Here you'll find info about seats for children onboard, and how to bring pushchairs and car seats with you.
We only allow equipment that has been certified by international aviation regulators (the EASA and FAA) such as baby car seats, to be used onboard. Other types of comfort seating aids for children won't be allowed.
To choose your seats, just head over to My booking where you'll be able to view the seatmap for your flight.
We'll always aim to seat children within arm's reach of an accompanying adult, whether that's next to, across the aisle, in front or behind them. Each adult can accompany a maximum of two infants. You must be 12 or over to accompany a lap infant, and it's only one baby per lap please, or things get a bit too wriggly.
Flying in Economy? If you've booked a seat for your baby (instead of travelling on your lap) they can sit in their car seat. They must be next to an accompanying adult or young adult age 12 or over. If you have two children in car seats, you’ll need to have them either side of you.
If you're travelling in Upper Class your baby won't be able to sit in their car seat because there are airbags fitted in the seatbelts.
The same applies for Premium seats on our A330 - 300 planes, apart from the front row.
For all of our other aircraft it's safe for your child to travel in their car seat in Premium.
Please make sure your car seat complies to the requirements below.
Booster seats are fine to use onboard, but they'll need to be stowed away in the overhead compartments for taxi, take-off and landing, and when the Fasten Seat Belt signs are on.
You’re welcome to bring one fully collapsible pushchair and a car seat in addition to your free checked baggage allowance.
Pushchairs can be checked in or used up until the boarding gate, when they'll be put in the hold. Once we land we’ll have it ready outside the aircraft doors wherever possible. At some destinations, you may have to pick it up at the baggage hall due to local customs restrictions.
Alternatively, the following foldable buggies are permitted in the cabin with you as your hand baggage:
GB Pocket
Britax Holiday
SIlver CrossJet
BabyZen YoYo
An infant is a child less than two years old. (Children aged 2 and over are not permitted to use an Infant car seat onboard)
If you would like to use your own car seat, it must:
The car seat must also display one of the following labels:
Approved for use in motor vehicles according to the UN standard ECE R 44, -03” or later
OR
‘Qualification Procedure for Child Restraint Systems for Use in Aircraft’ (TÜV Doc.: TÜV/958-01/2001)
Approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft according to US FMVSS No 213 and manufactured to these standards on or after February 26, 1985 ‘This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards.
This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft.’
Australian Standard AS1754
New Zealand Standard NZS1354
OR
Joint Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS1754
Standard CMVSS 213/213.1
Please note:
1. You may be asked to show the approval labelling to our ground staff and cabin crew, so please make sure you know where to find it.
2. You’ll need to show our cabin crew that you’ve fitted the seat securely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. The seat must fit securely using a normal aircraft seatbelt, as unlike cars, we don’t have ISOFIX systems or seatbelts that are worn over the shoulder.
Premium and Upper Class
If you have a car seat, you may be aware that you can’t use them where airbags are fitted. As all of our Upper Class suites and the Premium seats on many of our aircraft have airbags you will be unable to use your own car seats.
The below devices are permitted to use for children onboard all Virgin Atlantic planes. Any other devices that are not present on this list aren't permitted onboard at any time.
* Can't be used if the child is in an aisle seat (middle and window seats are fine). Must be stowed away for taxi, takeoff and landing, and during turbulence. Can be carried instead of a cabin bag.
Comfort aids including, but not limited to, the items listed below are under no circumstances permitted onboard to protect the health and safety of our customers.
| Description of comfort aid |
|---|
| An inflatable cushion that can be placed in front of a seat to allow the infant/child to lay down. Only trunkie (BedBox) and Plane Pal are allowed onboard. |
| Hammock for infants. |
| A bucket type device for passengers to place their legs in as a leg rest. |
| Inflatable foot rest that attaches to the seat in front and provides a foot rest for children. |
| Inflatable large head pillow |
| Privacy Band which attaches to the headrest |
| Knee Defender |
Refer to the tables below to help you understand cots for your baby or infant. Cots / bassinets can be requested via text.
| Boeing 747-400 | Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35cm wide x 21cm deep x 74cm long (13.8” wide x 8.3” deep x 29” long) | 28.6cm wide x 72.7cm long (11.25” wide x 28.6” long) |
| Maximum weight of baby | 9kg (19.8lb) | 11kg (24.25lb) |
| Maximum height of baby | 740mm (29”) | 760mm (30”) |
| Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330 | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35cm wide x 24cm deep x 76cm long (13.8” wide x 9.4” deep x 29.9” long) |
| Maximum weight of baby | 11kg (24.25lb) |
| Maximum height of baby | 750mm (29.5”) |
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The current wait time is several hours.
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You'll find the answer to most questions here. But if you have a specific flight or booking related query, drop us a line.
Just drop us a text on +44 (0) 7481 339184 and the team will be happy to help. From a US number, please drop us a text on 97634.
Not found the answer here? Choose the relevant contact form for your question and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
