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At a glance
- Who it's for
- Parents with babies and toddlers up to around 5 years
- Under 2
- Usually on a lap with a loop belt – or in their own paid seat in an approved child seat
- Baby food
- Allowed in hand luggage above 100 ml for the journey – show it separately at security
- ID
- Germany has issued no children's passports since 2024 – ID cards and passports are available from birth
The first flight with a baby or toddler can feel like a small expedition. The good news: airlines and airports are used to families, and a lot gets easier once you know the key rules in advance. One thing first: every airline has its own rules – on minimum age, child seats, pushchairs and bassinets. Our summary doesn't replace a look at your airline's family page.
How old does a baby have to be to fly?
There's no single minimum age – each airline sets its own. Some only accept newborns after their first days of life or ask for a doctor's note for very young babies, others don't name a limit at all. Check your airline's conditions of carriage or family page before booking. Whether an early flight suits your baby is best discussed with your paediatrician.
Lap or own seat?
Babies and toddlers under two fly on an adult's lap with many airlines. They're secured with a loop belt attached to the adult's seatbelt – as described by Condor and TUI fly, for example. As a rule, only one lap infant is allowed per adult; if two of you are travelling with two little ones, plan one adult per child.
Alternatively, you can book a seat of their own. Your child can then sit in a child seat you bring that's approved for aircraft use. Watch out on return trips: if your child turns two before the flight home, they need their own seat for that flight – Condor points this out explicitly.
Child seats on board
Not every car seat is allowed in the cabin. Airlines require approval for use in aircraft, usually shown by a sticker. TUI fly, for example, names a test standard (ECE R44-03 or higher) and a label saying the seat is for use in aircraft, while Condor sets a maximum seat width. At Eurowings, staff check the seat's suitability at the counter. Sort this out before you travel – otherwise the seat ends up in the hold.
Pushchair to the gate
Many airlines let you take your pushchair or buggy to the gate or aircraft door. It's loaded there and usually handed back at your destination. Pushchairs, buggies and car seats fly free with many airlines – but the number allowed, registration and exceptions (such as joggers or bike trailers) vary. Some airports, such as Berlin BER and Cologne/Bonn, also lend free buggies in the terminal; at some airports, larger prams have to be checked in at the oversized baggage counter.
Liquids and baby food at security
The basic rule for hand luggage: liquids only in containers of up to 100 ml, together in a clear, resealable 1-litre bag. Some airports with new CT scanners now allow larger amounts – but not everywhere, and often not at the airport you fly home from. Check the rules for both airports.
There's an exception for baby food and baby milk: according to the German Federal Police and the EU, they're allowed in larger amounts in hand luggage if you need them during the journey. Pack bottles, jars and milk in a separate bag and show them separately at security. Expect them to be checked separately – if they can't be cleared, they can't come along. So only take what's plausible for the journey, plus a little extra for delays.
Pack the baby milk right at the top of your hand luggage. Then it's ready at security straight away – not after a big unpacking session!
Family security lanes
Some German airports have dedicated security lanes for families: BER has a "Family Entrance" for families with children up to 5, Cologne/Bonn has a "Kids' Lane", and in Hamburg families with children up to 6 can use the PRM/Family Lane. Locations and conditions change – check your airport's website shortly before you fly.
Ear pressure during take-off and landing
Many parents breastfeed, give a bottle or offer a dummy during take-off and especially on the descent – sucking and swallowing can help ears adjust to the pressure change. Toddlers can sip from a drinking bottle or chew something. If your child has a cold or ear problems, talk to your paediatrician before flying.
Don't forget ID
Since 2024, Germany no longer issues children's passports (Kinderreisepass). German babies need their own document to fly abroad: within the EU an ID card is usually enough, many destinations outside the EU require a passport. Both can be applied for from birth – allow a few weeks and check your destination's entry rules with the German Federal Foreign Office. If you're from another country, check your own country's rules.
Choosing seats and bassinets
If possible, book your seats together and early. An aisle seat makes nappy changes and little walks easier, a window seat offers distraction and a corner to lean into while breastfeeding. Emergency exit rows are generally off-limits for passengers with a lap infant.
On long-haul flights, some airlines offer bassinets attached to the bulkhead at the front of a cabin section. They're limited in number, there are weight and size limits for the baby, and they can only be used while the seatbelt sign is off. Not every airline has them: Condor, for example, says in its FAQ that it no longer offers bassinets on board, and TUI fly doesn't allow your own travel cots or carrycots in the cabin. So request a bassinet directly when you book.
Timing at the airport
Everything takes a little longer with kids: nappy changes, dropping off the pushchair, showing bottles at security. Build in a generous buffer and follow your airline's check-in and boarding times. Online check-in and – where offered – evening-before check-in save time. Families with small children can board first with many airlines; some parents split up so one goes ahead and the other boards with the child as late as possible.
Hand-luggage packing list
FAQ
How old does a baby have to be to fly?
Each airline sets its own rules. Some only accept newborns after a few days or ask for a doctor's note. Check your airline's rules and talk to your paediatrician.
Does a baby need their own seat on a plane?
No, children under two usually fly on a lap with a loop belt. You can book them their own seat and use a child seat approved for aircraft.
Can I take baby milk through airport security?
Yes. Baby food and milk you need during the journey are allowed in hand luggage above 100 ml in the EU. Show them separately at security – they're checked separately.
Can I take the pushchair to the plane?
With many airlines, yes: the buggy is loaded at the gate or aircraft door. Each airline sets its own conditions and registration rules.