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

By BabyTravel UK Editorial Team · Last updated April 2026

Infant lap seat policy and fees

TUI Airways' infant fee is route-dependent and can change without notice. Unlike Ryanair's flat £25 or BA's fixed 10% structure, TUI sets infant fees by route and may also vary them by season. TUI's own advice is to call their customer service team to confirm the current fee for your specific route before booking. Do not rely on a figure quoted on a comparison site — verify it directly.

Infants under 2 travel as lap passengers. The minimum age to fly on TUI is 14 days. Bring your baby's birth certificate and passport to the airport. If flying in those first two weeks, a letter from your GP or midwife confirming fitness to fly is strongly advisable.

TUI operates a one infant per adult rule. There is a limit to the number of infants per flight — exact numbers vary by aircraft type. As with all airlines, infants cannot be seated in exit rows.

Pushchair and stroller rules

TUI does not permit pushchairs in the cabin — they must be gate-checked at the boarding gate, free of charge. This applies regardless of the pushchair's folded size, including compact cabin-approved models such as the Babyzen YOYO² or Bugaboo Butterfly. If having your stroller available immediately on landing is important to you, this is a limitation worth factoring into your choice of airline.

Gate-checking works as follows: you use your pushchair through the terminal, fold it at the aircraft door, and TUI staff load it into the hold. It is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival — confirm which with staff when you hand it over. For protection, a lightweight gate-check bag keeps your pushchair clean. See our complete flying with a baby guide for more on gate-checking options.

Bassinet / skycot availability

TUI does not offer bassinets on any route — including its Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights. This surprises many parents, as the Dreamliner is a long-haul capable aircraft that other carriers configure with bassinet fittings. TUI has not fitted its 787s with bulkhead bassinet attachments. On all TUI flights, your baby will be on your lap for the entire journey.

This is worth factoring in when choosing between a TUI flight to a long-haul destination versus a full-service carrier. On a 9-hour overnight flight to the Caribbean or USA, the absence of a bassinet is a meaningful difference. For long-haul trips where a bassinet matters, British Airways, KLM, or TAP Air Portugal are better alternatives — see our airline comparison.

Car seat policy

TUI permits an approved car seat in the cabin when a separate seat is booked and paid for your child. The car seat must meet TUI's approved model requirements. On routes where TUI is operating as part of a TUI holiday package, check whether the infant/child seat pricing is included in the package or treated as an add-on.

Most families flying TUI as lap infant parents will not bring a car seat in the cabin. If you're travelling to a destination where you'll need a car seat on arrival, TUI allows car seats in the hold free of charge alongside a gate-checked pushchair.

Formula, breast milk, and baby food

TUI flights operate from UK airports where the standard UK rules apply: breast milk, formula, and expressed milk are exempt from the 100 ml liquid restriction. You can carry what you need for the journey. Security staff at UK airports may ask you to remove it from your bag or open containers — this is standard across all airlines.

On board, TUI cabin crew can warm formula or baby food using hot water. TUI does not offer a dedicated baby meal service, so bring everything your baby needs. If travelling to a destination where formula brands may differ, carry enough for your entire trip rather than relying on buying locally. See our guide to breast milk and formula at UK airport security.

Nappy bag and extra hand luggage allowance

TUI's nappy bag allowance is one of the more restrictive policies among the airlines compared here. The nappy bag must fit within your standard adult 10 kg cabin bag allowance — there is no separate infant bag or extra personal item. You need to be disciplined about what you pack.

With a 10 kg total limit, you need to pack thoughtfully. Prioritise nappies, wipes, milk or formula, a change of clothes, and a small toy. Leave non-essentials in your checked luggage. Our baby hand luggage checklist helps you work out what's genuinely essential versus what can go in the hold.

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

• Call to confirm the fee first: TUI's route-variable infant pricing means the only reliable way to know the current fee is to call or check their website for your specific route before completing the booking.
• During checkout: Add your infant as a passenger during the booking process. You'll be asked for the baby's name and date of birth. The fee is added at checkout.
• Seat selection: TUI recommends selecting seats near the front of the cabin for families. With no bassinet option, any seat works — prioritise proximity to the front door for faster boarding and deplaning, and an aisle for easier access during the flight.
• Priority boarding: TUI offers priority boarding to passengers with infants. This is typically included without an extra charge on TUI packages — confirm for your specific booking. Use it: boarding first with a baby and all your gear is significantly easier than boarding in the general scrum.
• TUI holidays packages: Many TUI customers book the full holiday package rather than flights only. Infant pricing may be handled slightly differently in package bookings — check the infant passenger terms when booking your package.

Our take on TUI with a baby

TUI is a serviceable choice for package holidays with a baby, particularly if you're booking a TUI holiday rather than just a flight. The airline covers a broad range of family-friendly sun destinations and the airport experience — particularly priority boarding — is generally well managed for families. The limitations are real though: no cabin pushchair option, no bassinet on any route (including long-haul Dreamliner flights), and the nappy bag eating into your adult cabin allowance all require extra planning. The variable infant fee is also a frustration — it's the only major airline where you genuinely need to call ahead rather than getting a clear price online. For families specifically planning a European beach holiday, Jet2's free infant policy and friendlier luggage setup make it worth comparing directly. See our European beach holiday guide for destination ideas reachable on both carriers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do babies fly free on TUI?

No — TUI charges an infant fee for lap infants under 2, but the fee varies by route. You need to check or call TUI to confirm the exact charge for your specific flight. Jet2 is currently the only major UK airline offering completely free infant travel.

Can I take a stroller on TUI?

Your pushchair travels free but cannot go in the cabin — it must be gate-checked at the boarding gate on all TUI flights. This applies to all pushchair types and sizes, including compact cabin models like the Babyzen YOYO². Your stroller is returned at the jet bridge or baggage reclaim on arrival.

Does TUI have bassinets?

No — TUI does not provide bassinets on any route, including on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul flights. This surprises many parents expecting bassinet availability on the Dreamliner. Your baby will be on your lap for the entire flight. If bassinets are important for your trip, British Airways or KLM are alternatives worth comparing.

What baby items can I bring on TUI?

You can bring nappies, wipes, formula, breast milk, baby food, and medicines. Baby milk and food are exempt from the 100 ml liquid rule at UK airports. Note that your nappy bag must fit within your 10 kg adult cabin allowance — there is no separate infant bag allowance. See our baby hand luggage checklist to plan what fits.

Is TUI good for flying with a baby?

TUI is workable for short to medium-haul package holidays with a baby, with reasonable priority boarding and broad family destination coverage. The restrictions — no cabin pushchair, no bassinet, nappy bag within your adult allowance, variable infant fees — require more planning than airlines like Jet2 or easyJet. For a direct comparison across carriers, see our airline baby policies compared page.

Last updated: April 2026. TUI policies are subject to change — always verify on TUI'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
• 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
• 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.