Here's what you need to know about our special fares for children and info about bringing 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.
You must be over 12 to accompany a lap infant, and have only one baby per lap. You can also request a bassinet / cot, subject to availability.
Children: We count any young person between the ages of 2 and 11 as children. They will need to have their own seat, which means you'll need to book them onto your flight. You can do this online.
Young adults: We class children between 12 and 16 as young adults.
If you'd like to book a seat for a lap infant, or for a child or young adult who is flying unaccompanied, then please contact us.
We need to make sure that each child in a car seat is supervised by a guardian aged at least 14 who is sitting right next to them. Each adult can travel with a maximum of two infants. If you’ve got two children in car seats, you’ll need to have them either side of you.
If you need special support seating for disabled children, take a look at our information on support seating.
If you're travelling in Economy or Premium, you can bring your own car seat as long as it meets the standards below and you've booked a seat for it.
A passenger may bring their own booster seat on board provided it can be stowed in an approved stowage for taxi, take-off and landing and is not used when the Fasten Seat Belt signs are illuminated.
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, after which they will be put in the hold. Once we land we’ll have your pushchair ready outside the aircraft doors, whenever possible. However, at some destinations you may have to reclaim it at the baggage hall, due to local customs restrictions.
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 Aircraft. Any other devices that are not present on the list below are not permitted on board at any time.
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 |
| A canopy that is placed over an infant’s bassinet. |
| An inflatable cushion that can be placed in front of a seat to allow the infant/child to lay down. |
| Hammock for infants. |
| A suitcase that converts into a bed. |
| 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. |
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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