Lufthansa Infant Policy: Bassinets, Seats and Lap Children

Lap or a seat of their own

The safest way for a baby to fly is in an approved child restraint in their own seat. In turbulence an adult's arms are not a restraint. A lap infant is legal and extremely common, but it is the affordable option rather than the safe one.

On a transatlantic or longer flight the practical difference is also real: a baby in a familiar car seat generally sleeps, and a baby on a lap generally does not. Parents who have done both rarely go back.

Car seats and strollers

• An approved car seat can be used on board where you have bought a seat for the child, carrying the label showing it is approved for aircraft use.
• European approval marks differ from US ones. If you are bringing a seat bought in the United States, check it carries a mark the airline recognises, and ask before you travel rather than at the gate.
• Strollers and car seats are generally carried at no additional charge, checked or gate-checked.
• Gate-check the stroller so it stays with you through the terminal.
• Use a padded bag for anything gate-checked.

Documents, which matter more on an international trip

• A passport for the baby, including a newborn. There is no exemption for infants and processing takes weeks.
• Any visa or travel authorisation the destination requires for the infant in their own right.
• A consent letter where only one parent is travelling — several European countries expect one and ask for it.
• Proof of age, which the passport covers.
• Check requirements by the baby's nationality, which may differ from yours if the parents hold different passports.

The passport is the item that stops trips. Start it as soon as an international journey is a possibility, not when the flights are booked.

Baggage for a baby

• Infant allowances differ from the US norm. European carriers frequently give a lap infant a small checked allowance of their own, which is worth asking about rather than assuming there is none.
• A diaper bag is usually permitted in addition to your carry-on.
• Formula, breast milk and baby food are exempt from the usual liquid limits in reasonable quantities. Declare them at security.
• Pack more in the cabin bag than seems necessary, including an extra change of clothes for the baby and for you.

Booking it properly

• Add the infant when you book, and request the bassinet in the same conversation.
• Check which aircraft operates each leg, since bassinet positions exist on some and not others.
• Confirm who operates the flight. A ticket under one name may be flown by a group partner whose infant rules differ.
• Check the seat allows a lap infant — exit rows do not.
• Get written confirmation that the infant is on the reservation.

Getting through the airport

• Allow far more time than you would alone.
• Use the family lane at security where one exists.
• You will carry the baby through the detector while the carrier is scanned.
• Keep milk, formula and food accessible, since they are screened separately.
• Change the baby immediately before boarding.
• Find the changing facilities at departure, connection and arrival in advance — European hubs are large and they are not always near your gate.
• Do not rely on buying supplies airside.

The flight itself

• Feed on the way up and the way down. Sucking equalises ear pressure.
• Do not wake a sleeping baby for descent.
• Dress in layers.
• Ask about a baby meal if the child is on solids — long-haul flights frequently carry them if requested in advance.
• Ask which lavatory has the changing table.
• Accept help when it is offered.

What families most often get wrong

• Requesting a bassinet too late, when the bulkhead seats have gone.
• Assuming the infant fare buys a seat.
• Bringing a car seat with an unrecognised approval mark.
• Leaving the baby's passport until the flights are booked.
• Not checking which carrier operates each leg, where group partners apply different rules.
• Assuming the baby has no baggage allowance — on European carriers they frequently do.
• Not checking the age against the return date.

Booking a trip around a baby's day

The timetable matters more than parents expect, and it is one of the few things entirely within your control.

• Fly when your baby normally sleeps if you can. A flight that overlaps a long nap is a different experience from one that lands in the middle of the witching hour.
• Morning flights are usually better for younger babies, and they are also the least likely to be delayed.
• Overnight flights work well for some babies and badly for others. If yours sleeps in the car, an overnight has a decent chance; if they only sleep in a cot, it may not.
• Nonstop beats a connection almost every time with an infant. A connection means waking them, repacking, and another take-off and landing with the ear pressure that goes with it.
• If you must connect, leave real margin. A tight transfer that works alone is miserable with a pram, a nappy change and a feed to fit in.
• Avoid the last departure of the day. A cancellation with a baby and no onward flight is the scenario to design out.

Travelling as two adults, or as one

How many pairs of hands you have changes almost every decision on this page.

• Two adults: consider booking a window and an aisle on a three-seat row. If the middle stays empty the baby has space; if it fills, the passenger will usually swap for a window or aisle.
• One adult: an aisle seat is generally worth more than a window, because you will be getting up.
• One adult with two children: remember only one lap infant per adult, so a second infant needs a seat and an approved restraint.
• Whoever is not holding the baby carries everything else. Pack with that division in mind rather than splitting things evenly.
• Agree in advance who does what at security and at boarding. It is a small thing that removes a lot of friction on the day.

How Fond Travels can help

• We build the itinerary around aircraft that have bassinets where that matters to you, and request one at booking.
• We confirm which carrier operates each leg, since group partners apply different infant rules.
• We get an actual infant fare quote rather than estimating a percentage.
• We check the car seat's approval mark is one the airline recognises before you travel.
• We flag the baby's passport and visa position as soon as an international trip is mentioned.
• We answer at any hour, which with a baby in the house is more useful than it sounds.

To plan a trip with a baby, call +1 (323) 800 6001. A travel expert answers any hour.