International or domestic trips with a baby are an exciting experience that can bring some anxiety for many parents. In order to create the most pleasant experience for customers, Air France, the largest carrier in Europe, provides its infant policy, which aims to simplify flights with babies. If you travel by Air France domestically in France or on long distances between countries, knowledge of the infant policy will help you to be well prepared and to avoid any unpleasant situations at the check-in or any difficulties while budgeting.
The below information will cover all aspects of the policy: age limits, infant fares, lap infants, children’s car seats and baggage restrictions, as well as on-board amenities for babies.
What Is An Infant for Air France?
According to Air France, infants are passengers who are less than 2 years of age (24 months) on the day of travel. If your child turns 2 years of age in between trips, then it cannot be considered an infant anymore and needs to be booked as a child fare with its own seat.
For newborns, the minimum age requirement is several days after birth, and most airlines suggest that newborns should have at least 7 days since birth to travel by plane. However, as minimum ages and other types of documentation may differ depending on the route, it is advisable to verify the current requirements from Air France directly.
Cost of Traveling with Babies on Air France Flights
The cost of traveling with babies is one of the first things that come to mind when planning travel. The cost of carrying an infant with Air France depends on whether the baby will travel on the lap of an adult or occupy a seat. It also depends on whether the travel is within the country or outside the country.
Cost of lap infants:
- When traveling domestically in France, a lap infant usually travels for free except for any taxes.
- When traveling internationally, the lap infant is usually charged approximately 10% of the adult’s fare, including taxes.
Cost of seated infants:
- Parents who wish for the infant to have a designated seat (suggested for a more comfortable journey) may purchase a seat for the infant. In such an instance, a proper car seat or infant restraint system will usually be necessary, and the price will depend on the purchase of a seat, not the discounted price of a lap infant ticket.
Since the infant fare regulations change depending on the flight route, cabin class, and promotion, it is better to check the specific price of the infant ticket when making a reservation.
Rules for Lap Infants with Air France
The most popular and inexpensive way to fly with babies is to choose the lap infant option. Here are some things to remember about the lap infant:
- No more than one lap infant per adult passenger is allowed according to the safety standards of the airline industry.
- Usually, the escort should be 18 years old or older; however, exceptions can be made for parents and guardians of infants younger than 18 years old.
- In case you are going to travel with two infants under 2 years old, one should take a paid seat with a special car seat, because no more than one lap infant is allowed per adult passenger. Sometimes, booking with two infants is not possible without the assistance of the Air France Reservations team.
- If your infant becomes 2 years old during a connecting flight, it means that the child ticket will apply to the remaining flights, not the infant one.
Booking a Seat for Your Infant
In case of long-haul and overnight flights, there is usually an option to book a seat for a baby to have some extra space and safety.
Things to remember:
- The car seat needs to conform to the accepted safety guidelines for aviation and automobiles; otherwise, the seat could be denied at the gate.
- The installation should be done in line with the recommendations of the car seat manufacturer. The cabin crew can assist you with proper installation.
- Booking of a car seat for your baby normally involves contacting Air France directly or choosing the right seat type/fare when making the booking instead of the “infant on lap” option.
Infants and Baggage Allowance
Traveling with an infant entails bringing more luggage, which is addressed by Air France through its baggage policy for infants:
- Travelers with a lap infant have the allowance to check one extra piece of luggage (usually up to approximately 10 kg/ 22lb).
- A collapsible pushchair can generally be carried without an additional fee, depending on size restrictions, either as carry-on or at the check-in desk/gate.
- If the seat has been purchased for the infant, the regular child fares baggage allowance applies rather than the lap infant one.
As the policies on luggage are likely to change, it is better to make sure about the current regulations when making reservations.
Also Read: Air France Business Class Seat Upgrade
In-flight Services for Infants and Toddlers
There are several options provided for babies and toddlers by Air France on their long-haul routes:
- Bassinet (skycot): Available on certain long-haul aircraft for infants that comply with size/weight criteria; however, the number of such bassinets is limited and should be ordered in advance.
- Infant meals: On flights that take approximately 2.5 hours or more, there might be a separate menu (infant meal including jars and other snacks) if ordered in advance, at least 24 hours before flight departure.
- Changing tables: Can be found in the long-haul flights bathrooms.
- Early boarding: Often offered to families traveling with infants/toddlers.
Tips on Having a Smoother Trip With Your Infants
Here are some of the expert advice tips on having a Smoother Trip with an Infant.
- Arrange for early booking and make sure you mention the details of your infant while making the reservation with the airline.
- Make sure that all necessary documents, such as the proof of age of the infant (like a birth certificate) and medical clearance for very tiny infants, are available with you.
- Make sure to dress your infants in layers, as the temperature inside the cabin can vary.
- If possible, make a car seat booking ticket for red-eye and long-haul flights.
- It is advisable to contact Air France to know the cost of the trip with your infant, baggage allowances, and documents required by Air France before your date of travel, as these policies keep on changing.
FAQs
On domestic flights inside France, infants below the age of 2, who will be seated on the laps of adults, will usually fly for free except for taxes and charges. On international flights, the lap infant will be charged about 10% of the adult ticket fare.
Infants are usually required to be not less than a few days old; the airline often requires babies to be at least 7 days old for domestic flights. Babies might need a medical certificate for younger babies. Requirements may differ, so better check with Air France before booking.
It is possible, but there should be only one lap infant per adult. If you are flying with two infants under 2 years of age, then one of them has to occupy a paid seat with an approved car seat, and it usually should be booked by Air France staff.
No, it is optional, and you can take a lap infant without booking the seat. You will pay less money and the seat will not be guaranteed. However, you can also purchase a separate seat for your baby with an approved car seat.
In case your infant turns 2 years old anytime during a journey that involves more than one flight, then the child ticket price will apply to the rest of the journey, not the infant one.