Let’s be real, most of us parents want to travel the world with our families, but fear the flight. Aside from the financial strain, there are concerns about comfort, crying babies, limited legroom, and hostile passengers. However, fear not. Some airlines help families make their travel day a little easier.
Whether you’re flying domestically or abroad, I’ve compiled a list of airlines with the best perks for families. After all, every traveler has something in mind that matters most to them when traveling, so it’s nice to see airlines go above and beyond with small benefits that assist parents and children.
Now all you have to do is find an affordable flight from one of these airlines and plan your family trip accordingly.
Editor’s Note: The airline information below is factual as of the publication date but is subject to change based on the airline’s policies and regulations. This list is also based on amenities and other perks parents speak highly of in their own experiences traveling with children, and it does not necessarily reflect the quality of overall service associated with each airline.
Some Important Factors To Keep In Mind
Before choosing your airline, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. After all, you’re not just planning a solo trip for you; it’s for the whole family.
Traveling comes with new memories and smiles, but it also comes with strategy. Being prepared and knowing what you’re getting into can make the day less anxious.
Timing: Depending on your child’s age, keep your child’s nap or bedtime at the forefront. Red eyes (flights that fly in the middle of the night) are fabulous for kids who will fall asleep just about anywhere. But if your child is bright-eyed about the schedule change, a red eye may not be your friend.
Direct and Connecting Flights: Direct flights with kids are easiest because you only have to go through the motions once. Connecting flights can sometimes add stress, especially if you’re rushing to another gate upon landing. On the contrary, connecting flights are great for longer flights, as they act as a mini break for your family to stretch their legs.
Seat Selection: I’ll touch base on legroom and seating in the entries below, but seat selections are important when traveling with littles. Seats closer to the front of the plane mean you’re on and off the plane quicker. Seats closer to the front of the plane also have more legroom, which is pivotal if you have a lap baby or an active toddler.
Entertainment: While most larger planes have TVs, smaller planes traveling to smaller hubs typically do not. If you have kids, bring extra entertainment in case the plane doesn’t have a TV to help pass the time. Some great forms are learning tablets, window spinners, coloring books, and more.
Food and Drink: Although planes carry snacks, drinks, and meals, shorter flights typically don’t offer drinks or snacks due to the duration. Bring some extra TSA-approved snacks to keep little bellies full and happy. Longer flights will offer snacks and drinks. Don’t be shy about telling the flight attendants to serve kids first to keep them occupied.
TSA PreCheck: If you’re traveling with kids, consider signing up for TSA PreCheck. Every traveler will need to go through security (TSA), but PreCheck makes things easier for families. Children 17 and under can travel with their TSA PreCheck-enrolled adult for free. As a mother of two, this was a great decision, as I could leave coats and shoes on, all while wearing my baby in the baby carrier without taking her out. Memberships are valid for five years.
When all else fails, think of logistics. Make things easy on yourself, show up prepared.
Southwest Airlines
It’s not just the affordable ticket prices that make Southwest Airlines a favorite; there are a few policies that make Southwest Airlines a beloved family-friendly airline.
Destinations: The airline flies to over 100 different locations across America. The airline also travels to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Family-Friendly Policies: When it comes to flying with your family, Southwest is a family-favorite for a reason.
- Priority family boarding. Boarding first gives parents a chance to get their children settled without the rest of the passengers.
- Families with children can all board together. Southwest makes an effort to keep families together.
- Free gate checking for strollers and car seats.
- Children under 2 years old can fly as a lap child, meaning they do not have to pay for a seat. For international travel, taxes may apply to your child’s ticket.
- Free snacks and drinks.
- Each kid is allowed to bring a diaper bag, which doesn’t count towards the allowed number of carry-ons.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out Southwest Airlines’ official site.
JetBlue
JetBlue was originally a low-cost airline with pleasant amenities, and both remain true to this day, even after the airline’s first flight in the late ’90s. Today, it’s one of the top-rated airlines for families.
Destinations: JetBlue flies to over 100 destinations, both domestically and internationally. The U.S., the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada, and parts of Europe are all offered.
Family-Friendly Policies: JetBlue is one of the only airlines that offers 32-inch legroom, which is a huge plus when traveling with kids and extra luggage.
- Families always sit together. Kids under 13 years old will always be seated next to their adult.
- JetBlue is known for its spacious legroom, including in basic economy.
- Free in-flight entertainment, including games on their TVs.
- There’s free WiFi for all flyers.
- This year, JetBlue launched Family Ties. It’s a program that allows children to earn tiles from flights, which go towards their parents’ TrueBlue Mosaic elite status. Kids must be 12 years old or younger to participate.
- The airline offers multiple free snacks and drinks.
- JetBlue allows one free stroller and one free car seat to be checked at the gate per child.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out JetBlue’s official site.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is one of the more popular airlines because of its excellent customer service. The airline is also known for being on time, unlike most airlines, which are known for delays and cancellations.
Destinations: The airline serves 140 destinations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, and the Bahamas. The airline plans to test flights to Europe this year.
Family-Friendly Policies: Not only is Alaska Airlines traditionally on-time, which is huge for families, but it is also incredibly family-friendly.
- Like others on this list, Alaska Airlines seats children next to their parents or an accompanying adult. When booking through the official site, the airline books families together.
- Families with kids under 2 years old are prompted to board before the rest of the flight.
- Strollers and carseats are checked at the gate for free, which is helpful if you bring your stroller to your gate.
- The airline offers multiple free snacks and drinks, including juice boxes.
- In-service entertainment is offered; however, WiFi is not free.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
- Alaska Airlines launched a free mobile app, Fly for All, for first-time flyers, minors, and those with disabilities to ease the tensions associated with flying.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out Alaska Airlines’ official site.
Hawaiian Airlines
In 2024, Alaska Airlines bought Hawaiian Airlines. Both airlines are now owned by the Alaska Air Group. Because of the acquisition, it’s no surprise that Hawaiian Airlines is on the list since being family-friendly is Alaska Airlines’ motive.
Destinations: Although Hawaiian Airlines is now part of the Alaska Air Group, the airline serves significantly fewer destinations, mainly due to the proximity of Hawaii. The airline serves 30 destinations in the U.S., Asia, and the South Pacific. The airline flies in and out of Hawaii’s main islands and also travels internationally, including Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, and Auckland.
Family-Friendly Policies: According to the site, Hawaiian Airlines is known for its authentic Hawaiian customer service, especially when children are involved, because its flights tend to be longer.
- Children under 2 can fly for free as lap children. Taxes may apply when traveling internationally.
- Free in-flight entertainment. Keiki Packs can also be purchased, which include additional access to kid-friendly media and collectibles.
- Families with children may board before the rest of the flight to get settled.
- For long flights, fun child-friendly meals can be ordered in advance, along with free snacks and drinks.
- Like others, strollers and carseats are checked at the gate for free.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
- At age 12, kids can fly unaccompanied by an adult without paying an additional fee.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out Hawaiian Airlines’ official site.
American Airlines
While there are more family-oriented airlines than American Airlines, it’s still a beloved airline, according to families. Over the years, the airline has improved its systems to operate more efficiently and provide a more family-friendly experience.
Destinations: American Airlines travels to some of the most destinations on this list, with over 350. The airline flies to over 60 countries, making it an easy choice for both domestic and international travel.
Family-Friendly Policies: American Airlines may not market itself as the ultimate family-friendly airline, but it does offer amenities that many traveling families find appealing.
- American Airlines tries to seat children and young teens next to their family members. Their system automatically books families together on the same reservation.
- Children under 2 years old can fly as lap children, free of charge, domestically. Taxes may apply to international flights.
- One stroller and one car seat can be checked per child at no cost.
- Each kid is allowed to bring a diaper bag, which doesn’t count towards the allowed number of carry-ons.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
- FAA-approved car seats can be used in-flight for lap kids or toddlers, as long as there’s an open seat next to the reserved seat.
- Bassinets are offered for long or international flights. Bassinets are available in an area with extra legroom as well, but they must be reserved in advance. Bassinets are for babies 20 pounds or less.
- Larger flights offer changing tables in their bathrooms.
While there are other airlines geared more towards children, the changing tables and bassinets can be game-changers for long flights.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out American Airlines’ official site.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines is one of the U.S.’s largest airlines and is known for its efficiency during delays or cancellations. However, Delta should be recognized for being an up-and-coming family-focused airline as well.
Destinations: Delta Airlines flies to over 250 destinations worldwide, including 50 countries, with over 4,000 flights per day.
Family-Friendly Policies: Delta Airlines offers multiple family-friendly policies and amenities to make traveling with families easier.
- One stroller and one car seat can be checked per child at no cost.
- After the first class, families with young children can board before the rest of the flight.
- On long or international flights, a bassinet is offered for babies. However, there are limited bassinets on board, and they need to be reserved in advance.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
- Delta is one of the few airlines that offer baby food to children under 1 years old.
- Delta Studio offers in-flight entertainment for children, including interactive games. Delta also has an app, Speakaboos, that offers more entertainment, games, and stories for kids.
- Changing tables are offered in restrooms on board.
- Each kid is allowed to bring a diaper bag, which doesn’t count towards the allowed number of carry-ons.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out Delta Airlines’ site.
United Airlines
United Airlines has improved its hospitality over the years, including with families. With larger, newer planes, families can travel comfortably.
Destinations: United Airlines travels to over 350 destinations, including 120 international locations. With over 5,000 flights leaving every day, there’s bound to be one that works for your travel itinerary.
Family-Friendly Policies:
- Family seating in gauranteed.
- Those traveling with small children can board before the rest of the plane.
- Lap children fly for free domestically. Car seats are also allowed in the accompanying seat (but the seat will have to be purchased, unless there are empty seats on board.
- Children’s activity kits are often offered to children on flights. The theme of the activity kit is subject to change.
- Snacks and drinks are free, but larger kids’ meals can be purchased.
- Free in-flight entertainment for kids.
- Breast milk, pouches, formula, and breastpumps are all allowed in carry-ons.
- One stroller and one car seat can be checked per child at no cost.
- Each kid is allowed to bring a diaper bag, which doesn’t count towards the allowed number of carry-ons.
For more questions related to flying with children, check out United Airlines’ official site.
International
Flying internationally with children is another level of preparation. International travel generally means longer flights, more layovers, and more things to keep your little ones happily occupied. When looking to fly internationally, take a look at these beloved family-favorite airlines. From childrens’ meals to extra baggage allowances, these international airlines are doing it right.
- Lufthansa
- Singapore Airlines
- Emirates
- British Airways
- Qatar Airways
Flying with kids doesn’t need to be stressful, and it helps when airlines make things easier for families in any form. After reading this article, keep in mind the things that matter most to you on a flight. Is it checking a stroller at the gate? Are the kids’ meals on board? Free WiFi?
Once you know which areas the airline can assist with, it makes it easier to pack and prepare for your long-awaited flight.