Here's what you need to know when flying Emirates with a baby. We include:
- Pregnancy policy
- Flying with newborns/ toddlers
- Flying with older children
- Children's baggage allowance
- Stroller policy
- Car seat/child restraint device policies
- Bassinet policy
- Baby and child meals
- Onboard entertainment
- Other family services
Let's get straight to the point.
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Table of Contents
- Flying With a Baby on Emirates: 2022 Notices
- Pregnancy Policy
- Newborn policy
- Flying with infants (zero to two years old)
- Flying with older children
- Infants baggage allowance
- Children aged two and older & baggage allowance
- Stroller policy
- Car seat policy
- Other child restraint devices
- Bassinet policy
- Baby and child meals
- Children entertainment
- Family services
- FAQs
- Final Words
Flying With a Baby on Emirates: 2022 Notices
Whether you're a novice parent or have experience with Emirates, the guidelines below will help you prepare for your trip in advance. Let's get started.
Pregnancy Policy
You can book a flight regularly up to the 29th week of pregnancy if you don't have any medical concerns or health complications.
When flying during your 29th week of pregnancy, you must submit a doctor's letter or a medical certificate that you're fit to fly. Emirates might not accept you onboard without these confirmations. The letters should include:
- Proof of being pregnant with one or more babies
- That there are no complications during the pregnancy
- That you are in good health
- The estimated date of delivery
- The latest date the doctors expect you to be fit to travel
- There isn't a valid reason to prevent you from flying
Emirates will not allow you to travel without official permission after the 32nd week of a multiple and after the 36th week of a single pregnancy. If you need to travel, you must submit the MEDIF form. You can download it on the airline's website.
MEDIF stands for the Medical Information Form. It's a document helping the airline's team assess whether you're fit to travel and if you require any medical assistance during the journey (incubator, wheelchair, respirator, etc.)
You should complete the form one month before the flight and submit it at least 48 hours before the trip. You can find more information here.
Extra tips for flying Emirates when pregnant
Newborn policy
Your baby must be at least seven days old to fly Emirates unless it's an emergency medical treatment (surgery, incubators, etc.). In that case, you must submit a completed MEDIF. Emirates will accept infants younger than seven days only in incubators for emergency medical reasons and if mothers travel on compassionate grounds.
You can require baby bassinets before your Emirates flights. You can book it online or contact Emirates Reservations. Emirates has separate family check-in desks for families and baby strollers at Dubai International Airport to help you. In addition, Emirates offers an infant kit filled with multiple items, including wipes, nappies, bibs, and changing tables in washrooms.
Flying with infants (zero to two years old)
Your infant under two can travel as a lap child, or you can bring your seat. The airline allows only one lap child per parent's lap. Emirates will give a special seat belt extension for a child sitting on a parent's lap. The child will pay an infant fare.
If you're traveling with a child (two and older), they need their own seat. You will pay the child's fare, and they will use a separate seat, or you can bring your own car seat. Both the infants and older children pay discounts from the full adult fare.
Child seat requirements
When bringing your own child safety belt or car seat, the item must have labels stating that:
- Joint Aviation Authorities - JAA approves it
- The US Federal Aviation Administration - FAA approves it
- The Transport Canada - TCCA supports it
Emirates also accepts the AmSafe CARES Harness since the child restraint device is aircraft-approved and suitable for babies older than one year. However, you will have to require the FAA's exemption confirmation to use the child safety belt before your flight in the following circumstances:
- If the child restraint device exceeds the maximum weight and height limit, the FAA approves, or
- If you're using the CARES to connect to a codeshare partner, another airline, or US airlines at an Emirates US getaway airport (Milan Malpensa Airport, Athens International Airport).
The FAA is a foreign carrier and not applicable for use on Emirates flights. The rules don't apply to child restraint systems and passengers. Although, the airline overpasses these obstacles with their GCAA-approved safety and risk standards. So, you can bring the restraint devices onboard.
Traveling with more than one infant
When traveling with more than one infant under two years old, you can place only one child on your lap (with a special seat belt extension), and you must book a separate seat for the second infant. You'll also need to have a car seat approved for aircraft use.
Two infants can travel with two accompanying adults when enough oxygen masks and suitable seating are available on the aircraft. In addition, two infants can travel with one adult passenger when:
- the second infant is over one year old, able to sit in a separate seat with its own child safety belt, or
- is older than six months and adequately restrained.
The second infant will pay a child fare instead of the infant fare.
Emirates allows three infants to travel with two adults if each adult passenger watches over the infants during take-off and landing. The third infant must be:
- Over one year old, using a seat with a seat belt
- Older than six months and is properly restrained
The third infant will pay a child fare instead of the infant fare. You can find more information on fare eligibility here.
Infants becoming children during the journey
All children turning two and older must use a seat with a seat belt on Emirates flights. So, if your infant turns two during the trip, they must pay an applicable child's fare and occupy a seat for that travel part.
If a passenger travels as an infant for starting point and as a child for returning point, they pay the infant fare for a start and the applicable child fare for the end of the journey. If you don't regulate the eligibility in your reservation, the check-in staff will do so at the departure gate.
If the child turns two during the trip and the travel plans change en route, the agents will reissue the coupons. Kids will be entitled to an applicable child's fare and book a separate seat for all the remaining Emirates flights.
When seats are unavailable at check-in or ticketing, the child and adult passengers will be gathered together at alternate Emirates flights. But, there must be enough seats available.
Flying with older children
Children aged five to eleven years old are considered Unaccompanied Minors and pay a full adult fare. They can travel in the same cabin with an accompanying adult over eighteen or in different cabins but also pay adult fares.
Children aged twelve and older are considered adults, so they pay a full adult fare for all Emirates flights. However, they don't have to pay a full adult fare if you make a special request for children between twelve and fifteen years old. Instead, they can pay a $50 fee for each leg of the journey. Contact your local Emirates office to make a reservation, and refer to the policy here.
Infants baggage allowance
Passengers traveling with infants under two years of age have a different baggage allowance based on your itineraries. Find more information below:
All routes, excluding flights originating in Africa, to and from the Americas:
- One cabin bag not exceeding 11 pounds/5 kg, and less than 22 x 15 x 8 inches/55 x 38 x 20cm
- Checked-in baggage not exceeding 22 pounds/10 kg
All flights originating in Africa, to and from the Americas:
- One cabin bag not exceeding 55 x 38 x 20cm/22 x 15 x 8 inches
- The baggage allowance is presented in the infant's ticket
Cabin baggage
You can ask the check-in agents to bring one of the following baby items on board Emirates flights, free of charge if there's enough cabin space available:
- One fully collapsible stroller/pushchair
- An infant carrycot
In addition, passengers traveling with infants in all classes are permitted:
- One handbag for flight necessities
- Infant food - not exceeding 11 pounds/5 kg
- One fully collapsible stroller/carrycot as a carry-on item
However, the cabin space must be available, and you should bring a car seat. If there's insufficient space open, the carrycot/stroller will be transported as checked baggage in the hold.
Children aged two and older & baggage allowance
All kids aged two and older have the same baggage allowance as adults. If you bring a car seat or a stroller, the gate agents will count it as a part of the checked baggage allowance.
Stroller policy
Passengers can bring one fully collapsible stroller or a carrycot as a carry-on item if there's enough cabin space available onboard. Otherwise, the agents will check it and take it into hold. In addition, Emirates provides a separate family check-in desk for baby strollers at Dubai International Airport, at Terminal 3.
Car seat policy
You can bring an infant car seat on the plane, but you must reserve a separate seat and pay the child's fare rates. However, read the instructions below thoroughly, as the airline might not accept your rear-facing car seat if the child exceeds a certain age or weight.
Safety standards
When taking a baby car seat on a flight, the check-in agents will inspect it to see if the infant car seat has labels stating it's suitable for aircraft and the manufacturer's instructions. The airline will accept car seats if they meet the following standards:
1. Car seats meet and exceed all FMVSS 213, with the following labels:
a) child restraint system conforms to all applicable FMVSS
b) child system is certified for use in aircraft and motor vehicles
2. Car seats meet and exceed all CMVSS 213
3. Car seats meet and exceed all European ECE 44-03 safety standards
4. Car seats meet and exceed German regulations TUV/958-01/2001
5. Car seats meet and exceed Australian and New Zealand standards AS/NZS 1754
If your seats don't meet these standards, the agents will check and place them on hold.
Emirates has strict rules for rear-facing seats. Your baby can travel in a rear-facing car seat if:
- The baby is six months old - the seat must be used as a bulkhead seat if available space. Otherwise, you must install it as a forward-facing car seat.
- For infants weighing up to 10 kg - the baby car seat might be either rear-facing or forward-facing. However, if the infant weighs more than 10 kg, the seat must be forward-facing.
But, numerous baby car seats support kids rear-facing until they're at least fifteen months old. So, the airline isn't clear about kids of six, seven, or eight months old under 10 kg, whether they can travel in rear-facing car seats.
Emirates cabin crew will help you adjust the seats according to the instructions. The seats must use the lap seat belt and face the appropriate direction, per labels. All car seats with a 3-point seat belt/shoulder harness are not acceptable.
Other child restraint devices
Along with the CARES, the airline accepts the following proper child restraint device onboard:
- Special CARES
Emirates doesn't provide these child restraint devices, so you must contact the nearest office and require them at least 48 hours before your flight. You can use these devices on approved seat locations. And, the leg rest devices are not permitted onboard.
Bassinet policy
Emirates provides a bassinet seat for kids. These child restraint devices hold babies weighing up to 11kg/24.2 pounds. The cabin crew checks if your babies fit inside. Infants weighing more than allowed cannot use the bassinets.
The dimensions vary bed on your class, so there are two types of bassinet proportions:
- 63.5 x 28cm/25 x 11 inches for the First Class
- 74.93 x 33.03 x 16.51cm/29.5 x 13 x 5 inches for the Business and Economy Class
You can book a bassinet in the Passenger Details section. But, you cannot reserve a bassinet if you booked a normal seat due to their limited number of aircraft.
Baby and child meals
Emirates provides both baby and child food for your children. Baby food comes in jars, and you can't choose flavors. Milk formula and bottles are limited, so you should bring your own. Children between two and twelve can enjoy special kids' meals, and you can choose meals to suit your child's specific diet requirements. You must reserve meals 24 hours in advance.
The cabin crew will assist you with the food and bottle warming. If you bring your milk formula, bottles, and other items, they will also help you with the food and bottle warming and sterilizing.
Children entertainment
Emirates provides multiple Lonely Planet Kids toys and various TV channels for more fun. They can also play with activity kits with stickers and sheets, puzzles, crafts, postcards, and travel trivia.
Family services
Emirates provides various onboard and airport services for flying families, including:
- Breastfeeding onboard - the airline encourages mothers to breastfeed and offers blankets for more convenience.
- Changing tables - for changing babies on board in bathrooms
- Family check-in desks - for faster check-in at the airport
- Complimentary baby stroller service - for picking a stroller and passing the security (twin baby strollers are also available). Drop the strollers at the stroller park near the boarding gate when boarding.
- Priority boarding - for families with children. You can board before other passengers.
- Family seating - the airline attempts to seat families together for more convenience onboard.
FAQs
Can I take a car seat and stroller on an Emirates plane?
Yes, you can take them on a plane if there's enough space available. Otherwise, units will go on hold after gate-checking.
Do babies fly free on Emirates?
No, babies don't fly for free on Emirates. However, infants under two years old will pay an infant fare.
Can you take a pushchair on Emirates?
Yes, you can take a pushchair on Emirates if you don't bring a car seat, and there's enough cabin space available.
Can I check in a travel cot on Emirates?
Yes, you can check in a travel cot on Emirates when there's enough space available. Otherwise, the agents will gate-check it.
Does Emirates provide strollers?
Emirates provides strollers within the airport services. The complimentary strollers are available to families to pass the airport security. You can leave them at the stroller park near the gate before boarding.
Final Words
Hopefully, the guide solved your dilemmas regarding flying Emirates with a baby. It's vital to:
- bring a car seat approved for aircraft,
- choose an eligible fare type,
- complete the medical form for your travel emergency medical reasons.
You can always contact your local Emirates offices for more guidelines when still in doubt.
