Flying with kids can be absolute chaos.
One minute you’re calmly boarding the plane, the next you’re chasing a screaming toddler down the aisle while juggling carry-on bags and trying to find your seats. If you’ve ever traveled with children, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Here’s the thing…
British Airways actually makes family travel way easier than most people realize. With 85% of families planning to travel with children in the next year, it’s clear that parents need all the help they can get.
And that’s exactly what you’ll get in this guide.
Here’s What You’ll Discover:
- Pre-Flight Planning That Actually Works
- Seating Strategies for Stress-Free Travel
- Baggage Hacks Every Parent Needs
- In-Flight Entertainment Solutions
- Compensation Rights When Things Go Wrong
Pre-Flight Planning That Actually Works
Want to know the secret to successful family travel with British Airways?
It’s all about the prep work.
Most parents think they can wing it at the airport. Big mistake. British Airways offers specific family services that most travelers don’t even know exist. But here’s what smart parents do…
They book their seats in advance. I know, I know – it costs extra. But trust me on this one. When you’re traveling with kids, being scattered across the plane is a recipe for disaster. British Airways guarantees that all children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult, but they might put you in adjacent rows or across the aisle.
Here’s where it gets interesting…
If you’re traveling with an infant on your lap, you can choose seats for everyone in your booking for free. That’s right – completely free seat selection for up to nine people. Most families miss this because they don’t know about it.
Their family check-in zone at London Heathrow Terminal 5 is exclusively for parents with children. Plus, families get priority boarding at all airports, so you can store your overhead baggage and get settled before the chaos begins.
But what happens when things go wrong? Flight delays and cancellations hit families harder than anyone else. That’s where understanding your british airways compensation rights becomes crucial. When you’re stuck at the airport with tired, hungry kids, knowing you can claim up to £520 per passenger for significant delays makes all the difference.
Seating Strategies for Stress-Free Travel
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – seating arrangements.
71% of adults planning holidays in 2025 try to coordinate their dates with family. But coordinating dates is nothing compared to coordinating seats.
Here’s what most parents get wrong…
They assume any seats together will work. Wrong. The type of seats you choose can make or break your flight experience. British Airways offers specialized family seating options that go way beyond just sitting next to each other.
For infants, you’ve got two incredible options most parents don’t know about:
Carrycots: These are only for babies up to 6 months old and weighing no more than 8kg. Your baby gets their own little bed on the plane. The catch? You need to specifically request a carrycot position when booking.
Infant Seats: Perfect for babies up to 24 months weighing no more than 12.5kg. These attach to the carrycot position and adjust to reclined or upright positions.
The smart move? Book your child their own seat if you can afford it. Kids over 2 must have their own seat anyway.
Baggage Hacks Every Parent Needs
Flying with kids means flying with stuff. Lots of stuff.
The good news? British Airways has one of the most generous baggage policies for families. Children over 2 get the same allowance as adults, and infants get allowances for essentials like pushchairs and car seats.
Their pushchair policy is actually brilliant. Some airports return your pushchair to the aircraft door on landing, so you can collect your luggage hands-free.
But the real hack? Pack smart, not hard.
Bring a change of clothes for everyone in your carry-on. Not just the kids – everyone. Pack snacks that won’t get confiscated at security. Solid foods are fine, but liquids over 100ml get tossed. Pro tip: bring an empty sippy cup and fill it after security.
In-Flight Entertainment Solutions
Here’s something British Airways does really well – kids’ entertainment.
They offer hundreds of child-friendly TV shows, movies, games, and songs on longer flights. But here’s what smart parents know…
Don’t rely on the airline entertainment system completely. Download backup entertainment to your device before you fly. WiFi on planes is expensive and unreliable, especially when you’ve got multiple kids wanting different things.
British Airways also pre-warms baby milk if you ask the crew. It’s a small thing, but when you’re dealing with a hungry baby at 35,000 feet, it’s absolutely crucial.
You can pre-order children’s meals that include family favorites. This means your kids get fed before the general service starts.
Compensation Rights When Things Go Wrong
Let’s be honest – things go wrong when you travel.
British Airways’ punctuality was just 64% in 2023, according to OAG statistics. That means more than one in three flights faced delays or issues.
When you’re traveling with kids, delays hit differently. You can’t just grab a coffee and wait it out. You need to manage tired children, find appropriate food, and somehow keep everyone entertained while dealing with the stress yourself.
If your flight is delayed more than 3 hours at your final destination due to causes within British Airways’ control, you can claim compensation. The amounts range from £220 to £520 per passenger depending on the flight distance and delay length.
For cancellations, you’re entitled to compensation if British Airways gives you less than 14 days’ notice and extraordinary circumstances didn’t cause the cancellation. Plus, you get care provisions – meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if needed.
You’re also entitled to additional support during delays. This includes meals and refreshments in reasonable relation to your waiting time, plus the ability to make two phone calls or internet contact with people outside the airport.
When you’re stuck with kids, this support becomes crucial. The airline should provide appropriate refreshments for children too, not just adults.
Smart Booking and Airport Navigation
47% of travelers now choose multigenerational family trips, which means more complex booking requirements. British Airways handles this better than most airlines, but you need to know how to work their system.
Book everyone on the same reservation when possible. This makes seat selection easier and ensures you all get processed together if there are changes or delays.
If you’re British Airways Executive Club members, you get free seat selection for everyone in your booking. Not a member? It’s free to join and can save you money on every family trip.
At London Heathrow Terminal 5, use the dedicated family check-in zone. It’s designed specifically for parents with children. For children with hidden disabilities, British Airways recognizes sunflower lanyards and offers appropriate support.
The priority boarding for families happens at all British Airways airports. Don’t be shy about using it – you paid for your ticket, and this service is included.
Beating the Odds
Flying with kids doesn’t have to be a nightmare. British Airways offers tons of family-friendly services that make travel easier, but you need to know about them to use them effectively.
The key takeaways? Book seats in advance, use the family check-in zones, take advantage of priority boarding, and understand your compensation rights when things go wrong. Most importantly, prepare for the unexpected – having backup plans makes everything smoother.
Remember, you’re not alone in this challenge. British Airways has developed their services specifically to help families like yours.
