Parents warned to check TUI, Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet rules for prams on planes
When it comes to hand luggage, rules, Brits flying with the likes of TUI, Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic already have plenty of navigate.
From what bags you're actually allowed to bring onboard for free, to the food and drink banned onboard, there's loads to think about when packing for a holiday. For parents, there are of course extra factors, especially if you're planning to travel with a pram, or have a baby and need to pack enough milk and food which goes over the 100ml liquid restrictions.
To give you a helping hand we've looked at the major airlines' rules around prams and travel cots. The good news is that when it comes to baby milk and baby food, there isn't a legal limit on how much you can take.
According to the UK government website: "When travelling with a baby you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take however check with your airport before you travel.
Infants under six months need to be on your lap during a flight (Getty Images/iStockphoto)"You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby. You cannot carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage. Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point. Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids."
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It's also worth noting that legally, infants under the age of six months must sit on an adult’s lap and be secured with an infant lap-strap for the duration of the flight - airlines will provide these. For children aged between six months and two years, they must also sit on an adult's lap unless you pay for them to have their own seat.
TUI rules for families
Any prams or pushchairs must be completely foldable or collapsible, an they will be put in the hold for free, in addition to your luggage allowance. You can usually take them through to the boarding gate but make sure to confirm with staff at the check-in desk as rules can vary depending on the airport or flight.
It's worth noting that your baby change bag will count towards your hand luggage allowance and therefore must be no more than 10kg with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20cm. Baby milk also counts towards your hand luggage allowance - however it's worth noting that under TUI's policy, infants under two years old get a hold luggage allowance of 10kg if you do need a bit of extra space in your suitcases.
You can find out more on the TUI website.
Jet2 luggage rules for families
Jet2 allows you to bring "a collapsible pushchair and/or a car seat and/or a travel cot" that will be placed in the hold free of charge, as long as their total weight doesn't exceed 10kg. You can use collapsible pushchairs and buggies until you reach the plane steps/airbridge, and can get these back when you're off the plane or at the luggage carousels.
You can also bring a car seat for infants up to two years old, but you'll need to pay for a separate seat on the plane - and there are restrictions that apply such as being able to secure these with only a lap strap. You can find out more on Jet2.com.
Like TUI, Jet2 also offers an extra hold bag to your booking free of charge when you've got an infant, which allows you to have an extra 10kg hold allowance per infant.
easyJet luggage rules
Airlines have different rules on the hand luggage you get for free including if you have an infant (Getty Images/iStockphoto)As well as your usual hand luggage allowance, easyJet allows parents to bring two additional items for children free of charge, but take note these will be placed in the hold. This includes a travel cot, pushchair, car seat, collapsible or non-collapsible pram, booster seat and/or baby back carrier.
Infants under two will need to sit on their parent's lap, and won't get an extra bag. The exception is if you book a separate seat for your infant - ie if you want to bring a car seat - in which case they have the same cabin bag and hold luggage allowance as adults. (Children over two also have the same allowance as adults).
easyJet also warns: "If you’re travelling with an infant who will be seated on your lap, only an additional baby changing bag is allowed for the infant (max. 45 x 36 x 20 cm) and this must be placed under the seat in front of you."
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If your infant won't be on your lap, you need to pay for a seat for them. The easyJet website adds: "Please remember, each adult can travel with a maximum of two infants. If you're travelling with two infants, you'll need to buy an additional seat for at least one of your infants, who'll need to sit in a suitable car seat." You can find out more on easyjet.com.
Ryanair pram rules
Ryanair lets you bring two items of carry-on baby equipment for free - such as a pushchair/buggy, car seat, booster seat or travel cot - which will be tagged at check-in or at the boarding gate. You can use pushchairs up to the steps of the aircraft.
As for luggage allowance, the budget carrier's site states: "All infants must sit on an adult’s lap and do not qualify for a separate bag allowance. However, we allow a baby bag up to 5kg (dimensions: 45x35x20cms) for babies travelling on an adult's lap."
Children aged 2-11 receive free reserved seating so they can be beside their parent, but if an adult chooses a reserved seat outside of specific rows, they will need to pay the price difference. You can find out more on ryanair.com.
British Airways
BA lets you bring "a single piece, slimline, fully collapsible pushchair". This must fit within the maximum dimension size including wheels, with a height of 38cm, length of 117cm and depth of 38cm. You can use it up to the aircraft door, but during the flight it will placed in the hold, and then returned to you at the plane door on arrival (this can be destination dependent so check with the airline before you travel).
The airline also allows you to bring a car seat if "you've booked a seat for your infant or child and intend to secure the car seat on board". You can find out more on britishairways.com.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin les you bring a fully collapsible pushchair and car seat or booster seat as well as your free checked baggage allowance.
For most flights you can use the pushchair up to the gate, and then these will be placed in the hold. There are exceptions; pushchairs that are a maximum of 23 x 36 x 56cm (that’s around 9 x 14 x 22 inches) when folded are permitted in the cabin with you as your hand baggage.
Car seats or booster seats can be used onboard if you've booked the extra seat. You can find out more on virginatlantic.com.
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