinet, no cabin car seats
- 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.